3RLOD
The next gen console that is as famous, as it is infamous
The Xbox360 is perhaps best known for breaking down at some point in it's life, but there are a lot of early model's out there that are still working great which is why it is unfair to point the finger at Microsoft and say "hey, how come you didn't design this console much better?"
The views and opinions expressed on this web site do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Microsoft or the views and opinions of the organizations in which Microsoft are partnered or otherwise affiliated with. The following information is all based on personal observation and feedback from real people who generally agree with these opinions. I am not a representative for Microsoft or any other type of company, computer game related or not.
The Xbox360 in all it's glory, do you Xbox360 or not?
Microsoft have built a great online framework and continue to make sure the online services don't suffer, they also have a great selection of games and many are exclusive to the Xbox360 console. What they don't seem to have though, is lasting hardware because the airflow inside the Xbox360 is restrictive and uses dumb luck to prevent it from overheating and then failing.
The metal chassis inside the outer plastic casing is used as a passive heat sink, the same is true of the DVD drive because it sits right on top of the graphic processor's heat sink and gets toasty within minutes. There is a non-metal shroud which loosely connects all of the heat expelling components to the rear vent, there are 2 fans here which extract some of the hot air.
This is what the internal Xbox360 chassis looks like!
Clearly, the console was supposed to be small and aesthetically pleasing, but the overall life-span of the console has been cut short because of this. We can only speculate why Microsoft did what they did, but I'd say the main reasons were to beat Sony to the next-gen market and also to make other consoles appear obscure by comparison (setting standards).
X-Clamps, the bling we never see
I have repaired quite a lot of Xbox360's since the console was first launched, so I have come across most of the common problems that are associated with both the hardware, and restrictive case design. Many people agree that the X-Clamps which hold the heat sinks on top the processors are one of the worst things about the design, these clamps sit underneath the motherboard and they use a center point for tension while forcing the heat sink downwards.
This is what the X-Clamps look like, seem familiar?
The heat sinks are basically pulled through 4 holes (one for each corner) on the motherboard and clipped to the X-Clamp using tension to stop the joint becoming loose. When fully assembled, there are 4 small screws which secure the corners of the heat sink and X-Clamp to the metal chassis. I don't see the point in using the signature X that Microsoft love so much (Direct X, Active X, Flight Simulator X), when nobody except the repairman will actually see it!
This is what the first revision heat sinks both look like!
Why the X-Clamps are useless
The problem with the X-Clamp system is that when the console heats up beyond 70 degrees Celsius, the board begins to flex due to the tension from underneath. The processors don't use sockets like a personal computer, they are attached to the motherboard with small balls of solder (BGA). Other chips also use this soldering method, such as the RAM chips. Microsoft have used lead-free solder, to connect all of the components onto the Xbox360 motherboard.
In my personal repair experience using lead-free solder, I have noticed that it does not seem to bond as well as lead based solder. The newer lead-free solder generally seems to work best at blazingly high temperatures (like when using a naked flame) and when I'm using a regular solder tip, it just seems difficult to get good results without having to re-touch failed joints or add more solder to make it stick. I've noticed that lead-free solder can become brittle quite easily, it can also bridge with nearby connections if the temperature is high enough.
So with all this said, you can probably already guess what might be happening when an Xbox360 fails. The system gets hot, the board begins to bend and then one or more of the solder ball connections to the processor becomes loose, resulting in an unrecoverable failure.
Red lights of death / Red ring of death
When the red light errors started appearing all over, Microsoft eventually amended their warranty stating that systems with 3 red lights were covered for 3 years, while other problems were only covered by the standard 1 year warranty. This was a good move because the 3RLOD (3 red lights of death) was the most common failure, prompting Microsoft to start issuing slightly modified chassis and heat sink revisions. Later they began glueing the processors to the board in an attempt to stop the solder becoming detached, but this didn't work because I have had many of these consoles in for repair (this includes elite models too).
This is what the 3RLOD error looks like, very pretty!
Lots of people opt to repair their own console because they feel that Microsoft cannot do any better, their warranty doesn't cover the current problem or the warranty has expired. The most common fix is removing the X-Clamps and replacing them with machine bolts, using washers in-between to keep a uniform level with the motherboard and chassis. Sadly, this doesn't always work and I think the reason for this is that some Xbox360's are too badly damaged.
I have repaired all sorts of these red light errors but some consoles end up with problems later, some even develop new problems which give different error codes. The older models seem to respond well to the X-Clamp fix (non-HDMI models), while most of the later models nearly always develop some more serious error, not long after the initial repair takes place.
Non-HDMI and full HDMI model Xbox360 consoles.
An example of this is with an old console (Xenon) that was overheating (2RLOD), I repaired it using bolts and washers and that console has been working fine for 2 years now. Another console (Jasper) that was repaired using the same technique, survived only 3 months before developing a serious problem and that console had updated heat sinks and the processors glued to the motherboard. It was re-flowed using a hot air blower and survived about a month until it gave up on me, I think the trick to newer consoles is once you fix them, you need to enhance the heat reduction so that the console never has chance to overheat and ruin itself.
