Discussion
Hi, bought an xbox second hand it's the bog standard console worked for about 6 months maybe a bit more then the screen went a bit funny half way through a game, colours all looked off and then when I turned the console off and on again it came up with an E74 error and 1 red light around the power button.
It's out of warranty etc so can't sent it back just wondering if anyone has experience of fixing this or knows somewhere I can get it fixed for a relatively cheap price?
Also what's all this hot towel trick nonsense, is it safe I'm assuming not but as a last resort I would possibly try it.
It's out of warranty etc so can't sent it back just wondering if anyone has experience of fixing this or knows somewhere I can get it fixed for a relatively cheap price?
Also what's all this hot towel trick nonsense, is it safe I'm assuming not but as a last resort I would possibly try it.
Smashed said:
Hi, bought an xbox second hand it's the bog standard console worked for about 6 months maybe a bit more then the screen went a bit funny half way through a game, colours all looked off and then when I turned the console off and on again it came up with an E74 error and 1 red light around the power button.
It's out of warranty etc so can't sent it back just wondering if anyone has experience of fixing this or knows somewhere I can get it fixed for a relatively cheap price?
Also what's all this hot towel trick nonsense, is it safe I'm assuming not but as a last resort I would possibly try it.
basically the error is telling you what is causing the Red ring i would believe. Try googling that error code. You can still send it to microsoft but they will charge you if its over 3 years old... try registering it in your name on xbox.com... you never know it might not be out of warranty!!?It's out of warranty etc so can't sent it back just wondering if anyone has experience of fixing this or knows somewhere I can get it fixed for a relatively cheap price?
Also what's all this hot towel trick nonsense, is it safe I'm assuming not but as a last resort I would possibly try it.
The towel 'trick' basically your supposed to wrap up your console and force it to overheat, which melts some of the solder on the dry joint which causes most of the red rings. ive not done it but you hear of lots of people that do... i wasnt brave enough!!
Worst case i think you can get repair kits off of ebay for about £15 depending on how steady your hands are!
ETA: sorry if this is reposts... my computer is messing about..
I've done the whole registering in my name malark and it is out of warranty unfortunately. I believe the error code is to do with the overheating of the graphics card, that's certainly what it looked like to me anyway.
I think I'll just try the X clamp fix and if that fails hot air gun the bugger which probably does the same thing as the hot towel business but in a bit of a safer manner.
cheers for the suggestion!
I think I'll just try the X clamp fix and if that fails hot air gun the bugger which probably does the same thing as the hot towel business but in a bit of a safer manner.
cheers for the suggestion!
The E74 error is the HANA scaling chip. Its a hardware issue.
This is what you need to do.
Now, the xbox is solid, even when in bits, so no need to worry, or be hyper careful with it.
1) Open the box, remove the DVD drive, the crap fan extractor plastic and the fans.
2) Unscrew all the screws on the bottom, on the front (where you switch it on)
3) pull out the on/off wifi bit, and lift out the mobo.
4) Using a small screwdrive prise off the crap xclamps on the bottom.
5) pull off the two heat sinks.
6) Unscrew the lugs that go into the heat sinks
7) Clean off all the crappy paste off the heatsinks and chips, just use kitchen cleaner and cotton buds, then dry with a paper towel. You need to get these clean.
8) Now turn over the board, get the heat gun out, put it on the middle setting, and keep about 2-3 inchs from the back of the board. Move it over both chips. Keep it moving, do this for a few minutes.. Just don't be daft, and blast it will really hot air.
9) Let it cool.
10) Apply the silver paste (artic silver is good) with a credit card to give nice, thin, even layer over all the chips (the silver bits you cleaned off)
11) Screw on the xclamp kit.
12) Undo the screws by 1/4 - 1/2 turn
13) Put back together.
Takes about 1/2 hour max
This is what you need to do.
Now, the xbox is solid, even when in bits, so no need to worry, or be hyper careful with it.
