E74 RROD fixed - power brick fixed - Now graphics problem

kennyjwi · 09-26-2009, 11:35 AM

Wow microsoft builds one great big piece of garbage. I'll get into that later.

I checked my cables, hook up, tv, etc... when I got the first E74. Nothing. I took it and got it fixed using the new paste, resoldering, and x clamps.

Worked like a charm. The power brick crapped out. Blew air into it, and it is fine now. BTW try that first before buying a new one from China that will burn your house down, or one for $50 on ebay.

Now I played for about 2 weeks and there is a graphic problem after playing for about 30 minutes. It happens on all games I have. I switched the cables around and then read it may be my hard drive.

So here's the question, the graphics have a strange black dots littering the screen on games and some oddities on the dashboard on my avatar. It isn't grainy or something like trying to play a game on HD without HD cables, it looks like small black squares throughout the graphic.

I was looking on google and the same question was asked here in April with no response. Thought I'd try again. Any help?

As for responses, I know - buy a PS3. :) Your HD settings are wrong. Your cables aren't attached. You need new cables. These aren't the problem, I've tried these fixes. Thanks ahead of time! :)

SteveHomoki · 09-28-2009, 12:27 PM

What pcb model is your xbox? And do you have the gpu heatsink copper add-on?
Sorry to hear your unfortunate xbox experience. All of my xbox's had optical drive issues. We may need to take a look at a couple of parts on the motherboard with an ohm reader.

It sounds like the gpu may be defective, or it's still overheating if it only does this after playing for 30 minutes or more.
Have you invested in a externally powered intercooler?(or if your like me, made one yourself?)

ebackhus · 09-30-2009, 03:36 PM

Sounds like a heat issue is causing artifacts.

I won't tell you to buy a PS3 'cause I won't even buy one for myself.

kennyjwi · 10-01-2009, 10:32 AM

You are right it was heat again.

I had someone who knows take a look at it. First off he repasted both the cpu and gpu and reattatched with nylon washers and screws. Let it heat up and retightened it just a smidge. He uses the actual microsoft paste too, as he said he found when guys use the arctic silver and it bleeds, the silver in it causes problems then too. It takes up to 200 hours to cure? When we looked at it mine was bled all over too.

You were right, a few adjustments had to be made again and it works great. Let's see for how long and if I have to do anything again.

Thanks again - as I said the only thing I found on the net was that it was a hard drive problem. It wasn't. The HD is fine.

I'll let you know if it works better this time and for longer.

09-26-2009, 11:35 AM	#1 (permalink)
kennyjwi Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 2 OS: xp	E74 RROD fixed - power brick fixed - Now graphics problem Wow microsoft builds one great big piece of garbage. I'll get into that later. I checked my cables, hook up, tv, etc... when I got the first E74. Nothing. I took it and got it fixed using the new paste, resoldering, and x clamps. Worked like a charm. The power brick crapped out. Blew air into it, and it is fine now. BTW try that first before buying a new one from China that will burn your house down, or one for $50 on ebay. Now I played for about 2 weeks and there is a graphic problem after playing for about 30 minutes. It happens on all games I have. I switched the cables around and then read it may be my hard drive. So here's the question, the graphics have a strange black dots littering the screen on games and some oddities on the dashboard on my avatar. It isn't grainy or something like trying to play a game on HD without HD cables, it looks like small black squares throughout the graphic. I was looking on google and the same question was asked here in April with no response. Thought I'd try again. Any help? As for responses, I know - buy a PS3. :) Your HD settings are wrong. Your cables aren't attached. You need new cables. These aren't the problem, I've tried these fixes. Thanks ahead of time! :)

09-28-2009, 12:27 PM	#2 (permalink)
SteveHomoki Junior Tech, Games Team Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Southern California Posts: 108 OS: xp pro sp3, vista basic, linux 10.0,	Re: E74 RROD fixed - power brick fixed - Now graphics problem What pcb model is your xbox? And do you have the gpu heatsink copper add-on? Sorry to hear your unfortunate xbox experience. All of my xbox's had optical drive issues. We may need to take a look at a couple of parts on the motherboard with an ohm reader. It sounds like the gpu may be defective, or it's still overheating if it only does this after playing for 30 minutes or more. Have you invested in a externally powered intercooler?(or if your like me, made one yourself?) Last edited by SteveHomoki; 09-28-2009 at 12:44 PM.

09-30-2009, 03:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,284 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	Re: E74 RROD fixed - power brick fixed - Now graphics problem Sounds like a heat issue is causing artifacts. I won't tell you to buy a PS3 'cause I won't even buy one for myself. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

10-01-2009, 10:32 AM	#4 (permalink)
kennyjwi Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 2 OS: xp	Re: E74 RROD fixed - power brick fixed - Now graphics problem You are right it was heat again. I had someone who knows take a look at it. First off he repasted both the cpu and gpu and reattatched with nylon washers and screws. Let it heat up and retightened it just a smidge. He uses the actual microsoft paste too, as he said he found when guys use the arctic silver and it bleeds, the silver in it causes problems then too. It takes up to 200 hours to cure? When we looked at it mine was bled all over too. You were right, a few adjustments had to be made again and it works great. Let's see for how long and if I have to do anything again. Thanks again - as I said the only thing I found on the net was that it was a hard drive problem. It wasn't. The HD is fine. I'll let you know if it works better this time and for longer.