At first I commented in another thread, but I feel that this is important enough to deserve its own thread.

So, here's the deal. MS lied.

There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with the Xbox power cords. MS just had the recall to cover their butts (they had to do something, but recaling every 1.0/1.1 console would be way too expensive).

The real problem is the Foxlink power supply. There have been numerous reports of "loose power connectors" in xboxes, and the cause of this is that the solder joints on the PSU have actually broken where the connector mounts to the board, which can result in the xbox not powering on, or possibly even sparks, smoke, and fire.

this is a picture taken on one of MY OWN Foxlink 1.0/1.1 power supplies, and sure enough, the solder joints are broken. I checked another psu, they were broken too. So, although MS reports "about 1 in 10,000 failures", the problem is actually much more common, but usually has no results. The Foxlink PSU is a timebomb.



So, instead of taking the costly duty of recalling all older xboxes, what do they do? They give you a power cord with this huge GFI thing. This in no way will solve the problem, it is merely a bandaid. So, when your PSU sparks and shorts out, it just trips a switch instead of catching fire, but your xbox still doesn't work.

With the newer xboxes, you get a replacement power cord that doesnt look any different. Why? Because theres nothing wrong.

All of you with a 1.0 or 1.1, I would HIGHLY suggest checking to see if you have a foxlink PSU, and if you do, to resolder these 2 joints, a huge blob on em seems to fix the problem.

This was MS's uber-lame attempt at a coverup.

not trying to dump on the entire thread because some good research was put in to this.
the only thing i have to say is "the bigger the blob the better the job?"
i think not.
a bigger blob of sloder is actualy weaker than the corect amount.
i am a professional and i solder on USN aircraft circuitry for a living.
this is what i do every day, and i am a master at it.
i would sugest another fix, like some sort of non conducting bracket, or super glue or something.

Or you could remove all the solder and completely resolder the two joints...

Well, ok, not REALLY huge, but adding some solder to the joint helps, they really didnt use enough from the factory. (because the solder tabs stick up on top of the solder joint, instead of being in it.)

Thers a pic of the same PSU as above, after I fixed the joint.

Why is it that while us 1.0 and 1.1 owners are getting cords like this
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/JuggaloZeke/wtf1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/JuggaloZeke/wtf2.jpg
http://img210.exs.cx/img210/4093/dscf00010kq.jpg

Other people get normal cords such as
http://www.shaunewing.com/miscimages/xboxcord.jpg

If the "power cord recall" is just to stop the 1.0 and 1.1 PSUs from starting a fire (which I believe is the case.) why are newer machines getting replacemennt power cords?

Or have MS just used this one recall to fix problems with multiple Xbox versions?

BTW, I have a 1.0 with a Foxlink, and I've had it since early Spring 2002, joints are fine with more-than-average unplugging and plugging in.

I'm really not sure about the other versions.

It is only the 1.0/1.1 powersuppplies that have this design flaw, so that is why they get the rigged "xbox anti-fire" cord.

As for the others, they dont really need a new cord, and the replacements arent really any different. Supposedly, they just have a tighter fit in the plug, which could possibly prevent and arcing from the prongs of the PSU to the plug (and will also increace the stress on the solder joints on the PSU )

I have a 1.1 and they sent me the replacement cable that looks almost identical to the original. I'm not sure what kind of psu i have in my 1.1, but i know that it is different from the one in my 1.0. I'll check later to see.

So,
Is there a no-solder fix for this on these psu's?
I'm all softmodded because I'm not into soldering. Not afraid to open her up and play a bit, I've replaced the hd, and such, but anyways?

Edit:
conductive ink, perhaps?

its just to stop the whiners who say "how come my friend with a 1.0 gets a new power cord and me and my 1.5 cant get anything free"

they just send the 1.2-1.6ers a regualr power cord

actually i tried ordering one for one of my 1.4's (which i know has a delta PSU), and it said I didn't need one, and I tried to order another one for my other 1.4 (which had foxlink), and it said an order had already been placed with my serial. WTF? I never gave away my eeprom, oh well.

