Anyone else had this one yet? I had it once got it fixed and then it happened again about a month later and got it fixed again. Just wondering how long it will last this time. It is nice that I purchased an extended warranty as MS charges 109 bucks for this error even though it seems more rampant than the RROD used to be.

Got it on my box. Did tons of research and the most common cause of the error is bad AV cables. Try a new set of AV cables if possible, there also might be a problem with the inputs for the AV. Either way, it's a hardware error and is usually due to the AV cables in some form.

I'm going to disagree with this reply.

AV cables are barely ever a problem. I have never seen one with that issue.

Most of the time is due to the Solder they use which is new school (lead free) Once this solder heats up. Fractures can occur causing the E74 Error.

A common fix as well is the Xclamp repair which is taking the foxconn mobo out , heatsinks off, and remove the old thermal paste that was applied improperly.

Get a heat gun and heat the ANA/Hana (?) chipset. Then let cool sitting down to reflow the solder. Make sure you dont melt any sensitive parts as well as plastic pieces.

Once completed. Use AS5 on the cpu and gpu. And reapply in place of the Xclamps which hold them on some M5 Bolts. Along with a Rubber washer (industrial rubber). The Rubber washer is on the bottom to help protect the board from being cracked from pressure. And 2 metal small washers on top so the pressure isn't applied over unevenly on the heatsinks.

Once done reassemble and play. If you get the same error. Just put the fan over the cpu. And tuen on the Xbox without the AV Cable in. This should perform a reset and then (yes once again) reassemble.



This should cure your problem. But remember all these Fix's are temporary and can reoccur at anytime due to improper planning and assembly by Microsoft.



Hope this helps!



PS: If you want a new set of av cables ill sell ya a set.

topsecret has the best fix, another quick fix could be the towel trick, however it is only temporary, check Google for instructions, i cant provide any proof that it works just that i heard about it. basically wrapping your xbox in a heavy towel and turning it on and letting it sit for a while,thus heating the internal components, i.e. solder that holds gpu to board and fixing the fractures in the solder. If u have some experience with a solder gun and your comfortable taking apart your xbox. go with topsecrets method, if your xbox is dead and you have no choices give the towel one a try. at your own risk.

Dont count the AV cables out. They've brought the E74 demise of 3 of my box'es and 2 of my friend's boxes. In fact, it even happened twice to one my friends after using the same AV cables in his brand new RMA'ed 360.

But yeah, there's the towel mod as well, I haven't seen much success with it but I hear it's worked for a few people (including Grizz).

OR just drop it by and ill take a look. I'll even show ya how.

The two times it happened it was the ANA video chip that had to be re-flowed. I think that is why the towel trick works because everything just heats up and the small fractures come together. If it happens to mine one more time I get to take a new one right off the shelf. One of the time an extened warranty pays!!!
I just thought that MS would extend their warranty on this as well seeing as it happens so much.

PS
I also aquired an extra set of AV cables so if it happens again I can try them. Although if the cable is faulty how would the error message show up on the screen?

good point, and honestly i have no clue leave it to microsoft...[/b]

You wont see the error if it is the AV cables of course.

But if you google "360 Error Codes" you can match it up.


When you have the red ring of death. Hold the Sync button on the console and hit the eject button. Every time you do this you will get a number (4 in total)

4 flashing = 0
1 flashing= 1
2 flashing=2
3 flashing=3

There is a number which will match e74 as well. And another that is close to it as i recall. But the codes will never match something close to AV cables.

AV cables not working should show 4 flashing red lights usualy which means it's not plugged in. Which if they are, is a obvious indication they are fubar'd.

Not knocking ya at all (although obviously you're knocking me) I'm just saying that I'm positive this was the cause of at least 4 360 e74s. I got my e74 along with melted AV connectors. There are plenty of forums that also talk about e74's caused by bad AV cables shorting something out.

I was just sharing my experiences, I didn't really post in here to be called a liar. Because I can confirm e74's caused by AV cables but it's whatever. I'm just trying to help.

Is what I said.

I do believe disagreement is not "knocking on you". Although I do appologize if in fact I have offended you.

The topic is yours. This will be my last post within.

-B