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How to Reflow Xbox 360 RAM

When the Xbox 360 gets the red ring of death it is a sign that it is time to reflow the systems RAM. It is called reflow because you are literally melting the solder that holds the RAM chip to the integrated board and allowing it to flow back into a good connection. Over time the Xbox 360 gets hot and the chips have room to move. This means that the Xbox 360 gets a weaker connection with the solder joints over time, eventually giving way to failure.

Things You'll Need

Flathead screwdriver, small
Needlenose pliers
T8 Torx screwdriver
T10 Torx screwdriver
5/16 nutdriver
Heat gun
Thermal grease

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the hard drive on the Xbox 360 by pressing the release switch on the drive and sliding it off. Remove the faceplate by grabbing near where the controllers plug in and puling forward. Remove the Microsoft sticker to gain access to the rest of the console. Pull the gray sides by using the flat head screwdriver to push in the tabs, all the way around the Xbox. Remove the cover by pushing in the seven tabs in the back and lifting then the three tabs in the front.
- 2
  Turn the console onto its top and unscrew and remove the 23 screws using both Torx screwdrivers. Turn the console back over and remove the DVD eject button to take off the metal top cover. Peel back the sticker to remove the DVD drive and gently pull it away, making sure to unplug the data and power cable before setting it down. Grab the fan tunnel and pull until it pops out, then unplug the fan. Lift the metal piece holding the fan and pull the fan out.
- 3
  Pry the white power button assembly off the circuit board by using the flathead screwdriver. Remove the three screws from the circuit board and pull it free, it should slide right out. Lift the motherboard from the case starting in the front and gently moving towards the back until it is clear. Remove the wider and shorter heat sink from the motherboard by pulling up on it firmly.
- 4
  Heat the RAM chips with the heat gun. They are identified by the proximity to the main CPU (the chip you just removed the heat sink from) and by the four identical chips, two to the left of the CPU and two below it. Keep the heat gun to the RAM for three minutes each. Allow the board to cool for 30 minutes, turn the board over and repeat the heat process on the bottom of the board. Allow another 30 minute cool down before touching the board. Clean the thermal grease from the CPU and the bottom of the heat sink, replace the thermal grease with a new thin layer coat.
- 5
  Rebuild the Xbox 360 by replacing everything that you took out. Remember to plug the DVD drive back into power and data before placing it back into position. Close the cover back up, snapping everything back into place. Push the hard drive back into the hard drive slot, plug in all your cables and power on the Xbox 360.

Xbox 360