How to Replace Your Xbox DVD Laser

by Capm_Crunch

44K187

Intro: How to Replace Your Xbox DVD Laser

I changed my name from iCanshowyouhow to Capm_Crunch so that I don't have to remember a bunch of different user names. Anyway, here is how to make an Xbox work for $12 instead of $50. This Xbox, a friend got out of a dumpster and gave it to me.

STEP 1: Disassembly

This is the point when you wonder if it is really worth taking your XBox apart. If you do, then Microsoft won't even touch it with a 10 foot pole. If you really want to, then continue, otherwise send your XBox into Microsoft. There are six screws: one under each foot and one under the void logo and another sticker (I can't remember, so just look at the picture!) A Leatherman Wave or tool with a very small flat head screwdriver will work if you don't have a hex.

STEP 2: Locating Name of DVD Drive

You need to figure out what brand of DVD drive you have so that you can find the right laser.

STEP 3: Get the Laser

Go on ebay and type in working xbox laser. click the buy it now tab and you will see a long list of different lasers. find a cheap, but working laser that is of the same brand name as your DVD drive. I got my Thomson one from "egun007" so if he sells your brand of laser, I recomend buying from him.

STEP 4: Replacing the Laser

This part is really long. You will need to have your XBox totally disassembled and the DVD drive opened. These next steps will tell you how to do all that nice stuff. First, get your tools.
Here's your list:
A flashlight
Some really small screw drivers
A tweezers (I think that's how you spell it)
Honey Roasted Peanuts (If you get hungry)
And I used a Leatherman Wave for unscrewing the DVD drive anything that is really small and has a flat head will work.

STEP 5: The Opening

Hopefully, you still have your XBox open. If not, please do so.
Once you have it open, take out the tray that the hard drive sits in so that you can take out the DVD drive tray. Remove the power cables and IDE cables also. You may also want to clean your CPU fan.

STEP 6: Opening the DVD Drive

In this step, we will open the DVD drive. You need to take it out of the XBox and then out of the tray. There are two small screws that need to come out on the sides. Then there are two tabs that need to be pulled in to get the top off.

STEP 7: Inside the DVD Drive

Now that the top is off, you need to remove the laser apperature. It is on two slider bars and some gears that make it go back and forth. You will need to remove three screws here. Remove both the screws on the side that has the grears and just one on the other side. You will also need to remove a screw from the opposite side to move the bar out of the way to slide the apperature off. Remove the ribbon from the back of the laser by pulling on two tabs on each side of it.

STEP 8: Prepping the Laser

In this step, you will need to remove a small dot of solder. These pictures are from www.llama.com. Be REALLY carefull though. You can fry out the circuit board and the laser is no longer any good.

STEP 9: Putting It All Together

Put the laser back into the DVD drive, following the steps backwards. Once everything is in, put the drive top back on, screw it into place, put it back into the XBox, connect the power and IDE cables, and close it up. Make sure that the DVD tray is back in place by wiggling it back and forth to make sure it is settled. Do the same once the hard drive is back in along with the DVD drive. Don't forget that metal spacer that goes around the DVD drive.

STEP 10: Screwing the Top On

Now, just replace all those long screws.

STEP 11: Most Important Step

Plug in, turn on, and enjoy! GAME ON!

7 Comments

mbittle 11 years ago

so......you put a Phillips brand laser in a thompson drive.....
question: I once used a sony dru-840a pc drive to read an xbox disc on a pc and it showed the name in (My Computer) Folder, of the game(in my case gta san andreas).....do you know if the laser in the sony drive would work in an xbox phillips drive and play the xbox games or has it not been fully tested?

ThinkBeforeYouSpeak 16 years ago

even if it didnt work you could gut it out and put laptop parts in it for a regular computer, maybe even desktop parts

theghost741 16 years ago

Torx drivers are what you should be using, not hex or flat head...

uzerzero 16 years ago

Unfortunately though, that Thompson drive won't last for long at all. I've been modding and repairing Xbox consoles since they came out, and the most common issue I've seen is Thompson drives going bad. It was the first drive MS used, and just wasn't very high quality. Even with a new laser, it'll probably only last one to two years, not to mention that they can only read DVD-R discs, and are incompatible with CD-RW. If you were planning on fixing this up and selling it/giving it away/using it for a long time so you can impress your kids with ancient video game consoles, I would recommend following one of the guides on replacing the entire DVD drive. In my experience, Philips drives were some of the best, as they could read most burnable media and game discs, and had a very long life. Granted, it is more expensive, but it's more idiotproof and longer lasting.

gamer 16 years ago

too bad i dont have an x-box, would just changing the dvd drive wor, if yes, ill try to find myself an x-box to fix... nice project

Capm_Crunch 16 years ago

Yeah, this Xbox only powered on and didn't even read music discs (the friend that gave it to me had ripped usher to it, but that was it) but, when i put the new laser in it works fine. I play games on it now. pretty good for dumpster diving.