I've checked the tutorials and it seems pretty easy. I would get the pinhead solder instead of the wire solder. But, I have shaky hands when it comes to precise procedures. Don't think that they shake like 2 inches (more like a millimeter), but the pinhead soldering seems like it may be too exact.

Should I fork over the money for a solderless chip or trust my hands?

It all depends...if you plan on moving your xbox at all, you should prolly go with the solder chip...ive seen a lot of posts on people who have had to re-align a solderless chip every month, some of whom never even moved their xbox...however, i hear ya with the shaky hands so if your unsure if u can solder, check this out...its prolly the best way to find out if u can and its easy to understand...soldering is easy if u learn the right way

Graymark solder practice kit

You could rest your wrists on the mobo and that would steady them more. Try practicing on some old electronic board first.



muggs

Well, I already have a solder kit and I don't want the extra work after a chip goes out of place, so I guess I'll get a chip that you have to solder.

Sorry, one more question: my soldering pen seems thin, but how fine should it be to solder a chip?

Thanks for answering my first question.

It should be pretty small. I just have a $10 radio shack one that has a small tip that works though I would like it to be a little smaller. Just go to radio shack or a hardware store or whatever and ask for one tell them you need it for circuit board soldering.



muggs