Xbox Locks Up / Flashing Red/Orange - Microsoft Xbox Repair Manual

Xbox Locks Up / Flashing Red/Orange

Heat needs to be removed from your Xbox for it to function properly. If you are starting to see
random lockups and odd artifacts in graphics it may be time to clean out your console. Keep in
mind that in game lockups can also be caused by DVD issues but if can stick your Xbox in a cold
place and notice that this gives you stable play time read on.
If you're Xbox only locks up only during games and especially only in specific spots during
games see page 3 to find out about dirty disc errors, if your Xbox locks up even in the green
navigation screen continue on.
Opening a console (voids warranty) Remove hard drive and DVD drive, leave the rest of the
system intact
Start by blasting out the heat sinks with compressed air and work your way out from there, the
heat generators are circled in red and the cooling inlets and outlets are in blue. Continue by
cleaning the dust from the surface of the board using compressed air. If you got a fresh new can
of air, be sure to use some of it first so it doesn't spray out the liquid propellant while you are
moving it around. Coating your board and electronics with this subzero liquid can cause damage.
Pay special attention to fully clean the air holes at the front and sides of the case When
reassembling, an aftermarket heat sink can be added to the NVIDIA MPCX chip to allow it to
cool more effectively.
Track down some 1X1X1/3 inch ones with self adhesive thermal pads to do the job. You can also
find these at the local computer store or salvage one from an old motherboard if you have some
adhesive thermal paste to affix it.
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