Restoring Broken Controller S for the Original Xbox - Retro Console Restoration & Repair

In this week’s episode I will restore this broken Xbox controller S. The cable is broken, and the shell is yellowed. Also the thumb sticks need some restoration. When I tested it I was able get it working briefly but then the cable seemed like it was completely done. The footage of the controller connecting briefly was the last time I was able to see any signs of life. But luckily, I was able to pin point the issue so I could still repair the old cable and not change it completely giving it a few more years. The shell was also not properly closed and after opening it I found some pieces that held the screws had broken off.
I hate this type of devices because as you might notice I can’t use my screwdriver set to open all the screws. I also used a correct size screwdriver without changeable tip. The problem is that most of these screw drivers don’t have magnetic tips so it’s sometimes frustrating to get the screws out. Other vise the controller was pretty simple to disassemble and there wasn’t too many parts. A lot of the parts were soldered to the board so I left them on.
Besides a little dirt the controller had 3 major issues: pieces had broken off from the shell, the cable was damaged and the shell had yellowed. I started the process with retrobighting (removing yellowing from the shell). I just posted a video on my other channel Odd Experiments. If you want to learn more about this technique go check that out. Link to the video • How to remove yellowin...
Mean while I had the controller in the solution I stated working on the broken cable. The Xbox cable is very hard to work with because it has this big plastic piece (ferrite) near the controller and the most common place for the cable to break is from where the cable enters the controller. This often leaves very little wire to do a proper splicing. Because I also wanted to restore the controller visually close to original I didn’t want to cut the ferrite off, even though I think it might not be necessary even though I have not tested it. The ferrite is there to prevent electromagnetic interference.
In order to find the broken part of the cable I had to cut it and then I tested which side was not intact. This is only good idea if you can pinpoint the problem. I could also have sliced the side of the wire open and tried to look for the broken wire. Then I stripped all the wires, wrapped them together and soldered them back together. All the joints were wrapped in electrical tape to prevent contact with the other wires. I covered all of this with black shrink wrap because the controller shell is transparent so I wanted the cord too look relatively original on the inside.
After the cable was repaired and I rested that it worked took the parts out from the retrobrighting solution and rinsed them with water. After the parts had dried I used superglue to attach the pieces that had broken off. Then it was time to assemble everything. The controller not works perfectly and looks (close to) original again.
The bellow links to amazon are affiliate link. I get a small fee of anything you buy after clicking them, but you pay no more than without clicking. This is a great way to support my channel.
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[@OddTinkering]

If you are interested in learning more about removing yellowing from plastic, I just posted a video about it on my other channel: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJW6g6ago7t3adU

[@KurumiRaks]

Sleepy...

[@rachidsennalps]

ps2 fait ?

[@liamdavies940]

last time i used yellowing remover i go a ml of it on my skin and it is now to this day yellow what a coincidence that happened XD

[@OddTinkering]

Weird. It turns my skin white. Usually nitric acid turns the skin yellow if I remember my lab days correctly

[@brayan5193]

Good video

[@ALL-AMERICANA]

I wish this guy worked at a shop near me. And I could pay him to fix my stuff. That would be awesome.

[@lightninggaming016]

Rightt like my PS4 controller lol

[@themoreyouknow5037]

IT will be expensive no joke :V

[@mrfuzzerkins4170]

@@themoreyouknow5037 but hay atlest hes making people happy and making profit

[@jxavier3876]

Well do you live In Finaland?

[@nabeelozir4614]

i wish some guy like him in my hometown Malaysia will fix it clearly like him, it was amazing, id this one x box too, but its really priceless in my home town, no one to get fix like him

[@Kampfender_Krieger]

WOW, seeing translucent controllers again really took me back to the good old days. Amazing restoration, as always.

[@OddTinkering]

Yes those are my favorite ones (for some reason). Too bad they are almost always matte and not clear

[@jusb1066]

I still have a version 1 Xbox and 2 Duke controllers

[@DanielStalnakerII]

@@OddTinkering While I like matte because my hands are usually oily and dirty, I would now like to take my headlight restore kit to a clear controller, might be able to get close to a glass like transparent

[@aierune8201]

I miss translucent controllers. Like true ones. ;-;

[@RandomanGaming]

@@OddTinkering thats the same with me my switch, wii u, xbox 360, and gamecube controller are all transparent. its better playing with those ones for me.

[@BroTastic23]

Waiting for Odd Tinkering to add "I make new one" until you realize you've addressed the wrong channel.

[@benjaminrobledo5466]

Where's that from? Sounds familiar...

