xbox 360 problem - help needed

sons xbox 360 elite stopped working. over last few weeks it has ocaasionally shut off. I presumed this was due to overheating, and when left for 10 minutes it has come back on. However, this time it has been left over an hour and nothing. Never had any red rings - i thought they were supposed to warn you. Can anyone offer any suggestions ?

TIA

PS thereev, dont come back some crap about tipping coke down it andclaiming on the insurance, you getting rather tedious and it doesnt help my young kid when he's reading the forum waiting for a response and he thinks that someones taken time to reply.

 

Sounds like power supply issue either the console itself or if your lucky the power lead / transformer

 

Mine has got to the stage where it only loads dvd's and cd's first time. When trying to load a game, its a lottery as to how many attempts it takes to load up. I have often sat half an hour opening and closing the tray, hoping it will eventually work. It always does fire up - eventually, but most folk would have smashed it up by now - Im a stubborn lovely person though.
Ironically, it has loaded first time today, as I attempt to win the Chinese Grand Prix with Lewis Hamilton

 

if its the console can it be fixed ? notice theres a firm in the BBIC who do repairs - JMR Ltd. wonder if they can do anything

 

I do apologise if my actions/advice have inconvenienced any children whatsoever, so on this occasion I will refrain from my usual response.

hth

 

If there like a pc inside (thats my area of knowledge I'm an It engineer) the power supply within the console should be replaceable the firm in the BBIC should be able to advise what the problem is likely to be and the likely cost of a repair.

 

thanks for that. kid is a bit upset as hes thinking he needs £200 for a new one

 

when you press the on button on the console does it light up at all

 

sorry for delay. it wasnt, but after the console shut down last time, my son had been messing about with the power lead and the kettle lead wasnt fully pushed in, so it is currently working. But i beleive it is overheating and shutting down. From cold he can get about 2-3 hours before it turns off. Then if he immediately presses the button on the console nothing happens. If he leaves it for 5 minutes, it will then turn on and he can get another hour or so. So this issue appears to be how to stop it overheating. Not aware that theres any blocked vents or dust inside the console. wondering if it needs the heatsink/CPU etc rebedding/reflowing (whatever that means - read it on internet!!!)

 

I was going to mention the plug coming loose as i had that problem here.

Also you used to be able to get accessories that added cooling i.e. an additional fan that fits between the PSU socket and the Xbox. Also try cleaning the air vents to the XBox and ensure they arent covered or blocked by its location. Maybe try standing long ways up if not already. Also lifting the PSU off the carpet so it gets more air circulation helps.

Might be drastic but opening the unit and cleaning inside can effect the temp and circulation.

 

On the cpu and the videochip there are 2 heatsinks. Between the heatsinks and the chips there is a layer of thermal paste which gives a good seal. Sometimes this overheats, leaks out, and the seal is not good enough. The XBox has to be taken apart, and the thermal paste renewed.

One thing, can you feel the air from the fans in the Xbox?

 

Could be that or could just be a broken or stuck cooling fan I'd go for the latter myself if the heat sink had become detached from the processor you be lucky to get ten minutes play before it overheated and cut out. try vacuming the vents from the outside to remove any dust / debris or if your really brave take the cover off (if it's out of warranty) and check the fan is working and remove any dust from inside but be careful not to touch the motherboard or other electrostatically sensitive parts. Failing that ask how much the repair place will charge for a diagnostic check on the box. But I wouldn't pay more than £30 or £40 quid at the most and would expect it to be free if they got the repair job afterwards.

 

I dont mind removing the cover - i messed about with PCs before and its well out of warranty. Do you need any special tools or strategies to get into it. I will certainly try the vacuuming the vents from outside

 

The casing clips into place mostly may be the odd screw to remove, couple of screw drivers should suffice just be carefull of the plastic clips they can break off easily. check the internet for instructions on how to take apart and more importantly put back together.

 

unclip the casing .inside there are 6 screws to remove.they are the silver ones.you will require 2 different sized torx bits.got them here but doesnt say the size.
once the long silver ones are removed remove the smaller black ones.the mother board will then be removeable.

prise off the x clamps and the cpus will come away.
clean the cpus and the heatsinks. THEY HAVE TO BE SPOTLESS. i use nail varnish remover.
then you will need 8 machine screws 32 metal washers and thermal paste.i use arctic cooling paste.

or i can do it for you at a cost of £35.