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Xbox 360 hardware error guide

Yeah, my Xbox is fuxored 🙁

Kat was kind enough to send me this information about fixes – thanks Kat!

I haven’t had a chance to give any of them a try yet, but I thought I’d better put this up ASAP because I get heaps of visitors landing up here via Xbox related searches and this could help somebody else facing the dreaded RROD.

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Sections 1, 2, 3, and 4 are flashing red
– The AV cable cannot be detected
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THINGS TO TRY

  1. Make sure that the AV cable is correctly connected to the Xbox 360 console.
  2. Disconnect the AV cable from the Xbox 360 console, and then reconnect the AV cable to the Xbox 360 console.
  3. If the four flashing red lights continue to flash, try wiping the metal area of the AV pack with a dry cloth. The metal area is the end that plugs into the console. Wipe the metal area thoroughly, and then try the AV Pack again.
  4. If the AV cable is correctly connected but the four red lights are still flashing, substitute a different AV cable if you have one available.

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Sections 1, 3, and 4 are flashing red
– General Hardware Failure
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\ /

Check the secondary Error Code per the instructions in the section below

THINGS TO TRY

  1. Try restarting the console.
  2. If restarting the console does not resolve the behavior, follow these steps:

* Turn the console off.

* Turn on the console.

* Unplug all the power and AV cables from the console.

* Unplug the power cord from the wall socket.

* Firmly reconnect all the cables.

  • If these steps do not resolve the behavior, turn the console off, remove the hard drive, and then turn on the console. If the 3x Red LED error light is no longer displayed, turn the console off, re-attach the hard drive, and then turn on the console.
  • Also examine the lights on the power supply. When you turn on the console, the power supply light should illuminate green even if the three lights on the RoL flash red.

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Sections 1, and 3 are flashing red
– Overheating
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\ /

Alternatively Overheating can be cause by the console locking up or “freezing” after a set amount of time. Lockups that occur at a specific point in a game are generally problems with the game itself and not caused by overheating.

THINGS TO TRY

  1. Let the Xbox 360 console cool.
    Note You may have to wait several hours for the console to cool enough. Do not turn on the console when the console is hot.
  2. Verify that the console has sufficient ventilation and that the fan is operating. For more information about ventilation, see the “More Information” section.

PREVENTION SUGGESTIONS
To try to prevent this problem, use the following precautions:

  • Do not block any ventilation openings on the Xbox 360 console.
  • Do not put the Xbox 360 console on a bed, on a sofa, or on any other soft surface that may block ventilation openings.
  • Do not put the Xbox 360 console in a confined space, such as a bookcase, a rack, or a stereo cabinet, unless the space is well-ventilated.
  • Do not put the Xbox 360 console near any heat source, such as a radiator, a heat register, a stove, or an amplifier.

DO NOT EVER PUT YOUR CONSOLE IN THE FREEZER OR OUT IN COLD WEATHER

Some people think that doing this might help “fix” an overheating console, in fact doing so could cause even bigger problems. Electronic devices like your console are made to function at and around room temperature, extreme cold temperatures can often cause just as many problems as extreme warm temperatures (such as overheating). Also if the console is located in a dramatically cold area while running, the difference in temperature between the hot console and cold air can create condensation which in turn will short out your console making the situation far worse. Condensation will happen more quickly if your console is overheating due to the greater difference in temperature. In short … DON’T DO IT.

A more aggressive Solution to overheating is to improve the cooling system of the console. The best solution is to replace the thermal compound. If you attempt this you do so at your own risk. If you’re console is still under warranty it is recommended that you contact MS for a replacement before attempting to fix it yourself.

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Section 4 is flashing red
– Hardware Failure
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\ /

The Specific Type of hardware failure can be determined by the error code displayed on the screen.
If the screen is blank or you would like additional information follow the instructions for determining the secondary error code in the section below.

E45: Unknown (possibly dashboard update related)

E64: DVD Drive Error…. DVD Timeout, Wrong firmware, dvd is without f/w chip, etc.

E65: DVD Drive Error…. DVD Timeout, Wrong firmware, dvd is without f/w chip, etc. This can also be caused by the tray not being fully closed on boot.

E66: DVD Drive Error: DVD model, or version does not match that of the version expected by the dashboard. OR the firmware version on the drive is older then the firmware version expected by the dashboard. Make sure the DVD drive is of the same version originally included with the console and that it is using either the original firmware included with the console or newer.

E67: Hard Drive Error… It could be a problem with the Hard Drive itself or a problem with the internal connection to the hard drive, Try removing the hard drive and playing without it

E68: Voltage Error… This error means that the Xbox 360 has insufficent power to function properly. This can be caused by an error in the hard drive or the fans that make them suck up too much power, it can also be caused if you have unnecessary accessories attached to the console like an external fan unit. Attempt to remove unnecessary accessories first, and then necessary components such as the hard drive and USB devices. If you have any case mods you may want to investigate those as well.