[@DalekCraft]

Benjamin Robledo It is from My Mechanics, except it’s “I make *a* new one”

[@BroTastic23]

@@DalekCraft true that, Mister!

[@Juan-ni8ek]

Pa yellowed controller xbox original 🤍💚kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJW5mpqta8l-gM0

[@casterlake4639]

I feel like I always bounce between odd tinkering, my mechanics and Awesome Restorations 😂

[@TheRealGuywithoutaMustache]

0:56 Ah! This is probably why the controller was broken. _Halo 2 Legendary Sniper Jackals agree in unison_

[@Dilbert488]

Just Some Guy without a Mustache why do i see u every where

[@rowdyeggplaad578]

Omg 💀💀💀

[@maxturnish2603]

you know you've made if this guy comments

[@akalihoer5457]

don't give me that thought. :c

[@connorshort2308]

Bro Ur everywhere

[@spaceduckk]

The part with the red wire had me like: "is he gonna make it?" "What will happen next?" Great job man!

[@notnik1738]

I love how he doesn't just fix it to the point where it works, he asked it perfect.

[@aidancommenting]

Sounds exactly like me actually. I fix a lot of laptops and usually find myself fixing it beyond the point of just working

[@UchihaFabio]

If you are going to restore something, why settling for the mediocre when you can finish with perfection. (As a Computer hardware repairer like myself i think like that)

[@Sev3617]

Everything you restore is basically brand new when you’re done with it. I love it!

[@Error-5478]

Honestly it's sometimes better than brand new...

[@ZephyrKV]

He does such a good job that he could probably pass something off as new

[@DrunkInPublic]

This is why i love this channel

[@IamIanOficial]

Well, basically he can have EVERY console/eletronic that he wants, because it's just pick up a broken one and fix, becuz he's a master.

[@namesurname5613]

If this dude open a shop ,he will beat gamestop

[@SakiaExfiredMalk]

Upin on crack

[@CuoreSportivo]

i didn't even know they made crystal version of the original x-box. next: crystal pepsi.

[@rustyexe9378]

So, there is cristal Pepsi and CocaCola in Japan... :)

[@Chaos89P]

Crystal Pepsi is available in the States in the fall.

[@jusb1066]

They also made a green one

[@seanspringer4494]

Guys i think he knows that there is crystal pepsi

[@XavierAncarno]

I’m looking from Nestle’s Crystal Water

[@eliashdez]

This is one the greatest channel I have came across, I watch these videos when I want to seek relaxation :). Really enjoy that you have opted to left out any kind of background music. Also, my heart stopped at 4:50 thinking my monitor was broken/dirty lol.

[@boringbreaker]

I am a woman and restoration is also my kind of relaxation.

[@derpendary3597]

I'm not the only one who stopped dead in my tracks at that?

[@domi1617hun]

A little tipp: use minimum 2 windings of electrical tape, to prevent the sharp parts of the soldered wire to puncture trough the tape. BTW awesome video!

[@nathanbinns6345]

I didn't realise the 'make everything transparent' craze lasted until the early 00s, I thought it was just a 90s thing.

[@serioushex3893]

its a shame that its a trend that didn't really continue so hard. theres a lot of devices that would look pretty slick if the casings were transparent and you could see the inner workings doing their thing. electronics arent especially interesting, other than seeing how things fit together, but could you imagine things like a clear coffee maker or a clear power drill? i used to work in a place that had this huge money management machine that counted bills and coins and sorted them, and i always thought it would be incredible if it was made of clear lexan so you could see all the inside parts doing their thing.

[@jordanalejandrocorona6247]

@@serioushex3893 You should check JerryRigEverything channel. He showed a transparent Nintendo Switch mod.

[@way2dead4u]

I mean I was born in ‘02 and I can for sure say the transparent casing craze lasted until 2008 at least. and yes, I know the year 2002 may put you off but I turn 19 this year lol

[@andysmith5806]

I grew up the the atomic purple gameboy colour so please someone make all of my electronics like that.

[@robinnico7702]

They even made Pepsi transparent at one time so it wasn't limited to just electronics

[@IslamicTalksPodcast]

I’m so impressed how he fixed the WIRE of the controller 😱

[@CreeperSlenderman]

Bruh its easy if you knoe soldering

[@intelchip_x86]

@@CreeperSlenderman lol yeah just solder it its not that impressive you just get some solder wire and a soldering iron (soldering machine)

[@ZephyrKV]

@@intelchip_x86 it’s impressive to the average person who wouldn’t know how to fix it at all

[@ebsaeed4578]

Lamak u r not allowed to be impressed anymore

[@chrissalley91]

I been with this channel for a few months now, love how u clean and restore old videogames and more.

