How to Fix Video Problems in a XBox 360
The Xbox 360 game console is, for all practical purposes, a high-speed computer. A design flaw left inadequate ventilation inside of the case that can cause the GPU chip to overheat. This results in a loss of the video signal. Taking the Xbox 360 into a service center is a costly repair that can be done at home instead. You do not need electronic skill, but it does require opening the game console and applying thermal paste around the GPU so that the chip can dissipate heat more efficiently.
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Things You'll Need
- Newspaper
- Thin plastic stick
- Flat-edged screwdriver
- Torx screwdriver
- Compressed air
- Thermal paste
- Steel wool
- Scraper tool
Instructions
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Opening the Xbox 360
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1
Put some newspaper down on a work surface. Remove the power plug and any other cables from the Xbox 360 and place it face up on the cloth.
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2
Insert two fingers of your left hand inside of the door where the USB ports are. Grab the top of the faceplate with your right hand. Squeeze down on the faceplate with your right hand while pulling upward with your left hand to remove the faceplate.
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3
Bend the gray ventilation shield inwards on the right side of the console. Insert the thin plastic stick into the space between the gray ventilation shield and release the four clips holding the gray piece of plastic inside to the top of the case. Press the button on the front of the Xbox 360 and then repeat the process with the thin plastic stick on the other side to release the clips from the gray piece of plastic.
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4
Turn the Xbox 360 face down on the newspaper. Remove the four clips holding the top to the bottom casing using the flat-edged screwdriver. Lift the bottom shelf up to expose the 14 screws inside. Remove the screws using the Torx screwdriver. Turn the Xbox 360 back face up on the newspaper. Lift off the top case from the bottom case.
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5
Remove all of the screws from around the large circuit board which is inside the bottom case. Lift the large circuit board up and off the bottom case and put it down on the newspaper.
Repairing the CPU
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6
Locate the large GPU computer chip near the center of the circuit board that has "Microsoft XBox 360" written on it.
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7
Scrape around the GPU chip with the scraper tool. Scrape the top of the GPU chip using the steel wool.
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8
Blow the GPU chip off with the compressed air. Apply thermal paste liberally on top of and around the GPU chip. Let the thermal paste set.
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9
Reassemble the Xbox 360. Plug the power cord and all the cables back into it. Turn it on and enjoy being able to see the video again.
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1
Tips & Warnings
An anti-static strap will avoid the chance of static electricity damaging the electronic components inside of the Xbox 360's case.
Opening the case of the Xbox 360 voids Microsoft's warranty. Microsoft or an authorized dealer will not do a repair on it upon discovering this has happened.
