Skip to main content

Xbox Samsung DVD Drive Disassembly

What you need

  1. Xbox Samsung DVD Drive Disassembly, Hard Drive: step 1, image 1 of 1
    • Make sure your Xbox is safely unplugged and is laying on a flat, stable surface.

  2. Xbox Samsung DVD Drive Disassembly: step 2, image 1 of 1
    • 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 - Reply

    Ah I always used to damage the feet.

    Andrew Veiga - Reply

  3. Xbox Samsung DVD Drive Disassembly: step 3, image 1 of 2 Xbox Samsung DVD Drive Disassembly: step 3, image 2 of 2
    • 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 - Reply

  4. Xbox Samsung DVD Drive Disassembly: step 4, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the six T20 Torx screws securing the top cover to the bottom cover.

  5. Xbox Samsung DVD Drive Disassembly: step 5, image 1 of 2 Xbox Samsung DVD Drive Disassembly: step 5, image 2 of 2
    • Once the bottom and top shells are no longer attached, carefully turn the Xbox right-side-up, lift and remove the top cover.

  6. Xbox Samsung DVD Drive Disassembly: step 6, image 1 of 2 Xbox Samsung DVD Drive Disassembly: step 6, image 2 of 2
    • 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. Xbox Samsung DVD Drive Disassembly: step 7, image 1 of 2 Xbox Samsung DVD Drive Disassembly: step 7, image 2 of 2
    • 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. Xbox Samsung DVD Drive Disassembly: step 8, image 1 of 3 Xbox Samsung DVD Drive Disassembly: step 8, image 2 of 3 Xbox Samsung DVD Drive Disassembly: step 8, image 3 of 3
    • 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. Xbox Samsung DVD Drive Disassembly: step 9, image 1 of 2 Xbox Samsung DVD Drive Disassembly: step 9, image 2 of 2
    • 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 - Reply

    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 - Reply

    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 - Reply

  10. Xbox Samsung DVD Drive Disassembly, Disc Drive: step 10, image 1 of 3 Xbox Samsung DVD Drive Disassembly, Disc Drive: step 10, image 2 of 3 Xbox Samsung DVD Drive Disassembly, Disc Drive: step 10, image 3 of 3
    • 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 - Reply

  11. Xbox Samsung DVD Drive Disassembly: step 11, image 1 of 1
    • 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 - Reply

    Surely this needs to be removed to access the motherboard?

    Jonathan Cousins - Reply

    Yes, it does.

    Zerobuss -

  12. Xbox Samsung DVD Drive Disassembly, Remove DVD Drive Casing: step 12, image 1 of 3 Xbox Samsung DVD Drive Disassembly, Remove DVD Drive Casing: step 12, image 2 of 3 Xbox Samsung DVD Drive Disassembly, Remove DVD Drive Casing: step 12, image 3 of 3
    • Remove 4 PH1 Screws

    • Once screws are removed, lift the bottom half of the case up and away from the drive.

    • Flip the drive over and remove the top half of the case.

  13. Xbox Samsung DVD Drive Disassembly, Drive PCB: step 13, image 1 of 3 Xbox Samsung DVD Drive Disassembly, Drive PCB: step 13, image 2 of 3 Xbox Samsung DVD Drive Disassembly, Drive PCB: step 13, image 3 of 3
    • Gently press back on the ribbon retention tab and pull back on the ribbon cable

    How do I reconnect the ribbon retention tab if if has come off?

    dave.grocky - Reply

    I hate to say it but it probably can't be reattached. Your best bet would likely be to apply some kaptom tape on the ribbon cable and connector which will hopefully hold the ribbon cable in place.

    Navy Vet 2015 - Reply

  14. Xbox Samsung DVD Drive Disassembly, Drive PCB Continued: step 14, image 1 of 2 Xbox Samsung DVD Drive Disassembly, Drive PCB Continued: step 14, image 2 of 2
    • Press outwards on the 2 plastic retaining tabs

    • Gently lift PCB over tabs

    • Only remove these ribbon cables if you need to remove the entire PCB. These are friction fit ribbon cables. In my case, they have a piece of tape holding the ribbon to the connector

    • If your drive is "dead" this is where I would suggest replacing the electrolytic capacitors on the board. The Samsung [Ver. B] has 13 (9 Radial/4 SMD)

  15. Xbox Samsung DVD Drive Disassembly, Manually Ejecting the Drive: step 15, image 1 of 3 Xbox Samsung DVD Drive Disassembly, Manually Ejecting the Drive: step 15, image 2 of 3 Xbox Samsung DVD Drive Disassembly, Manually Ejecting the Drive: step 15, image 3 of 3
    • Using your screwdriver, or anything slim enough to fit, gently push the white lever back. Put your object on the right hand side of the lever, slightly pushing right as you push back.

    • The lens will drop down and your drive door will open about a quarter inch.

    • Gently pull the tray to its open position. If you have a game stuck in your drive, this would be the ideal time to remove it.

    • If your drive door sticks when pressing the eject button now is the ideal time to replace the drive belt.

    • Remove the drive belt and replace it with a new one. Belts approximate location highlighted.

    • Don't forget to reset the white lever during reassembly.

Conclusion

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

6 other people completed this guide.

Navy Vet 2015

Member since: 06/25/15

7,262 Reputation

15 Guides authored

3 Comments

What is the easiest way to clean the laser in the original xbox?

Brayan Hernandez - Reply

Hit it with a can of air duster. If further cleaning is required apply a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a Q-tip and gently clean the lens. I hope this helps.

Navy Vet 2015 - Reply

It there any trouble shooting guide for this drive or similar. I replaced the laser on mine but it still will not read disks. Not sure if it is a bad part.

maddigor - Reply

Add Comment

View Statistics:

Past 24 Hours: 11

Past 7 Days: 32

Past 30 Days: 125

All Time: 20,542