Introduction
Use this guide to completely strip down your motherboard. Before reattaching the CPU and GPU heat sinks, be sure to apply a new layer of thermal paste.
Step 26 Eject Button
Use the tip of a spudger to release the clip securing the eject button to the metal casing.
Insert the flat end of a spudger between the eject button and the optical drive.
Pry the eject button off its retaining posts and remove it from the 360.
This can also be accomplished using an Xbox 360 opening tool.
Step 27 Upper Case
Remove the six silver 64 mm T10 Torx screws securing the upper case to the metal casing.
Step 28
Orient the console so that the upper case is facing upwards.
Lift the upper case straight up and remove it from the console.
Step 29 Optical Drive
Peel the silver tape securing the optical drive to the metal casing.
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Step 30
Slightly lift the optical drive upwards to gain clearance to disconnect the SATA and power connectors located on the backside of the optical drive.
Don't try to completely remove the optical drive just yet. Two cables still connect it to the motherboard.
Step 31
Grab the power connector by its cables and pull it straight out of its socket on the optical drive.
Disconnect the SATA data connector from its socket on the optical drive by pulling it straight away.
Step 32
Lift the optical drive assembly out of the metal casing.
Step 33 Cooling Fan Duct
Insert the flat end of a spudger into the small rectangular opening on the top of the cooling fan duct.
Carefully release the fan duct retaining clip and remove the fan duct from the Xbox.
The clip can alternatively be released using the metal finger of an Xbox 360 opening tool.
Step 34 Dual Fans
While lifting the metal chassis strip above the dual fans, pull the fans toward the center of the motherboard.
Do not completely remove the dual fan assembly yet. Its cable is still attached to the motherboard.
Step 35
Lift the dual fan connector straight up from its socket on the motherboard.
Some fan connectors have a locking tab. If yours has a locking tab, be sure to depress it while disconnecting the fan from the motherboard.
Remove the dual fan assembly from the console.
Step 36 Motherboard
Use the flat end of a spudger to release the clips securing the RF module shield along the top and the left edge of the RF module.
It may be easier to use your fingernail to release the clips from the RF module.
Remove the RF module shield from the console.
Step 37
Remove three 5.6 mm T8 Torx screws securing the RF module to the metal chassis.
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Step 38
Grasp the RF module and lift it straight up to disconnect it from its socket on the motherboard.
Remove the RF module from the console.
Step 39
Remove the following screws securing the motherboard to the metal casing:
Nine gold 11 mm T10 Torx screws.
Eight black 5.6 mm T8 Torx screws.
If you are reassembling your Xbox 360 after installing the Red Ring of Death Fix Kit, the eight T8 Torx screws circled in orange are not reused.
Step 40
Turn the Xbox over, being careful not to let the motherboard fall out of the chassis.
Lift the motherboard assembly from its front edge.
Be careful not to damage the sockets as you rotate the motherboard away from the metal casing.
Remove the motherboard assembly from the metal casing.
Step 41 CPU Heat Sink
Step 42
Insert your screwdriver parallel to the motherboard between the X clamp and its retaining post.
Twist the screwdriver to fully release the X clamp from its retaining post.
Repeat this process for all four corners of the X clamp.
When removing the last corner of the x clamp and holding the logic board upside down, be sure to catch the CPU heat sink to avoid damage from it falling.
Step 43
flathead screwdriver to pry the X clamp away from the heat sink post.
To reinstall the X clamp, first start by attaching two corners to the posts on the heat sink.
While holding the third arm of the X clamp down against the post attached to the heat sink, use a small flathead screwdriver to pry the X clamp away from the heat sink post.
As you pry, press down on the arm of the X clamp until you "walk" it down into the retaining groove cut into the post attached to the heat sink.
Repeat this process for the fourth arm of the X clamp.
Step 44
Remove the GPU heat sink.
Before reinstalling the GPU heat sink, be sure to apply a new layer of thermal paste.
If you need to mount the heat sink back onto the motherboard, we have a thermal paste guide that makes replacing the thermal compound easy.
Step 45 Motherboard
Insert the tip of a small flathead screwdriver between the X clamp and its retaining post on the heat sink.
Pry the X clamp away from its retaining post until it is lifted above the small groove cut into the retaining post.
If necessary, insert your screwdriver parallel to the motherboard between the X clamp and its retaining post. Twist the screwdriver to fully release the X clamp from its retaining post.
Repeat this process for all four corners of the X clamp.
When removing the last corner of the X clamp and holding the motherboard upside down, be sure to catch the CPU heat sink to avoid damage from it falling.
Remove the CPU heat sink from the motherboard. When reinstalling the CPU heat sink, be sure to apply a new layer of thermal paste.
Step 46
Disconnect the optical drive power and SATA cables from the motherboard.
Step 47
If replacing the motherboard transfer the four thermal pads on the underside of the motherboard to your new motherboard.
Motherboard remains.
The DVD drive and the motherboard are "married" when they leave the factory. If you replace one you must replace the other. If you put any old DVD drive onto a motherboard that it is not "married" to it will only play DVDs, no games. It is possible to alter the keys
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Walter Galan
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