Xbox 360 Repair Troubleshooting – Do This Before You Get It Repaired

This article will detail Xbox 360 repair troubleshooting methods that you can implement yourself. This can help you save valuable money and hassles. Keep in mind that this article is not going to be able to cover all known repair issues, and for some issues you do need to opt for a third party Xbox 360 repair service.

If you’re familiar with Xbox repair services in the New York area, then you know how expensive it can be. This article is designed to help save your valuable time and money.

Troubleshooting Xbox 360 Red Ring Of Death (Also known as Xbox 360 RROD)

Infamous red ring of death can usually be fixed with a very simple fix that does not require you to do any disassembling of parts. If you assume that your device needs to be sent to an Xbox 360 repair service or has to be sent back to the manufacturer, you would do yourself a favor by troubleshooting and finding out just what the problem is.

The red ring of death happens when three red lights form a ¾ circle at the power button of your device and the device stops working altogether. Be aware that by opening up your console you will void out the warranty. If the warranty on your device has already expired or you’ve already opened it up previously, then you’ve got nothing to lose. Otherwise, you’ll want to really think hard on whether or not you want to open the device.

Causes Of The Ring Of Death

Xbox 360 Repair Tip 1: Whenever your console is not able to get enough power, there are several ways that you can identify the problem and fix it, without having to open up the console.

Xbox 360 Repair Tip 2: One of the causes of the red ring of death is overheating. Your Xbox was created to shut down on its own when it overheats. At times it will do this before any damage can happen to it. If there is no damage, then avoiding this red ring of death is synonymous with avoiding overheating.

Xbox 360 Repair Tip 3: If there has been damage because of overheating, then it could be due to the design issues involved with the Xbox 360. Primarily the CPU and GPU uses up a lot of power, and thereby generate a lot of heat.

This makes it a really heavy burden on the cooling system of the device. Keep in mind, that it does not take much to cause your console to overheat. Just the smallest bit of wrong usage on the part of the Xbox owner will end up overheating the console. But then again, even the most careful users have experienced overheating.

Xbox 360 Repair Method: Fixing The Dreaded Red Ring Of Death/ Error E74

If you’re considering of letting your console can be fixed by an Xbox 360 repair service, please check out our trouble shooting tips first. They don’t involve you having to open your device at all, so you can have peace of mind if you have a warranty on it.

Even if you have a warranty and you’re thinking of shipping it off to the company for repairs, it’s a good idea to check the steps in this article.

Restart your Xbox console. Depending on where you live, there may be electrical brown outs or black outs. This happens in areas where there is hot weather and everyone has their central heat/air units on or their air conditioners running. This can cause a momentary lapse in electrical power. This can trigger the dreaded red ring of death.

  1. Reconnect all of your power cords and cables. You may have a loose cord or cable. Any power cords and cables that you can remove need to be disconnected. Unplug the cable from the wall. Then, reattach all of the cords and cables back into the Xbox. Now power it up and turn it on. Replace any damaged or worn cables.
  2. Connect the hard drive again. Turn off your Xbox console. Next you’ll unplug the power cord. Then, you’ll disconnect the hard drive. After that, you’ll connect the power again and turn the Xbox back on. If your Xbox does not display the three red lights error message, turn it back off and disconnect the power again. Then, connect the hard drive again, plug in the power cord, and turn the Xbox back on.
  3. Bypass all of the electrical obstructions or impediments. If you’re going to be using a surge protector, extension cord, or plug strip then remove these items and plug the power cord right into the wall outlet. Long extension cord can end up reducing your power and surge protectors can often be defective, so be aware of this issue.
  4. Check with another power outlet from a different room or different location. The wall out that you usually use may not have adequate power. You can rule this problem out by taking your Xbox to another room with a different wall outlet. Be sure that it is on a different circuit. This usually means it will have to be in another room, although this can vary depending on your home’s electrical set up. Alternatively, you can take it to a friend’s or relative’s home to try it out there.
  5. Resolve any issues with power brick. Your power brick may be overheating. When this happens, your Xbox does not receive the necessary power it needs. This can bring about the dreaded red ring of death. The power brick will not cool off unless      there’s enough ventilation. It’s a good idea to keep it off any shag carpets, bed covers or bed sheets.

