Featured

Featured Guide

Difficulty

Difficult

Steps

34

Time Required

Suggest a time??

Sections

9

  • Hard Drive
  • 1 step
  • Bottom Vent
  • 6 steps
  • Faceplate
  • 3 steps
  • Top Vent
  • 6 steps
  • Lower Case
  • 9 steps
  • Eject Button
  • 1 step
  • Upper Case
  • 2 steps
  • Optical Drive
  • 4 steps
  • Xbox 360 Optical Drive Replacement
  • 2 steps

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Introduction

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.

What you need

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.

Grasp the hard drive assembly and press the release button while lifting its front edge.

Remove the hard drive assembly from the top vent.

1024

Step 2

              Bottom Vent
  • Stand the console vertically with the bottom edge facing up.
  • Throughout the following opening procedure, the finger of an Xbox 360 opening tool can be used in place of a spudger.
  • 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.

Stand the console vertically with the bottom edge facing up.

Throughout the following opening procedure, the finger of an Xbox 360 opening tool can be used in place of a spudger.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Step 5

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

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

Step 6

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

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

Step 7

  • Remove the bottom vent from the 360.

Remove the bottom vent from the 360.

Step 8

              Faceplate
  • Insert the flat 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.

Insert the flat 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.

Step 9

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

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

Step 10

  • Remove the faceplate from the front face of the console.

Remove the faceplate from the front face of the console.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Step 17

              Lower Case
  • Stand the console vertically with the top edge facing down.
  • Carefully peel the warranty sticker off the console.

Stand the console vertically with the top edge facing down.

Carefully peel the warranty sticker off the console.

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.

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.

Step 19

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

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

Step 20

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

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

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.

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.

Step 22

  • 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.

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.

Step 23

  • 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.

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.

Step 24

  • 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.

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.

Step 25

  • 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.

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.

Step 26

              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.

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.

Step 27

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

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

Step 28

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

Orient the console so that the upper case is facing upwards.

Lift the upper case straight up and remove it from the console.

Step 29

              Optical Drive
  • Peel the silver tape securing the optical drive to the metal casing.

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

Step 30

  • 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.

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.

Step 31

  • 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.

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.

Step 32

  • Lift the optical drive assembly out of the metal casing.

Lift the optical drive assembly out of the metal casing.

Step 33

              Xbox 360 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.

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.

Step 34

  • Remove the optical drive cover.
  • Optical drive remains.

Remove the optical drive cover.

Optical drive remains.

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

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                    Walter Galan

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Rex Yang - May 9, 2012

Reply

who knows xbox360 can use desktop drives?We have all kinds of drives,but i am not sure if it is fit for xbox360.

Thanks

oldturkey03 - May 10, 2012

That has nothing to do with this guide. If you have any question regarding this equipment, go to the answer section.

Pete B - Jan 23, 2014

Reply

Brian Davis - Feb 23, 2014

Reply

Very easy to follow, got my drive fixed…thanks!

Dave - Apr 26, 2014

Reply

" Replacing a defective optical drive with a replacement optical drive does not work. The replacement will have a different DVD drive key, which the game console will not accept."

Not entirely accurate, that statement.

Having fixed a PS3 blu-ray drive by following the excellent guide on here, tried the same technique.

I had a bad drive in my xbox, and I replaced it with a new drive (of the same type). I took the daughter-board from the faulty drive and transplanted it to the good drive. It involved stripping down both drives, disconnecting 2 ribbon cables and unsoldering about 8 wires, transplanting the daughter-board - and resoldering the wires. Then reassembling. It worked for me, anyway.