[@DalekCraft]

Coincidentally, this video uploaded once I finished watching the rest of his restorations. Is this my reward? Edit: It was actually a reminder to watch the Original XBox restoration.

[@kinyattashelby9946]

DalekCraft dd

[@grngocolombiano]

I've been a fan for a few years now, watching videos that interested me. I'm in process of watching all of your now, from oldest to new... I'm grateful for you documenting this journey. You're skills only get better with time and it's amazing to learn with you. One thing I've learned (from modifying and fully re-heatshrinking every wire in my bmw headlights) that could be helpful for this project is for repairing of the wire. At the end, you can actually depin each of the electrical contacts from the white plastic plug. that makes it much easier to solder individually (and slide the shield or heat shrink back on after). Also in this case, Replacement contacts are easy to find OR you can solder right there. Only downfall to this is you lose the 3-4" of wire to the break in the wire. Depinning gives you a lot more options and makes your life A LOT easier.

[@hektorlinko]

This is the most quiet and most relaxing repair video I've seen in a long time. This is Bob Ross style. I almost fell asleep watching this video not because of boredom but because this video is so good and just calmed my nerves down from work. Love this video! A++++++++

[@Textano19]

Can you do a N64 or a GameCube next I would realy appriciate it👌🏻

[@Thalanox]

I'd like this. It'd be good to finally see what I can do to fix up or restore the failing button springs and thumbstick.

[@siignUp4ko]

Yes Gamecube

[@zapatastudios3756]

One of your wishes came true at least

[@Juan-ni8ek]

Pa gamecube yellowed return color original 💜💙 kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJW5mpqta8l-gM0

[@MM2sProfessionalRageQuitter]

E

[@lastspartan7585]

Whenever you restore things, it's just so satisfying!

[@alexanderdonovan4968]

This man is a goddamn artisan. Really curious where he got such a wide range of skills

[@magicmanhs7718]

Probably an school of something,or he was teached by someone he knows,there are many options.

[@OPEK.]

You learn a lot of shit from taking things apart and putting them back together. People used to do it all the time.. now shit is designed to break and not be fixable

[@savedbygrace4214]

Me- “eeeshh! This remote is toast... Time to get a new one! OddTinkering- Nothin too busted to fix, GONNA FIX IT!

[@thibni_]

Ooooh wow, I've been watching you for a while but had never watched some of your even older videos. The whole setup changed for the better drastically when comparing to the quality of what you do today. ❤️

[@TheAxeGrinder]

This deconstruction also explains why the directional pad for the Xbox was so crappy.

[@sahiradnan4377]

It wasent

[@jadencoucopoulos2567]

Unless it’s the Duke!

[@AmartharDrakestone]

If by superglue you mean cyanoacrylate, then it's a bad idea for clear plastics. It will become brittle over time and leave a white residue.

[@Renville80]

Aᴍᴀʀᴛʜᴀʀ Dʀᴀᴋᴇsᴛᴏɴᴇ And also it will reveal all fingerprints in the vicinity.

[@anonthe-third2367]

@@Renville80 only in a controlled area

[@nipez1426]

I'd love to see more knife restorations!

[@rafahcampos7]

Dude, you are the best! Such a inspiration... Thank you for your service!!!

[@Frank183847572828]

Just an observer thought at 13:44, maybe two container box embedded within each other with the UV led strips and aluminum foil in between each other containers and you might save some time in set up for this UV bath lab of yours. :) Keep up the good work. Love the videos.

[@annaliseph]

i died at the “yummy” 😂 😂 2:35

[@mercynotfakebutvhs]

me eats controller video yummy

[@MM2sProfessionalRageQuitter]

This dude loves eating dust 🤮🤮🤮😂😂😂🤣🤣

[@avoasemota8450]

Blech

[@TheProudWing]

Love these videos, both relaxing and educational! Any chance we could see a GameCube restoration in the future? The controllers for it were notorious for breaking!

[@hawkfeather6802]

It looks great! That soldering looked really hard to do! Clear controllers are always so cool.

[@ohno2790]

2019= surgery on a grape 2020= surgery on an old XBox controller

[@PepsiCo_]

Yes🤣

[@ZrixE_69420]

????????????????????????????

[@zlakervolt1x258]

Salekferdous be cuetahdeilaqs

[@mitsuvolts03]

What's your point

[@games_on_phone89]

The grape was 2018 tho

[@mysticpotato2699]

People like this guy are the brain surgeons of the technology world.

[@_username]

7:09 Its always the red one

[@AuracleOfBacon]

Red sus We should vote him out

[@viniciuscosta8519]

The BEST ASMR ever

[@chrissalley91]

Love the subtitles too.

