How to Refurbish an Xbox

When the Xbox 360 runs a game DVD, the 360's hardware gets very hot. Keeping game sessions limited to one hour allows the machine to cool down to prevent red-ring errors caused by heat stress. The RAM, CPU and GPU chips inside the 360 need time to cool down (approximately 15 minutes). The 360 will operate better with lower temperatures and will not show red-ring errors.

The high temperatures associated with prolonged sessions of gameplay damages the Xbox. The 360 consoles are distributed with an internal fan, but it does not fully fix overheating issues. High internal temperatures will harm the solder which connects the RAM, CPU and GPU to the 360's motherboard. High heat stress can be avoided by removing the Xbox's casing with your Torx size 7 screwdriver and applying an even layer of thermal paste to the top of each chip (both CPU and GPU) under the heatsinks. This allows for more effective heat radiation and refurbishes the Xbox console.

Use your size 7 Torx screwdriver to remove the screws on the underside of your console's case. Open it and check the hardware inside the console. Locate the CPU and GPU (metal heatsinks rest above each), remove their heatsinks and apply a dab of thermal paste to the top of each chip. Apply the paste evenly to the entire surface of each chip. Return the chips' respective heatsinks, screws, and replace the Xbox's case and then turn on the console. Red rings will no longer occur and the machine should function correctly so long as there is no heat stress inside the console and the thermal paste conducts heat between each chip and its heatsinks.