Xbox 360 Repair Services Available

. You can choose to have the manufacturer repair your console, which will probably involve packing the whole thing up, printing labels, and shipping it off. Then, you’ll probably have to wait anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks to hear anything back. In the meantime you will not have your Xbox to play with.

Be aware that the steps above help you to troubleshoot the red ring of death, but in case something goes wrong in the process, you may end up spending a way lot of money than you would have, had you called us in at the first place to do the repairs.

We do repairs on red ring of death issues, DVD drive issues, cooling mods, etc. We also provide Reflow and Reball services for the Xbox 360 console, as well as drive repairs on Xbox 360 slim, drive rebuilds and replacements. We are New York’s most popular and customer friendly Xbox 360 repair service. Call us today at XXX-XXXX and allow us to help you with your Xbox 360 repair service requirements.

Repair Sharks offers reball and reflow services for your Xbox 360. Contact us today 1-866-979-4763 for a free quote or visit our website for more information.

iPod Repair—What To Keep In Mind

There are a lot of iPod repair services, but the first question always is “Which one is best?” The word “best” is subjective. It all depends on who you ask. No matter how bad a company is, there will always be someone that will swear by it.

On the other hand, no matter how good a company is, with the best customer service, and best products, there will be at least one person who will tell you he would never do business with that company again.

Common Problems         

A very common problem that happens to a lot of iPod users is that at some point, the iPod gets wet. It can happen from sweat while working out, dropping it into the toilet by accident or a light drop of rain. The exposure to water can be catastrophic. The result is that the iPod could possibly be damaged, sometimes, beyond repair.

If Your iPod Has Been Exposed to Water – iPod Repair Method I

Let’s talk about this and we’ll show you some common steps you can take. Remember that you don’t want to waste too much time waiting, because the water could end up leaking into the inside of your iPod Touch 2, Touch 3, or Touch 4.

These instructions can also be used for your iPod Nano, iPod Classic, iPod Video player, and even the Apple Touch 4.

  1. You need to turn your iPod Touch off immediately, if you still have it on. This is because the potential for permanent damage is high the longer you leave the device on while it is is in contact with water or any wet liquid. The great news is that most      of iPods are relatively thin, when compared with other gadgets. You may be fortunate and be able to avoid any damages, but don’t make assumptions that the water did not leak into the inner parts of your device. Sometimes people call an iPod repair service immediately, and don’t even turn on their device.
  2. If water is spilling on to your iPod Touch, then you’ll want to quickly dry it off, using a piece of cloth. The degree to the damage will depend on how successful you will be in wiping the device completely dry. You can use a paper towel that’s been moistened, with rubbing alcohol to wipe it. The rubbing alcohol will cause the liquids to dry quicker.
  3. Leave your device turned off for at least twenty-four hours. If the liquid exposure was from a minor spill or rain, it will give you some time before there is any intrusion. So, again, you’ll want to be sure to dry your device as best as possible.

If there is any significant water exposure, the device may not turn on after twenty-four hours. If this is the case with your iPod Touch, then you may need to seek additional troubleshooting and iPod repair steps.

This includes looking for replacements under any warranties that you may have bought with the iPod. You have the option of repairing your device yourself, or you can hire the services of a third party provider to begin the process of your iPod repair. The worst case scenario, of course, is that you may need to purchase another iPod Touch.

So there you have it. A few steps to help you prevent any permanent damage to your iPod Touch. Be aware that you do not plug the device into the computer charger or the wall while you have it turned off during the twenty-four hour period. Some people have plugged their device in after it has gotten wet, and this has resulted in catastrophic damages to their poor iPod device.