[@CJ_Pharaoh]

What a coincidence. The same method most dentists recommend when cleaning your teeth with a toothbrush also works on electronics 😄 Stay blessed dude 🙏

[@Knuckleb0ne]

Love how your projects seem to be getting more and more ambitious! Thanks for making these videos.

[@Retrorage_]

Great to see such a classic controller restored. Brilliant work

[@theholy_grialll007]

Ah yes a restoration channel that doesn’t make fake videos

[@Dee_Just_Dee]

7:41 _“Now I found where it was broken” 😂

[@TheNerdyVixen]

I can’t get enough of your channel! So relaxing AND informative!!

[@spendle]

You're the kind of person electronic retailers need in their refurbishment centers.

[@bryanwhite1795]

This one especially I think took alot of skill, good work

[@samhup9662]

*Odd Tinkering unscrews controller* Me at 2am: ah shit, here we go again.

[@hanneman4509]

I've been using these videos as a guide to clean my own stuff since the pandemic. Danke.

[@sqwwandd]

Tengo 33 años, crecí con todas estas consolas y ver estos vídeos que arreglan, restauran y como quedan estás consolas antiguas me encantan, por eso me suscribi a este canal. Sigue así y enhorabuena!!

[@Newt_Newt]

why am I watching this a 3 am I need sleep lol

[@namanlalchandani39]

Nice work mate! Please restore a PS 2. I would love to see that! Keep uploading the videos!

[@davouchi1]

Great work mate. Love watching your videos and you would be one of the best restoration channels

[@safaa9654]

omgg that clear xbox 😍😍😍 i've never seen that before

[@arthurholes993]

The best asmr Channel on KZbin! XD Im kidding, I love ur job

[@fourthofjulygaming3795]

Oh my god this mad lad is playing halo 2 nice. Give those legendary jackels hell.

[@mintychips22]

Halo 2? Not only do you show huge respect and care for old devices, you also have good taste in games.

[@michaelprincemontiel2051]

This is the savior of the gaming world

[@akhmed1112]

One Question, did you allow the Channel "Best Relaxing ASMR" to upload your videos?

[@TheZigZiggy]

He should file copyright claims on his stolen work and claim all the ad revenue from them.

[@Keith03820]

@@TheZigZiggy I wonder if Odd tinkering owns that channel. Only odd tinkering videos are there.

[@Joobral]

Brazilian talking here, use google translator Aquele canal também pertence ao Odd Tinkering, mas no setor de ASMR Direitos autorais de Odd Tinkering

[@RcrcMr]

That channel also belongs to Odd Tinkering, but in the ASMR sector Copyright by Odd Tinkering (Translated from @Joobral 's post. Because some people have a bit too much time...)

[@JyrAnt01]

@@RcrcMr That ASMR channel info says it's located in United States. Odd tinkering is not located in the USA.

[@notused1503]

I'm 13 and I remember playing on my Xbox 360 all the time when I was younger (Minecraft, Forza etc.) thinking it was the original Xbox...now I feel embarrased. Love ya Xbox.

[@autumn_]

Me too until my dad showed me his original Xbox lmao

[@Blurplegallaxy527]

Your content is very satisfying! I loved it too!

[@hayleyluxton2046]

I admire how thorough your process is :)

[@cloud4073]

This is a ASMR channel

[@lazyhominid]

More flux when soldering, my man! Otherwise, such excellent work! I am in awe. I really love your videos.

[@rubenquesada8609]

Love watching ur videos bringing old things back to new working conditions! U are very talented can't wait until ur next video

[@LittleBlueYT]

I love it when you do electronic restorations :D

[@thermal3543]

" Here , buy yourself something nice " 3:26

[@wisdomwithwit]

Damn. I didn't know they had crystal. I'm modding my original X and would really like to have two of these.

[@nermoxd6295]

i just found out about this channel and i love it. it sorta has the relaxing end vibe to it

[@ruchankaan3475]

Master Chief approves this restoration. Thanks, it's very good as usual.

[@ima12345]

YES YES YES! MORE TOY RESTORATIONS!!! I❤️UR CHNL

[@CuoreSportivo]

i didn't expect somebody to call a console "a toy" but totally can't argue with that.

[@M1LAD81]

Next time you attempt to repair wires, stagger the cuts so the joins won't be in one area, you'll end up with a neater join and no 'fat lump' join. Plus it will look more professional and will be stronger.

[@nocjef]

And invest in some small heat shrink instead of that tape :/

[@jxavier3876]

Good advice

[@Zarocaz]

Easily some of the best videos on the entirety of KZbin.

