Allright i have a V 1.0 xbox....one of the first out. I have been told that the reason it shuts off may be because of the faulty power cable that came out with this version. I refuse to believe that the cable is faulty...but i may just be hard headed....whatever. Does anyone know any way to alter something or do something to fix this. Its really hard to mod your xbox and ftp it when it shuts off randomly....not to mention play games on it.
Xbox randomly shuts off
- Thread starter batzeus
- Start date
First off, you are right. The power cable was never at fault. It's a problem with the PSU. They should have recalled all the XBoxes and fixed them, but they are complete and udder tight wads. Don't get me started. 
But back to your problem:
Hmmm, that IS interesting. Here's my question: what are the temps on you XBox? Is it running hot? The XBox will shut itself down if it's temperatures climb too high.
If the temperature are okay, then here's my next question:
How long does it run before shutting down, and what does it do when it shuts down? If it takes a few minutes before it shuts downs, then FRAGs (flash red and green), then the most likely candidate is a bad solder joint somewhere. Sometimes, if there is not enough solder, it will remain connected fine while cool, but as the XBox heats up, the metal expands and looses connection. That's the next thing I would check.
Tell me if that helps, so if it doesn't I can brainstorm some more. Right now, I'm just trying to find an excuse to NOT write my report about Gauss (due tomorrow of course)
- Greg
But back to your problem:
Hmmm, that IS interesting. Here's my question: what are the temps on you XBox? Is it running hot? The XBox will shut itself down if it's temperatures climb too high.
If the temperature are okay, then here's my next question:
How long does it run before shutting down, and what does it do when it shuts down? If it takes a few minutes before it shuts downs, then FRAGs (flash red and green), then the most likely candidate is a bad solder joint somewhere. Sometimes, if there is not enough solder, it will remain connected fine while cool, but as the XBox heats up, the metal expands and looses connection. That's the next thing I would check.
Tell me if that helps, so if it doesn't I can brainstorm some more. Right now, I'm just trying to find an excuse to NOT write my report about Gauss (due tomorrow of course
)- Greg
I would say its either your PS, or Temps. Most likly temps, if I were you open your case, recheck all plugs including PS. then take cpu/gpu and clean the gum and apply some thermal paste for better cooling. I don't think its so much your temps, I heard the xbox stays on at 180F so Im not sure what its max to before shutting off.
well, i dont think its the temps....i've got the thing opened up with the dvd drive and hdd out of the box and a larger fan inside....another thing i should mention is that i think microsoft did this to me on purpose....mabey....let me explain. About 5 months into owning it my dvd drive stops reading games....reads movies and music alright but no games. I send it to microsoft under warranty. They fix it. Three weeks after i get it back it begins to randomly shut off. I call them up...."Sorry your warrant JUST expired....90 bucks please." F*** that...so my adventure into modding begins....first taking it apart then messing with the on/off switch...which by the way the on switch doesnt work...only the eject, and sometimes the eject will also turn it off if you press it when the xbox is angry with you....oh lookee there it just turned on all by itself....wtf
That is an utterly creepy problem. It defies anything I've ever heard of.
My next idea is to look at the power switch. Now, I know you've already said you poked around a little bit, but I have a second suggestion (NOTE: This is a very, very far fetched idea, but it's the best I can offer).
Try desoldering both of the momentary switches (power and eject). Simply remove them. Try replacing them with some momentary switches bought from, say, Radio Shack or something. Perhaps there is a screwy connection inside that makes pressing it do nothing. You can test my hypothesis: don't shake it violently, but give it a little motion while it is running (before changing the switches). I'm wondering if the metal connectors in the switch have become loose and randomly connect and disconnect with vibration. If that is the case, it'll shut down or turn on or something.
It's either that, or call an exorcist.
- Greg
EDIT: Get some other people's ideas before doing this. I have never tried doing anything of this sort, and don't know how difficult it might or might not be. Those solder points could be pretty small. Get a second opinion.
My next idea is to look at the power switch. Now, I know you've already said you poked around a little bit, but I have a second suggestion (NOTE: This is a very, very far fetched idea, but it's the best I can offer).
Try desoldering both of the momentary switches (power and eject). Simply remove them. Try replacing them with some momentary switches bought from, say, Radio Shack or something. Perhaps there is a screwy connection inside that makes pressing it do nothing. You can test my hypothesis: don't shake it violently, but give it a little motion while it is running (before changing the switches). I'm wondering if the metal connectors in the switch have become loose and randomly connect and disconnect with vibration. If that is the case, it'll shut down or turn on or something.
It's either that, or call an exorcist.
- Greg
EDIT: Get some other people's ideas before doing this. I have never tried doing anything of this sort, and don't know how difficult it might or might not be. Those solder points could be pretty small. Get a second opinion.
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Search the X3 forums, people have had their xbox's turning on due to shorts somewhere on the board, although most that i read never found an exact solution.
I'm still looking for an answer to this on one of my boards at present....
I'm still looking for an answer to this on one of my boards at present.... I had already tried soldering and desoldering parts off of the switch and it still had no effect....i even took apart one of my old computers and rerouted the switch to work off of a computer one,....no luck. I've run it with the entire switch unplugged from the board also....and since it turns on as you plug in the power cord i can see that I dont think the problem is totally in the switch...goodness gracious my xbox is possessed by satan.... Well i suppose ill keep looking, if i cant fix it then ill just have to get another xbox and remod the whole darn thing...since i cant accomplish anything. One other thing i thought of was...electomagnetic interference. Just an idea...but my router doesnt work properly when its too close to my satelite box....sooo....i dont know just an idea... Thanks so much guys for sticking with me....let me know if you figure it out...and ill let you know if i do....or if im killed in my sleep by the xbox from hell.
. Well i suppose ill keep looking, if i cant fix it then ill just have to get another xbox and remod the whole darn thing...since i cant accomplish anything. One other thing i thought of was...electomagnetic interference. Just an idea...but my router doesnt work properly when its too close to my satelite box....sooo....i dont know just an idea... Thanks so much guys for sticking with me....let me know if you figure it out...and ill let you know if i do....or if im killed in my sleep by the xbox from hell.hey...i wonder...if i were to take the entire electrical unit out of the xbox..and one out of a computer....find the correct wires and swap them out(dont know the name of the wires that plug into the motherboard) with the ones from the PC do you think that would change anything....or is it just a bad idea altogether. Well i just may try anyway, cause if someone cant come up with an answer in the next 2 weeks im just going out and buying a new box cause i havent played halo in about 3 weeks and im starting to get a little twitchy...
By electrical unit, I assume you mean power supply. To answer:
No, they cannot be directly swapped. A computer power supply, typically, does not have a 3.3 volt circuit and will more then likely fry the mobo. As you still have a somewhat-working box, I wouldn't do that. However, that is a good idea. You can buy PSUs seperate from the mobo. Check your version number and purchase a power supply for that version number. My two cents.
- Greg
PS: If you need a 1.0 power supply, I just might be able to hook you up. But, that is a big but... depends on what I do this summer.
No, they cannot be directly swapped. A computer power supply, typically, does not have a 3.3 volt circuit and will more then likely fry the mobo. As you still have a somewhat-working box, I wouldn't do that. However, that is a good idea. You can buy PSUs seperate from the mobo. Check your version number and purchase a power supply for that version number. My two cents.
- Greg
PS: If you need a 1.0 power supply, I just might be able to hook you up. But, that is a big but... depends on what I do this summer.
i do indeed have a 1.0...I dont know what you would plan but, its really no matter, its not that important. Plus a new box might help to the decor seeing as this one has been to hell and back....