The Red Ring of Death on your Xbox 360 is actually flashing the red lights for an important reason, the flashes are codes that help fix your console

LAST UPDATE: 05/20/2010
SOLE SOURCE: Xbox  360  Hacks Website

FAQ:
#1: If you are getting the 3-Lights Of death; and it is not three years old - SEND IT BACK!
#2: If you are getting E74; and it is not three years old - SEND IT BACK!
#3: If you do not have a receipt, they go by the MFR date on the console for WARRANTY returns.

Q--> What if it is Modded?
#5: If your console is MODDED and you get 3-LOD, and it is not three years old - SEND IT BACK!  In most cases they don't even open the unit up, they just test it, and send you a refurbished unit.  The worst that can happen is you get your console back, still broke oh well, you tried.


#6: If you just bough the console, modded it, and get any issues; and are within the direct exchange time; TAKE IT BACK to the store.


Q: Why do you call it 3LOD and not RROD?  Well, a RING is a complete circle (see a dictionary), and only three lights come on in the ring, thus being an INCOMPLETE CIRCLE!  RROD means Red "RING" Of Death, and all FOUR lights have to be on for it to be a complete circle, correct?  I won't use the terminology adopted by illogically thinking people.  It is what it is, and it is NOT a RING...


XBOX 360 PSU PROBLEMS - FLASHING ERRORS - E## ERRORS & POSSIBLE FIXES

POWER SUPPLY:
The power supply light is orange: This means the PSU is in standby, and the Xbox is powered off.  With that in mind; if the power supply light is orange and the console will not turn on, there may be a problem with the console.  It can be the plug, cable, or just an internal problem with the Xbox360.

The power supply light is red: A fault has been detected in the external power supply.  The PSU may have overheated; Let it cool down. 

The power supply light is not illuminated: Internal Failure of the PSU.  Check to see that is is plugged in to a wall outlet.  Can be a severely overheated PSU, let it cool down, unplug it from the wall outlet to cool in this instance.

MORE PSU INFORMATION
The power supply has several built-in safeguards to help prevent damage to either the console or the power supply itself. The power supply will automatically turn off in cases of too much current flow, too-high voltage,
or too-high temperature. When such a condition exists, the light on the power supply will turn from green (normal) to orange or to red, or the light will turn off. When the power supply light is green, the power supply is correctly functioning.

RING OF LIGHT:
/ \
\ /One red light flashes on the Ring of Light: Hardware failure. Restart
the console. Contact Xbox Customer Service if the problem is not resolved. If the agent cannot help you resolve this issue, you will have to return the console to Microsoft for repair.

One red light flashes on the Ring of Light and you receive an error message: Hardware failure. Restart the console. Contact Xbox Customer Service if the problem is not resolved. If the agent cannot help you resolve this issue, you will have to return the console to Microsoft for repair.



/ \
\ /Two red lights flash on the Ring of Light: This behavior occurs when the console is too hot. Power down for a while. Check sufficient ventilation. Verify the cooling fan is working. If the two lights continue to flash red after you tried the solutions, contact Xbox Customer Service. If the agent cannot help you resolve this issue, you will have to return the console to Microsoft for repair.

  The unit can work for up to five minutes without the fans working, then this error occurs.

  Temp Fix: Wire the fans to a constant 12V source - verify they spin, try using XB360.

The unit will have to be returned to M$ to repair the fan circuit, or other problem with this error.
       
/ \
\ /Two green lights flash on the Ring of Light: Falcon revision XB360.  The error is unknown.  The green lights flash on the left two, then change to the right side.  After a sequence, they then flash on the top two, then bottom two.   The sequence repeats.

/ \
\ /Three red lights flash on the Ring of Light: Hardware failure. Restart the console. Contact Xbox Customer Service if the problem is not resolved. If the agent cannot help you resolve this issue, you will have to return the console to Microsoft for repair.

The specific type of hardware failure can be determined by a "hidden" error code

    * Turn the xbox 360 on, and wait till the 3 red lights are flashing.
    * Press and hold the sync up button (the small white one), while holding that button press the eject button.
    * The LEDs will now blink the first number in the code (as described below).
    * Release the eject button and press it again.
    * The LEDs will now blink the second number of the code.
    * Release the eject button and press it again.
    * The LEDs will now blink the third number of the code.
    * Release the eject button and press it again.
    * The LEDs will now blink the forth number of the code.
    * Release the eject button and press it again.
    * The LEDs will go back to the 3 red flashing lights.

You should be able to determine the difference between the 3 flashing
lights and the error code lights by the rate in which they flash.



Here is how you interpret the LEDs to get the code number:

    * All four lights flashing - 0
    * One light flashing - 1
    * Two Lights flashing - 2
    * Three lights flashing - 3

0001 power supply problem
0002 Network Interface Problem

0003 Power problem could be the PSU could be the GPU/CPU, somehow the console isn't getting clean power from the power supply.

0010 over heating - There is a problem with the Southbridge Chip, usually dealing with how it connects to the main board (cold solder joint/bridged solder joints)

0011 over heating - If you are receiving this error after disassembling your console make sure all 8 of the heat sink screws are tightened securely to the board/heat sink holes.