If Your Ipod Has Been Exposed To Water – Ipod Repair Method II

You may have heard of the Rice or Kitty Litter(Dust Free) Method. Although at first thought it sounds a little odd to use rice or kitty litter, but the basic idea is real simple.

The rice is used as a material for moisture absorbing. The same thing goes for kitty litter(dust free), since most of the rice in today’s supermarkets has some kind of dust that penetrates the devices. So let’s look at this secondary iPod repair method.

3  Steps To Peace Of Mind

Step 1 – Open the back of your device and remove the battery. Depending on what model of iPod you’re dealing with, it may be required for you to use specialized tools in order to be able to take the iPod apart. If you’re trying to fix a model that does not have the removable battery, then you can still try to take it apart, but your chances of success may not be as high since iPods in general are difficult to dissasemble without damaging the components.

Step 2 – Wipe all of the device’s components very carefully with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. The rubbing alcohol is crucial, because it dries the liquid immediately when put on a surface. It helps to dry the surrounding liquids too. After you’re done wiping all of the components off separately, you’ll put them in  plastic back with uncooked rice.

You can also put the uncooked rice or dust free kitty litter in a plastic bowl that is open to the outside air and atmosphere. Because of the hygroscopic composition of the rice, it absorbs any moisture that may be left on your components. So when you’re placing your device into a bag full if dust free kitty litter or rice, it will wick up any remaining moisture from the device. This can help prevent any short circuiting that the liquids may cause when you want to turn it back on.

Step 3 – Leave the device in the bag of dust free kitty litter or rice for about 48 hours. The bag needs to be put in a warm and dry environment. After the 48 hours are gone, you want to check your iPod repair results.

Check carefully to see if there is any water visible. If everything looks good and dry, then begin putting the device components back together into one piece and turn it on. If it turns on and works without any incident for several hours then your iPod repair plan has worked. If not, then it may be time to consider the help of a repair service.

Help! My Device Still Doesn’t Work

So you’ve gone and followed each step carefully and did everything right, but your device still doesn’t work? We service all generations, everything from iPod Nano, iPod Classic, iPod Touch, Apple Touch and more.

Your DIY repair may go horribly wrong at times, and if it does, like it happened to some of our customers who learnt it the hard way, you may have to spend a lot of money to repair your device.

We can handle every single issue with iPod, everything from water damage, audio issues, freezing, cracked glass and more. So check out our iPod repair service today and call us at 1-866-979-IPOD for more information! You can also visit our website here.

Repair Sharks has been in the business of repairing iPods, iPads and iPhones for over 6 years. We offer free diagnostics, return shipping, and warranty on all repairs.

iPhone 4 Repair Video by Repair Sharks

We just released a short repair video for the Apple iPhone 4. It should help anyone looking to make a self-repair (although we highly recommend professional repair service due to the complexity). The video gives an overview of the steps needed to remove the iPhone 4 back casing, internal screws, logic board, vibrate control, dock connector, Front Glass, LCD, and Frame.

Always purchase quality parts for these repairs. All parts and repair services aren’t created equal.  We regularly receive 3rd party parts from our customers who couldn’t complete the repair. These parts are usually always of lesser quality than our shop. It does make a big difference especially when it takes about an hour to complete this repair properly. The only way to test these parts are after complete reassembly.

iPhone 4 and iPod Touch 4th Generation Front Glass and LCD Repair Information

iPhone 4 and iPod Touch 4th Generation Repair Information Both the new iPhone 4 and Touch 4th Generation pose new challenges on the repair front. Apple has created yet another list of repair obstacles with its latest additions. Different from previous models the process of replacing the Front Glass, Digitizer, and LCD on the new Apple 4 models take on a new approach as we see the integration of the LCD panel into the Front Glass.

