I think it's cause they were criticised for the bulk of the original. To be honest, I liked the big black box of the first one!

The thing that actually kills the box isn't the heat causing the solder to melt... though this is part of the problem. The Heat causes the main board to flex, it's this combined with the X-Clamps using the centre of the underneath of the CPU & GPU as a tension point (round of applause here for that amazing feat of stupid design) that then causes the chips to start popping of when the solder heats up.. if it wasn't for the heat sinks X-Clamps there be no trouble...

interesting, I notice the board was slightly bowed but I just assumed my self that it was meant to be like that, I say bowed, ever so very slightly.

My brother is going to try and fix it but most likely going down the route as suggested by babs. In the mean time I've bought a new system with a 3 year warrenty, atleast it will keep me entertained for a bit!

If he gets it working then I have a plan for it so its not like it will not go to good use.

Will let you know how it goes

Thanks all

AFAIK, this is the case. But it also causes other connections to expand which will lead it to fail again later on.

Probably causes the solder to get just hot enough that dry joins melt just enough to make sufficient contact. The only way to really fix it is to reflow the joints, or a new board.

When you did the xclamp fix last time, what thermal paste did you use? Unless you use Artic Silver I bet it's dried out. Happens a lot with the cheaper paste.

Artic silver, tish, we sell tens of thousands of boards with IC's that use normal white thermal paste and I've never heard of any coming back in the 5 year warranty period due to dried out thermal paste.

The problem is with the board, and all the clamp does is push things down tighter so that the electrical joints are forced closer and the heatsink makes proper contact with the board.

Any thermal layer should be so thin anyway that you shouldn't be able to see a dried on layer where the items contact, only around them.

I have had this issue far to meny times, so i bought an elite ....5 weeks later same thing so i sent it back.

I only had it back 4 days before the issue (3 red lights) was making another comeback.

Why bother with Xbox at all this kind of issue would have put any other company in court and out of business.

I know the xbox is the best gaming rig out there but there is no excuse I for one will be buying a PS3

I know the xbox is the best gaming rig out there but there is no excuse I for one will be buying a PS3

The ps3 has its problems too, im on my 3rd and everyone i know who has one is on their 2nd or 3rd console , Also the amount sony charge for repair is shocking , £150 to repair a ps3 then they only give you a 3month warranty :thumbdwn:

The ps3 has its problems too, im on my 3rd and everyone i know who has one is on their 2nd or 3rd console , Also the amount sony charge for repair is shocking , £150 to repair a ps3 then they only give you a 3month warranty :thumbdwn:

Kinda bad show for consoles then...ouch!

Ah well PC gaming is still reliable....isnt it?

pc gaming is great im just useless with a keyboard and mouse

aye my brother is on his second PS3 so its not like they are built proof either. Though with the elite and newier xbox's they have changed the voltage and chips so they are less likely to cause a problem.

Though the new xbox went back the next day as it was broken......just got a new one no questions asked (should have swapped the insides with my old one lol)

I have had this issue far to meny times, so i bought an elite ....5 weeks later same thing so i sent it back.

I only had it back 4 days before the issue (3 red lights) was making another comeback.

Why bother with Xbox at all this kind of issue would have put any other company in court and out of business.

I know the xbox is the best gaming rig out there but there is no excuse I for one will be buying a PS3

How ventilated was it though? As heat seems to be the main cause of faliture can't have it shoved in a cupbord with no air flow etc

The ps3 has its problems too, im on my 3rd and everyone i know who has one is on their 2nd or 3rd console , Also the amount sony charge for repair is shocking , £150 to repair a ps3 then they only give you a 3month warranty :thumbdwn:

Strange. Everyone I know has had no problems.

Mine has been just fine.