Major xbox hardwarre issues...

[Yars]

So a while back my xbox started doing this strange thing where the fan would whir really fast and loud, and then the xbox would just shut off. I wasn't getting the RRoD, although I did have two red blinking lights on the left hand side. Well, seeing as how the warranty is only good now for the red ring, I was faced with two options; pay microsoft $130 to fix a problem due to their faulty hardware, or try and fix it myself. Well, after coming to a conclusion, I cracked the case, voided the warranty, and proceeded to try every trick in the book that might fix this.

I started out simply. I blew the dust out of the heat sinks. That didn't work. Next I tried applying a higher quality thermal paste and cleaning the fan. Nothing. Just a couple hours ago, I replaced the x clamps with sturdier bolts. After I hooked the xbox up, I was amazed to find that it was working just fine, save for the fact that the fan was still running just as loudly. But hey, I was happy. I could play L4D and watch netflix again.

Well, it ran for a good four hours or so. I went to put in another disk, and I accidentally unplugged the power brick. As soon as I plugged it back in and restarted my xbox, IT REVERTED. Back are the red blinking lights and the abrupt shut-down. Except it's worse. Before I could at least get to the dashboard before it started acting up. Now, it shuts down as soon as I press the power button to boot it up!

Can anybody please shed some light on this?

[alimadari]

Hello Yars!

I did some research on your issue and found this information from the Microsoft Support website that says the system is overheating if there are 2 red lights showing.

--From support.microsoft.com--

1. Let your Xbox 360 console cool. You may have to wait several hours for your console to cool enough. Don't turn on your Xbox 360 console when the console is hot.
2. Verify that your Xbox 360 console is well ventilated by making sure that the console is not in an enclosed space. You may hear the fans operating.
3. If the two lights continue to flash red after you try steps 1 and 2, contact Xbox Customer Support. For more information about how to contact Xbox Customer Support, visit the following Xbox Web site:
http://www.xbox.com/support/

--End--

If the console is in fact overheating, I would leave it be for at least 24 hours, as yours is taking a while to cool down. Make sure it isn't in an enclosed space.

I hope this information helped you!

[Yars]

I did all of those things. Matter of fact, that website is the first I visited. But even after not using the xbox for close to two months, it still gives me those lights as soon as I start it up, and the xbox isn't even hot!

[alimadari]

Try taking it in to where you bought it from and say it has the red ring. It has 2 lights, maybe they will take it.

[Yars]

I'm really trying to figure out how to fix it on my own. Besides, gamespot doesn't fix consoles and I voided the warranty when I opened it.

[alimadari]

Try the following if you want to fix it on your own:

--FROM http://fix-your-xbox-360.blogspot.co...console.html--

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

1. With the console off, press and hold the sync up button.
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.

How To Clear All Installed Game Updates

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

If you are still getting an error it is probably a hardware failure. Check the error code list and go from there.
--END--

Tell me your results.

[Yars]

Even when I hold the sync button it still gets the two red lights as soon as I turn it on. It's not like there's the lights but the dashboard can come on. As soon as I turn it on, the fan gets really loud, the two red lights appear, and it shuts off on its own.

[andyxeno]

Hi sorry to be the bearer of bad news i have fixed a few 360's in my time and had exactly the same problem and funnily (unfunnily)enough i have it now, in the past i have applied pressure to tha ana(hana)chip by putting a weight on top as this comes loose from the board when overheated, letting it cool down wont do much as it wont overheat the instant you power up.Try the thermal paste fix on the gpu and cpu as a last effort just in case. (the problem with 360's is that they aren't built well at all and could be a variety of things you should try everything you can to eliminate problems)but when the solder cracks there isn't much you can do i'm afraid, reflowing by deliberate overheating is only a temp solution as when you use it for some time it will only get hot again and problem arises again.It's not just the chips that get hot either your board can warp ever so slightly and cause this problem as well(If you can go down this route replace the thermal paste turn on for about 10-15 mins and place the fans over the cpu heatsink DO NOT unplug the fans as the cpu controls the thermistor and overheating gpu and cpu will do more damage in the long term) .More than likely the solder isn't making contact with the board as it is cracked or as i've just found with mine due to constant fixing (i'm outside the warranty on mine anyway)the chip can develop miniscule damage(crack), i'm getting a refurbished one with a 12mnth warranty now as i'm sick of repairing the same kind of problems for them to break a few months down the line.In short i think yours has had it i'm sorry to say but try pressure on the ana 1st it may get you a little while longer out of the machine while you save up for a new one(if you do manage to fix it post back)

[Yars]

I guess that's the only explanation then that would account for my problems. Thanks.