Most Xbox users know what happens when you get three red lights on the Xbox 360. The machine is too hot, but the lights can come on for other reasons too. This is commonly known as the red ring of death.

As soon as some people see this problem they think their Xbox will not work anymore. This is not the case and it can be repaired.

Recently there have been reports that as many as sixty percent of all the consoles sold will have trouble with the 'red ring of death' at some stage. If this should happen to you within the period of the manufacturers warranty do not interfere with the machine.

If your xbox 360 has failed and is out of warranty follow these steps to get it working again.

#1 Unplug the console and disconnect all the cables from it. leave it off and left it cool down for at least one hour. After an hour just connect the power and the signal cable and see if it comes back on. If it does not go to the next step.

#2 Disconnect any peripherals and if the console has a hard drive disconnect that as well and power it up again. If it does not come on proceed to the next step.

#3 You are going to need to dismantle your Xbox. Before you start you will need a tool to open the console. The main cause of this problem is the X-clamps and heatsink on the motherboard and sometimes just loosening them and re-tightening them will get the unit working again.

If you are not sure how to open the console a repair guide will show you how to open it and fix this problem with step-by-step video and audio instructions. You will probably have the tools to do the job in the house if you look around.

A good step-by-step xbox repair guide will not only show you how to open the console quickly, but how to repair it quickly. If you fix the console yourself it will only take you an hour or so and you will not have to wait for two months to get it back from repair and you can be sure it has been repaired properly.