READ THIS!!! Solution to crashes caused by overheating!! (Thanks for the sticky)

Goldeneyemaster · 2005-11-23 02:47:14

My 360 was crashing a lot (like once every 20 minutes). So I took the power supply off the ground and suspended it in the air with some string. I have been playing for about 3 hours straight and no crashes so far! EDIT: I found an easier way to do this. I got a box with no cover and put the power supply on the edges.Pics (hosting provided by www.photojerk.com):EDIT 2: This is just one way of doing it. The main point of this fix is to get your PSU off the ground for maximum heat release. Also, it seems like most 360s are freezing due to overheating. My Xbox 360 was freezing every 20 minutes. When I put the PSU on this box I left the console on for 7 hours without crashing (I finally decided to turn it off). NOTE: If your 360 is not freezing because of overheating, the above fix WILL NOT work.EDIT 3:Another member of Gamespot, howoldareyou, has discovered another solution to the 360 freezing that he claims solved the 'three red lights of death problem' for him.Here is his post:'Helllo all, like many other unfortunate individuals who fell victim to the 3 redlights of terror I decided to do some deduction problem solving. My system flashed the 3 redlights while playing 'Call of Duty' and refused to turn on for days afterwards. i did everything M.$ suggested (dissconnect everything and reconnect). It wasn't until I realized that maybe it's the source of power that is the problem (Follow me). If you are plugging your Xbox360 into a cheap surge protector or general plug strip you might want to plug your xbox into a very good quality protecctor or plug it in the wall. I plugged mine into the wall and VOILA it works flawlessy......plug it back into the power strip and it works for about 10 minutes...plug it back into the wall and VOILA it works perfect again. It's been running solid for 14 hours straight and no problems have occured in the past few days since it's been plugged into the wallI think the power brick is overly sensitive to Good CLEAN power. A cheap protector or plug strip might not be providing the proper flow of power to the unit. Anyway, when I plug it into the strip, the xbox will start to do the 3 redlights (except the upper right one) which indicates a hardware failure. I'm troubled to think that the many people who returned their unit, only to get a new one that does the same thing, when the real problem is where they are plugging in their unit./ ANYWAY, it works for me...hope it works for you. provide feedback and let us know.'Here is a link howoldareyou's topic: http://www.gamespot.com/forums/show_msgs.php?topic_id=24054545

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Goldeneyemaster

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#301 Goldeneyemaster

Member since 2003 • 6906 Posts

Overheating is not the only problem people are having you idiots.LARGENUTZ

Well so far it is the only problem anybody has found a temporary solution for. I am very aware that there are other problems. That is why I am sending my 360 in to MS, because mine has more problems than just overheating. Think before you call other people idiots noob.

18 years ago

vw_Magnum

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#302 vw_Magnum

Member since 2004 • 97 Posts

Thank god my floor is cold as hell, I think It'll work just fine for me to drop in on the floor. Anyway, if this crashes ain't just Sony fanboy bullsh*t Microsoft ain't nothin' but morons. I mean, before they release a console they should make sure it runs properly. I'll just have to wait until friday before I can buy a 360. I live in Sweden you know, but i DO NOT like Volvo unlike those other punkassed swedes...

18 years ago

LARGENUTZ

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#303 LARGENUTZ

Member since 2005 • 25 Posts

You are correct. I should not have said idiots. Im just a little frustrated that my new $400 game system is not working two days after I purchased it. Then when you do call for technical support , you end up talking to someone who barely speaks English and has no technical knowledge. Way to be on top of your expected launch problems M$.

18 years ago

Goldeneyemaster

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#304 Goldeneyemaster

Member since 2003 • 6906 Posts

You are correct. I should not have said idiots. Im just a little frustrated that my new $400 game system is not working two days after I purchased it. Then when you do call for technical support , you end up talking to someone who barely speaks English and has no technical knowledge. Way to be on top of your expected launch problems M$.LARGENUTZ

I agree that the tech support sucks. But I am still happy knowing that in two weeks I will have a brand new system from MS instead of my defective one.

18 years ago

the_GUNN_man

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#305 the_GUNN_man

Member since 2003 • 2717 Posts

You are correct. I should not have said idiots. Im just a little frustrated that my new $400 game system is not working two days after I purchased it. Then when you do call for technical support , you end up talking to someone who barely speaks English and has no technical knowledge. Way to be on top of your expected launch problems M$.LARGENUTZ

I know this is off topic but I wonder why SOOOO many phone support people barely speak english? Why do these people get hired? You would think that during the interview that if you can't understand them that why would you hire them, put a headset on them and have them talking to your customers. UNLESS this is done on purpose so that they can play the dumb role and get you frustrated enough you just hang up. The companies I have noticed who do it are: Nextel, Microsoft, SBC, Walmart.com, DirecTv, Charter, etc. I am sure there are many others.

