Xbox Disc Drive Replacement

Written By: rmarstel
  • Comments: 15
Xbox Disc Drive Replacement

Difficulty

Easy

Steps

11

Time Required

15 - 20 minutes

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the disk drive in a Microsoft Xbox.

  1. DAWYeQTbJIyRE44H

    • Make sure your Xbox is safely unplugged and is laying on a flat, stable surface.

  2. jG2uJZqNF5OSgIoi

    • Turn the Xbox over to reveal the four rubber feet.

    • Use a metal spudger to pry off the four rubber feet.

    The screw is in the outside corner. If you pry up only the half of the foot on that side, you can easily remove the (very long) screw, and the foot will stay attached.

    Ian Butler -

    Ah I always used to damage the feet.

    Andrew Veiga -

  3. CNc1f5HgbfeLyU6V
    CNc1f5HgbfeLyU6V
    Fkv25vcmRjCqx11G

    • There are 2 more screws hidden under the two labels on the bottom of the case.

    • You can either remove the labels or simply feel for the screw holes through the labels and then cut or punch a hole through them.

    It is also easy to feel for the screw hole with your finger and then cut a hole, or punch it out with the tip of the Torx driver to reveal the screw.

    Ian Butler -

  4. yrHWicQWhkLfIroI

    • Remove the six T20 Torx screws securing the top cover to the bottom cover.

  5. HWBO3akf3JrTpItt
    HWBO3akf3JrTpItt
    QSGAQlPuDMAd4lyt

    • Once the bottom and top shells are no longer attached, carefully turn the Xbox right-side-up, lift and remove the top cover.

  6. tPN4vdeeZKl1I1rZ
    tPN4vdeeZKl1I1rZ
    g4NJhsK3pDOWGQkB

    • Remove the three 3 mm T10 screws securing the hard drive to the Xbox.

    • There is one screw on the rear left side of the hard drive that is only visible when the IDE ribbon cable is lifted up. The other two are at the front right and left sides of the hard drive.

    • The screw on the lower left corner of the disk drive is not in the hole that it appears to be in, but rather just closer to the corner.

  7. 1fXjrAGgWWybWvHI
    1fXjrAGgWWybWvHI
    A2OccKgygJyyMSuP

    • Free the hard drive power cable from the carrier for sufficient slack to lift the hard drive out.

    • Lift the plastic hard drive carrier out of the Xbox case.

  8. 2DKHk4nEpggCoB3R
    2DKHk4nEpggCoB3R
    k1Kyg6JejwYtJREe
    PJVDyrRyKbsR22CB

    • Remove the four 3.4 mm T15 Torx screws from the plastic hard drive carrier (two screws per side).

    • Carefully remove the hard drive from the plastic carrier. Gentle rocking will see the hard drive come out quite easily.

  9. hIptJJoxao2CLYaT
    hIptJJoxao2CLYaT
    huhJSci5P4rvoDnU

    • Pull both the hard drive data ribbon cable and the power cable straight up from the hard drive.

    • They may be firmly seated, so be careful trying to remove them. DO NOT pull the wires as you may damage the cable assembly.

    Remember that the new drive will only work if it has been properly prepared, and the Xbox has been modified.

    Ian Butler -

    there is NO way to legally replace the xbox hard drive. it is LOCKED to the motherboard and the xbox will not boot to the OS or make it past the BIOS if the HDD is not the one that came with it from the factory. you MUST use a mod chip and “home brew” to do a HDD swap and expect it to work

    James Vawter -

    Could you point me to a good tutorial on using a modding an original Xbox? All I want to do is swap an HDD in original Xbox with another original Xbox HDD because I want my saved game data. Any way to figure this out? Seems like modding is a !&&* of a burden.

    michaelaugustin2000 -

    Can i replace the original hard drive with new one

    Andrew Veiga -

  10. XDlnvx2dBLlAVeAC
    XDlnvx2dBLlAVeAC
    kaYjBxJx6VKZRiQE
    2cXKp5y1FRLpbjwT

    • Remove the disk drive. It should come right out.

    • Unplug the ribbon cable and yellow cables from back of disk drive.

    I dont got the tools and i dont know how to do ut

    jacob lowery -

  11. SrpssrrJjwjsKRwf

    • Pry back the black plastic tabs around the disk drive in order to remove it from its housing. Once removed, set the drive aside.

    • ONLY REMOVE IF DEAD!

    It is ok to remove the drive if it isn't dead. If repairs are required to the drive it needs to be removed from the drive's housing.

    Navy Vet 2015 -

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Author

rmarstel

Member since: 29/10/09

5327 Reputation

6 comments

http://www.ebay.com/gds/How-To-Determine...

Utilize the information on this website to determine what Xbox version you have so you know what replacement parts to look for.

Navy Vet 2015 -

The final comment mentions “only remove if dead.”   What about a disc drive that closes and opens immediately….in other words, won’t stay closed.  Is this a sign of a defective disc drive too?

Miguel -

I am having the same issue, Miguel.

Did you buy a new drive or figure out a better fix?

Thanks

Ben C. -

Can anyone help..My Xbox can't read games..I took it apart and cleaned it, still can't read games

mr.mistermitchell@yahoo.com -

I have the Xbox original..

mr.mistermitchell@yahoo.com -

I’m having the same problems too ??‍♂️

Pablo Pablo -