Actually it was me. Last night (Friday, I was playing GH2 and suddenly the game frozed), reset the console and it was ok. So continue playing for an hour and shutdown. This morning around 11:00 am I wanted to continue playing GH2 and suddenly it froze again and tried to reset it and then BAM ... the famous 3ROD hit my console.... . OMG, this console is only 6mths old and the date of the manufacturing was August 2006.

I thought I would be lucky to get after June 06 batch but I was not. Luckily I remembered that I've downloaded the X Clamp replacement guide from the net. After a quick read, I went out to search all the parts needed and luckily I got all of them.

Went back home, disassembled my X360 and took out the X-Clamps that holds both of the heatsink for the CPU and GPU (it was quite hard to take it out but I managed to do it with the right tool. Took me less than 5 mins to do so).

When I saw the thermal paste at the CPU and GPU it was all over the chips. Patiently cleaned up all the mess (with surgical spirit and nail polish remover) and I applied Artic Silver 3 (luckily I still have it after all these years of storage) very thin on the CPU and GPU dies.

Put back both heatsinks with the parts that I've bought and reassembled back everything. I was praying hard hoping it will work and YESSSS it did, phew what a releive (thank GOD Almighty). After testing playing GH2, 4hrs straight non stop, the console seems to be stable, no freezes or lock ups.

Will continue stress test it again tommorrow. From what I read from the other forums, this method has 98% of success rate of reviving 3ROD machines.

Yeah Judge and friends are coming to my place tomorrow to see the dead console that have been revived. Maybe I'll try to help to revive his machine.

This post has been edited by tot31: Apr 15 2007, 12:03 AM

No problem, just come to my place and I'll try to help fixing your 3ROD console.

Judge's X360 is revived. He just went back from my hse with a happy face. (samurai20, PoP and metalgrind also came). Actually metalgrind already managed to fix his X360 with the hotgun method and I just replace the x-clamps with the screws and washers. I'm really happy that Judge can now continue enjoying the LIVE session.

The problem is not the thermal paste but the X Clamps design itself, by replacing the x clamps (which flex the mainboard) with bolt and washer this problem is eliminated.

Actually there are two methods on replaacing the x clamps. One without drilling the case and one method you have to drill the case. Mine was the first method. Maybe I'll do the second method which involves drilling the casing to permanently secure the both heatsinks when I have time.

I've tested my console for another 3hrs straight session. So far so good.
I'm hoping that this fix will last quite long.

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Added on April 15, 2007, 2:41 pmsure....no prob, just pm me.

This post has been edited by tot31: Apr 15 2007, 02:45 PM

If you want to do it also can although there is no problem with yours but it will void your warranty unless yours is modded....

Judge gave an idea where we can make those xclamps as Cog Tags.....

This post has been edited by tot31: Apr 15 2007, 06:17 PM

Yup, don't worry just go out there and get one and just enjoy it to the max.