Mike was over tonight and we were trying to play a little Halo but the Xbox kept shutting down and throwing 2 red rings at me saying it was overheating.

The power supply was not hot to the touch nor was the console. A little reading online said that the heat sink on the CPU may have come loose.

How easy is it to open up and repair it? Any docs online? My warranty expired 4 years ago

It's pretty easy to take apart, I fixed my xbox years ago when the exact same thing happened. If u need help I can help ya chris.

It is easy. Google RROD (Red Ring Of Death). There are some decent walk throughs online, but make sure you do the one that cleans the chip and re-applies new heatsink compound. Don't do the wrap it in a towel method, it doesn't last if it does work.

There is a good youtube video on how to crack the case. I'll look for a link after work for you.

And I always do the penny mod while I'm in there.

I have the cleaner and compound if you want me to swing by and help you out. It has worked on all the ones I've tried except for Showboat's... which reminds me...

Geoff, do you want your xbox back? it would make a good bookend?

I can say it worked on mine! haven't had a problem with it since.. Thanks again sir.

Here is a good walk through for how to split the case without the "tool".

http://youtu.be/qaxIB6cXTYM

This guy has 3 videos that walk through the whole thing.

http://youtu.be/s5zfapgEooY

Don't be confused by his good looks. It's not me.

Sometimes you need to overheat it to get the system to reset after.

http://youtu.be/FV4OX8-SQqY

Thanks Ill pop it open this week