E69: Hard Drive Error… It could be a problem with the Hard Drive itself or a problem with the internal connection to the hard drive, Try removing the hard drive and playing without it

E71: possibly a dashboard update error, Check below in the “Console Reset Codes” for instructions. If that does not work there is no other solution and the console must be sent back to MS for repair.

E72: (not yet known)

E73: General Hardware Error: Ethernet port… this error is caused by a problem with the Ethernet port.

E74: There is high chance it’s a scaler chip problem (the “ANA” or “HANA” chip near the AV cable connection) it can also be caused by a faulty AV cable so check that first. In some cases it is a problem with the GPU and may be repairable by doing the x-clamp replacement (see error 0102)

E76: This error deals with the Ethernet port’s controller chip, a dead chip may not cause the error but removing the Ethernet controller chip does, it may also be caused by other Ethernet related problems.

E79: Hard Drive Error… It could be a problem with the Hard Drive itself or a problem with the internal connection to the hard drive, Try removing the hard drive and playing without it.
According to tmbinc: E79 is the error code if xam.xex could not be started, i.e. probably a file system corruption.

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SECONDARY ERROR CODES
The specific type of hardware failure can be determined by a “hidden” error code

* Turn the xbox 360 on, and wait till the 3 red lights are flashing.
* Press and hold the sync up button (the small white one), while holding that button press the eject button.
* The LEDs will now blink the first number in the code (as described below).
* Release the eject button and press it again.
* The LEDs will now blink the second number of the code.
* Release the eject button and press it again.
* The LEDs will now blink the third number of the code.
* Release the eject button and press it again.
* The LEDs will now blink the forth number of the code.
* Release the eject button and press it again.
* The LEDs will go back to the 3 red flashing lights.

You should be able to determine the difference between the 3 flashing lights and the error code lights by the rate in which they flash.

Here is how you interpret the LEDs to get the code number:

* All four lights flashing – 0
* One light flashing – 1
* Two Lights flashing – 2
* Three lights flashing – 3

0001 power supply problem

0002 Network Interface problem

0003 Power problem could be the PSU could be the GPU/CPU, somehow the console isn’t getting clean power from the power supply.

0010 There is a problem with the Southbridge Chip usually dealing with how it connects to the mainboard (cold solder joint/bridged solder joints)

0011 CPU over heating – If you are receiving this error after disassembling your console make sure to all 8 of the heatsinc screws are tightened securely to the board/heatsink holes.

0012 GPU over heating

0013 RAM over heating

0020 (Not yet known, possibly overheating)

0021 This can be caused by two completely different things either:

A. DVD Drive Time out – Can be caused by problems with a firmware flash. This is also speculated to sometime be caused by a problem with the southbridge chipset on the motherboard based on how it connects to the DVD drive.
B. GPU error, generally caused by a poor connection to the mainboard (cold solder joints/bridged solder joints) See error 102 for more information

0022 CPU error, generally caused by a poor connection to the mainboard (cold solder joints/bridged solder joints). This can also be triggered by an error with the TSOP.

0023 (not yet known)

0030 Problem with temperature control

0031 (not yet known)

0032 (not yet known)

0033 (not yet known)

0100 (not yet known)

0101 (not yet known)

0102 Error in the “Digital Backbone” (CPU/GPU/RAM), this is usually caused by a cold solder joint between the GPU and the mainboard.
The theory to fixing this one deals with the “X” clamps that hold down the chips. DO NOT attempt either of these if your console is still under warranty. If your console is still under warranty return it to the store where it was purchased or call MS to have it replaced.

0103 GPU Error this is usually caused by bridged solder points where the GPU connects to the mainboard. see error 0102 for more detailed information

0110 Ram error, this is caused by a cold or bridged solder joint on one of the Ram chips.

0200 (not yet known)
1000 Kernel can’t be launched/signature in NAND Flash chip is broken! It could be possible after bad update. This might also be caused by a bad SATA cable.

1001 DVD Drive Error, either incorrect firmware or DVD Time out.

1002 (not yet known)

1003 Hard Drive Error … It could be a problem with the Hard Drive itself or a problem with the internal connection to the hard drive, Try removing the hard drive and playing without it.

1010 Hard Drive Error, Can be caused buy a corrupt or missing eProm. See also E68 above

1011 (not yet known)

1012 (not yet known)

1013 (not yet known) possibly a dashboard update error

1020 (not yet known)

1021 (not yet known)

1022 There is high chance it’s a scaler chip problem (the “ANA” or “HANA” chip near the AV cable connection) it can also be caused by a faulty AV cable so check that first. In some cases it is a problem with the GPU and may be repairable by doing the x-clamp replacement (see error 0102)

1023 DVD drive not connected, connect DVD drive to boot

1030 This error deals with the Ethernet port’s controller chip, a dead chip may not cause the error but removing the Ethernet controller chip does, it may also be caused by other Ethernet related problems.