Front glass integration is no new thing to Apple as this style was used in the iPhone 2G. Would be home repair technicians soon found out how difficult it was to actually replace the Front Glass without needing to replace the LCD at the same time on the 2G. It is possible to remove the LCD from the Front Glass but next to impossible to do it without damaging other parts. Let’s be honest, trying to pry off a glued paper thin LCD screen off another piece of thin glass is not the easiest task. Even with heat the removal process is both time consuming and messy. Even if you are lucky enough to get it off how do you get it back on to the new Front Glass? Many times you will incur other damage from attempting such a replacement. The most logical step is to avoid this problem completely and to replace them together as one part which eliminates the separation and re-adhesion process. This method is more expensive but when you weigh in the time and work involved it is more economical to do it this way.

At Repair Sharks we have the complete solution. We provide Front Glass and LCD assemblies that are pre-built and ready for replacement. Although replacing even these components is very difficult it does make the job a little easier on our end and our self-installation customer base. This method also provides our customers with a factory finish that is dust and debris free.

Repair Sharks is available for drop-off or mail in service of your iPhone or iPod Touch. We can expedite any order to meet your needs and can provide Priority and Overnight shipping on any repair. Visit our website at http://www.repairsharks.com for more information. We can also be reached by phone or email.

Web: http://www.repairsharks.com

Phone – 1-866-979-4763

Email – support@repairsharks.com

iPhone and iPod Touch Front Glass – What is a Digitizer?

The touch screen portion of the front glass of an iPod or iPhone is commonly called the digitizer in technical terms. The digitizer is a clear piece that is the size of the iPod LCD screen and spans the full length and width of the clear portion of the front glass. As you press on the front glass the digitizer converts analog signals generated by your fingertip into digital signals this is what produces the touch capability. The digitizer is typically fused to the front glass of such models as the iPod Touch and iPhone. Digitizers have revolutionized how people use electronics. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to scroll through documents with our fingers, use our fingers to zoom in on pictures, or tap the front of our screen and get a reaction.

Digitizers have made life easier for the great majority of people who use them in their electronics. For example, scrolling through documents used to require that you use a scroll wheel or click mouse in order to do it quickly. Nowadays people accomplish the same functionality with a flick of their fingers on the screen of the digitizer. Because a digitizer lies on top of the LCD screen, it is usually the first item to get damaged. If you bash the iPod, iTouch or whatever piece of electronics is using the digitizer too hard, you will also damage the LCD screen below it.

Digitizers can be replaced in Apple products such as the iPhone and iPod Touch (iTouch). The latest generation iPhone 2G, 3G, and 3Gs along with the iPod Touch 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation models have digitizer enabled touch features. The digitizer has also been introduced into many of the latest Smartphone’s and touch screen electronics on the market place. Touch operated devices use a digitizer to allow for touch functionality.

The Digitizers for iPhone and iPod Touch devices are very delicate. When you purchase a replacement Digitizer the front glass or outer glass will be attached. You will need to use caution when trying to replace any front glass on an iPod or iPhone. There are many repair centers available that can offer service on your front glass or digitizer for an affordable price. Repair Sharks offers full front glass repair service for iPod Touch and iPhone. If you decide to try to replace it yourself it is recommended to practice extreme care if you attempt to repair one of your iPod or iPhone units. Causing damage to the digitizer or digitizer cable on an iPhone or iPod Touch will cause your unit to stop functioning properly and you will need to replace the digitizer.

Digitizers can vary in price for the individual part. If you send it into a repair shop, the price will be slightly higher although being that you may damage other parts in the process the small repair fee might save you a great deal of anguish. If you decide to perform a digitizer replacement yourself then it is advised to speak to a professional to order the correct parts for your model as each model has different hardware.

