Social Feed

TheForce
Supporting Founder Pub Member / Supporter
Last reply · posted in Video Game Reviews & Discussions
Last evening I went to use my XBOX 360 and immediately turning it on I get 3 /4 of the ring in red and no video.

Going to Google the symptom I was not surprised to learn this is a very common system error where many gamers have been before. That was the good news part. The bad news was the fix. It seems there were about as many different approaches to the fix as there were posters. Fortunately all had the same theme in that all referenced the CPU and GPU heatsink failing to make good contact and over heating the processors causing them to unsolder and become loose or bad solder joints and the connections failing. The fix is to reheat the chips to resolder them to the board.
OK, after reviewing a dozen videos on this part of the process it seems that the best technique is to use a high temperature heat gun ( hot air) to remelt the solder. I have a heat gun adequate for this use. Some of these gamer characters appear rather dubious and so I wonder if any satelliteguys have done this procedure? I welcome any tips and tricks on it. Using the youtube videos I successfully removed the MB and heat sinks now. And have the old heatsink compound all removed with laquer thinner. The chips are nice and shiny now and ready for assembly.
In all cases reviewed the remedy was to trash the X clamps and bolt the heat sinks directly to the MB. This does seem to be a better method to insure permanent contact. I saw my x clamps were not reap snug before removing them and the heat sinks had actually slopped around which is why they probably failed.
19 Replies · 3013 views
Ramy
Good job Don. I have known others that have done what you did and some had success and others didn't.
BobMurdoch
Well my launch day console died 2 years and one month after I got it, ... and my replacement console dies...... 2 years and one month after I got IT.

Unfortunately, I'm having a bunch of my friends over this weekend, and the XBox is one of the big draws.

So, it was off to the store to get an Arcade model. The idea was to swap the hard drive, transfer the licenses (via the tool on XBox.com) and be back up and running. I had bought the extended warranty direct from Microsoft for three years, which is up, but I believe they extended that warranty for RROD failures. I'll find out later today.

However, after looking at the Arcade model, I changed my mind. Went for an extra $100 for the elite model. 120 gb hard drive and a wireless controller was worth it.

The big beneficiary of all this is my almost 16 year old son, who has my old original XBox in his room. MS just announced that ALL XBox live multiplayer functionality for the first generation XBox is being turned off on 4/15 to get ready for major enhancements coming when the Halo Reach Beta drops soon. Bottom line, his ability to play Halo 2 in his room is going away. So, if I can get this fixed under warranty, I'll give him the replacement console and snap in the new 120 GB drive in the side and have him migrate over his gamertag. He probably will lose a lot of the DLC, but most of the older map packs are free now.

Going to grab an HDMI cable and see if there is any PQ improvement over the 1080i I had from the component cables. I've got my Projector throwing an image on a 92" screen, so it might be worth the upgrade.
dont24
Contact M$. You should be able to get a HDD transfer kit. Used to be free of charge. Not sure what the deal is these days. Pretty sure it's free to people upgrading to an Elite.
BobMurdoch
Didn't need to.... They are both 120 GB drives, I don't know how much more vulnerable the older one is (it is about 2 years old) vs. the new one, but the other glitch is that a lot of my saved video content can't be redownloaded anymore (music videos, tv shows, etc.). They were viewable last night on the old drive, but they weren't able to have their keys refreshed off of the "redownload" option.
TheForce
Good job Don. I have known others that have done what you did and some had success and others didn't.

Well, I have to admit, I've been doing electronics design in broadcast for many years but this is the first time I ever used the heat gun technique to resolder a few hundred connections all at once. I painted flux all over the solder side of the board and heated with hot air until I saw the solder flow. Took no more than a few seconds.

Many of the video fixes on the web are a little too chancy for me. They rely on super heating the chip to do the solder. I think this is a bad technique. I know that the problem has to be the heat causing the solder to make bad connections so the fix must be two fold:
1. Fix the bad or broken connections on the chips, likely dozens of them.
2. Redesign the heat sinking system to prevent future failure.

The Microsoft X clamp is IMO a very poor design in that it must rely on steel spring tension to maintain heat connection to the chip's surface. Heat and steel causes a loss of spring tension ( metallurgy 101 ) So, I used a series of spacers and bushings to firmly clamp the heatsink to the board. Using some nylon spacers allows for enough tension yet still allowing a little compression for expansion and contraction during a heat cool cycle.

