If you are at my site then you are most likely the unlucky owner of a non-working Xbox (you are not alone). Fortunately there is some good news. It can be fixed. And more importantly by you!

Personally I highly recommend getting James Deans Video Guide to repairing your Xbox, it’s where I got most of my information from.

CLICK HERE: To go to James Deans Xbox Repair Guide

BE VERY CAREFUL

there are a lot of free videos available on Youtube and How to sites that recommend hot pennies or warm towels. These do not work. Similarly you may read about people using soldering irons. This is utter rubbish. You would never use a soldering iron on an Xbox.

Warranty

Even though the Xbox has a warranty I wasn’t keen on forking out the cash to send it back to Microsoft and wait for them to fix it (and from what a friend told me this can be months!). If you are out of the warranty period then I think you end up having to pay 60 Quid or more to have it repaired.

OK, I think all up it took me about 2 1/2 hours to fix. I must admit I am quite meticulous so I think it could be done quicker than that.

How can you be sure that it is broken

If you are getting the following then you can be sure….

Three Red Rings Error

E74 Error

1. Incorrect Configuration

   Occasionally people think that is has failed when really all they have done is forget to plug in the AV (Audio Video Cables) correctly. This results in the all four ring quadrants red lighting up on the console, rather than three red quadrants (Red Ring of Death).

2. Scratched Disks

   This isn’t a fault with the console, but is sometimes mistaken as one. If you have problems try another game disk

3. Console Freezing

   If the console is freezing more and more often then this is a sign of the likely onset of the Red Ring of Death

4. Disk Reading Error

   As mentioned before disks that are scratched can cause reading errors, however if the disks are ok then this is a sign that there is something wrong with the Xbox reader itself.

5. An E74 Error on the Screen

   This is a hardware fault generally due to overheating. The response by Microsoft is to return it for repair. The good news is that you can fix this yourself

6. 3 Red Quadrants

   Also famously known as the Red Ring of Death. Again due to a hardware fault. It used to be that you had to return the Xbox for repair or put it in the bin. The great news is that you can also fix this one by yourself

Sending your Xbox to be repaired is an expensive exercise and means you also lose precious gaming time waiting for it to be repaired . If you want to save money and time you can do the repairs yourself (yes they are easy to fix) and you’ll be back up and running in no time

To see a video of how to remove the case then you can got to James Deans repair guide site.

CLICK HERE: To go to James Deans Xbox Repair Guide

Now, the following picture are of the Xbox with the case removed. All ready to be fixed!

This is the motherboard.

These are the internal components.

WARNING

Do not attempt to fix your Xbox using the hot coins or warm towel method. Both of these are a complete waste of time and may result in further damage to your console.

Now the next step is to remove the Motherboard:

So that it looks likes this:

NOTE:

As yet I haven’t been able to source a video on how to do this. If you can’t wait for me to do one, then I recommend that you go to James Deans site and get the full video guide.

The Product Warranty statement for the Xbox is located here:

http://support.xbox.com/support/en/us/nxe/Hardware/Warranty/Warranty/ProductWarrantyNew.aspx

So here is the key warranty statement:

“One Year Express Warranty on Console (Three Years for Three Lights Flashing Red).Subject to the terms and conditions of this Limited Warranty, Microsoft warrants to you only (the original retail purchaser) that, during the Warranty Period and under normal use and service, the Xbox Console will substantially conform with the printed user instruction materials packaged with the Console.”

Good news if you have the three flashing lights! But before you get too excited you must note the following:

” 1. Submit proof of purchase in the form of a bona fide, dated bill of sale, receipt, or invoice (or a copy) evidencing that your request for service is made within the Warranty Period.

3. Delete or remove any files or data you consider private or confidential before sending the Xbox Product to Microsoft. Copy and keep any files or data stored on the Xbox Product that you don’t want to lose.”

But if your console has been modified in any way then you are in trouble because there are a few very important exclusions that you should be aware of:

” * is used with products not sold or licensed by Microsoft (including, but not limited to, non-licensed games and game enhancement devices, adaptors and power supply sources) or which are otherwise incompatible;
* is used for commercial purposes (including rental or lease);
* is modified or tampered with;
* is damaged by Acts of God, power surge, misuse, abuse, negligence, accident, wear and tear, mishandling, misapplication, or other causes unrelated to defective materials or workmanship;
* serial number is defaced, altered or removed;
* is damaged by programs, data, viruses, or files, or during shipments;
* is not used in accordance with the printed user instruction materials packaged with the Xbox Product;
* is repaired, modified or altered by other than Microsoft authorized repair centers; or
* was sold as used, refurbished, or reconditioned.”

From my understanding you are liable for the packaging and shipping costs to Microsoft. They pay the return shipping. It can take between 2-4 weeks (or longer) for the fixed Xbox to come back to you.

Fixing it yourself may be a quicker and easier solution.