Sorry about being off topic had to vent.

18 years ago

Goldeneyemaster

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#306 Goldeneyemaster

Member since 2003 • 6906 Posts

[QUOTE="LARGENUTZ"]You are correct. I should not have said idiots. Im just a little frustrated that my new $400 game system is not working two days after I purchased it. Then when you do call for technical support , you end up talking to someone who barely speaks English and has no technical knowledge. Way to be on top of your expected launch problems M$.the_GUNN_man

Sorry about being off topic had to vent.

The reason why they can't speak english is because they are over seas, usually in India. And compared to most people in India, the MS tech support people speak pretty good english.

18 years ago

Sparky1989

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#307 Sparky1989

Member since 2005 • 25 Posts

sweet thanks tried it, and WORKS thanks a lot

18 years ago

markthebum

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#308 markthebum

Member since 2004 • 1249 Posts

That's awesome, who would think? What gave you the idea in the first part to tie the power supple to a string and dangle it int he air? Zaber123

its obviose that you need to keep the PSU cool(anyone else that knows anything about electronics should know this)

try other stuff to, like blowing a fan on it or heck put it in a laptop case with dry ice!!! cant be too cold!!!

18 years ago

DjGaGo

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#309 DjGaGo

Member since 2005 • 25 Posts

I just told microsoft about the problem like 30 minutes ago and I hope that they'll do sumtin about it so, it's good that there is a temporary solution, another solution that I thought is to put a comp fan to the power supply so it won't over heat in such a short period of time.

18 years ago

YOca11

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#310 YOca11

Member since 2005 • 25 Posts

Cool! This thread has made it to Slashdot!! (I'm a Slashdot subscriber) Nice work!

18 years ago

Goldeneyemaster

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#311 Goldeneyemaster

Member since 2003 • 6906 Posts

Cool! This thread has made it to Slashdot!! (I'm a Slashdot subscriber) Nice work!YOca11

Can you give me a link to it?

18 years ago

OneWingedAngeI

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#312 OneWingedAngeI

Member since 2003 • 9448 Posts

you do realize that putting a heat source on such a flammable material as cardboard is a fire hazard

18 years ago

chembro84

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#313 chembro84

Member since 2004 • 829 Posts

you do realize that putting a heat source on such a flammable material as cardboard is a fire hazardOneWingedAngeI

It doesn't get THAT hot.

18 years ago

stogie1159

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#315 stogie1159

Member since 2005 • 25 Posts

I bought a little wood shelf for my wall behind my hdtv and put my brick on it. No crashes yet and we've been torturing this 360, I think somone has been playing non-stop since release between my brothers-in-law, kids, and me. I think it had a 30 minute rest when we all piled in the car to go pick up PDZ.Dougolson507

Here's a thought... The wood you have been using has different heating dispersal characteristics than let's say... Carpet. I would imagine those who have their power brick against a hard surface will crash a lot less than those that have a brick up against a shag carpet. The insulative properties of the two are much different.

18 years ago

DjGaGo

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#316 DjGaGo

Member since 2005 • 25 Posts

You don't have to put it in the top of a cardboard, you could put it on top of some metal stand or durable plastic as long that air can circulate into it.

18 years ago

Holden14

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#317 Holden14

Member since 2005 • 4286 Posts

*FOR SOMEONE WHOS XBOX DOESN'T CRASH ANYMORE*caps* Can you post a pic of your power brick and your 360 just so I can see how much air can get to it...like...do you have to put it in the middle of the room? or can you just put it behind your tv...I just want to see...thanks

18 years ago

ice_radon

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#318 ice_radon

Member since 2002 • 70464 Posts

Wow, we have been slashdotted!

18 years ago

twelve21

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#319 twelve21

Member since 2003 • 101 Posts

Yeah, I came here from Slashdot. It sucks that the 360s crash. Given that they crash, though, the solution is a pretty easy one, but it shouldn't HAVE to be done. They shouldn't suck like that. It's indicative of a rush job - something MS was previously criticized for anyway. Tisk tisk.

18 years ago

slimshady007

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#320 slimshady007

Member since 2005 • 1269 Posts

i tried many of the thing u listed but my 360 still frezzes

18 years ago

Superbustacap

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#321 Superbustacap

Member since 2004 • 10663 Posts

How do you "ventalate the system properly"?

18 years ago

Goldeneyemaster

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#322 Goldeneyemaster

Member since 2003 • 6906 Posts

i tried many of the thing u listed but my 360 still frezzes slimshady007

Send your console to MS and get a new one. That is what I am doing since mine still freezes on PDZ.

18 years ago

glch

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#323 glch

Member since 2005 • 25 Posts

granted I have tried this with a 360, but when my slimline ps2 would freeze after about hours of play, we would stick frozen meat on both sides, and it would cool down and start playing again.

