PLEASE HELP, Unusual Problem - X3 Pinheader Install on v1.0

[johnnycab]

I have been hanging around for a while - and read all the Tutorials & FAQ's. So, when doing the job - I took my time to solder the LPC Pinheader & the D0 - the other two were a breeze.

However, when I powered the box - nothing! I did not panic - and searched the forums again. After a little troubleshooting - here is a brief description of the problem:

SCENARIO #1: The box does NOT POWER ON with everything connected. But, when I removed the RESET/EJECT Adapter and plugged the Yellow connector directly back on to the mobo - the box Powers ON/OFF TWICE & FRAG's

SCENARIO #2: Here is a little twist - I tried putting the Reset/Eject Adapter back and fiddled a little with the cables - the box Powered ON/OFF once and then stayed on with a blue light on the SWITCH - but NO VIDEO. I cannot use the Power Button on the FRONT to either turn on/off - I have to insert/remove power-cable from the back.

I have not been able to replicate Scenario #2 i.e. get a blue light on the switch and no video - as that seems to be curable via flashing? (please correct me - if I am wrong)

But, as for Scenario #1 - where the Reset/Eject Adapter 'seems' to be playing up - my search turned up a few posts, where people have reported similar problems and cured them by removing the sticky back and checking solder points. I have done this as well - although, the solder points look good.

To summarise, at Present:

A. I can only get the box to Power up using the Scenario #1
B. I cannot boot to M$ Dash or get anything on the screen - even when I remove the X3
C. There are 2 blue lights on the X3

PLEASE HELP.
THANKS IN ADVANCE.

 

[jonrees69]

Re: PLEASE HELP, Unusual Problem - X3 Pinheader Install on v

As always, the soldering points have to be questioned - maybe some solder splash is shorting them out.

You could also try insulating underneath the LPC, where you soldered, or try running the xbox mobo out of the case - to make sure it's not shorting out on the metal shielding.

I know you said you removed the sticky pad on the eject pcb and check the solder points - the point of removing it, however, is that somehow the pad itself causes the shorts - so so long as this is cleaned off reasonably well, you should be ok.

Try removing the switch panel from the plug on the X3 - try booting again.
If you have it connected, make sure the switches are in the on,on,off,off,off configuration - if you frag try them in the off,on,off,off,off position.

Make sure you are using the component cables - Red,yellow,white.

If at some point you get the 'X' on the switch panel in red - check your D0 soldering.

If you have an X3 (not a X3CE) check that the extra 5v pin (which you dont need) on the top of the PCB is well insulated (I removed mine altogether.)

When you take out the eject adaptor board, the X3 will enable by default - and you will not be able to disable it. When it frags, it normally means that it either cant find the BIOS, or it's a bad BIOS.

Let me know how you go.

Good luck.

J

 

[RoaZtedPuppy]

Re: PLEASE HELP, Unusual Problem - X3 Pinheader Install on v

on quite a few of the power/eject switched two points on the back are connected probably due to a machine misconfiguration in the factory. I also had this problem, easily fixed by removing the solder between the two. you must peel off the sticky backing but if you are careful you can put it back on again.

 

[johnnycab]

Re: PLEASE HELP, Unusual Problem - X3 Pinheader Install on v

jonrees69 - You are probably right about your diagnosis on the soldering part - even before I began, I was totally ready to de-solder! So, I am going to have another go, in the morning. However, I have a feeling that, I might have used less solder, so it did not flow 'properly' to the points and make a good contact.

I did go and get myself a Multimeter today (in between a few games of pool) I will carry out all continuity tests in the morning. An excellent post I read on xbox-scene - http://www.xbox-scene.com/articles/lpc-diag.php

With regards to the switch - I already had it switched to the Bank: 1234. Also, gave 5678 a try after your suggestion - still the same. I already had the 5v pin insulated, after reading, how many people cause so much damage to their motherboard. I also have the LPC, D0, LAN & HD points covered with electrical insulating tape - underneath the board.

I DO get a 'brief' red flash, before the steady blue one - when it powers up, as mentioned above. So, you reckon D0?....OK, I will give it another check.

RoaZtedPuppy - The Reset/Eject adapter barely has anything on it! It has a few solder points on the back. Please can you tell me which ones I should be paying attention to, in particular. As, I have probably diagnosed this wrong.

