Fix Red Ring of Death - Basic Principles

Call it what ever you want, the red ring of death on the Xbox 360 is a major problem for gamers as it leaves them without a functioning, usable console. It has also been a major headache for Microsoft who have had to spend millions of dollars repairing peoples' consoles that have been affected by the problem. Today you are going to learn the causes of the red lights error, as well as the basic principles, concepts, techniques and ideas behind how you can fix red ring of death errors on your Xbox 360 permanently. You don't have to suffer life with no gaming, you don't need to spend lots of money having somebody else fix your console for you, nor do you need to go without your Xbox 360 for weeks on end whilst you wait for another third party to fix the problem for you. Simply do it yourself and benefit massively!

The main cause of the red ring of death is overheating. Excess heat is a problem, which has become more widespread in consumer electronics devices as they get more and more powerful all the time. The Xbox 360 suffers particularly badly because it does not have the most brilliant heat removal system; it lacks enough heat sinks, vents and fans. Heat builds up rapidly inside the case and is trapped, the temperature skyrocketing. To prevent damage from occurring to the delicate components inside the case, your Xbox 360 then shuts itself down (goes into a "lock down" mode) in order to prevent further damage from occurring. The ominous blinking red lights are then displayed in the power ring on the front of the case to warn you that something quite major has gone wrong.

So how can you fix red ring of death errors on your Xbox 360?

You will need the following things-

1. Around two hours of spare time.
2. Basic tools such as non-magnetised Phillips and flat-headed screwdrivers. An anti-static wristband and a non-slip, plastic or rubber mat are also recommended to prevent yourself from damaging your Xbox 360.
3. An Xbox 360 repair guide.

Repair guides are basically collections of video files that show you step-by-step how to determine the exact fault inside your console, then repair it using the correct method for that fault. The major benefit of using a repair manual is the fact that it will guarantee the safety of your Xbox 360, as well as provide you with the most hassle-free repair instructions. You could risk trying to fix the red ring of death without one, however, unless you have prior knowledge of the inner workings of the Xbox 360, you will simply cause more damage than good to your valuable console. Finally, what is very important to remember is the fact that you are far better off, money wise, fixing your Xbox 360 yourself. It will cost you upwards of $100 to have somebody else do the job for you, whereas you can purchase a good repair guide with full HD video files for less than $30. That $70 is far better spent on games don't you think?

Click here to learn more about an easy step-by-step Xbox 360 repair guide at Xbox 360 Central that will allow you to repair your Xbox 360 in under two hours in the comfort of your own home. Read free reviews on the top repair products and learn how to fix red ring of death errors permanently and easily.

James Philipson has been involved in the electronics industry for over 10 years and has repaired more than 30 Xbox 360 consoles since the platform's release over two years ago.

Reuters - Heat is more likely to kill an American than an earthquake, and thunderstorms kill more than hurricanes do, according to a "death map" published on Tuesday.