Does a v1.6 XBox need it's clock capacitor removed/replaced?

Some time ago, I removed the capacitor from my original XBox (v1.4, I think) to prevent the capacitor from going bad and ruining the motherboard, as various people on the internet have warned against. But at the time, I'm sure I read either that the v1.6 XBox doesn't need it's capacitor removing (and that if you do, then the XBox won't boot) or that you need to replace the capacitor, not remove it, I can't remember the details as I didn't have a 1.6.

But now I've bought a crystal XBox v1.6 to use as a backup in case mine ever packs in, so do I have to remove the capacitor or does the 1.6 not suffer from the leaking problem? I'd rather not solder if possible, as I'm almost completely inexperienced with soldering (I simply broke off the capacitor on my 1.4), but if I have to replace the capacitor then I will, but please tell me exactly what capacitor to buy (preferably from Maplins, the British chain of electrical shops) to replace the one in the 1.6 XBox.

Thanks for any replies.

 

AFAIK you don't need to replace/remove the clock cap for 1.6 xboxes...

 

No idea where you got that from... Regardless of version, they all have a possibility of having their caps leaking. Xboxes as Borman would say are ticking timebombs. You'd have to replace the cap if the system isn't modified, otherwise you'll get the clockcheck error.

 

Oh, the v1.6 XBox is modded. So does that mean that I can just remove the capacitor and the XBox will still boot up via the mod chip? Or if I do have to replace the capacitor, what capacitor should I replace it with? Please tell me exactly what to ask for in Maplins, as I haven't got a clue about capacitors (total newbie here).

 

If the BIOS has clockcheck disabled then yes, you remove it and it'd ignore the clockset error - do you know what BIOS it's running? I can't tell you which cap to replace it with, but it should say what cap it is by looking at the label on it.

I think RetroJunkie replaced his, he's more intouch with that stuff than I'd ever be.

 

How would I know what BIOS it's running, please? Would something on the Slayer's Boot Disc tell me?

I'm away from home now until Friday (more likely Saturday) so I can't check yet, I'll check when I get home. And I've just pm'd RetroJunkie to ask his advice, thanks.

 

There's a BIOS checker xbe you can download.

 

I've just downloaded that, and Avast! Anti-virus is saying that bioscan.exe has an infection (Win32:Trojan-Gen). Have you run this in the past? Anyway, I take it I can just run the XBox default.xbe, and not use the PC's bioscan.exe at all?

 

No idea what bioscan.exe is, just use the xbe on the Xbox.

 

I believe the issue only arises if the console is left plugged in for an extended period of time. If the console is never plugged in, no need to remove the cap. The cap would need to hold a charge and then fail in order to leak.
My original Xbox's that are hooked up to TVs (3) are always left with the power cord unplugged from the back of it. I actually do this for all electronics to prevent surge damage from bad power or lightening hits.

 

Have you seen the clock capacitor on a 1.6 XBOX?
It's NOT the same as the crappy ones from previous revisions, it's actually a NICHICON . These don't need replacing ....
Previous boxes do have this problem because the clock capacitor was crap and it could lead to fire.
Ofcourse all caps can fail but a clock cap like that is a special case when it decides to die.

 

Oh also in addition to the PM I sent to Conker - it looked like Farnell UK had free shipping no matter how small the order! Woohoo!

Ohhh I see, I did replace a clock cap or two, but they were the older types, not 1.6. Same method would apply though if you were so inclined to replace your clock cap. I'd actually be interested to see if they used Nichicon across the board, or if they skimped on some places and used some terrible brand for cost efficiency!

I do agree with the above though, Nichicon is a step up from whatever the older "supercaps" were. Super failure is more like it

Also if you are careful you can check the pins on the flipside of your PSU - be careful though, those things can zap and injure / kill even when unplugged. I had some cracked solder joints (same thing is going to happen to PS4s....) as the Xbox was moved about often. Click here to see the solder missing!

I went through and replaced a bunch of caps on mine to some shiny Panasonic ones. Still works to this day... and I still can't finish Burnout Revenge 100%.... bah!

 

Any 1.6 XBoxs I've dealt with had no issues with the clock caps, it's the 1.0-1.5 that often leak and should be removed. Obviously one day it will need to replaced, because no caps last forever (much the same way that many older consoles such as SNES & Genesis are now failing due to old leaking caps).

One thing to note: the clock cap is a super capacitor and not just a regular cap.

 

Any visual comparison for this?

 

I get that, but saying they don't need replacing is somewhat a broad statement... They'd all need replacing one day, regardless of version. Which is what I'm getting at.
So in summary, the 1.6 isn't need to be replaced at the same rate of any version below, but it wouldn't hurt to replace it with a very good quality cap to futureproof it a little more.

Play the 360 version of Revenge. It's dramatically better.

 

old versions :




version 1.6 , clock cap is the gold one right of the IDE port :





images stolen from google image search

 

You are missing the point of the thread though, clearly they want to know of they need replacing due to the common issue with the clock cap (or any other systems with poor quality caps).

If your answer is just going to be yes, because all caps will eventually need replacing you might as well close any thread with someone asking about caps in any device ever.

Or you were unaware and didn't want to say as much, which is silly - we all make mistakes.

Which ever it is, your reply seems a little pointless and standoff ish for no reason.

 

I'll respond how you want me to.

I was an asshole, because you said so.

I'll just agree to disagree, it's like you target me.. I wasn't the only one who said all caps need replacing.

 

You replied basically telling keropi he was wrong because ALL caps will eventually need replacing. Which just looks like a way to not admit being incorrect by using a technicality and completely overlook the actual spirit of the thread and question actually asked.

I dont "target" anyone. If something is wrong and I read it, I respond. You seem to have set yourself up as the xbox oracle around here, so what you post needs to be correct, else it will get repeated as gospel elsewhere too. People in positions of power on forums like this have their posts held in higher regard as being correct over what a user posts, thats just how people work. You also dont have a lot of experience with modding - so maybe just accept others know more about a subject? This is life, someone always knows more.

I've been wrong in quite a few threads around here over the years, this is how you learn.

There is no need to be so touchy.

On a side note, bacteria thought I was "targeting" or trolling him too, yet he pm'ed me a question and ive helped him no problem. Disagreeing or correcting someone isnt a personal attack, its just a debate or discussion.

 

I actually couldn't care if I was wrong. You're making it I was trying to act 'superior' which I wasn't.

Hint: Your last sentence.

It's how you come across in your choice of words. Considering this has happened more than once with other members in the past (which argue back, and on that side note I'm not arguing with you saying I was right). Maybe you're a bit too blunt how you correct people.