Print PDF
Favorite
Email
This instructable requires overcoming the fear of playing with the innards of a $350 piece of equipment. The system is built with a sturdy steel chassis and requires Torx T8 and T10 screwdrivers to open.
Knowing how to open your Xbox 360 will enable you to add whatever mods you like. I will be writing instructables on changing the LEDs in your ring of light, and adding cold cathode lighting to heating vents. You will also be able to access your DVD Drive and flash it to play backups, fix the Red Ring of Death, or upgrade various equipment in the console.
Get ready to delve into Microsoft's successor to the Xbox, and have some fun in your future projects.
*** I am not liable for any damage or injury that occurs from following this instructable. The Xbox 360 is a piece of advanced equipment and can be irreparably damaged. Though the risk of breaking your system is highly unlikely if you follow the steps correctly, please do not complain to me if you brick your console. ***
Knowing how to open your Xbox 360 will enable you to add whatever mods you like. I will be writing instructables on changing the LEDs in your ring of light, and adding cold cathode lighting to heating vents. You will also be able to access your DVD Drive and flash it to play backups, fix the Red Ring of Death, or upgrade various equipment in the console.
Get ready to delve into Microsoft's successor to the Xbox, and have some fun in your future projects.
*** I am not liable for any damage or injury that occurs from following this instructable. The Xbox 360 is a piece of advanced equipment and can be irreparably damaged. Though the risk of breaking your system is highly unlikely if you follow the steps correctly, please do not complain to me if you brick your console. ***
Remove these ads by
Signing UpStep 1Parts Needed
Torx T8 & T10 Screwdrivers - The console is held together with Torx screws, these screwdrivers are easy to find and quite cheap. If you are hoping to open a Xbox 360 controller, you will need a Security Torx T8H. The best ones I've found are from Llamma's Tool Section.
Small Flathead Screwdrivers/Paper Clips - Used to hold open the friction locks of the 360 front cover. You can also use paper clips if you desire.
360 Opening Tool ($7 - Optional) - This is a specialty part used to pop the rear locks and remove the heating grills. This is worth the $7 pricetag found at Llamma's tools if you open systems repeatedly. Another option for an opening tool is a small flat-head screwdriver, you will have to pop each friction lock one at a time, but almost everybody has a satisfactory screwdriver. Removing the shell gets frustrating and tiresome if you open lots of boxes, but if you don't feel like spending $7+s/h and waiting a week for a tool you will only use twice, don't bother with the Llamma tool.
Small Flathead Screwdrivers/Paper Clips - Used to hold open the friction locks of the 360 front cover. You can also use paper clips if you desire.
360 Opening Tool ($7 - Optional) - This is a specialty part used to pop the rear locks and remove the heating grills. This is worth the $7 pricetag found at Llamma's tools if you open systems repeatedly. Another option for an opening tool is a small flat-head screwdriver, you will have to pop each friction lock one at a time, but almost everybody has a satisfactory screwdriver. Removing the shell gets frustrating and tiresome if you open lots of boxes, but if you don't feel like spending $7+s/h and waiting a week for a tool you will only use twice, don't bother with the Llamma tool.
| « Previous Step | Download PDFView All Steps | Next Step » |
I enjoyed the tutorial. My son has an XBox 360 which has manifested the Red Ring of Death. Using the techniques described above, I'm trying to psyche myself into trying to sort out the problem. Can you point me in the right direction - I mean I still don't have a clear grasp of what the actual malfunction is?
Thanks
Now for the fix. The best solution, honestly, is to pay someone who owns a wave-reflow station to do it for you. The station basically blasts superheated air onto the GPU to remelt the BGA. These repairmen can be found on the Scenyx forums. Watch out for Craigslist repairmen, most of them have absolutely no idea what they are doing, except the ones who own a reflow station.
If you don't feel like shipping away the box or having someone else repair it (which again, I recommend as the best option), you can always try the semi-effective Llamma fix, which involves removing the X-Clamps and replacing them with screws, and overheating the GPU so that the BGA slightly melts properly. Caution though, this is an extremely early-developed fix, and it tends to only work about 50% of the time. Link:
http://www.llamma.com/xbox360/repair/ring_of_light_x-clamp_fix.htm
Also, stay far, far away from YouTube when you're researching. There is an extreme amount of misinformation. The best places for knowledge are the Scenyx forums, EliteModScene, and XboxHacker.
Good Luck.
Just go for the 12v fan mod. Note though, that it sounds like a jet taking off. I've had to wire it for a few customers before, they are just glad it works, and deal with the noise.
It could also be that your fans are defective (I've had it happen before), I recommend the Talismoon Whisper fans anyways, they push twice the airflow at 2/3rds the noise.
I've attached a picture of the transistor I believe delivers the voltage to the fans, though really, it could be any part in a whole chain of ICs.
Good luck, feel free to bounce any more questions off me if you need help, I'll try my best.
Yes, it's possible to change the laser. And by laser, I think it's better to use the phrases "laser head" or "laser assembly". You see, the actual laser itself is attached to an assembly (metal box) that contains super-tiny motors to adjust the lens and keep it close and level to the spinning disc.
To fix the drive, you'll need to replace the assembly. You can obtain an assembly two ways. The easiest of which, is to find another drive of the same model (e.g. Lite-On 74850), and simply swap them out. The other, is to purchase the model number of the assembly itself (I do not know the models of assemblies used in 360 drives, but I know they are fairly common, stock parts you can buy from China [eBay]).
You'll disconnect the cables that go to the assembly, and put the new one in. I know there is some soldering involved, but it isn't super complex stuff.
I have never replaced a laser assembly myself, but I know it can be done, and isn't super complicated. Google is your best friend at this point.
The other option is to call 1-800-MY-XBOX and see if Microsoft will replace it under the warranty.
i removed 5 gpu's until today when i found this one, i mean i tried every possible twist and pull without getting the heatsink out with the gpu on it. i left it like that, heat up the cpu with heat gun, apply new thermal paste, and no more rrod.
Pure bragging rights
If you would like some bragging rights, try working on a custom case mod. Learn how to use automotive painting methods for a beautiful finish, cut a window, install some lighting, hack your DVD firmware, replace the 20GB hard drive with a 120GB laptop drive off the internet, or create an entirely new case.
I believe I already have bragging rights for my box as it's unique, I've received numerous compliments on it, and creating it took some effort and knowledge.
if only i had the time/money to work more on stuff like that...
What kind of paints did you use (brand, model)? I've heard Krylon fusion bonds well to the plastic, but can leave the controllers excessively smooth, and that automotive grade paints (meaning at least three layers of primer, paint, and finish) are the best.
That being said, it is possible to turn a T10 screw with a T8 screwdriver, though its really bad for the T10 screws and will likely strip quite a few of them. So yes, a T8 can partially work, but not for very long since the torx spikes will begin to break off.