Xbox isn't reading the disc very often

[Lambocon]

Recently my brothers Xbox 360 has started to take multiple attempts to get the 360 to read the discs. I once had this problem with our PS2 at the time, which was due to a build up of dust on the laser lens.
But unlike our old PS2 I don't want to take apart our xbox.
Is there any way to clean the lens off from the outside?

Also it seems to help by putting in another disc and letting that start up quicker, then switch back to the main game. (doesn't always work)

 

[cmdrdredd]

Don't bother with those DVD laser lens cleaners. They don't work. Unfortunately the only real way to fix it is to replace the DVD drive.

 

[Arkaign]

Is this a fat or a slim?

If it's a slim, I'd say replace the drive.

If it's a fat, I'd say wait till XB1 launch, then scoop a used slim up from CL for $60 or less. I've already seen them selling locally (DFW) for around $80 on a regular basis, $100-$120 tops with bundled crap.

Not worth fixing a fat, with the possible exception of the Jaspers, but even then I think the Slim would be advisable. If you're patient, you could probably scoop up a Jasper fat for $40 or less post-launch timeframe.

 

[smackababy]

The old fats had problems reading discs. If you have a multimeter, you can take the drive out and turn the laser up a bit. That might help.

 

[purbeast0]

can you just swap drives on slims?

because i know you can't just swap drives on the phat ones. you have to flash the firmware on the drive with the console's key for it to work.

 

[exdeath]

Yay disposable plastic.

 

[smackababy]

can you just swap drives on slims?

because i know you can't just swap drives on the phat ones. you have to flash the firmware on the drive with the console's key for it to work.

Yeah, I highly doubt you can just swap them. Getting a dump from the drive and flashing a new drive with that shouldn't be exceptionally hard though.

 

[purbeast0]

Yeah, I highly doubt you can just swap them. Getting a dump from the drive and flashing a new drive with that shouldn't be exceptionally hard though.

it definitely isn't as easy as you would think for the fat ones, especially depending what drive you have. hitachis were a lot more difficult than the other ones.

 

[smackababy]

it definitely isn't as easy as you would think for the fat ones, especially depending what drive you have. hitachis were a lot more difficult than the other ones.

I never had a problem flashing any drives except for the original Xbox 360 one, but that was at a friends house and the problem ended up being it didn't like XP for some reason. Worked perfectly fine on Windows 7.

 

[purbeast0]

I never had a problem flashing any drives except for the original Xbox 360 one, but that was at a friends house and the problem ended up being it didn't like XP for some reason. Worked perfectly fine on Windows 7.

well yeah, the original xbox360 = fat 360, that's what i'm talking about. depends on the drive too hitachi's you have to put into mode b, which can be a pain in the ass. also gotta be sure that your sata controller is compatible to run the jungle flashing software. it's not always a pain in the ass, but it definitely can be.

ive probably flashed over 50 drives in my days. been years since i've done one though.

 

[smackababy]

well yeah, the original xbox360 = fat 360, that's what i'm talking about. depends on the drive too hitachi's you have to put into mode b, which can be a pain in the ass. also gotta be sure that your sata controller is compatible to run the jungle flashing software. it's not always a pain in the ass, but it definitely can be.

ive probably flashed over 50 drives in my days. been years since i've done one though.

Putting in Mode B isn't particularly hard (if that is the half open thing, it has been awhile since I flashed). I also had little problems with sata controllers. I guess the only real setup that was kind of a pain was the driver signature thing (rebooting in safe mode and signing the drivers).

 

[codyray10]

you can always just replace the laser, not the whole drive. It's something like a $10 dollar part on fleabay, and easily replaceable