Xbox 360

The Xbox 360 is the second game console made by Microsoft, and was released November 22, 2005.

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Installing Xbox 360 Optical Drive Replacement

Optical drive replacement.

Author: Walter Galan
Difficulty: Difficult

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This guide only demonstrates how to remove the optical drive.

The Xbox 360 is designed so that the DVD drive works only with the particular game console it is installed in. Replacing a defective DVD drive with a replacement DVD drive does not work, since the replacement has a different DVD drive key, which the game console won't accept.

Sections

Hard Drive 1 step
Bottom Vent 6 steps
Faceplate 3 steps
Top Vent 6 steps
Lower Case 11 steps
Eject Button 1 step
Upper Case 2 steps
Optical Drive 4 steps
Optical Drive Replacement 2 steps

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Edit Step 1 — Hard Drive ¶

Grasp the hard drive assembly and press the release button while lifting its front edge.
Remove the hard drive assembly from the top vent.

Edit Step 2 — Bottom Vent ¶

Stand the console vertically with the bottom edge facing up.
Insert the flat end of a spudger or the edge of an Xbox 360 opening tool into the small gap at the front edge of the bottom vent.
Pry the front edge of the bottom vent away from the faceplate.

Edit Step 3 ¶

In the next few steps, you will use the tip of a spudger or the finger of an Xbox 360 opening tool to release the clips along the left and right sides of the bottom vent. Their locations are highlighted in red.
You will insert the tool into the holes molded into the white plastic side case pieces.

Edit Step 4 ¶

To release the clips, work from the front edge of the bottom vent.
While slightly lifting the front edge of the bottom vent, use the tip of a spudger to push the clips closest to the front of the bottom vent towards the inside of the console.

Edit Step 5 ¶

Repeat the same process to release the two center clips on the bottom vent.

Edit Step 6 ¶

Use the tip of your spudger to release the clips on the bottom vent nearest the back of the Xbox.

Edit Step 7 ¶

Remove the bottom vent from the 360.

Edit Step 8 — Faceplate ¶

Insert the edge of a spudger between the faceplate and the outer casing near the power button.
Run your spudger along the edge of the faceplate to release the clips securing it to the front of the console.
You may also accomplish this task by using the edge of the Xbox 360 opening tool, but it may scratch the plastic case.
Alternatively, you can use your hands to carefully pull the faceplate away from the Xbox.

Edit Step 9 ¶

Repeat the same motions as previously mentioned to release the left side of the faceplate.

Edit Step 10 ¶

Remove the faceplate from the front face of the console.

Edit Step 11 — Top Vent ¶

Stand the console vertically with the top edge facing up.
The top vent is secured to the console via clips. The first two clips are located underneath the top vent closest to the faceplate, as shown in the pictures.

Edit Step 12 ¶

Insert the flat end of a spudger into the small gaps previously mentioned to release the clips.
You may also use the long finger of an Xbox 360 opening tool to accomplish this task.

Edit Step 13 ¶

In the next few steps, you will use the tip of a spudger or the finger of an Xbox 360 opening tool to release the clips along the left and right sides of the top vent. Their locations are highlighted in red.

Edit Step 14 ¶

To release the clips, work from the middle of the top vent.
While slightly lifting the front edge of the top vent, use the tip of a spudger to push the clips closest to the center of the top vent towards the inside of the console.

Edit Step 15 ¶

Use the tip of your spudger to release the clip on the top vent nearest the back of the Xbox's upper case.

Edit Step 16 ¶

The last clip is hidden underneath the rubber foot nearest the back of the console.
Use the tip of your spudger to release the clip on the top vent nearest the back of the Xbox.
Remove the top vent from the 360.

Edit Step 17 — Lower Case ¶

To continue, you must peel the warranty sticker off the console. Be aware that this will void your console's warranty agreement with Microsoft. Proceed at your own risk.
Carefully peel the warranty sticker off the console.

Edit Step 18 ¶

The upper and lower cases are attached via several latches, located in the front and back of the console. These latches must be disengaged to separate the upper case from the console.
Use the flat end of a spudger to release the following latches:
- Above the front-facing USB ports.
- Beneath the front-facing USB ports.
- Above the Memory Unit slots.

Edit Step 19 ¶

Insert the flat end of a spudger and pry upwards to release the last remaining latch located above the eject button.

Edit Step 20 ¶

Slightly lift the front portion of the lower case to ensure that the latches in the front have been completely released.

Edit Step 21 ¶

The upper and lower cases are held together by seven release latches located on the back of the console. Their locations are highlighted in red.

Edit Step 22 ¶

If you do not have an Xbox 360 opening tool, skip to the next step.
Press the Xbox 360 opening tool down into the clips securing the lower case to the upper case near the I/O ports.
While pressing down on the tool, push the lower and upper cases apart to separate the retaining clips.

Edit Step 23 ¶

If you used an Xbox 360 opening tool on the previous step, skip this step.
While pushing the upper and lower cases apart, insert the pointed end of a small metal spudger into the recesses located near the I/O ports and push downward to release each retaining clip.
Work from the outer edge of the case inwards.

Edit Step 24 ¶

While pushing the upper and lower cases apart, use the tip of a spudger or the finger of an Xbox 360 opening tool to push the long clip highlighted in red toward the center of the 360.
The clip should release, leaving the clips near the power connector as the only thing holding the upper and lower cases together.

Edit Step 25 ¶

If you do not have an Xbox 360 opening tool, skip to the next step.
Press the Xbox 360 opening tool down into the two remaining clips near the power connector.
Push the upper and lower cases apart to fully release the retaining clips.

Edit Step 26 ¶

If you used an Xbox 360 opening tool on the previous step, skip this step.
Release the latches located above the power connector using the same procedure as previously noted.

Edit Step 27 ¶

Orient the console so that the front portion is facing downwards.
Grasp the back portion of the lower case and lift it upwards to separate it from the console.
Be careful not to excessively bend the lower case near the power plug, as it can crack easily.

Edit Step 28 — Eject Button ¶

Use the tip of a spudger to release the clip securing the eject button to the metal casing.
Insert the flat end of a spudger between the eject button and the optical drive.
Pry the eject button off its retaining posts and remove it from the 360.
This can also be accomplished using an Xbox 360 opening tool.

Edit Step 29 — Upper Case ¶

Remove the six silver 64 mm T10 Torx screws securing the upper case to the metal casing.

Edit Step 30 ¶

Orient the console so that the upper case is facing upwards.
Lift the upper case straight up and remove it from the console.

Edit Step 31 — Optical Drive ¶

Peel the silver tape securing the optical drive to the metal casing.

Edit Step 32 ¶

Slightly lift the optical drive upwards to gain clearance to disconnect the SATA and power connectors located on the backside of the optical drive.
Don't try to completely remove the optical drive just yet. Two cables still connect it to the motherboard.

Edit Step 33 ¶

Grab the power connector by its cables and pull it straight out of its socket on the optical drive.
Disconnect the SATA data connector from its socket on the optical drive by pulling it straight away.

Edit Step 34 ¶

Lift the optical drive assembly out of the metal casing.

Edit Step 35 — Optical Drive Replacement ¶

While pressing the optical drive cover toward the top face of the optical drive, use the flat end of a spudger to release the two retaining clips on the underside of the cover.

Edit Step 36 ¶

Remove the optical drive cover.
Optical drive remains.

This guide has been completed 35 times.