Hmm, digging around in my eeprom list on my comp, I ordered 2 more (it will only let me order 3). Yay!

So, it seems that all xboxes with a foxlink PSU get a new cord, but only the 1.0/1.1 foxlinks get the clunker, and all other 1.0/1.1 psu brands get a normal cord.

Yea, I don't think 1.6's get replacement power cords. I tried to get one and they said my Xbox was too new.

Good call M4xx
it is a ARC FAULT INTERUPTER and there not cheap..
the best fix is to remove all the solder then wrap buss wire
around the posts and run it along the trace then solder it all...

Not true, my friend has a PAL 1.5 and was told he did not require one.

If you just solder them properly , with some good solder you won't have any more problems . i've been repairing these supplies for quite a while now . just get a cheap solder iron & some decent solder & you won't have any prob's . i'm glad some one else has found the same things that i've been seeing for ages. some of the other supplies have also the same problem with the socket, but not as bad . i think it depends on how often they are unplugged & plugged back in. if you hear it crackling when you plug it in .do something about it. mayby m.s will catch on! if they don't already know.

i too have been fixing them forever...but then again you woulda known if anyone had noticed i posted this in the bigger thread first...but still glad someone has a camera to post pics up

Well they should use the style of plugs with 3 through holes even if one is just for stress relief. Everyone who's modded many boxes has seen a bunch of these smokin' and crackling, I normally just reflow them.

All the other supplies use rivets for strain relief. This was Foxlink trying to shave roughly 1.5 cents off the cost of the supply.

As to the guy who suggested conductive ink: This is a mechanical failure, ink won't help. Aside from that the power requirements are high enough I wouldn't trust that gunk anyway.
-nB

think I will call M$ when I get the AFI cord and tell them
"you sent me this new cord and now it keeps reseting the red button,
i think it is defective and i will have to use the old cord untill i get a new one "
and see what they say...
maybe they will send a new xbox

yup, i just checked out my foxlink 1.0 psu, and those solder joints are broken. i guess ill just make a new connection.

this happened to my friend sparked and burnt out the back of his psu.

Maybe the lousy PSU is the cause of the MCPX pop n' burn (check Hsdemonz hall of shame) ?

-BxN

I've had to repair countless PSUs that give out. To fix, all I do is sand any burns away, then desolder a little and resolder it. The first Xbox I've opened was bc of this problem (which probably got me into the scene!)

so if i solder these together on a BROKEN power supply, would that possibly get it to work?


what are some common fixes to broken power supplies

on the main page it shows a replacement america power cord. and the bitch is huge and has 2 buttons on it. i got my replacement today and it looks exactly like the origional on color is a lil different and it shows number on it different(serial type number) its not huge. so whats up w/ talk of huge power cords?

this seems to be a likely cause of failed psu's, that and blown fuses, capacitors and mosfets.

Same problem on another PSU a while back: http://www.brahm2.com/xs/jessePSU.jpg

yeah, thats the foxlink PSU thats in question

People xbox is a MS product. Did you actually expect it to work after a year?

Bye the way, my xbox 1.0 has the same problem with the power coard. It is very loose.

thats true, but MS didn't make the power supply, and it shouldnt catch on fire

true

Who makes the foxlink psu? I recieved the GFI cord from MS, though my psu is made by Minebea Electronics UK, is this who makes the foxlink psu then?

i just put a big glob of hot glue behind the black power plug female end and resolderd the joints. -=)

I have a v1.1 xbox Delta psu.
M$ sent me a cord that looks almost the same
(bigger head where it plugs into the xbox)

solder joints look ok


-ruli00

That is not cool! I thought i'd get a free cord or 2 bcos u can use em for anything, but these are horrible, does that thing even do anything? They could've just given away normal power cords and said the wires were stronger or suttin.

But this is just poor! I don't want one like that!

