Hey guys, this is just a general shout out to anyone who has done the Pin header install on a version 1.0 Xbox. I've got some experience soldering but i'm by no means a pro. I know that all of the LPC holes need desoldering but as far as i can see, there isn't so much that's difficult to do.... so if anyone who's a relative newbie has any success/horror stories trying this then please give me a shout before i do it tomorrow.... cheers

(as a side note: My old Xbox has a solderless 2.3B lite modchip. it's been coming a little loose recently - does anyone know if the pin header install will be ok using the solderless chip? The chip has the same pin connector as the non-solderless version)

Any opinions and advice welcome before i go in the deep end.

the wire install will take you less time....

But KeyMastur, the pin header install is so much more stable than any other type of install...the LPC was made for a pinheader, use it...

Just take ur desoldering braid, get ur iron nice and hot, put the braid on the hole, then press ur iron to the braid for 2-4 seconds, i use a "rolling" of the iron's tip motion, once u see the solder pool up into the braid, take it off, u will have an empty hole...Don't press too hard, and don't leave the iron's tip there too long, u melt the hell out of that area...if ur iron is hot enough, it should do it generally quickly, the whole desoldering process should take u no more than 5 min.

As for the solderless 2.3, sure u can solder it in and use a pin header.

thanks a lot for the quick replies guys... that's all i needed to know.

I'm going to pick up a 15W or 20W, fine tip soldering iron tomorrow from Yodabashi Camera (I live in Japan, hence only v1.0 Xbox).

Are these powerful enough/too powerful? Thanks again.... i think i'm done now with all my concerns.

i use a 15 watt soldering pencil. it should be fine.

I have a 1.0 mobo but i had the smartxx chip. All i did what solder the chip right to the mobo and it wokrs perfect. Its never leaving now.lol

If you have access to a desoldering iron that would be the best bet for any through hole circuit desoldering... The wire install isn't bad though... you don't have to waste time desoldering and then you don't even have to use any solder on it cause the holes already have solder in them.

Desoldering braid works fine, cheap and very effective, u don't need to buy a whole extra tool to desolder anything dealing with the xbox...

Yep 15W is fine, and believe me when i tell ya, a pin header install is best due to it's stability.

once again, thanks for the input. I'm gonna go with the pin header install and get a solder remover tool. They're only $10 i think.

Ok that's me done for questions. You guys have been great help. Cheers

Unless u get a high-quality desoldering tool, like a solder sucker, they usually don't work as well or as fast as desoldering braid with ur iron.

I'm also having a HELL of a time getting the soldering braid to suck up the solder.. i have a 12w weller soldering pencil, is it just getting too cold too fast to get the solder to take to the braid?