Help - torn trace on Xbox 360 - doing 3 pin fan mod - FIXABLE?

[Glenn Short]

(Sorry if I'm Posting this wrong - first time)

First time Xbox 360 Modder - have'nt soldered in years

  - (Front 3 pin Fan 12 Volt connection - on topside of motherboard, behind ring of light)

    When  I was removing solder from the three holes to the 3 pin fan connection on my Xbox 360 - Xenon board, I slipped and torn loose the top circular trace to the 12 volt - middle hole.  I was going to try super glueing down, but torn it and it came off.  (Have already, earlier tonite - successfully done this mod, as well as back-underside solder for 12 volts to both of the back fans - on my nephew's Xbox 360.)  But screwed up Major on mine!

    I reinstalled parts and powered up, to see what would happen.  I get 2 red lights - both left lights.

    When I look at the board, it looks like the circular trace from 12 volt pin hole goes down about 1/4 inch to the right-hand solder pad (of 2 pads), between C7G3 and C7G4. 

     So my question is - Is my Xbox 360 Dead - or can I solder a wire for 12 volts to that "right-hand solder pad" beneath 12 volt pin hole?   My Xbox 360 has run perfect for 2-1/2 years til my DVD died, so I bought a replacement - and figured I'd do fan mods also.  I bought one second-hand, that I've fixed for my nephew's birthday this month - so far it's ok.  Both machines I've dremeled holes for better air flow, but my attempt to solder - 50% screw up!

    I've years of experience building and maintaining some of my families computers, (all of ours are mid to low end budget builds).  So I thought I'd, be dangerous - and venture to my Xbox, and rebuild one for my nephew - but maybe I've blown it!

    So obviously I've cut the 12 volt pathway - will patching it with a wire fix it?  Major Help Needed!  I was able to find and follow the Guides to the Mods - but now I need help in knowing IF and HOW to fix it.

Well got to get some sleep before work - Hope for an Answer Soon!
      Glenn Short (aka - Crazy, Old-Fart Uncle - who needs to be MORE CAREFUL!)

[k0mpresd]

post pics of the board.

[Glenn Short]

I've been trying to Post Pics, but keep getting the same Error:

"Cannot access attachments upload path!"

I have the pics in my "C:\Documents and Settings\Gyl O'Glenn\My Documents\My Pictures\XBox 360 Pics" , but can't get them to post.  From the HELP, I think I'm doing it right - but it's not working.  What am I doing wrong?

[k0mpresd]

use an image hoster. photobucket, imageshack, ect.

[gigabite]

definitely fixable without even seeing it, no your Xbox 360 isn't dead (post a pic though so I or someone else can show you how to repair it - good ones, top and bottom so I know what you have done exactly)

Let me guess, when you powered (tried to) the console you didn't screw it back in the ground shield ?

I bet 99% that you didn't, (in your case) this error is caused due to no ground - screw your motherboard back into the grounding shield (using all screws except for the ROL board and the 6 long case screws) and your 360 will boot fine

gigabite

[Glenn Short]

Kompresd, Thanks for your quick help.
    RDC at xbox-scene was very quick also,  he told me the trace I broke wouldn't effect the Xbox 360's power on problem with 2 left red light.  (Not sure yet if I can still use the 3 pin fan connection yet).  The 2 left red lights was over-heating related.  (Since I had thought with the torn trace, and then tested after reassembling - the 2 red lights were related to the missing 12 volts - thankfully I was wrong).

    When i bought the bolts and washers to replace the x-clamps on my xbox, i bought them at Fleet Farm, then several days later, I bought for my nephew's at Ace Hardware.  So I found out tonite the washers from Fleet Farm are a little thicker, after removing them and reinstalling the heatsinks - she fires up beautifully!  So if I do any more Xbox x-clamp mods - I'll buy from Ace Hardware.

   What a Major Relief, I'll sleep better tonite.

   Oh and thanks for letting me know how to post pics - I got them up on PhotoBucket and was preparing to post back to you, when RDC had responded back first.

   I was afraid I had jumped in too deep - trying to do my own fixes - but it's great to know there's others who've been there and can help quickly!  Because of all the great tutorials: I've so far succesfully dremeled both xbox metal cases for better air flow, 12 volt back fans mod, x-clamp replacements, replaced my DVD, fixed the DVD in my nephew's (using his and my old DVD's parts - both Samsungs), and one 3 pin fan mod.  All because of other's (like you), who paved the way first - Major Thanks!

I just need to see where else I can add a fan connector or two, inside my xbox - I want both xboxs to last... staying cool inside.

Glenn III