1) Open the box, remove the DVD drive, the crap fan extractor plastic and the fans.
2) Unscrew all the screws on the bottom, on the front (where you switch it on)
3) pull out the on/off wifi bit, and lift out the mobo.
4) Using a small screwdrive prise off the crap xclamps on the bottom.
5) pull off the two heat sinks.
6) Unscrew the lugs that go into the heat sinks
7) Clean off all the crappy paste off the heatsinks and chips, just use kitchen cleaner and cotton buds, then dry with a paper towel. You need to get these clean.
8) Now turn over the board, get the heat gun out, put it on the middle setting, and keep about 2-3 inchs from the back of the board. Move it over both chips. Keep it moving, do this for a few minutes.. Just don't be daft, and blast it will really hot air.
9) Let it cool.
10) Apply the silver paste (artic silver is good) with a credit card to give nice, thin, even layer over all the chips (the silver bits you cleaned off)
11) Screw on the xclamp kit.
12) Undo the screws by 1/4 - 1/2 turn
13) Put back together.
Takes about 1/2 hour max
Edited by joe_90 on Friday 22 January 18:37
joe_90 said:
The E74 error is the HANA scaling chip. Its a hardware issue.
This is what you need to do.
Now, the xbox is solid, even when in bits, so no need to worry, or be hyper careful with it.
1) Open the box, remove the DVD drive, the crap fan extractor plastic and the fans.
2) Unscrew all the screws on the bottom, on the front (where you switch it on)
3) pull out the on/off wifi bit, and lift out the mobo.
4) Using a small screwdrive prise off the crap xclamps on the bottom.
5) pull off the two heat sinks.
6) Unscrew the lugs that go into the heat sinks
7) Clean off all the crappy paste off the heatsinks and chips, just use kitchen cleaner and cotton buds, then dry with a paper towel. You need to get these clean.
8) Now turn over the board, get the heat gun out, put it on the middle setting, and keep about 2-3 inchs from the back of the board. Move it over both chips. Keep it moving, do this for a few minutes.. Just don't be daft, and blast it will really hot air.
9) Let it cool.
10) Apply the silver paste (artic silver is good) with a credit card to give nice, thin, even layer over all the chips (the silver bits you cleaned off)
11) Screw on the xclamp kit.
12) Undo the screws by 1/4 - 1/2 turn
13) Put back together.
Takes about 1/2 hour max
Cleaning the TIM, the paste on the heatsinks, is best done with some form of alcohol, I use isopropyl alcohol and a lint free cloth for doing my PC.This is what you need to do.
Now, the xbox is solid, even when in bits, so no need to worry, or be hyper careful with it.
1) Open the box, remove the DVD drive, the crap fan extractor plastic and the fans.
2) Unscrew all the screws on the bottom, on the front (where you switch it on)
3) pull out the on/off wifi bit, and lift out the mobo.
4) Using a small screwdrive prise off the crap xclamps on the bottom.
5) pull off the two heat sinks.
6) Unscrew the lugs that go into the heat sinks
7) Clean off all the crappy paste off the heatsinks and chips, just use kitchen cleaner and cotton buds, then dry with a paper towel. You need to get these clean.
8) Now turn over the board, get the heat gun out, put it on the middle setting, and keep about 2-3 inchs from the back of the board. Move it over both chips. Keep it moving, do this for a few minutes.. Just don't be daft, and blast it will really hot air.
9) Let it cool.
10) Apply the silver paste (artic silver is good) with a credit card to give nice, thin, even layer over all the chips (the silver bits you cleaned off)
11) Screw on the xclamp kit.
12) Undo the screws by 1/4 - 1/2 turn
13) Put back together.
Takes about 1/2 hour max
Edited by joe_90 on Friday 22 January 18:37
And if you can't manage to spread the new stuff with a credit card, you can also get a plastic bag, the thin freezer bag things, and wrap that over your finger, or cling film, and spread the TIM that way.
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