E74 system error message

I recently had the E74 system error which started with as ‘black snow’ on the screen. There is an extended 3 year warranty that covers E74 and 3 Red Lights errors only.

I looked in to fixing it myself but thought might as well let someone else graze their hands getting the case off!

Despite the horror stories of it taking forever MS seemed to have pulled their finger out and made this a very efficient process, I got mine back within a week (I live in the UK and repairs get shipped to Germany).

Here's a quick breakdown of the process:

1. Go to www.xbox.com/support and click on the relevant link relating to your problem.

2. Go through the walkthrough. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT AS IT COULD JUST BE A LOOSE CONNECTION. If you've still no joy you can click a link to pick whether you are a US resident or not.

3. Type in serial number of the console (you don't need any receipts, I bought mine off eBay).

4. They send you a shipping label and a link to arrange UPS to come and pick up your console.

5. Bite your nails and rock manically in a corner until your console comes back (you can track the whole process at xbox.com).

I've sent back a first generation 360 and an Elite. Certainly worth considering as they will repair or replace your console!

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/907534 3 Red Light (Red Ring Of Death/RROD)

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/941377 E74 Error

If you want to attempt to fix the error yourself (and have no guarantee of sorting it and invalidate your warranty) search YouTube for ‘E74’ fix or ‘xbox towel trick’. This is supposed to overheated the console and re-solder dry solder joints. Only try if your warranty has run out and/or you own a bricked console!

E74 is the scaler chip at the back of the Xbox that is overheating, to fix it you must send it in or use a good Xbox 360 repair guide

E74 indicates general system failure. A modification to the GPU chip and heat sink needs to be made. What's happened here is that the X-clamps that hold ther GPU heat sink in place were too rigid not allowing for flex in the motherboard when it heats up. The X-clamps need to be removed, replace the heat sink studs with metric screws and neoprene washers, and new thermal compound needs to be applied to the GPU chip. You can find many tutorials on Youtube for this procedure. Although you need to be somewhat "Tech-sav vy". Or, you can send it to Microsoft or a trusted service tech to make the appropriate repairs. Good luck!