So, just stick some porkchops on both sides, and you'll be good, just make sure to switch em out when they thaw :)

18 years ago

BoSockin3

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#324 BoSockin3

Member since 2005 • 378 Posts

Hmm, I must be lucky or something, I havent had any of these problems with my 360. Played for 5 hours straight with my brick just sitting in my entertainment stand and I've had no freezing or overheating.

18 years ago

Goldeneyemaster

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#325 Goldeneyemaster

Member since 2003 • 6906 Posts

granted I have tried this with a 360, but when my slimline ps2 would freeze after about hours of play, we would stick frozen meat on both sides, and it would cool down and start playing again.

So, just stick some porkchops on both sides, and you'll be good, just make sure to switch em out when they thaw :)
glch

:lol:

18 years ago

Goldeneyemaster

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#326 Goldeneyemaster

Member since 2003 • 6906 Posts

I know my 360 still freezes in PDZ, but...

This is my 1,000th post!

18 years ago

hoankiemdinh

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#327 hoankiemdinh

Member since 2004 • 685 Posts

Keep up the good posts people!?

18 years ago

tomservo51

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#328 tomservo51

Member since 2003 • 698 Posts

So $Soft is losing over $100 on each console. And now they are going to lose more replacing systems and power supplys? Man, that hurts,. Maybe the shortage is a blessing in disguise?

18 years ago

LessThanMike

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#329 LessThanMike

Member since 2002 • 5364 Posts

So $Soft is losing over $100 on each console. And now they are going to lose more replacing systems and power supplys? Man, that hurts,. Maybe the shortage is a blessing in disguise?tomservo51

good point, i elevated mine and it hasn't froze yet...i'm debating whether to get the warranty from gamestop...i have 2 more days to get it

18 years ago

tomservo51

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#330 tomservo51

Member since 2003 • 698 Posts

ALWAYS get the warranty on new consoles!

[QUOTE="tomservo51"]So $Soft is losing over $100 on each console. And now they are going to lose more replacing systems and power supplys? Man, that hurts,. Maybe the shortage is a blessing in disguise?LessThanMike

good point, i elevated mine and it hasn't froze yet...i'm debating whether to get the warranty from gamestop...i have 2 more days to get it

18 years ago

Freddy

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#331 Freddy

Member since 2002 • 1037 Posts

I dont know what you guys are doing to make your x360 crash but I havent had that problem. I've put my adapter on the floor (carpet) and played for hours without crash. It might also have to do with the environment of the room. If your room is super hot, then yes it will most likely freeze. I've also played in harsh environments and no freeze yet. Hopefully this doesnt happen to me and if it does I will put this method under consideration.

My x360 is flawless, so far so good. Let's hope I didnt jinx myself but the system seems to be working great. It does get a bit hot but dude, can you do other things rather then play the system for hours of the day? You might want to try ice packs that are reusable. Maybe that can help or putting it on a metal table. I dont know, just never had this problem.

Other or, thanks for the tip. :)

18 years ago

dirtyamish

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#332 dirtyamish

Member since 2003 • 25 Posts

Not to say the power supplies aren't possibly crappy, but what temperature is your home running? I keep mine at no more than 70 degrees so wondering if I should just wait till much later to get me a 360. Of course it will also help that I live in Chicago and have nice, cold, non-carpeted floors. :D

18 years ago

craigTheBrit

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#333 craigTheBrit

Member since 2005 • 25 Posts

[QUOTE="-Unreal-"]

Its falling back down please sticky it mods!!!soul_raver47

Something this stupid doesn't need floated. Xbox 360 has a fault that needs to be addressed. A thread with some measley little thing like "have the power block off the ground" isn't float worthy.

Haha! It's all over the web and on Slashdot too, and you thought it shouldn't even be bumped :D

18 years ago

hatchetman696

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#334 hatchetman696

Member since 2005 • 684 Posts

That is godly!

18 years ago

bakerdp

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#335 bakerdp

Member since 2003 • 205 Posts

How do you "ventalate the system properly"?Superbustacap

Here's how - "VentIlate the system properly"

18 years ago

bakerdp

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#336 bakerdp

Member since 2003 • 205 Posts

[QUOTE="Superbustacap"]How do you "ventalate the system properly"?bakerdp

Here's how - "VentIlate the system properly"

Dangit - Stupid font!!! I used a capitol "i" to be cute. A lot of good it did.

