Gamer Guidance: Original Xbox component may damage your console

Thanks to YouTube user lukemorse1, an issue has been recently brought to gamers’ attention concerning the original behemoth Microsoft Xbox console that you may want to know about.

In order for the console to keep its date and time stored, the Xbox has a medium-sized capacitor located on the motherboard underneath the console’s DVD drive (which hopefully isn’t a Thomson drive… those things are junk). This capacitor allows the Xbox to remember date and time settings ONLY if the console is plugged in. Once the console loses its source of power, players will have to reset the time each time they unplug power on their Xbox console. Most computers and consoles use a coin battery (CR2032) to keep the time settings saved; strangely enough the Xbox chose a different route.

It has been discovered that over time, this time-keeping capacitor can puff up and leak acid onto the Xbox motherboard even when it isn’t being used. If left unnoticed or ignored, a potential pop or leak could cause acid to corrode the motherboard and eat through important components, causing the Xbox to stop functioning completely. How can you prevent this from happening? YouTube techie lukemorse1 tells us how.

By removing the screws from the bottom of the Xbox and temporarily removing the DVD drive, the capacitor with the chance to sabotage your console will be found near the edge facing the front. Experienced users can pop the motherboard out and unsolder the capacitor. If you’re not into repairing electronics, simply rocking the capacitor back and forth will break it free from its contact points and can be thrown away. Will this procedure harm your Xbox? No. The only negative effect involved is that the time and date will no longer be saved on the console regardless of it being plugged in or not.

Now of course, gamers can risk breaking their console without the help of this capacitor if they’re not careful, so proceed with caution. It is important to also note that the manufacturing date on your console is also important, which may involve the capacitor being in a different location. We cannot be responsible for any damage that comes to your Xbox console so please watch the videos and tutorials carefully if you choose to repair the console on your own. Hopefully this little trick will prolong the life of your Xbox for many more years.

Watch the video below for more detailed, visual instructions before you attempt this fix.