So far, the xbox360 has been on 27/7 and it has not failed.
osu1991
Pub Member / Supporter
Last reply · posted in TV Shows
2 Replies · 49 views
  • Like
Reactions: Howard Simmons
Howard Simmons

Another Tulsa King spin off.🙄
dishstaller
Another Tulsa King spin off.🙄
But.....if you like Tulsa King....looks like you would probably like this as well. I don't mind spin-offs as long as they don't involve a sassy niece who moves from the big city :rolleyes:
T
Last reply · posted in DISH Network Support Forum
I thought I would come here and find lots of complaints about the update to the dish anywhere mobile app, but am not seeing any. It used to look just like the desktop webpage. Now you can no longer filter by sports channels or movie channels. Plus that they made it look like a big button telephone and you see fewer channels in the screen which requires more scrolling. Yes I realize you can look at sports then select which sport you want to look at, I just liked being able to see all sporting events in the guide with all other channels being filtered out. Am I alone in the wilderness on this?
3 Replies · 32 views
  • Like
Reactions: dishstaller
Juan
Not alot of dish customers any more
Foxbat
I'm not a big fan of the new layout, especially on my Apple TV. It used to look like the old Guide layout on the Hopper 3, but they changed parts of that, too.
  • Like
Reactions: charlesrshell
dishstaller
I really dislike change for the sake of change
TheRatPatrol
Last reply · posted in TV Shows
Anyone else watch this show? Any guesses as to what was in the box Gibbs gave to Abby that was on her desk? It look liked it was glowing.

I also heard that someone was leaving the show at the end of this season. Any guesses as to who thats going to be?
2132 Replies · 214672 views
Jimbo

Howard ...
You don't like Tony, or Tony as the Director (he's only been there for 30 seconds now) or you don't like NCIS ?
  • Like
Reactions: Howard Simmons
Howard Simmons
Howard ...
You don't like Tony, or Tony as the Director (he's only been there for 30 seconds now) or you don't like NCIS ?
Tony as the director.🙄
Jimbo
Tony as the director.🙄
Would you rather have LaRoche ???
  • Like
Reactions: Howard Simmons
dfergie
I liked this episode and a toned down Tony...
  • Like
Reactions: Jimbo
Howard Simmons
Would you rather have LaRoche ???
No. Bring in someone new.🤔 Tony is not serious enough for me. Parker is too close to the team and Tim is too young to take over IMO.
Jimbo
No. Bring in someone new.🤔 Tony is not serious enough for me. Parker is too close to the team and Tim is too young to take over IMO.
I don't think Tim and Tony are that far apart in Age ...

Remember what Tony said to Tim when they first got back together ...
Tony said: I am the New Tony, Tim .... (something to that effect)

Tony has changed, he's been running his Security Business ... I'm sure he has grown up.

Give it time ... your judging the New Tony from the old Tony.

It sounds like Tim won't be around the Team much longer either.
dishstaller
Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in Movie Talk
Might be worth a watch when it comes out. Looks like typical big corp against the little guy movie BUT....there is a reason this plot type is so oft repeated, it draws audiences.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-f9OGsKHd4
1 Replies · 4 views
dishstaller
BTW, I noticed right after I posted this that someone else had already mentioned it....sorry for the duplicate thread. Still looking forward to seeing the movie.
meStevo
Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in Movie Talk
If you're going try to read / listen to the book (can't recommend the audio book enough) before this comes out, I'd avoid trailers.

Trailer below, spoiling it to make sure you read the above bold message first. The book / audio book are fantastic. Go into this blind if you can IMO!