No success? what comes next then?
Microsoft wants to forget about the design which lead them to another major success, which is why they have brought out a new slim model of the Xbox360 with built-in Wireless support. I'm sure Microsoft must have a lot to account for internally, but wouldn't it have been worth admitting there was a problem and quickly issuing a public repair service or product recall?
This is what the newer Xbox360 slim model looks like!
All I know is that the people who used their warranty, had to keep sending the console back because the error would reappear eventually. The people who fix their own console either end up in the same predicament or get rid of the red light errors completely, so is it really worth using the warranty or should we just fix it ourselves? Should we sell our old console and upgrade to the new slim version? Microsoft, as usual has nothing useful to say on the matter.
This is what the new Kinect (Project Natal) looks like!
We can only hope that the new console and new add-on accessory "Xbox Kinect" will help us forget about these most frustrating times. I am not sure Microsoft will make huge changes to any of their policies, but if they can make their product work properly without any hiccups or sly quick fixes, then there is a chance of some good times ahead for the Xbox360 and Xbox Live.
Warranty and repairs from Microsoft
Many people do not have warranties because they have modified the casing, damaged the warranty sticker when changing faceplate's or simply do not have a problem that is covered by the extended warranty and so they are not eligible for any of the free, Microsoft repair services.
This is what the anti-tamper, casing stickers look like!
If your Xbox360 has broken down and your warranty has not expired or been invalidated by case tampering, then your best bet is to contact Microsoft for repairs. They will cover the cost of delivery and they may even send some goodies back with the repaired console, just make sure that you only send the console back because they will not cover the loss of accessories.
Many commercial gaming outlets now offer extended warranties on products such as the Xbox360, so you can purchase your console from them and get an instant replacement if it fails. Some of these outlets will even offer you a generous warranty and extended warranty on a pre-owned console, so it pays off to buy your Xbox360 from a reputable gaming company.
Final thoughts about Microsoft
You must think I hate Microsoft after everything I've seen and experienced, but you couldn't be more wrong! It is true that Microsoft have not been the perfect company in terms of support and general consistancy, but their console and gaming network is beastly and I am grateful for that. I'm not a fanboy though, I don't prefer Microsoft over Sony or Nintendo, I support them all in one way or another and as long as I enjoy using the products they all sell, I'll purchase them.
My SNES, GBA, PS2, PSP, Xbox and Xbox360 will always be favourites of mine. All of these consoles have had problems at some point, but it doesn't stop me from supporting them. If something new comes along then I'll want to try it out, but I won't buy it unless I like the games!
The Xbox360 has great games like Gears of War, Forza Motorsport, Crackdown, Fable, and Halo. These are exclusive to Xbox360 and are already, some of the greatest all time games.
The Xbox360 is perhaps best known for breaking down at some point in it's life, but there are a lot of early model's out there that are still working great which is why it is unfair to point the finger at Microsoft and say "hey, how come you didn't design this console much better?"
The views and opinions expressed on this web site do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Microsoft or the views and opinions of the organizations in which Microsoft are partnered or otherwise affiliated with. The following information is all based on personal observation and feedback from real people who generally agree with these opinions. I am not a representative for Microsoft or any other type of company, computer game related or not.
Microsoft have built a great online framework and continue to make sure the online services don't suffer, they also have a great selection of games and many are exclusive to the Xbox360 console. What they don't seem to have though, is lasting hardware because the airflow inside the Xbox360 is restrictive and uses dumb luck to prevent it from overheating and then failing.
The metal chassis inside the outer plastic casing is used as a passive heat sink, the same is true of the DVD drive because it sits right on top of the graphic processor's heat sink and gets toasty within minutes. There is a non-metal shroud which loosely connects all of the heat expelling components to the rear vent, there are 2 fans here which extract some of the hot air.
Clearly, the console was supposed to be small and aesthetically pleasing, but the overall life-span of the console has been cut short because of this. We can only speculate why Microsoft did what they did, but I'd say the main reasons were to beat Sony to the next-gen market and also to make other consoles appear obscure by comparison (setting standards).
X-Clamps, the bling we never see
I have repaired quite a lot of Xbox360's since the console was first launched, so I have come across most of the common problems that are associated with both the hardware, and restrictive case design. Many people agree that the X-Clamps which hold the heat sinks on top the processors are one of the worst things about the design, these clamps sit underneath the motherboard and they use a center point for tension while forcing the heat sink downwards.
The heat sinks are basically pulled through 4 holes (one for each corner) on the motherboard and clipped to the X-Clamp using tension to stop the joint becoming loose. When fully assembled, there are 4 small screws which secure the corners of the heat sink and X-Clamp to the metal chassis. I don't see the point in using the signature X that Microsoft love so much (Direct X, Active X, Flight Simulator X), when nobody except the repairman will actually see it!
