xbox dvd dongle repair

I was wondering if anyone has noticed that the MS brand dvd remotes and dongles just seem to die often. I have had a few of them in the past and just one day the dvd remote would completely stop working so i would use a generic RCA remote with it, and then 6 months or so later the dvd dongle would just stop working. happened on multiple systems so I don't think it is a issue with the system(s) but the accessories in general.

Any ideas on how to repair them? I thought about doing a usb mod on the dongle and then testing with xbmc.

James

 

The sensor them self?

I've never really come across any problems with them, but they are very cheap in build. Why they were bundled in just about every special edition system.

It may not be the sensor it's self but the remote, as IR LEDs do burn out, then again it just could be dry solder joints in the sensor to the controller port.

 

Yeah I never opened them to see what is the exact issue since they was always cheap to replace. like I can get them from local shops for about $5 each. But I know since owning a xbox since launch i have had to replace about 5-6 of them so far. I have 2 of them right now that do the exact same thing, absolutely nothing. When I test to see if they are outputing any sensor IR on a camera nothing happens.

 

The connection pads on the inside of the remote (on the rubber mat) might have worn.
I had this happen on both remotes I used to own, never had troubles with the receivers.
(Although sometimes the Xbox controller ports' connections tend to have too much play, but only with controllers, the receiver fits quite firmly in)

Open up the remote and check each button connection seperately.
I used to fix them with small pieces of tin foil and superglue.

 

It even shows no signs of life when using replacement dvd remotes on the dongles. for example the dongle sensor is plugged into any port on the xbox (but I normally use port 4 on the xbox). using the original remote, and 2 universal remotes. The xbox system doesn't detect any button presses to have the system respond and play anything selected.

 

Try soldering another IR LED in the remote, and see if that changes anything?

 

Most dongle/remote combo now sold are cheap 3rd party. The first kit I bought was one of these. At the time, they were 20$ instead of 50$ for the genuine thing. The remote died in a matter of weeks and the dongle lasted about 6-7 months. Also, the range and max angle are horrible compared to the genuine parts.

I've been buying genuine combos since then, the 2 I bought for both my Xboxes are still working, remote and dongle.

 

I agree with this statement. If the Dongle itself isn't working, I would reflow the solder joints in the dongle. I haven't repaired one of them in a year, but I do faintly remember that a couple of gentle whacks with a hammer opens it up nicely.