Do you have a link for any pictures of the adapter - of the points on the back and what they should look like? i.e. with the solder removed or should be removed?

Thanks for answering my queries.

Cheers
Johnny

 

[RoaZtedPuppy]

Re: PLEASE HELP, Unusual Problem - X3 Pinheader Install on v

its fairly obvious and i dont want to take it back off. youll see where two points have solder in between them. as a general rule in electronics the only connections between solder beads should be through traces within the board not solder on top. If you try to disconnect them but you don't get it then ill take my sticky pad back off and take a pic.

 

[johnnycab]

Re: PLEASE HELP, Unusual Problem - X3 Pinheader Install on v

While the site was down - I did some work. Result: Partial Success!

I checked the solder points on the LPC, with the multimeter and found no voltage discrepancies i.e.

1 - 0.2v
2 - 0.0v (Ground)
3,5,7,8,9,10 & 11 - 3.3v (Pin 10 was showing 3.15v, the rest around 3.26v)
4 - 5v (4.96v on the multimeter)

NOTE: For all - who want to know, the above was carried out, whilst the box was powered up.

All good. I unplugged the board out of the box & checked the continuity of the connections. Since, it is the easiest - I started with the D0 and all the traces around it - everything zeroed out. Also, checked the LAN & HD points - ditto.

Then, I checked all the LPC pins and it's endpoints - All, except 1 & 10, zeroed out. Re-soldered and way-hey!

I plugged in the box (without the RESET/EJECT No Solder Adapter) and the screen displays the 'FlashBIOS 3.0.3' screen - after detecting the HD/DVD drive correctly. It then prompts you with flashing - So, I am assuming this is a success, and I just need to connect it to the router & flash the correct BIOS. BTW, the current dip-switches selected are for Bank 1234 (On/On/Off/Off/Off).

With the chip removed - the box boots normally into M$ Dash.

However, the problem with RESET/EJECT Solderless Adapter still exists! I cannot plug this board and power up the box at all!

I have removed the sticky pad on the back, and checked the solder points. Nevertheless, to make absolutely sure - I have desoldered both points where it may cause a bridge and resoldered. I also checked the connections with the multimeter - all looks fine. The picture below is pre-desoldering - so it may appear, that the connections are bridged.

Any suggestions, advice or help is most welcome. Cheers.

 

[johnnycab]

Please can anyone help me resolve this problem, with the RESET/EJECT No Solder Adapter - The box does not power up when this PCB/Adapter is installed. I have carried out all continuity checks and everything seems fine - even the RED Reset/Eject cable! - Help, I am stuck....

What can I check - could the problem be somewhere else, i.e. on the X3 itself? Is it possible to wire this directly without using the adapter?

Thanks

 

[kero]

Just dont use the power eject no solder adapter....
(I know you want to use it because its there but I disconnected mine as i feel it is not necessary as i 99% of the time want the modchip enabled)

If you do not use the power /eject addapter the x3 will boot with the modchip allways enabled.
If you want to boot with the modchip off you simply select in the "x3 live config" to boot the xbox with the modchip disabled.

 

[johnnycab]

kero - Thanks for the reply. I know what you are saying, about not using the adapter. However, this is my first mod and I want to see everything working perfectly - so I can carry out future mods without having to troubleshoot from scratch. I have ordered a new Reset/Eject Adapter, hopefully that will cure this problem.

I could not use my S controller (plugged into the first port) to navigate the menu on the 'FlashBIOS 3.0.3' screen. It chooses the network flashing option by default - as it is the first option. Is this a normal occurrence? Do I have to flash the chip, with the latest BIOS before I can get the controller to work?

Cheers

 

[johnnycab]

Woo-hoo! - I have my Xbox working, with the new Reset/Eject Adapter. I have flashed the 2nd Bank (did not want to take a chance with the 1st Bank) and got into Config Live. Now, re-reading some of the stuff on HD & downloading Slayer's to upgrade the HD.