[@ammarzakariya9379]

First I have to say that was a magnificent restoration ^^ Second Am I the only one who think that this was a total ASMR Restoration and I mean it in a very good way ^^ I really enjoyed it ^^

[@TheyHe_V]

*I need some isopropyl alcohol* Btw I just took the line “I need a weapon” from halo 2

[@hmmsnickers6073]

2:49 Them: takes pieces out so carefully Me: rips it out

[@PepsiCo_]

Is it weird that I watched a bunch of ODD tinkering's vids over and over again? They are just satisfying to me 😶

[@lescollins834]

I love your videos i look forward to them very educational and relaxing cant wait for your next one!

[@FINNWEE-TOKI]

i almost puked when i seen the hair under the joysticks

[@PepsiCo_]

Bro same

[@theholy_grialll007]

Guess that the previous owner had nice beautiful long hair

[@mattcavazosviper]

The buttons didn't work because you need to Flip the Button grips on the other side facing the chip

[@bigburgundy3048]

Nostalgic and satisfying at the same time.

[@peChoOO]

Well done colleague!!!

[@sethedwards6048]

Lowe's Worker: And how much Isopropyl Alcohol do you want? Tinkerer: Yes

[@Jason-fq7zp]

And this is why controllers went wireless lol

[@admonius9668]

What a great way to wake up and start the day

[@SlingerMarshall]

Something about this is so satisfying

[@John_Smith_]

I'm dropping a like just because you launched a (Bungie) Halo game.

[@valentovih82]

Отлично спасибо!!!

[@Abs0lut3Cyner]

Yessssssss I love when you do these types of videos

[@DoomSlayer_]

Love these restoration videos :D. Cause these are just the best!

[@poryqons]

3:27 forbidden candy

[@NatalieHarrisonLim]

Whoever you bought this from, they want their controller back

[@littlefox_100]

Yes

[@685eric685]

I love how you're able to piece the cord back together

[@sodorflubbs5000]

I hold my breath when you remove stuff. You’re amazing at what you can do. I’m glad you save this stuff if you can! Have you ever had things beyond redemption and what do you do with them?

[@Thalanox]

7:30 _"I knew the wire would be broken from this area, so I cut it."_ How did you know that the wire would be broken in this area?

[@ZephyrKV]

Because he has ✨fixing skills✨

[@Thalanox]

@@ZephyrKV Well, I have _amateur fixing skills,_ so I should probably have at least a vague sense of what he's doing here. I don't. He's quite good at this. A broken wire is something that I imagine would be quite difficult to realize I'd need to test for and even more difficult to accurately locate. I know an engineer who developed something called a time-domain reflectometer that would let you find out where any breaks in fireoptic cables are, but they don't work for metal wires. It doesn't seem to be the thing he could feel out. (The time-domain reflectometer works by sending a light signal down the cable and measuring how long it takes to bounce off. Any break in the fiber optics will count as a break in the material as related to Snell's Law, so you can calculate how far away that is.) I know I'd be asking questions if someone mentioned a thing I didn't understand, so I'm giving this paragraph as a courtesy to people. Not that anyone cares, but my classic xbox seems to have a problem with it's power supply. I'm having some trouble finding a circuit diagram for it so that the electrical engineer person I mentioned will be able to fix it up.

[@agni6212]

When the *WII* restoration?

[@ColossalKilla]

The Wii isn't that old yet.

[@yaboydolphin]

Man, I remember this controllrr. Thanks for this one mom&dad

[@howzatrestorations1538]

Your on another level O.T, great job!!

[@SirW1SE]

What?! No random clicking buttons in the end?! Noooooo!

[@OddTinkering]

Haha. That's reserved for fighting games

[@dr.haroldweinstein5157]

I couldn’t stop cringing when he was soldering the wires together, that shielding really made it look like a rats nest. Just cut it off next time. Great video otherwise!

[@user-ty2jp1gf2p]

Omg not only you XD

[@roygbv255]

Me too. First time I have seen him do something that I didn't consider perfect. Hey ho. He is human after all.

[@bifrostyeti]

Mhmm although you can't blame him, he probably doesn't solder a lot

[@notmyrealname1526]

Yellowed, broken shell, broken wire, damaged nubs and the analogue sticks are probably worn as hell too. Ngl, fixing this thing probably wasn't worth it.

[@I_like_modeling_Monsters922]

@@notmyrealname1526 it's worth a cool video, anyway. The controller will not endure long.

[@philipjfrys]

they made a clear xbox?! that’s so cool!

[@DrCarter33]

Most satisfying channel ever. Keep it up bro!