Trying again - "Ventilate the system properly"

18 years ago

tarzan909

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#337 tarzan909

Member since 2003 • 25 Posts

Just buy a little cardboard box and get a scissor and make a stand out of it, it works fine for me

18 years ago

kratos419

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#338 kratos419

Member since 2005 • 271 Posts

You guys can try putting a 20 oz bottle of water half- filled in the freezer then putting that on top of a towel or something on the adapter. This worked for my PS2 slimline which was having the same problem as you're speaking of with the 360. Just keep two bottles so you always have one ready to go. :)

18 years ago

ZebulonPi

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#339 ZebulonPi

Member since 2003 • 25 Posts

Dude, congratz, man. You've gone international.

http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=27930

18 years ago

blitzinger123

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#340 blitzinger123

Member since 2005 • 2370 Posts

Me and a few friends are experiencing crashes with our 360's. Not really a crash but a freeze up I should say. And its not the power. I checked the brick and system and both werent really hot. They were kinda warm but not to the point where it would cause a freeze up. My friends 360 freezes when he does split screen w/ COD2, my other friend had a freeze up while playing PDZ, and I have had my system lock up 4 times while playing PDZ. Any suggestions or anyone having this problem? Again, suspending the brick doesnt look like the answer to this problem and I've already tried it

18 years ago

phatram32

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#341 phatram32

Member since 2003 • 687 Posts

How does everyone have their xbox 360 set up? Is it ok to have the power supply connected to a surge protector that has multiple outlets?

18 years ago

andyy2b

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#342 andyy2b

Member since 2003 • 25 Posts

I am having the same problem. All my games work fine yet PDZ will freeze up randomly regardless of how hot the system or power brick is. I tried deleting my save game file and restarting and have notcied fewer crashes, 1 as opposed to the 5 or 6 times it would crash in one game.

Out of curiosity are people experiencing the freezing problems for systems using the hard drive? I'd like to know if people using a memory card are having the same problem, cause I am saving using the hard drive and am wondering if it is the hard drive causing a problem.

Also was anyone else dissapointed by the lackluster end of game boss in PDZ?

18 years ago

-Big_Poppa-

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#343 -Big_Poppa-

Member since 2005 • 161 Posts

yeah.

18 years ago

tremo01

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#344 tremo01

Member since 2005 • 13877 Posts

Congratulations on your post, it went onto the tech web news
http://www.techweb.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=174402212

18 years ago

Goldeneyemaster

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#345 Goldeneyemaster

Member since 2003 • 6906 Posts

How does everyone have their xbox 360 set up? Is it ok to have the power supply connected to a surge protector that has multiple outlets? phatram32

Yes it is best to have it connected to a surge protector.

18 years ago

Panther_Modern

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#346 Panther_Modern

Member since 2005 • 76 Posts

I like your sig, proclaiming that everything was "fully paid". That's nice. That's... that's special right there...

Did you fully pay for that jerk-water cooling system too?

18 years ago

Goldeneyemaster

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#347 Goldeneyemaster

Member since 2003 • 6906 Posts

I like your sig, proclaiming that everything was "fully paid". That's nice. That's... that's special right there...

Did you fully pay for that jerk-water cooling system too?
Panther_Modern

The only reasone it says "Fully Paid" on everything is because I had a bundle preordered about 2 months ago. Then the store found out that they wouldn't get any systems on launch. And for some reason Gamespot is messed up and I can't change my sig, so it has to stay like that until Gamespot actually fixes some problems. And yes, I did pay for the "cooling system".

18 years ago

Midnight_Eyez

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#348 Midnight_Eyez

Member since 2005 • 609 Posts

I wished this "solution" stopped my 360 from freezing, but it dosent. nither does putting my 360 and "brick" next to an open window with 10 degree wind blowing directly into my 360 and "brick", all this did was raise my heating bill. so i say F' it. I would love to just smash this system with a hammer or throw it off my roof and just take it as a $500 (with games) loss but i'am not rich like gates so i'm just gonna get a refund and wait for the PS3. any thoughts?

18 years ago

joemlm

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#349 joemlm

Member since 2005 • 25 Posts

First, A CARDBOARD BOX IS NOT SAFE WAY TO DO THIS!!! Use a metal box or heavy plastic box or crate, like a milk crate!!! Mine actually hangs form the side of my entertainment center and i have a small bendable fan on it AT ALL TIMES iT WILL NOT HURT ANYTHING.....IT MAY ACTAULLY HELP IN THE LONG TERM!!!! Remember use a crate or hag it off the side of the table or entertainment center you use, a crate is a great way to keep your XBOX360 and Power Brick OFF THE FLOOR!!! PLease spread these tips on other sites as well, with pictures if you have them Those cardboard box pictures being circulated are not very safe!!!! Thanks for your feedback joseph

18 years ago

hirosimaka

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#350 hirosimaka

Member since 2004 • 146 Posts

Yeah, the power brick as well as the xbox iteself puts out alot of heat. I have both of mine sitting down on a desk, but I have a fan blowing cool air in through a window (its gotten cold since it is winter) and that works very well.

18 years ago

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