1031 (not yet known)

1032 (not yet known)

1033 it could be cpu/gpu related or it could be psu related, not much info is known for sure.

1444 and up There is no “4” in the error codes four lights is a “0” go back and check your code again.

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Console Reset Codes
Clear All Installed Game Updates and Console Cache

  1. Go to the “system” blade
  2. Select “memory”
  3. Press Y on the HD symbol
  4. Press X,X, Left Bumper, Right Bumper, X,X
  5. A message will appear saying: “Do you want to perform maintenance on your Xbox 360 storage devices?”
  6. Select Yes

Clear Any Failed system updates that cause the console to error.

1. With the console off, press and hold the sync up button (the small white one)
2. While holding the sync button press the power button to turn on the console
3. Continue to hold the sync button until the Console has booted up completely.
4. During the boot process the console should clear any failed updates, allowing you to use it normally.

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Sending in your Console for Repair

If none of the above suggestions work, contact MS customer support get get a support ticket started. If your console is still under warranty DO NOT attempt to open it and fix it yourself. MS will fix it promptly and for free and if you open it you loose the free support.

Check the documentation that came with your Xbox 360 for contact information.

What every Xbox owner dreads

See those lights on the right? They’re red.

They are supposed to be GREEN dammit!

This is, er hem, *affectionately* known as the Red Ring of Death!!
(or RROD for short)

And it’s FAR worse than the Windows blue screen or the Apple bomb …

This is a hardware issue and means that I now have dig around for the receipt (somewhere!!),
then spend gawd-knows-how-long on the phone to Microsoft, talking to some dumb-ass chick
who will keep me on the line for about 45 minutes, all so that I can get one stupid little
reference number. Then I have to schlep all the way out to Makro and convince them to either
repair or replace the thing. Yeah … I’ve had to do this before.

So now, that’s a 100% fail rate in our house – all 3 consoles FUXORED 🙁

Rockband for Xbox 360

I’m anxiously awaiting the release of this game here in South Africa. It’s coming out in Europe on Friday, so hopefully we don’t have to wait too much longer before it hits our shelves. We’ve got Guitar Hero III, which is fabulous fun but Rockband has loads more features, what with singing and drums too! I have always, always wanted to play the drums =)

     

Rockband Features:

  • Unrivaled song library! Major record labels and leading music publishers have signed on to provide unrivaled access to master recordings and legendary rock artists – from punk, metal and alternative to classic and southern rock.
  • Rock ‘n’ Roll Never Dies! Full support for downloadable content delivers never-ending challenges.
  • Play together in your living room or across the world! Rock Band offers deep online functionality, allowing players to rock together whether they’re in Rhode Island or Reykjavik.
  • Create your own rock avatar! Mold a unique rocker using Rock Band’s character creator. Chose from gender, body shape, face, hair, clothes, tattoos and signature moves. Don’t forget to pick your specialized rockin’ instrument.
  • Drumming in the spotlight! Showcase a real drum solo with Rock Band’s freestyle drum fill windows featured in each song. Break out your own rhythm and style as anything goes!
  • Call out the crowd! Vocalists can bring the crowd to their feet during Rock Band’s freestyle vocal fill windows. Ad-lib your own words or shout to the crowd to raise the rock intensity of the performance.
  • Save your mates! Band mates can fail out of a song for poor performance, but the band still plays on. Rescue your failing mate by busting out signature moves and blistering solos to wow the crowd with showmanship.
  • Boost your bonus! Earn bonus points for your band during Rock Band’s Unison Phrase opportunities if everyone plays perfectly. A single mistake blows the phrase for everyone.

Bits ‘n pieces

I’ve decided not to go to gym today. I’m still behind on work and I can’t really afford to give up those 2 hours, not right now. Jeesh, all those public holidays and being sick have seriously wrecked things. I may try and get some light cardio in on the weekend, just spend 20 or 30 minutes walking on the treadmill or something, but the weather forecast is very bleak for the next couple of days and it may not be clever for me to venture out into the cold, get all hot and sweaty and then cold again, not until I’m 100% healthy … dunno. I may just dash out to buy some wood and get the fire going soon. Winter is definitely here! Time for lots of reading, movies, knitting, and snuggling of course =)

Heard a couple of rumours:

And here’s a fun website! Check it out.

Mmk, so I can’t stick around for much longer now, have to get some work killed before the kids get home from school. I’ll be back …