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How to Reflow the Xbox 360

If your Xbox 360 shuts down and displays three red rings glowing around the power button, it may be time for the soldering iron. The rings can occur because the solder joints on the main processor (CPU) and the microprocessor responsible for graphics (GPU) develop cracks from turning on and off many times. Although it is not recommended by Microsoft, it is possible to melt the solder again -- which is called a reflow -- so that it smooths out and creates a new connection with the CPU and GPU. This task should be attempted only by someone with knowledge of electronics.

Things You'll Need

Reworking station
Rework nozzleƞ1
Flat-head screwdriver
Torx screwdriver #9
Phillips screwdriver
Goo Gone
Isopropyl alcohol
Thermal paste
Preheater
Q-tips

Instructions

- 1
  Take the Xbox 360 apart using the appropriate screwdrivers. Remove the motherboard.
- 2
  Find the large heat sinks in the middle of the motherboard covering the central processor and graphical processor.
- 3
  Place the motherboard on the preheater.
- 4
  Take a Q-tip and put a little Goo Gone on the CPU and GPU.
- 5
  Rub the Goo Gone around the chip to remove the thermal paste.
- 6
  Take another Q-tip and coat it in rubbing alcohol. Spread the rubbing alcohol around the chip. Use the other end of the swab to dry the alcohol.
- 7
  Heat the preheater to 100 degrees Celsius for one minute and then up to 350 degrees.
- 8
  Clamp the rework nozzle just above the CPU but not touching.
- 9
  Turn on the rework station and turn the temperature up to 90 C.
- 10
  Hold the temperature at 90 C for 60 seconds. Turn it up to 190 C for 60 seconds.
- 11
  Turn the temperature up to 250 C for 60 seconds and then 300 C for 30 seconds.
- 12
  Turn the temperature up to 350 C for 20 seconds then up to 375 C for 20 seconds.
- 13
  Turn the temperature knob down at about one to two clicks on the temperature knob per second until it reaches 200 C.
- 14
  Turn the temperature back down to 90 C as fast as possible.
- 15
  When the unit reaches 90 C. Turn it and the preheater off. Wait for it to cool down.
- 16
  Remove the motherboard from the preheater when the motherboard is cool to the touch.
- 17
  Apply the thermal paste on the chip and put the heat sinks back on.

Xbox 360