Why the X-Clamps are useless
The problem with the X-Clamp system is that when the console heats up beyond 70 degrees Celsius, the board begins to flex due to the tension from underneath. The processors don't use sockets like a personal computer, they are attached to the motherboard with small balls of solder (BGA). Other chips also use this soldering method, such as the RAM chips. Microsoft have used lead-free solder, to connect all of the components onto the Xbox360 motherboard.
In my personal repair experience using lead-free solder, I have noticed that it does not seem to bond as well as lead based solder. The newer lead-free solder generally seems to work best at blazingly high temperatures (like when using a naked flame) and when I'm using a regular solder tip, it just seems difficult to get good results without having to re-touch failed joints or add more solder to make it stick. I've noticed that lead-free solder can become brittle quite easily, it can also bridge with nearby connections if the temperature is high enough.
So with all this said, you can probably already guess what might be happening when an Xbox360 fails. The system gets hot, the board begins to bend and then one or more of the solder ball connections to the processor becomes loose, resulting in an unrecoverable failure.
Red lights of death / Red ring of death
When the red light errors started appearing all over, Microsoft eventually amended their warranty stating that systems with 3 red lights were covered for 3 years, while other problems were only covered by the standard 1 year warranty. This was a good move because the 3RLOD (3 red lights of death) was the most common failure, prompting Microsoft to start issuing slightly modified chassis and heat sink revisions. Later they began glueing the processors to the board in an attempt to stop the solder becoming detached, but this didn't work because I have had many of these consoles in for repair (this includes elite models too).
Lots of people opt to repair their own console because they feel that Microsoft cannot do any better, their warranty doesn't cover the current problem or the warranty has expired. The most common fix is removing the X-Clamps and replacing them with machine bolts, using washers in-between to keep a uniform level with the motherboard and chassis. Sadly, this doesn't always work and I think the reason for this is that some Xbox360's are too badly damaged.
I have repaired all sorts of these red light errors but some consoles end up with problems later, some even develop new problems which give different error codes. The older models seem to respond well to the X-Clamp fix (non-HDMI models), while most of the later models nearly always develop some more serious error, not long after the initial repair takes place.
An example of this is with an old console (Xenon) that was overheating (2RLOD), I repaired it using bolts and washers and that console has been working fine for 2 years now. Another console (Jasper) that was repaired using the same technique, survived only 3 months before developing a serious problem and that console had updated heat sinks and the processors glued to the motherboard. It was re-flowed using a hot air blower and survived about a month until it gave up on me, I think the trick to newer consoles is once you fix them, you need to enhance the heat reduction so that the console never has chance to overheat and ruin itself.
No success? what comes next then?
Microsoft wants to forget about the design which lead them to another major success, which is why they have brought out a new slim model of the Xbox360 with built-in Wireless support. I'm sure Microsoft must have a lot to account for internally, but wouldn't it have been worth admitting there was a problem and quickly issuing a public repair service or product recall?
All I know is that the people who used their warranty, had to keep sending the console back because the error would reappear eventually. The people who fix their own console either end up in the same predicament or get rid of the red light errors completely, so is it really worth using the warranty or should we just fix it ourselves? Should we sell our old console and upgrade to the new slim version? Microsoft, as usual has nothing useful to say on the matter.
We can only hope that the new console and new add-on accessory "Xbox Kinect" will help us forget about these most frustrating times. I am not sure Microsoft will make huge changes to any of their policies, but if they can make their product work properly without any hiccups or sly quick fixes, then there is a chance of some good times ahead for the Xbox360 and Xbox Live.
Warranty and repairs from Microsoft
Many people do not have warranties because they have modified the casing, damaged the warranty sticker when changing faceplate's or simply do not have a problem that is covered by the extended warranty and so they are not eligible for any of the free, Microsoft repair services.
If your Xbox360 has broken down and your warranty has not expired or been invalidated by case tampering, then your best bet is to contact Microsoft for repairs. They will cover the cost of delivery and they may even send some goodies back with the repaired console, just make sure that you only send the console back because they will not cover the loss of accessories.
Many commercial gaming outlets now offer extended warranties on products such as the Xbox360, so you can purchase your console from them and get an instant replacement if it fails. Some of these outlets will even offer you a generous warranty and extended warranty on a pre-owned console, so it pays off to buy your Xbox360 from a reputable gaming company.
Final thoughts about Microsoft
You must think I hate Microsoft after everything I've seen and experienced, but you couldn't be more wrong! It is true that Microsoft have not been the perfect company in terms of support and general consistancy, but their console and gaming network is beastly and I am grateful for that. I'm not a fanboy though, I don't prefer Microsoft over Sony or Nintendo, I support them all in one way or another and as long as I enjoy using the products they all sell, I'll purchase them.
My SNES, GBA, PS2, PSP, Xbox and Xbox360 will always be favourites of mine. All of these consoles have had problems at some point, but it doesn't stop me from supporting them. If something new comes along then I'll want to try it out, but I won't buy it unless I like the games!
The Xbox360 has great games like Gears of War, Forza Motorsport, Crackdown, Fable, and Halo. These are exclusive to Xbox360 and are already, some of the greatest all time games.