Foxlink Technologies Ltd. Makes the PSU

http://www.foxlink.com/

Ok, i took apart my xbox and looked more closely at my PSU in my 1.1. It i happen to have a Delta PSU inside of my 1.1 rather then a foxlink. So i guess this does not effect ALL 1.1. Somehow M$ knew that my 1.1 was one of the lucky ones that had a Delta PSU instead of a Foxlink and sent me the "replacement" power cord that looks identical to the original.

Heres some pics of my PSU in my 1.1:

sry for my earlier post i just found out i had a newer version then 1.0-1.1 so thats why i got my normal looking cord

What if your dash says it's a 1.1/1.2 version? Do I have a foxlink or a delta? I use MXM as my main dash. Please help me out with this one.

you have to open the XBox to know which PSU it has.

and yeah , mine is a Foxlink PSU , a long time ago i fixed that loose connection.

but ordered 3 , 2 of the serials that i used were made up and says that they shipped them.

Anyone care to provide a quick step-by step to getting the PSU out so you can re-solder it?

I took my box apart, and got to the PSU, and didn't know how to take the bastard out, without having to remove a shitload of wires, and some that don't look like they'd go back?

So MS can't tell exactly what PSU everyone has by the serial number and manufacture date? So I suppose I'm safe then from the problem as long as it isn't foxlink then.

i fixed my buddies power supply a few months back in this exact spot

Has anyone opened the box on the new cord yet? It probably contains a voltage regulator..

Unplug the power cord (you should have done this already), the big mobo power cable (1.0/1.1: just pull it really hard while wiggling, 1.2-1.6: there is a small clip you have to push), and the HDD power cable.

The PSU is held in with two torx 10 screws, they are on the left side, one in the front, one in the back. Remove the screws, then pull the power supply forward, then up.

On the backside where the power plug is is where you need to strengthen the solder joint.

Ummmm... I live in North America and I just received a regular-looking power cord.

Is this right? Looks like the adapter's on the front page of XS had an AC adapter plug into the wall?

Same here, did it for 2 mates who complained about the cable being loose, and sure enough those spots were horribly falling apart.

My XBox wasn't so lucky. After having it fail to turn on, I decided to check for the same thing on my Foxlink PSU (loose joints). Well, after pulling it out to check it out, turns out there was still power in the capacitors or whatever, and I got one hell of an electric shock that scared the hell out of me. After coming to grips with what just happened, I grabbed some non-conductive gloves and had a closer look.

Those 2 joints had been nuked, and I ran a screwdriver over all the points to discharge wherever the electricity still was, until I got a big spark from one of them adn that was it - PSU was dead. Thankfully it happened OUTSIDE of the XBox and didn't fry my house (if not my hand )

I've got a replacement PSU, doesn't look like one of these shoddy Foxlink's to me, although the power cable doesn't sit well in this one either, so I'm looking forward to getting my MS one..

I wonder if these '30 cases' that had minor burns to their hands got to sue MS? Wonder if I have a case on my hands (pun not intended).

Ugh actually i have a version 1.3 and mine has sparked. ALOT!!!!!!!!

O also the solder thingy might wear out because i noticed this a while ago and fixed it but it sparked again. Not sure if it still will work because it wont power on and I haven't tryed to solder it again.

Just checked my box and it is a Delta PSU, ordered a cord anyway, could be useful. Only thing is, I ordered one for a dead xbox, opps!

Can't help but wonder if they are going to match my serial number to XBL and discover that my box is banned and then going to send some blokes around to kick my butt.

Is it definitely only the Foxlink that gets the big fat thing 'cause M$ said my machine did require a new power cord and, since M$ has hardly made any money out of the xbox, it seems a bit silly for them to send everyone a new power cord if they don't need to.

Hope that's not your site in the signature... advertising piracy, eh?


The Goods

When you get a mod from me with the 120 Gigabye harddrive you can choose 30 of the Xbox games listed below PLUS any/all of the emulators listed below also!!! The games are the FULL RETAIL copy you would buy from a store. The emulators are always the latest, greatest version. And the utilities I put on are standard and will come with all mods done.