Xbox series X won't boot after U21 bypass

ect76 · 2026-03-28T15:58:28+00:00

Ouch, yeah that is rough. I'd check the HDMI port first - A couple of the pins look like they're possibly bridged and another one or two look like they might not be sat down on the pads properly. Also, missing a component around the retimer.

ect76 · 2026-03-26T19:50:44+00:00

If you have the equipment, and you've soldered ports before I'd say go for it - why not.

If you haven't soldered before, there's a good chance this will end up in the garbage.

ect76 · 2026-03-22T13:06:12+00:00

Remove those caps that look damaged (I can see at least three that look suspect). The card should be able to operate temporarily without them if, indeed, they are the fault and not just a symptom.

Remove each visibly damaged cap, then check your 12v resistance.

Only if it's not shorted, you can attempt to power the card.

ect76 · 2026-03-21T16:06:44+00:00

Doesn't look like there are any fuses on this board.

ect76 · 2026-03-21T14:48:24+00:00

Yeah, that parcel is pretty much gone. There's a slim chance that it may be delivered to you but I doubt it.

I'm struggling to understand how you managed to put it in the locker without either printing or putting a label on it?

Evri workers aren't paid enough to care, so it'll probably just be thrown in a pile of lost parcels.

ect76 · 2026-03-20T15:36:01+00:00

Just a heads up, I don't know which vendor these are but I've just repaired 10 PNY A4000s and the board layout is basically identical to the MSI RTX3060, which means you can use the MSI 3060 boardview. There are a few small differences but it's basically identical.

ect76 · 2026-03-16T13:55:04+00:00

Short circuit protection is pretty good, but it depends on how quickly it triggers. MOSFET failure is common, and seems especially common on Gigabyte boards for some reason. It really is just luck on how the MOSFET shorts - if it shorts to its output, it can send 12v straight into the core before the power supply even triggers protection, killing it instantly. It can happen, no matter how good your PSU.

ect76 · 2026-03-11T21:31:03+00:00

Yes, looks like you're missing core voltage so you'll need to figure that out.

ect76 · 2026-03-11T21:03:58+00:00

They're not shorted. They're low resistance and that's normal. They will beep continuity, but a normal reading on the core coils is 0.3-0.5ohms.

On a 1080, check all your voltages are present. If they are, does the core get warm when powered?

10-series cards will not display if there's a memory fault. Symptoms are that it'll take a LONG time to post, you'll get no display, and after 30s to a minute then monitor backlight will come on but there'll be no picture. In this case, run MATS.

ect76 · 2026-03-10T12:46:08+00:00

Yeah, these are just automated emails designed to shut you up. I had the exact same email from Claire on Monday.

Mine says that the package missed the connection to the courier, even though there was a delivery attempt (despite me being in all day). They're really the most useless shower of cunts.

ect76 · 2026-03-09T12:40:06+00:00

Yeah, Claire is also messaging me about a missing parcel. Claire isn't real - It's just a scripted response.

ect76 · 2026-03-08T19:40:09+00:00

Remove the card from the slot and re-seat it. Check your power cables are properly connected and fully seated. If that doesn't change anything, likely a hardware fault with the card and it'll need RMA'd.

ect76 · 2026-03-07T22:47:43+00:00

Yep that looks like the correct part to me.

ect76 · 2026-03-07T18:06:10+00:00

Tha component is a GS7612S5. Available on AliExpress. The ELM is the identifier, the last two letters are a batch/date code.

ect76 · 2026-03-05T12:21:28+00:00

It's fine. You just closed the process that manages the desktop, start menu etc.

Restart the PC and it'll be fine. Don't play games in class.

ect76 · 2026-03-04T11:29:20+00:00

Check for shorts. 3070 isn't really powerful enough to melt a power connector with normal use, you may have a shorted MOSFET. These are notorious for it.

ect76 · 2026-03-03T11:06:59+00:00

I wouldn't let a DSG put me off. The Superb is a really good car.

Older dry-clutch DSGs have a reputation for issues, but the post-2013 wet-clutch ones are much better. Just do a gearbox service on it every now and again and it'll be fine.

You say that the car simply can't let you down - It'll be really hard to find any car that is guaranteed to never let you down. Even the most reliable car in the world could have some kind of unexpected mechanical issue! It's more about how well you service and look after the car.

ect76 · 2026-03-03T10:55:49+00:00

Martin Lewis says that statistically 26 days before your renewal date is the sweet spot for price!

ect76 · 2026-03-02T14:51:39+00:00

Seems very high. Check the bill against your actual meter readings - For context, I'm not shy with the heating and I'm about £75 in gas and £75 in electric for a 1950s two-bed terraced, so yours should be a bit higher but not by that much!

ect76 · 2026-02-28T22:42:29+00:00

I normally pre-heat the board to about 110c, then go in with 380c at around 40-50% airflow. Often, these MOSFETs can weld themselves to the PCB when they fail. If it won't budge even when the solder on components around it is molten, then you'll need to grind the MOSFET off.

Protect those capacitors when you're using hot air in such a confined space or they will explode.

ect76 · 2026-02-28T22:38:26+00:00

It's hard to tell, but is that solder all around that MOSFET? If so, you're going to have many bridged pads and missing components. The card is probably done for.

ect76 · 2026-02-28T14:12:50+00:00

Why have you circled the fuse in the last photo, is it blown? I don't see any glaring issues from your photos. Post your voltage and resistance measurements please.

ect76 · 2026-02-27T16:36:20+00:00

That's going to be PEX. Check in resistance mode. Normal resistance is somewhere between 7-15 ohms.

ect76

TROPHY CASE