For Parts or Repair of your iPod or iPhone Repair Sharks can help
Visit our website: www.repairsharks.com
iPod Touch 2G Digitizer Back Side

iPod Touch Front Glass and Digitizer Back Side

iPod Touch LCD Repair and Replacement – 2nd and 3rd Generation iPod Touch

We recently released a new tutorial on 2G and 3G iPod Touch LCD replacement.  The detailed video discusses removal of the iPod Touch Front Glass / Digitizer, Midframe, and LCD. In the video we take a look at how to correctly remove a front glass as well as a guide for removing the locking clips holding in the Front Glass of the iPod Touch. The removal and replacement process for the LCD is the same on both the 2nd generation iPod Touch as well as the 3rd Generation. The parts for each repair slightly differ as each model uses a specific Front Glass / Digitizer, Midframe, and LCD.

iPod Touch LCD repair and replacement can be difficult. You can damage vital components during the removal or installation process of the new iPod Touch LCD. If you are not comfortable please consult with our expert technicians or send it in for professional replacement.

Repair Sharks offers all the necessary parts for replacing your Front Glass, Digitizer, Midframe, and LCD on 2G and 3G iPod Touch Models. Please visit our main website at http://www.repairsharks.com for more information on iPod Touch LCD repair and replacement.

iPod and iPhone LCD Repair and Replacement

 Inadvertent damage can occur to LCD’s of all sizes. iPod and iPhone LCD damage is no different. The iPod LCD can crack, break, have a loss of pixes, or be subjected to an area blackout of pixels. In the picture below you can see what a cracked LCD looks like. This picture is a good illustration of a few types of damage you will see on an iPod or iPhone LCD. The blotchy area is where the layers are compacted and the cracks are evident in the photo.

Repairing an LCD can be a daunting task in some models. In many cases it requires removal of hardware components once inside in order to access the iPod LCD and be able to carefully remove and replace it. It is advised to follow the manufacturer’s instructions or consult with a professional repair shop.

The first step to replacing an LCD is simple, get the LCD. Make sure you have the correct model and version to support your iPod. iPod and iPhone LCD’s vary from model to model and there are some such as the 5th Generation Video that have more than one LCD available for that model.  

Next, you will want to follow the instructions for your particular model. Instructions can be found on the web and there are some particularly useful videos available on such sites as YouTube.  If you are uncomfortable with this type of repair there are affordable solutions to having the iPod or iPhone LCD replaced professionally.

Repair Sharks offers LCD replacement on almost all generation iPod’s including; iPod 4th Generation and Photo, iPod Video, iPod Classic, iPod Touch, iPod Nano, iPod Mini, and iPhone. Contact us today for Free Diagnostics on your LCD and iPod.

Repairing your iPod or iPhone – iPod Opening Tools

Repair Sharks parts are all inclusive.  Opening tools are included with all our iPod and iPhone parts. We ship two non-marring iPod opening tools in every package. These tools are provided to allow for a scratch resistant method of opening your iPod.  The tools are meant to take the damage rather than the delicate outer casing of your iPod or iPhone.

iPods and iPhones can sometimes be tough to open, we recommend additional tools that may help to open your device successfully.

Small screwdrivers – Flat head sizes 1.0 – 3.0, Phillips sizes 000 – 0

Razor blade – Single Edge Razor Blade

Guitar Picks – Thin guitar picks work well for opening an iPod

Opening your iPhone may require different techniques or tools not listed.

Repair sharks does not take any responsibility for damage you may cause due to opening or repairing your iPod. If you need assistance it is recommended to let a professional install the parts for you.

iPod Opening Tools

Tools for opening your iPod Safely

iPod Repair Guys – Repair Processes

It’s important that our customers are informed as to how we handle every device we receive. The below is a breakdown of our repair process and the steps we take to ensure complete customer satisfaction.

 

You might have read on our website that we handle each repair as if it was our own. Well you can believe it. Our pride is in our work and every repair is handled as if it were unique. We are not an assembly line of repair techs but rather a team dedicated to one thing, your happiness. With that comes individual attention to detail whether it before, during, or after your repair experience with us.

 

Here at iPod Repair Guys we also understand the nuances of the web. We want you to feel as comfortable as possible with all our services and are constantly striving to improve our site appearance and structure in order to bring you an easy to use interface. We also understand some of the concerns you might have when dealing with a repair center such as ours. So please don’t hesitate to ask us anything regarding your repair or our processes.

