cleaning laser etc

[southbrook]

Hi everyone hope you all had a good xmas... my son got the 250 gb slim xbox for xmas... we replaced his old one because it started coming up with the open tray error and reading disc error. My m8 replaced the drive about 6months ago but the replacement is now doing the same. My question is......I am thinking it is just dirt on the tracks/pads/laser? can anyone point me to a good guide to do it myself ( I have never opened an xbox / drive before but I am fairly confident in my ability ) also what tools will I need?

ooppsss also forgot to mention it is not modded in any way

Many thanks

Paul

[djjwdubz]

you can clean the laser, that should do it.

why you are doing it make sure the tracks a clean 2.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1jbeOdbsBo]YouTube - HOW TO OPEN YOUR XBOX 360[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbNXslxxtrM]YouTube - How to Clean your Xbox 360 Laser & Make your games readable first time of trying[/ame]

[Canker_Canison]

It's easier to open the case with the 360 case opening tool, available on ebay. If you use a screwdriver on the back clips the chances are you'll bugger them up.

Also, never try to read a disk without replacing the top of the drive. There's a plastic piece in the top that has a magnet inside, this keeps the disk located on the drive spindle. In the video they have removed this from the top & attached it over the disk.

Other options if cleaning the lens doesn't work....

Use a multimeter to adjust the resistance on the DVD pot. This will increase the power going to the laser. Guides & videos available via google & youtube.

Replace the laser. Most are available on ebay & not that hard to change. A Liteon drive takes me about 4mins after opening the xbox case.


One last thing... NEVER power up the xbox without the dvd drive attached. It's an instant xbox live ban.

[cgscott]

One last thing... NEVER power up the xbox without the dvd drive attached. It's an instant xbox live ban.

Never found an instant ban through this myself done it with more than 50+ consoles this year and all still going strong.

[cunny]

What media are you using for games

[cgscott]

Aone, Verbitim and used to use the old white cheapies cant remember the names. 50 case bout ?12. Think they began with an E? Oh yeah Elite i think.

Got a few Ridisc as well

[cunny]

Aone, Verbitim and used to use the old white cheapies cant remember the names. 50 case bout ?12. Think they began with an E? Oh yeah Elite i think.

Got a few Ridisc as well

Meant to quote to post sorry about that.

What i am getting at it been known cheap media can burn lasers out faster than verbs do. For a drive to only last 6 months somethin could be a miss but then read just its not modified in anyway?

What drive are we talking about here?

[cgscott]

Hitachi and samsungs are old. So once flashed the lasers only tend to last max 12 months in my experience. However the liteons tend to hold out a bit longer.

Plus the constant running from dvd drive playing games will reduce the lifespan more. You put a orig in and install to HD it takes 50% less time than a cheaper media disc.

laser works twiice as hard to read the media but i always install to HD that way you only need to read that disc once except for boot up.

[cunny]

If its a liteon drive in question here am wondering if the laser got burnt out during the flash process, been known to happen.

Will know more if orig poster gets back to us

[cgscott]

Sure but he says it not been modded in anyway simply a replaced drive so something is wrong.

Maybe the lasers on these new drive are not as good as we thought.

[cunny]

But if its a replacement drive its either been flashed or the pcb been swapped over. Either way we'll know more if he posts back.

It is better that games are installed to hdd to reduce strain on the laser, also reduces noise from the xbox

[southbrook]

hi guys thanks for the input...sorry for late reply.... missus like an obsessed shopper since the sales @cunny my mate fitted a new drive 6months ago and just transferred the drive key from the original drive to the replacement drive ( as far as I can remember ) he only plays a couple of games ...fable 3 and cod mw4 and now b/ops...but he does hammer it every day.

Paul

[cunny]

Have you any idea of the make of the drive? Strange how a drive laser can burn out so fast, but follow CGS advise and start to instal games to HDD. I been doin that for years not only does it help the drive but quitens the xbox also.

[southbrook]

hi once again sorry for late reply...... problems solved now....got home from work and found that my lad got missus to take him to blockbuster and trade it in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So much for me having the xbox...the guy only powered it up in the shop to check for rrod........ he got ?55 trade in and got dj hero 2....oh well still got my ps3