0012 over heating
0013 over heating

0020 (Not yet known, possibly overheating)

0021 DVD Drive Time out - Can be caused by problems with a firmware flash.

0022 GPU Error / GPU Overheating

0101 (not yet known)

0102 GPU Overheating/BGA Ram/Unknown error - literally means the console does not know what is wrong. Possibly a short or cold solder joint somewhere (2 reports of people repairing this, one was removing moisture build up inside the console, the other used a hot-air gun to rework, and to reflow the BGA Ram chip solder) Update: 3/30/07 - This is definitely a GPU Memory Error.  Update 6/26/07 - M$ Is now adding a heatsink to the GPU when sent back for repair with this error, and admits that the GPU needs the extra heatsink. The additional heatsink is attached to the main GPU heatsink with a thin metal arm, and a copper tube. It hovers right behind the front panel with the LED and power button.  It is not known if it is added/retrofitted to the original heatsink, or if it is a complete replacement part.

0110 Memory Error / Memory Overheating. see solution for error 0102, except the repair for GPU memory.

1000 Kernel can't be launched/signature in NAND Flash chip is broken! It could be possible after bad update.  Can be a bad SATA cable.

1001 DVD Drive Error, either incorrect firmware or DVD Time out.
1002 DVD Drive Error, likely a firmware error, drive can eject, read, and write under windows but errors on console, replacing original firmware should fix issue.

1003 Hard Drive Error. It could be a problem with the Hard Drive itself or a problem with the internal connection to the hard drive, Try removing the hard drive and playing without it

1010 Hard Drive Error, Can be caused buy a corrupt or missing eProm.

1013 (Not yet known) possibly a dashboard update error.

1022 AV cable error... There is a problem with the AV cable, try using a different AV cable. (could also be a problem with the encoder chip ANA/HANA)

1023 DVD drive not connected, connect DVD drive to boot.

1030 (not yet known)
1031 (not yet known)
1032 (not yet known)
1033 it could be cpu/gpu related or it could be PSU related, not much info is available on this error



/ \
\ /Four lights flash red on the Ring of Light: The A/V cable is not correctly connected to the Xbox 360 console. The cable is not being detected by the console. Verify proper installation of the A/V Cable. This error will not occur if the cable is improperly plugged into a TV or VCR. Try  another cable. If the four red lights continue to flash after you follow these  troubleshooting steps, the Xbox 360 console may have to be repaired. Contact Xbox Customer Service.

There also could be a problem with the power coming into the Xbox360.  IF you have one of those Nyko cooling fans that plug between Xbox and the power supply, it is not seating right in Xbox.

Four lights flashing on wired controller: A wire in the USB cable is broke or something inside the controller is bad.  It does have power, but one of the data wires are bad, or the ground is shorting to a data wire.  It can be a combination of any of those, but power is present. REPAIR?  YES! You can take any USB cable and splice it into the Xbox360 controller, or replace the cable by cutting the original cable 4 to 5 inches from the controller, and splice in a USB cable.  There are only four wires to connect, and they are color coordinated.

Lights on Wireless controller look like they're spinning around: This means the battery needs recharged/replaced.  When the controller does shut off Xbox360 halts game process and informs you to reconnect the controller. You can plug the charger in while playing if you have the play-n-charge kit. If using "AA" batteries they need replaced, and always have a wired controller handy incase you do not have any on hand!

Four lights flashing on wireless controller: It has not communicated with the Xbox360, or Xbox360 did not acknowledge the controller.  Replace or charge the batteries.  Setup the controller again.  The controller is bad, or
the wireless system in Xbox360 is bad.

UPDATED 5/14/09
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\ /
On Screen Error Number (E:XX) & Possible Solutions:
45 - Unknown (possibly dashboard update related)
57 - White Checkered Block patterns going horizontally across the screen - Overheating
64 - DVD drive timed out during reset - Comes up after the M$ Start up Screen - HDD Drive Issue? Remove and reconnect HDD.  Also said to be a DVD drive invalid Key or Firmware issue.  If you got this after a flash, then that would be the case, refkash with original firmware & key.
65 - DVD drive is not DMA configured,  DVD Drive door not closed on boot - If you get this after modding, reflash with original firmware & key to correct.
66 - DVD drive pairing failure - DVD Drive Version/Firmware Version Check Fail.  The DVD drive or firmware does not match what is stored on the console & expected by dashboard - (FALL06 UPDATE) - an attempt to counteract some modding. This can also be caused by the tray not being fully closed or jammed on boot. 
67 - Hard drive timed out during reset. It could be a problem with the Hard Drive itself or a problem with the internal connection to the hard drive, Try removing the hard drive and playing without it
68 - Hard drive not DMA configured
69 - Reading the HD Security sector failed
70 - Hard drive not found
71 - Error within Xam - DVD Drive Error (FALL06 UPDATE) - Not exactly sure the cause, but was fixed within 12-24 hours of the FALL96 update. Possibly a dashboard update error, Check below in the "Console Reset Codes" for instructions. If that does not work there is no other solution and the console must be sent back to MS for repair.
72 - Error within Xam
73 - Couldn't calibrate HSIO Bus from edram
74 - HSIO related, could be crc error, or many things.
75 - Ethernet - Couldn't read ethernet phy vendor, wrong ethernet vendor
76 - Ethernet - Couldn't complete ethernet reset
77 - Ethernet - phy request is already processing, reading reg failed, Failed to write reg
78 - AsicId check failed - The 1888 kernel/filesystem (if you downgraded) does not support the new CPU/GPUs on Falcon+ boards. 
79 - Couldn't start xam.xex - Blocked Lines going vertical down screen - Overheating - HDD Failure/Error during I/O
80 - Wrong LDV version - Said to be caused by the removal of R6T3, power removed to or from R6T3; NXE dash update.  You will have to restore power to or from the resistor (if you cut a trace = jumper it), or put it back if you want to use NXE.  If you lost or do not have the resistor, get the value, and jumper in a regular one.  It does not have to be a surface mount component, as long as it fits.