I just wanted to update this post, so people who are still searching and finding posts with no solutions, can understand that with little bit of patience - anything can be done! I used the following tools, in no particular oder - to carry out my job:

1) an old Etherlink III network card - to practise on ;-))
2) Antex 18W Soldering Iron with a 0.5mm tip/bit (extremely important)
3) Solder 0.31 gauge (60/40) and some flux (very important)
4) Soldering Station (with a sponge - wet it to clean the tip/remove excess solder)
5) Extra Solder for tinning the tip (this was quite helpful)
6) Desoldering Pump (with a replaceable rubber tip - which gives more control)
7) An American equivalent of an X-Acto knife
8) A Multimeter - absolutely essential !!!
9) Few shots of Absolut - to calm my nerves and prepare for d0
10) An old pencil eraser - to get some of dirt/grime of the PCB before soldering
11) Torx screw driver - 10 & 20 bit - as stated in the TeamX tutorial
12) A Magnifying Glass - to look for those hard to find points, and carry out continuity testing etc. & inspect finished work
13) Electrical Tape - for insulating all the exposed points & locking down the wires
14) Good Lighting !!!

Cheers

 

[Hudson]

Nice one. Just shows what a calm, logical approach to fault finding can acheive

 

[PTVenom427]

How did you resolve the Navigating through the BIOS 3.0.3 console? I have put in my Xecuter 2.6 in a 1.6XBox, and when it boots to the BIOS, I cannot navigate through it w/a MS controller w/no MemCard, and I have tried the DVD dongel as well.

 

[johnnycab]

PTVenom427 - After I posted the remark about the controller not working - I found a sticky in the 'Flashing Support' section. However, that particular thread seems to be missing at present - but you can still try searching for it.

Anyways, back to your problem - I re-seated the daughterboard, and all controller port connectors - as it had come a bit loose with all the fiddling with the bastard 'Reset/Eject Adapter'. Then gave it a try with my S controller - No Luck! So, I plugged in the DVD dongle in the 3rd Port - still nothing! then switched it to the first port and Voilà! - the remote worked flawlessly.

Although, you have mentioned in your post that you have tried both of the above-mentioned options i.e. controller & DVD dongle. If I remember correctly - some people reported (in the sticky) that using the controller buttons quickly - when FlashBIOS was booting up into the flashing screen helped them to navigate. Give it a try at different stages of this boot-up process and you never know...

I hope the solution to your problem, is as easy as mine was...Please let us know when you cure it.

 

[PTVenom427]

Should the DVD Dongle be in a particular port? I.E. you mention port 3? Should the S controller be in 1 while the DVD dongle is in 3? Thanks For your Reply.

 

[johnnycab]

PTVenom427 - I removed the S controller completely and then tried the dongle in Port #1. I do not think the dongle or the controller 'usually' have to be in any particular order. As they are potentially USB ports, connected to an internal hub. However, this is what worked for me at the time.

If you want to troubleshoot, I would suggest, try different combinations i.e.

1) Plug your controller in Port 1 - 4 and see if it works
2) Plug your DVD dongle in Port 1 - 4 and see if it works
3) Plug Controller in Port 1 & Dongle in Port 2 and vice versa
4) Try the same as above in Port 3 & 4

As my first mod has been with X3 - I do not have much exposure to Xecuter 2.6, which is only via these forums. Try and find out, if you can switch to FlashBIOS 3.0.0 via backup etc. I have read enough to tell you, that you are nearly there....just keep patient, search and READ!

Good Luck.

 

[ozzyo99]

A solution to the controller issue is to get yourself an old MS pad (the large 1st edition-£10 ebay) this allows flawless navigation.

 

[PTVenom427]

You guys are great...thanks and i will keep you updated......

 

[PTVenom427]

Thanks OZZOYO99. You were absolutely correct!! I now can navigate through the BIOS. The S-Controller did not work, but the old MS -Big Daddy Pad works great.

 

[PTVenom427]

I just wanted to say, that I just finished my First XBOX-MOD w/Xecuter 2.6 on a ver1.6 Holiday Bundle XBOX i got for christmas. Took me sometime to figure it out, but as long as you take your time, follow ALL of the posted tutorials, and do the RESEARCH, you will be fine. I cannot emphasize on the DO THE RESEARCH. If you try to get it up and running in a day, on your first one, good luck. The tutorials are great, the help is fantastic. Take your time. Rome wasn't built in a day, neither was an XBOX.
i am now running a XBOX ver1.6, with Xecuter2.6 chip, 160gig Seagate HDD, EvoXDash. This thing rocks. I have not had this much fun since pulled a laser out of a cdrom and burned holes in the school cafeteria lunch tables........LOL (just kidding)
THANKS FOR EVERYTHING>>>>>>>>