Old Newbie asking for advice

[Perran]

Hello !


I am asking for advice how to inspect and hopefully repair
2 XBox360 units that I bought on the junk yard yesterday for almost nothing.
Including power bricks.
I think the model is one of the very first (white) ones, with curved side panels.


Item #1 does not give any video, there is some flashing pattern at power on.
The DVD carrier can be opened sometimes, must of the time it locks inside the unit.
I can see the carrier moving in and out a millimeter or so.
It has a HDD attached.


Item #2 behaves the same regarding the DVD driver.
However, it starts up showing the "green earth" screen for a few seconds.
Then it displays the black and white multilingual System Error message, E65.
The behaviour is the same with and without HDD attached.


I have browsed the internet and this comprehensive site.
I am impressed by the research and the work you have done here !
On some places, it says that E65 is caused by incompatible firmware in the DVD unit.
I have no idea how accurate these error codes are, if they really pinpoint the actual error.
I can see no traces of external damages, and no traces of intrusion.
The history of the units is unknown.


I have found that by using some tools from Team Executer, I can reflash the firmware in
the DVD, if I dismount it.
There are no backups of the unit, meaning I do not know the original code of the DVD (or the
box CPU).


It seems I need to invest round 50 euro in tools to manage this, but I have no idea
if reflashing will solve the problem.
This amount is almost the same as you might pay for an used XBox360 on Ebay and similar sites.


I assume that item #1 is not repairable, may be use as spare parts at the best,
as it shows no video !


I also want to mention that round 10 years ago, I modded an original XBox with Xecuter
hardware. It worked like a dream, and I got a lot of useful information and support
from I think this site. This Xbox gave a lot of fun to me and my son. It is still working,
and it will now go to the Philippines to make some kids happy.
Mentioning this saying that I am experienced in computer hardware and software
(actually a professional lifetime), I am not afraid of using the soldering iron, and I have a
lot of time (retired).


After presenting you with this info, what are your advices ?
I am very excited to hear them and I thank you in advance !

Per L. Retired computer engineer in Sweden

 

[Dadko]

Hello
In case of bad flash you will need spend more than 50 EUR. You will need to get cpu and dvd key.from.Xbox. For that you will need jr-programmer, some glitch chip (cr4). And x360usb pro to write dvd key to new drive.
I would recommend you to stay on rgh. First of all, try to run Xbox without dvd drive.

 

[Nintendo]

Hello
In case of bad flash you will need spend more than 50 EUR. You will need to get cpu and dvd key.from.Xbox. For that you will need jr-programmer, some glitch chip (cr4). And x360usb pro to write dvd key to new drive.
I would recommend you to stay on rgh. First of all, try to run Xbox without dvd drive.

If you are going to do this just one time, I recommend you to send it to someone, because to get the DVD key you'll need a device to flash the nand and another to glitch the console, then, if you have a desktop, maybe you are lucky and without any other hardware you are able to do it, but if not, a X360USB is needed to work with the drive, (laptop or desktop). As Dadko said, you can stay with RGH so the chip would be worth it.

Maybe the console does have another problem, apart from the DVD

That video problems, point to the GPU, reball/reflow.

Tell us the date that appears at the back of the console on a sticker.

 

[Dadko]

Nintendo is right. It might be gpu problem. Because xbox will probably start to dashboard even with bad drive

 

[Perran]

Thanks for responding !


The date codes of by boxes are :
The one without video:
Date : 2006-03-21 Serial : 510 753 761 205


The one with E64 :
Date : 2006-04-25 Serial : 510 031 461 705


The never one has a lower Serial No !!


Yes, agreed that the preferred way would be to give the box to a repair shop,
but that's not an issue for me taking the cost into account.
I like challenges !


I have found a local shop here, working with electronics repair, the same shop as I
bought Xecuter borad from, 10 years ago.
But they say that they do not repair RROD on boxes manufactured 2005/2006 (cost 600 SEK).
They can make "softmod (iExtreme, 500 SEK).


So, if I disconnect the DV from the unit with E64, will it then boot up
(if the firmware is the problem) ?
I have not yet started to open up the boxes, wanted to do some research first.
I have checked your tutorial.


Is there a chance that the video on the failing one can be fixed ?
I suspected that the chips had encountered some high voltage static from a TV or something,
may be from a thunder lightning or similar.


Where can I read about the "reballing" ?
Same question for RGH !


Thanks Per L.

 

[nofeloniesyet]

Thanks for responding !


The date codes of by boxes are :
The one without video:
Date : 2006-03-21 Serial : 510 753 761 205


The one with E64 :
Date : 2006-04-25 Serial : 510 031 461 705


The never one has a lower Serial No !!


Yes, agreed that the preferred way would be to give the box to a repair shop,
but that's not an issue for me taking the cost into account.
I like challenges !


I have found a local shop here, working with electronics repair, the same shop as I
bought Xecuter borad from, 10 years ago.
But they say that they do not repair RROD on boxes manufactured 2005/2006 (cost 600 SEK).
They can make "softmod (iExtreme, 500 SEK).


So, if I disconnect the DV from the unit with E64, will it then boot up
(if the firmware is the problem) ?
I have not yet started to open up the boxes, wanted to do some research first.
I have checked your tutorial.


Is there a chance that the video on the failing one can be fixed ?
I suspected that the chips had encountered some high voltage static from a TV or something,
may be from a thunder lightning or similar.


Where can I read about the "reballing" ?
Same question for RGH !


Thanks Per L.

e64 is def old dvd drive fw,it needs updating.that can be done with just drive flashing tools,assuming the original drive is whats in it,and the right key is still on it.