The secondary error codes work as follows. Each blinking field represents 2 bits of an 8 bit hex value, or 1 byte. This byte being the "E" error code.

1 blinking field = 01
2 blinking fields = 10
3 blinking fields = 11
4 blinking fields = 00

For example, an led field sequence of 1031(crappy naming method) that some people have posted. It should really be be 1431 (that other method of naming is annoying). This means our 8 bit error code is 01001101 which when converted to hexadecimal becomes 0x4D and then to decimal as 77. so, 1031 is E77. So do the same method as before holding sync and pressing eject to get your secondary code, convert each to the proper bits, and then convert those to decimal, and you'll have your "E" error code. Hopefully this will help some people stuck with 3rods out of warranty and nothing displaying on screen to see what's wrong.

If you suspect a HDD problem, in all cases, remove the HDD and boot the Xbox 360. If it works or runs fine without it, the HDD is defective. Removing the HDD also puts less stress on the power supply and may only
temporarily remedy the problem.

The power supplies and CPU overheating are are the cause of 75% of the problems listed above for the release day Xbox 360s. If you suspect a power supply, and you have or know of a console that is not giving errors
or other problems like described above; swap power supplies. If the other console fails with your power supply and yours now works - Defective Power Supply.

Make sure the power supply is not on carpeting, or anything that would block or obstruct the venting of the power supply.

Clear All Installed Game Updates and Console Cache

   1. Go to the "system" blade
   2. Select "memory"
   3. Press Y on the HD symbol
   4. Press X,X, Left Bumper, Right Bumper, X,X
   5. Message appears saying: "Do you want to perform maintenance on your Xbox 360 storage devices?"
   6. Select Yes

Clear Any Failed system updates that cause the console to error.

   1. With the console off, press and hold the sync up button (the small white one)
   2. While holding the sync button press the power button to turn on the console
   3. Continue to hold the sync button until the Console has booted up completely.
   4. During the boot process the console should clear any failed updates, allowing you to use it normally.


OTHER ISSUES:
Screen Freezes: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/907586/

MICROSOFT EXTENDED ALL WARRANTIES TO 1-YEAR
If none of the above suggestions work, contact M$ customer support get get a support ticket started. If your console is still under warranty DO NOT attempt to open it and fix it yourself. M$ will fix it promptly, and for free and if you open it you will void the warranty, and be charged upwards of $125.00 for a repair.

In the US Customer Support can be reached at 1-800-4-MY-XBOX (1-800-469-9269)
Hours of operation (every day):
9:00 A.M. to 1:00 A.M. Eastern Time
6:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M. Pacific Time

In Australia Customer Support can be reached at  1800 555 741
Hours of operation (AEST):
7.00am to 9.00pm - Monday to Friday
9.00am to 5.00pm - Saturday and Sunday

In The UK Customer Support - 0800 587 1102 or +44 20 7365 9792 from a mobile phone.
Hours of operation:
Monday-Friday: 09:00-22:00
Saturday: 09:00-20:00
Sunday: 09:00-17:00

International (direct dial to U.S.): 425-635-7180
Pick your Region: http://www.xbox.com/en-US/ChangeLocale.htm

MICROSOFT EXTENDED ALL "3 FLASHING LIGHTS" FAILURE WARRANTY TO 3-YEARS
This was announced Friday, July 6th, 2007.  IF, after the first year full warranty, your console fails due to the three flashing lights; it will be repaired for free, for three years from the Date Of Purchase (DOP).  Also, anyone that has paid within three years, after your first year since DOP, you will also be refunded.

MICROSOFT EXTENDED ALL E74 FAILURE WARRANTY TO 3-YEARS
April 14, 2009, the E74 error is now covered by the three-year extended warranty, and customers who previously paid Microsoft for out-of-warranty service to correct the E74 error will receive a refund.

If you do not have a purchase receipt, they go by the MFR date on the console.

SOLE SOURCE: Xbox  360  Hacks Website

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