SchizoidFreud Posted August 8, 2007 Report Share Posted August 8, 2007 When considering the probability of electronic hardware failing, statistically speaking, DVD-Roms, Hard Drives, and the cooling fans in the 360 have the greatest odds of failing first. Mechanical parts go first. However, now that lead based solder is no longer used in the manufacturing process of electronics, they're using lead-free tin based solder. You can read a bit about it here, even though it's old (1995). http://www.aimsolder.com/techarticles/A%20...er%20Alloys.pdf The cold solder joint problem (3 red lights) is due to a combination of things. This solder takes less heat to soften and can crack if it's heated up too quickly. Most electronics don't generate nearly the amount of heat that an Xbox 360 can, especially by the GPU. The RAM chips on the 360 mainboard are also soldered on in a much more delicate way than done in the past, so they're especially prone to the same kind of solder cracking that happens on a pin on the GPU, when heated to extremes. Consider how most of the power of the 360 lies in the GPU for high graphics intensity, it gets the hottest out of the two processors in the console. The PS3 could suffer from similar problems, but the frequency could vary just because of the fact that it is made up of what, 7 cell processors? All of the power isn't focused in one central spot and thus it doesn't generate heat as rapidly in one centralized location. Many other electronics simply won't suffer the same kind of problems due to low heat generation as well. The funny thing is that a lot of people will interpret this as "The 360 has overheating problems", which isn't really the case. In fact, overheating the console has been the only "homebrew" fix that people have come up with. Some people get results by running the console while it's wrapped in a dry towel to prevent any ventilation, allowing the 360 to reach very high temps. This actually can provide results because the extreme heat actually melts the solder that is cracked, which then is fixed when the console cools once again. The heat gun trick is the same concept, but requires you to carefully use a hot air gun to heat the mainboard directly around the GPU and RAM in order to do the same thing. The key is not to get the hardware in the 360 too hot too fast!! Here are some tips to prolong the life of your console: 1. Set the 360 to always boot to the dashboard in the setup options. This way, even if you leave a game in the console, it won't load the game immediately when you power it on. 2. Let the 360 warm up at the dashboard for at least a few minutes before you load your game. This will allow the 360 to warm up before you push it to extreme levels of heat with graphics intensive games. 3. When you're done playing a game, use the guide menu to return the console to the dashboard. This way the 360 can go back into a warm state after you've gotten it hot from gaming, while the fans continue running. This will allow the 360 to reach a reasonable temp before you power it off. If you don't do this, you shut the fans off and trap a bunch of heat inside the console that can cause the hardware problems. Let the 360 run at the dashboard for a few minutes before shutting it off. I want to elaborate on why you should return to the dash after you're playing and let it cool down with the fans running and it's not working hard displaying the dashboard etc. Obviously the console wasn't designed with the requirement for you to do this in mind, but I do seriously believe in everything I've recommended so far. Most problems are likely due to turning the console on and loading a game too quickly, meaning, rapid heating. The issue with trapping heat in the console by turning it off without letting it cool at the dash is really when the console is moved in this state. If it's hot enough and the solder inside is soft enough and you move the console, the softer solder could actually move and lose a connection during cooling. For example, you take it on the go or put it away when it's not in use, but you just shut it off and start moving it around. Lastly, if you get rainbow patterns and artifacts in games, this means that one of your RAM chips is suffering from a cold solder joint. Same problem, different part. A more severe RAM connection loss will actually give you 3 red lights as well. Artifacts and so forth mean the connection is there, but weak. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daedalus Posted August 15, 2007 Report Share Posted August 15, 2007 man started gettin thos rainbow patterns...will follow now i guess.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarketTantrik Posted August 16, 2007 Report Share Posted August 16, 2007 Its been 8 months since i got my 360. No probs so far. *fingers crossed* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amay Posted August 16, 2007 Report Share Posted August 16, 2007 *touch wood man* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarketTantrik Posted August 16, 2007 Report Share Posted August 16, 2007 *touch wood man* I'd rather touch the babe in your avatar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amay Posted August 16, 2007 Report Share Posted August 16, 2007 been there done that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOglegtrausavo Posted September 20, 2007 Report Share Posted September 20, 2007 same here no probs till now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avinash.gamerboy Posted September 22, 2007 Report Share Posted September 22, 2007 its been 8months till now no problem ....only game on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GamerZ-Cloud Strife Posted October 6, 2007 Report Share Posted October 6, 2007 no..probs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
My weight is 102 kgs Posted October 27, 2007 Report Share Posted October 27, 2007 i had the 3 red lights but after i restart they get corrected why so ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vinitwins Posted October 27, 2007 Report Share Posted October 27, 2007 ^ must have been caused by a power outage - basically if the power fluctuates the console restarts abruptly and shows red lights (NOT the RROD) - remedy is to power cycle the console again and everything should be fine. V Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slavic Posted December 24, 2008 Report Share Posted December 24, 2008 Thanks, should be useful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanayhbk Posted December 27, 2008 Report Share Posted December 27, 2008 this is my third xbox 360 i had the same rrod in both Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
i_rock098 Posted December 27, 2008 Report Share Posted December 27, 2008 this is my third xbox 360 i had the same rrod in both for gods sake plz stop spaming plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arjunsood2003 Posted December 27, 2008 Report Share Posted December 27, 2008 surprisingly, not many GIians hav had RRoDs.. rrod is history now, at least for newer consoles.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madhav Posted December 27, 2008 Report Share Posted December 27, 2008 surprisingly, not many GIians hav had RRoDs..rrod is history now, at least for newer consoles.. well yeah... i hardly noticed that but i think yu are right... ive seen very few ppl with Rrod over the past couple of months Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
i_rock098 Posted December 27, 2008 Report Share Posted December 27, 2008 well yeah... i hardly noticed that but i think yu are right... ive seen very few ppl with Rrod over the past couple of months its not wanished ms is still selling 2006 core console as festive offer so you will see rod soner or later Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suhas Posted December 27, 2008 Report Share Posted December 27, 2008 its not wanished ms is still selling 2006 core console as festive offer so you will see rod soner or later India = M$'s Dumpyard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
i_rock098 Posted December 27, 2008 Report Share Posted December 27, 2008 India = M$'s Dumpyard i agree with you mate india is the only place where core are still being sold 2006 models Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
castiel Posted December 27, 2008 Report Share Posted December 27, 2008 surprisingly, not many GIians hav had RRoDs..rrod is history now, at least for newer consoles.. lol my console is a 2007 model(elite) and its rrod'ed on me after a year ,so its not vanished Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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