If you’re reading this, I’m guessing your Xbox is suffering from the RROD (red ring of death), and you’re either:
- Out of warranty – and out of luck – OR-
- You are a serious Xboxer and want to get up and running TODAY
That’s where the repair guides come in… there are currently more guides around than you can count, but the basic guide will walk you through a DIY Xbox fix using some common items you can find at your local Lowe’s or Radio Shack.
Are these guides worth it? or should you have someone professionally repair your Xbox? One of the more popular guides is the James Dean Xbox Repair guide, which focuses almost exclusively on the RROD error (which is caused by an overheating Xbox). It’s also one of the more expensive guides, but I have personally reviewed this guide, and I feel that it’s worth the money.
Why? First of all, you get access to eight online videos which walk you through – step-by-step – how to disassemble your beloved Xbox. Once the Xbox is apart, James walks you through the process of removing the heat sink, making the fixes, and then reassembling everything. If you’re comfortable turning a screwdriver, you can probably handle this operation. If you’ve ever added RAM to your computer, this isn’t really much more complicated than that.
You also get access to a complete ebook which discusses the process in detail with some other good information and tips. I suggest you watch all of the videos AND read the ebook before you begin. If you decide you’re in over your head, just return the product for a full refund. James is great about giving refunds to those who aren’t 100% satisfied.
On the downside, the RROD is really the only issue this guide addresses, so if you’re suffering from another problem, this guide won’t help you much. The only omission which I felt the guide left out (which probably goes without saying) that you should probably take a can of compressed air and thoroughly clean all of the dust out of your Xbox during this repair, as dust build-up can cause temperatures inside electronic devices to skyrocket. Even a thin layer of dust can act like a blanket and cause electronic devices to overheat. If you have pets in your house, the problem will be even worse due to pet dander accumulating inside of your Xbox and other electronic devices.
I would give this guide a 4 out of 5 stars! Great Job, James! You can also read my complete James Dean Xbox RROD Guide Review on Ezinearticles.