What should I do with my dying Xbox?

[Lieutenant Dan]

My Xbox has been getting the "Disc may be dirty or damaged" errors for a few months now. While they haven't been getting worse, it's just getting on my nerves. All my games are playable, but sometimes it takes a few restarts to get them to play.

I'd like to sell it, but I don't think I'd get enough for it and I don't know anyone who would want it.

I think there is a deal where you can get $80 trade-in towards the purchase of a 360 at GS/EB. I really didn't want to spring for a 360 yet, but I might have to. I really just wanted to sit back and see who was winning the console war after a year or so, and then get that system. This $200 HD-DVD upgrade is also worrying me, as well as Sony and Nintendo's competing online services. I guess I'm still just afraid of the 360 getting "Dreamcasted". Oh yeah, and I also don't have an HDTV, would a 360 even be worth it?

I've also just been looking for a simple fix for my Xbox, but have been unable to find one. If I have to spend more than $75 for a fix I might as well get a 360.

Overall, I'm just totally up in the air about what to do. What do you guys think I should do?

[RedvsBlue]

At this point the concern of the 360 becoming the next Dreamcast shouldn't worry you anymore. The major companies are strongly behind it (hell even the usually finicky Capcom is squeeling with delight over Dead Rising, SF2, and the interest in Lost Planet), the 360 is still being solidly supported by its manufacturer, and while I don't have console unit sales numbers the fact that the second best selling version of Madden is for 360 leads me to believe there's gotta be plenty of consoles in gamer's houses.

[dude2003]

my xbox is dead as well. clicking sounds and doesn't even load up. has the red ring of death also. looking to either have it fixed or buy a new one (no used one) but can't find any local repair shops. i think sending to microsoft is $80 but not sure. i don't plan on calling them and no xbox360 in my near future.

[niceguyshawne]

I wouldn't worry, the 360 will be around a while if that is the route you decide to go.

[Puffa469]

you can buy a new drive for it for around $60 or so. Very easy to replace.

[zionoverfire]

Well I'd fall back on whatever other systems you've got laying around and wait for the PS3/Revolution launches. Even if you don't like them I'm sure MS is going to offer a better bundle to help compete.

[eastcoastvillian]

This reminds me. I also have a broken xbox. The system itself works fine, but disc tray got damaged and will no longer close. Local repair shops won't fix it and I refus to pay 80 dollars by sending it to Microsoft. Does anyone know anything I can do to fix it? Or replace the DD? Or any helpful advice at all?

[jm2u]

Id just mod it and make it into a media center. If youve got a working system, but a bum disc drive I'd take it for 30 shipped, I need another for my bedroom.

[biscuit]

I'd look here if you have not yet:

http://www.llamma.com/xbox/Repairs/repairs.htm

I thought I read changing out a DVD drive was pretty easy, it's the hard drive that requires a mod (not sure about that, but I think it is true). Look through the website and maybe you will get lucky and find a solution to your problems.

Biscuit

[Lieutenant Dan]

Thanks, biscuit. I checked that site out and it led me to thinking that I need a lens cleaner disc, which in turn, led me to this...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00008EM7U/002-4553802-4460829?v=glance&n=172282

What do you guys think about this product? I think I'll just grab one and see what happens.

[freestyledust77]

You shouldn't be able to trade in a defective Xbox for $80 in store credit, it is for working ones, but if you can get away with it more power to you.

[depascal22]

They don't actually test the systems so I don't think it would be a problem. Plus, he said that it was a working system. It's just working not optimally.

[eastcoastvillian]

Thanks everyone. Unfortunetly after reading about it on teh site, fixing the disc drive myself seemed rather complicated so maybe I will just take jm2u up on his offer.

[sp00ge]

CML.. I'll trade you something for it. I need an extra xbox to use for XBLive.

And, yes, the one by me checks all systems now. I took my GC in to see what I'd get for it and the girl took like 20 minutes to test it.

[Lieutenant Dan]

Didn't see anything, sorry.

[Dinosauce]

If all you have is the "Dirty Disc Error" problem and nothing else, I'd recommend fixing it yourself. I performed it myself and it's basically unplugging bad drive, plugging in new drive and you're done.

You can get a new Thompson (or is it Thomson?) DVDRom on ebay for.. about 35 dollars after shipping, if you browse around a bit.
The only other cost is having to purchase the right tools to open the Xbox, if you dont have the right one. Doubt that's too much (they arent THAT rare of screws I dont think)

If you really don't feel comfortable doing the fix, then maybe a different course of action is better. In my opinion its a pretty simple fix. Just a matter of "putting things back in the right order" so the case closes back up correctly ;)


Now, if you've got something thats NOT the dirty-disc-error... not as easy :-k

[DT778]

Just buy a replacement dvd drive from ebay. Its hella easy to install.


Oh yeah, and I also don't have an HDTV, would a 360 even be worth it?
Yes.

[souNReAL]

good topic as im having the same problems with my original xbox.

i actually spend $1000+ on one of those Samsumg HDTV + 360 packages in June.......that with Xbox Live......best money i ever spent.

[Lieutenant Dan]

How big was that TV again?

[Number83]

Love it...Cuddle with it...Cherish ever remaining moment you have with it! Make it as comfortable as possible, to ease it's passing. And remember the great times you had.

<Sniff, Sniff!>

[omegaweapon7]

just get a 360, it is at a very good position right now, right in the middle between wii and ps3, perfect for people who want next gen graphics but cant shell out 600. once I saw x-play's top 10 xbox games countdown, and 4 of those games are multi-system lol. Im glad microsoft abandoned the box after like 2 years, I just hope 360 will live longer than that. BTW, 360 w/ HD-DVD attachment is more expensive than $600 -_-, so you might as well go with PS3 if you want some next gen movie player too.

[blandstalker]

If you really don't feel comfortable doing the fix, then maybe a different course of action is better. In my opinion its a pretty simple fix. Just a matter of "putting things back in the right order" so the case closes back up correctly ;)


I did this, and it was very easy. If you've ever installed anything into your PC, it's about the same degree of difficulty. I got a new drive off eBay for $40, the tool for about $5, and that particular problem went away.

Now, my power switch assembly is going. It sometimes won't power on, power off, or eject. It's a cheap part, at least, though I haven't really researched the repair.

I'm finding this really tiresome, and a reason not to get a 360. I have never had a console crap out on me so much.

[quercus]

My Xbox was getting the Dirty Disc Errors from day 1. They got worse and worse and after a year it was un-playable - it would take a half hour of retrying before the game would take. Then I'd get an error in the middle of a mission, it was crazy. Stopped using it for a few months.

Then I missed it so I did some searching and found this site:

http://www.xboxrepairservice.com/

For $50 you get the disc drive, the tools you need and really detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to swap it out. As the others have said, it's not hard to do, but having the right tools and the instructions really helps.

I did that about 6 months ago and haven't had a problem since. It's actually working better than when I first bought it. So, I'd recommend them.