 

Setting up a repair

 

Setting up a repair request is easy. In most cases repair requests can be handled via our Free Diagnostic Service or Repair Services links on our website.  

 

Mail-in Diagnostic Service – Free!

 

What is Diagnostic Service and when should I choose this option?

 

Diagnostic Service can encompass most repair requests. If you are uncertain what your repair may entail or what is wrong with your iPod this is the service for you.

 

Our diagnostic service includes the following:

 

1.      Free Diagnostics of your device – We thoroughly test your device and prepare for our next step the repair quote.

2.       Repair Quote – We outline all your options for repair and provide you with a written quote prior to us performing the work. This allows you to make the decision whether you would like to repair your iPod or not.  We welcome interaction with our customers and encourage them to reach out to us if they have any questions. We will do the same on our end so don’t be surprised if we call you to discuss your repair.

3.      Making the needed repairs – Upon receiving your repair quote confirmation we will make all the necessary repairs.

4.      Testing your iPod – We put your iPod through a series of tests to ensure it is working correctly and that there are no further issues with the unit.

5.      Shipping it back to you – Getting your iPod back in your hands in just a few short days is our goal. Most of our repairs are completed same day as receipt and shipped out the next day. As with all our repairs return shipping is included!

  

Mail-in Repair Service Option

 

What is the repair service option and when should I choose this?

 

Our second repair option is for those of you that know what is wrong with your device. With this option you can use our easy iPod identification tool and identify the service and costs for a particular repair.  As our business is constantly evolving we may not display all our repair services on our website. In that case, please contact us for a direct quote for repair. We stock over a 1,000 products and our procurement team is ready and able to find most any part available for your repair.

 

  1. Choose ‘iPod Repair Services’ from the left toolbar on our homepage
  2.  Choose your iPod Version – Our graphic interface makes it easy to find the right repair services for your version iPod
  3. Select your repair services
  4. Choose how to get it to us – We offer two ways to get your iPod to us. The first, you mail it in to us, the second we mail you the packaging and postage to get it to us. It’s that simple.
  5. Complete Checkout – We offer secure and reliable payment via Paypal. We accept all major credit cards and Paypal accounts. Your information is important to us and that’s why we keep your financials where it belongs in your hands. We do not have access to your credit card or banking information.

 

Self-Repair Option

 

The Self-Repair Option is offered to customers who are confident with their repair skills and would just like to purchase a replacement part. We offer a wide array of products for 1st through 6th Generation iPod’s, Nano, Mini, Touch, and iPhone. Please browse our parts catalog on our website or contact us if there is a product you are looking for which you don’t see. There is a good chance we have it.  

 

Useful links

 

iPod Diagnostic Service

iPod Repair Service

Parts

 

We know how much it means to our customers to actually speak to a human sometimes. Please feel free to call us or write to us with questions.

 

Thank you,

The Guys

 

 

 

Welcome to Repair Sharks Blog

Hello and welcome. First off thank you for visiting Repair Sharks. We are continually striving to offer a customer centric experience and that is just why we created our blog. Our blog is aimed at helping our customers get the most out of their experience with Repair Sharks.  Along the way we will include useful information that is aimed at helping you to understand our services, processes, the repair of your device, and to give an open forum for our customers to express themselves.  

We know how important your iPod, iPhone, or Xbox 360 is to you. We can see just by the way we receive many of them. We take just as much care in how we work with you. Not only will we talk about our services in our blog but we will look to bring you customer focused and relevant information for helping you get your device repaired.

In our preventative medicine section we will discuss methods on how to better care for your device and plan for the worst. Many people aren’t familiar with the inner workings of a device this small. We like to think once you take a look on the inside the way you look at the outside will change.   

Look for more to come from Repair Sharks

Sincerely,
The Sharks

http://www.repairsharks.com