Kind of disappointed at how much they show. A lot still to see, but man, some good reveals in the book that are just served up here.
21 Replies · 710 views
  • Like
Reactions: dfergie
meStevo
I've seen it twice. Can't recommend the audio book enough, Ray Porter's performance is amazing and there's so much more in the book than the movie.
  • Like
Reactions: Foxbat
Foxbat
"Project Hail Mary" should be on Prime Video starting Friday, July 3.
  • Like
Reactions: Howard Simmons
K
Forgot to comment. I did watch when it first came out on MGM. I enjoyed it a lot. I think reading the book made it easier to watch. Several friends commented it was a little hard to follow.
TRG
TRG
"astrophage". I read the book but didn't see the film yet.
  • Like
Reactions: Foxbat
Howard Simmons
"Project Hail Mary" should be on Prime Video starting Friday, July 3.
That's what I will be watching this weekend.🤗
  • Like
Reactions: Foxbat
K
Kindle book on sale for $2.99 today at Amazon.
dishstaller
.........there's so much more in the book than the movie.
I agree. That can go for pretty much any book vs movie. Back when I was single I would read any Stephen King or John Grisham book I could get my hands on. When you read a book you make up the scenes and characters in your mind.....the movie version always disappoints.
meStevo
Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in The Sports Section
Schedule drops tomorrow. Mandatory mini camps in June. Hall of Fame game August 6th.
110 Replies · 1608 views
  • Like
Reactions: Jimbo and dfergie
Y
Selfish Drake Maye holds back on giving the ball to Bills unlike Jags game, gets the win on the road.
Y
Selfish Drake Maye holds back on giving the ball to Bills unlike Jags game, gets the win on the road.
A big win for the Patriots, and they are now 3-2.

Browns lose a close one with... The Jets. That is a classic Browns loss (granted, any loss is a classic one it seems). 49'ers, Vikings, and Chiefs remain undefeated. The AFC north have a three way tie at 3-2 for second place. :eek:
osu1991
  • Like
Reactions: Mike0616
M
Hopefully nowhere near a microphone.
Y
Hopefully nowhere near a microphone.
After having experienced Gus Ferguson trying to call soccer games, I'm uncertain why NFL football analysts get hate. Even the "worst" of them are pretty good.
meStevo
Jalen Hurts out indefinitely as they treat and monitor a superficial blood clot in his leg.


View: https://x.com/RapSheet/status/2111074303185989663?s=20
  • Sad
Reactions: Foxbat
dishstaller
Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
· posted in TV Shows
I had quit watching this show years ago because I ended up more annoyed than entertained. Well......I'm STILL more annoyed than entertained. I DO find it interesting to see how things work behind the scenes at many businesses. What annoys me is how utterly out of touch CEOs are with the companies they run. At the end of almost every episode the head of the company is amazed at how hard the employees have to work and many times have to work around impossible guidelines set forth from headquarters.

I found this one interesting because the new CEO had big plans for this company, Muscle Maker Grill, and it looked like the stores were all pretty busy. Recent history hasn't been good to this company however. I bet the covid lockdowns were the real killer.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIhZm0qkz0o
0 Replies · 2 views
Scott Greczkowski
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
Sometimes a thread gets so many posts in it that is can cause issues for the server so that why today we introduce The Song Name Game Part 3!

So let the game continue!

The last song was added by Bobby who posted...

One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters

CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!

Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game

Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.

Example:

Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow

Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio

Another example:

Ride the Lightning -- Metallica

Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne


Get it?


An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
68500 Replies · 2670790 views
  • Like
Reactions: c-spand
ClarkGable
White Wedding - Billy Idol
  • Like
Reactions: dishstaller
M
White Christmas - Elvis Presley
dishstaller
Dirty White Boy - Foreigner
Bobby
Tickle Me (Dirty, Dirty Feeling) - Elvis Presley
dishstaller
Dirty Diana - Michael Jackson
Anony55
Last reply · posted in DISH Network Support Forum
For quite a while now, people with a VIP211k have been losing their recordings on their activated external HDDs... even when there's nothing physically wrong with HDD. I believe this is an intentional and underhanded tactic that Dish is pulling in an attempt to force users away from the VIP211k.

They are obviously regretting that they ever let users have a "non-dvr" dvr in the first place. You would think they would be happy charging you a $40 one time fee... and then be happy letting the customer be the one responsible for HDD failures.

Dish clearly hates the 211k bitter-clingers. This recording deletion problem is intentional (IMO), and I think it is just one more tool that they are using. Hopper and a 2-year agreement... that's what they want you to have. Think about that... a 2-year agreement... with a company $30 Billion in debt (that's with a B). What happens when all that debt causes them to drop the channel that may have been your whole reason for having Dish in the first place? Guess who's stuck with a service that no longer suits their needs... for the remainder of the 2-year agreement.

On top of that, they don't want you to install it yourself. I purchased and installed all my equipment myself. That used to be common. Now, they lie to me and tell me that my dish must be updated to use a Hopper. Funny thing is... they don't even know what dish I have because they didn't install it, and I didn't tell them. If you ask what type of dish/LNBs the hopper needs... good luck getting an answer. All they know is that whatever you have needs to be upgraded by an installer.

It is quite apparent to me that they care much more about staying in their box, than they do working with the customer. That's too bad, because it hasn't always been that way. It's like they are totally unaware of the current business environment that they are trying to compete in.

I have been a customer since 2010. I will be cancelling my service before the next period. Yeah, I know, my $1,200 a year won't make a difference to them. It just seems like they have forgotten who needs who, especially when you consider the competition in today's streaming world. But hey, they will have succeed in forcing me off the 211k.
165 Replies · 7367 views
Nebugeater
Got a 211k that works fine, and I no longer need it if someone wants to throw me a few bucks and pay shipping. Not tied to my account as of last week. Used with a tailgater and got a wally
Former member 208119
Class action.
a hopper 3 with 6 firesticks and or if you wanna spend even more money apple tv's
  • Like
Reactions: charlesrshell
T
Got a 211k that works fine, and I no longer need it if someone wants to throw me a few bucks and pay shipping. Not tied to my account as of last week. Used with a tailgater and got a wally
Is the 211k still available? If so, I'm interested.
  • Like
Reactions: charlesrshell
Nebugeater
Is the 211k still available? If so, I'm interested.


Actually, it is. A couple of people PMed me when I posted this, and when I asked for an address, they never responded. Then I just sort of let it go. Send me a PM to continue the discussion
Anony55
Well, after nine months of being on pause, I finally figured out that I was wasting $5 a month. So I cancelled. For the first time since 2010, I no longer have a Dish account.

I do have to say that I did appreciate the account pause option. That just gives a person some time to see what the fallout of cancelling will be... without having to go all the way over the cliff first.

Since I never once had an "oh shoot, I need Dish Network for..." moment, the decision was a lot easier.

Funny enough, when I called to cancel (for real, not playing the pricing game), all of a sudden, they were offering me deals that I was told before that I couldn't get without changing out my VIP211k. Now, I could have had those specials with them just sending me a new card for the receiver. LOL!

Of course, my mind was already made up because of having not missed the service while on pause. That, and the fact that I bet the 211k still kills recordings.

All in all, I'm glad that I had Dish for all those years. I just outgrew the need, and they pressed the issue by deleting recordings. I would have eventually went this route without the deleted recordings issue. But, for sure, that did hasten the outcome.

I'll still pop in at this site from time to time. Believe it or not, I still have a C/Ku BUD that I intend on playing with again if life ever slows down.
dishstaller
Actually, it is. A couple of people PMed me when I posted this, and when I asked for an address, they never responded. Then I just sort of let it go. Send me a PM to continue the discussion
Unless things have changed at Dish, which is entirely possible, they won't activate the 211, even as a replacement. I gave one to a customer a while back....which when I turned it off I made sure to tell the CSR I wanted it freed up so another customer could use it, I was assured it was.....and when they called to swap out there's they were told it couldn't be done. Now like I said, things MIGHT HAVE CHANGED.
  • Like
Reactions: charlesrshell
Former member 209992
Last reply · posted in SatelliteGuys Support Center
For some reason, the satelliteguys.us site is loading a lot slower than usual on both Chrome on my Asus laptop and Safari on my iPhone.
I'm also seeing longer appearances of the blue bar at the top and the "3 blue bars" loading symbol.
Is anyone else also having the same problem? Thanks in advance.
529 Replies · 18021 views
  • Like
Reactions: charlesrshell
Scott Greczkowski
Remember folks... just like DNS... its always Foxbat. :D
Foxbat
Remember folks... just like DNS... its always Foxbat. :D
WTF… …What the Foxbat!😱
S
zipping right along here
  • Like
Reactions: charlesrshell
S
WTF… …What the Foxbat!😱
wow what a kick in the balls!!! the wife blames you when things don't work now scott's blaming you :biggrin
  • Like
Reactions: charlesrshell
Foxbat
wow what a kick in the balls!!! the wife blames you when things don't work now scott's blaming you :biggrin
I know. Here's what Scott has in store for me if I get out of line:
IMG_1990.webp
IMG_1989.webp
S
I know. Here's what Scott has in store for me if I get out of line:
OMG to freaking funny :biggrin
  • Like
Reactions: charlesrshell
comfortably_numb
I know. Here's what Scott has in store for me if I get out of line:

Not likely since that place closed down.