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Xbox Disc Drive Replacement

What you need

  1. Xbox Disc Drive Replacement, 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 Disc Drive Replacement: 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.

  3. Xbox Disc Drive Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 2 Xbox Disc Drive Replacement: 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.

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

  5. Xbox Disc Drive Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 2 Xbox Disc Drive Replacement: 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 Disc Drive Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 2 Xbox Disc Drive Replacement: 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 Disc Drive Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 2 Xbox Disc Drive Replacement: 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 Disc Drive Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 3 Xbox Disc Drive Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 3 Xbox Disc Drive Replacement: 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 Disc Drive Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 2 Xbox Disc Drive Replacement: 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.

  10. Xbox Disc Drive Replacement, Disc Drive: step 10, image 1 of 3 Xbox Disc Drive Replacement, Disc Drive: step 10, image 2 of 3 Xbox Disc Drive Replacement, 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.

  11. Xbox Disc Drive Replacement: 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!

Conclusion

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

57 other people completed this guide.

rmarstel

Member since: 10/29/09

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5 Guides authored

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Cal Poly, Team 18-2, Maness Fall 2009 Member of Cal Poly, Team 18-2, Maness Fall 2009

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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 - Reply

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 - Reply

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 - Reply

I have the Xbox original..

mr.mistermitchell@yahoo.com - Reply

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