Reflowing Xbox 360 Motherboard

Grasp the hard drive assembly and press the release button while lifting its front edge.

Remove the hard drive assembly from the top vent.

Insert the flat end of a spudger or the edge of an Xbox 360 opening tool into the small gap at the front edge of the bottom vent.

Pry the front edge of the bottom vent away from the faceplate.

To release the clips, work from the front edge of the bottom vent.

While slightly lifting the front edge of the bottom vent, use the tip of a spudger to push the clips closest to the front of the bottom vent towards the inside of the console.

Repeat the same process to release the two center clips on the bottom vent.

Use the tip of your spudger to release the clips on the bottom vent nearest the back of the Xbox.

Remove the bottom vent from the 360.

Insert the flat edge of a spudger between the faceplate and the outer casing near the power button.

Run your spudger along the edge of the faceplate to release the clips securing it to the front of the console.

Repeat the same motions as previously mentioned to release the left side of the faceplate.

Remove the faceplate from the front face of the console.

The top vent is secured to the console via clips. The first two clips are located underneath the top vent closest to the faceplate, as shown in the pictures.

Insert the flat end of a spudger into the small gaps previously mentioned to release the clips.

To release the clips, work from the middle of the top vent.

While slightly lifting the front edge of the top vent, use the tip of a spudger to push the clips closest to the center of the top vent towards the inside of the console.

Use the tip of your spudger to release the clip on the top vent nearest the back of the Xbox's upper case.

Use the tip of your spudger to release the clip on the top vent nearest the back of the Xbox.

Remove the top vent from the 360.

Stand the console vertically with the top edge facing down.

Carefully peel the warranty sticker off the console.

Use the flat end of a spudger to release the following latches:

Above the front-facing USB ports.

Beneath the front-facing USB ports.

Above the Memory Unit slots.

Insert the flat end of a spudger and pry upwards to release the last remaining latch located above the eject button.

Slightly lift the front portion of the lower case to ensure that the latches in the front have been completely released.

Press the Xbox 360 opening tool down into the clips securing the lower case to the upper case near the I/O ports.

While pressing down on the tool, push the lower and upper cases apart to separate the retaining clips.

While pushing the upper and lower cases apart, use the tip of a spudger or the finger of an Xbox 360 opening tool to push the long clip highlighted in red toward the center of the 360.

The clip should release, leaving the clips near the power connector as the only thing holding the upper and lower cases together.

Press the Xbox 360 opening tool down into the two remaining clips near the power connector.

Push the upper and lower cases apart to fully release the retaining clips.

Grasp the back portion of the lower case and lift it upwards to separate it from the console.

Use the tip of a spudger to release the clip securing the eject button to the metal casing.

Insert the flat end of a spudger between the eject button and the optical drive.

Pry the eject button off its retaining posts and remove it from the 360.

Remove the six silver 64 mm T10 Torx screws securing the upper case to the metal casing.

Lift the upper case straight up and remove it from the console.

Peel the silver tape securing the optical drive to the metal casing.

Slightly lift the optical drive upwards to gain clearance to disconnect the SATA and power connectors located on the backside of the optical drive.

Grab the power connector by its cables and pull it straight out of its socket on the optical drive.

Disconnect the SATA data connector from its socket on the optical drive by pulling it straight away.

Lift the optical drive assembly out of the metal casing.

Insert the flat end of a spudger into the small rectangular opening on the top of the cooling fan duct.

Carefully release the fan duct retaining clip and remove the fan duct from the Xbox.

The clip can alternatively be released using the metal finger of an Xbox 360 opening tool.

While lifting the metal chassis strip above the dual fans, pull the fans toward the center of the motherboard.

Lift the dual fan connector straight up from its socket on the motherboard.

Remove the dual fan assembly from the console.

Use the flat end of a spudger to release the clips securing the RF module shield along the top and the left edge of the RF module.

Remove the RF module shield from the console.

Remove three 5.6 mm T8 Torx screws securing the RF module to the metal chassis.

Grasp the RF module and lift it straight up to disconnect it from its socket on the motherboard.

Remove the RF module from the console.

Remove the following screws securing the motherboard to the metal casing:

Nine gold 11 mm T10 Torx screws.

Eight black 5.6 mm T8 Torx screws.

Lift the motherboard assembly from its front edge.

Remove the motherboard assembly from the metal casing.

Insert the tip of a small flathead screwdriver between the X clamp and its retaining post on the heat sink.

Pry the X clamp away from its retaining post until it is lifted above the small groove cut into the retaining post.

Insert your screwdriver parallel to the motherboard between the X clamp and its retaining post.

Twist the screwdriver to fully release the X clamp from its retaining post.

Remove the GPU heat sink.

Insert the tip of a small flathead screwdriver between the X clamp and its retaining post on the heat sink.

Pry the X clamp away from its retaining post until it is lifted above the small groove cut into the retaining post.

Remove the CPU heat sink from the motherboard. When reinstalling the CPU heat sink, be sure to apply a new layer of thermal paste.

Disconnect the optical drive power and SATA cables from the motherboard.

If replacing the motherboard transfer the four thermal pads on the underside of the motherboard to your new motherboard.

Motherboard remains.

Lay the motherboard with the processor side facing down on the flat metal bottom of the the bare chassis (with its open side facing down) as seen in the second picture. Allow the tall USB socket to hang over the edge of the chassis so the board sits flat.

Use a heat gun on the LOW setting to heat the entire back of the motherboard for one minute. Be sure to continually sweep the heat gun back and forth across the face of the motherboard to evenly heat it.

After heating the back of the motherboard for one minute, flip the motherboard over and lay it on the chassis as shown.

With your heat gun set to HIGH, evenly heat the area boxed in red for four minutes.

After heating the area boxed in red for four minutes, turn off your heat gun and allow the motherboard to cool down to room temperature without moving or disturbing it in any way.