RGH Could Coolrunner installation cause my system to freeze?

[the wind]

I have a Falcon xbox that has been working without a single problem for more than 3 years now. Last week I've installed Coolrunner and everything works fine and the system starts fast with every boot into the patched Dashboard 13604. The problem I'm having is that after a few minutes (usually about 5-10 into a gameplay) the system freezes. One time I let XexMenu to sit in the System Status screen so I could monitor the temperature and later when it froze I saw that it was not caused by overheating since CPU temperature was at 56.2C and GPU at 60.7C. The next test I did was to return back to retail dashboard and switch Coolrunner to "PRG" mode. Unfortunately, the system froze again a few minutes after a game started.

It sounds like the system is getting close to RRoD and something affected it during Coolrunner installation, but before I send it for a reflow, I'd like to know if anyone could answer my question - could Coolrunner wires interfere with the system and cause it to freeze? Even though the wires are coated, a few people reported that they still need to be routed properly to prevent freezes during system start up. Do I understand it right that when Coolrunner is in "PRG" mode it produces no current to the wires, so interference is not even possible and I just need a reflow?

Thanks!

P.S. I'd like to thank TX group for great products! You are the best!

 

[gargoyle67]

Freezing normally occurs due to signal interference from the wires being too close to a component.

 

[the wind]

I guess I have to try to reflow my board and see if it helps. If anyone has any other suggestion - please share it with me.

 

[gargoyle67]

Just move your coolrunners wires about, Namely the blue wire.

 

[the wind]

Just move your coolrunners wires about, Namely the blue wire.

Sure. I'll give it a try tonight. It would definitely be cheaper than reflowing.
What puzzles me is that people reported that wire placement is important to solve boot up problems. I've followed this suggestion and never had a problem starting the xbox. In addition to that, if I understand it right, Coolrunner is only needed during system start up and will just sit dormant after that and should not cause any interference.

 

[diaboliq20]

I had a 16mb mint Jasper elite - no RROD - and that was freezing too - I can tell you - it's not about to RROD......it is to do with the coolrunner.....
either wire placement or maybe something iffy with the freeboot image - do not go and get a reflow yet - you'll be pissed when you find out that doesn't solve it lol

 

[the wind]

... do not go and get a reflow yet - you'll be pissed when you find out that doesn't solve it lol

That's exactly how I'd feel.
Did yours freeze after successful system startup too?

 

[diaboliq20]

yes - playing a games - sitting at the dash - sometimes on boot-up....it was random and temp had nothing to do with it ........ it is def down to the RGH

 

[the wind]

@diaboliq20 and @gargoyle67, thank you guys so much for your suggestions! After a few tries placing the wires differently I've finally managed to make the system stable! The complication in testing was due to the fact that the freeze would occur 5-10 minutes into a game. I only had an hour last night to put the system through the final test and everything worked like a charm. I'll give it some more testing tonight.

Here is what it looked like before:

And after moving the wires:

I believe that the most difference was caused by moving wires even further away from the area marked on this picture.

 

[diaboliq20]

that's almost exactly how I route mine matey - a smail coil on the excess green near the left heat sink is the only difference - glad you're up and running buddy

 

[gargoyle67]

Cool, Glad you didn't spend any unnecessary monies out :tongue: