I have recently been given 2 xboxes (1 crystal & 1 black) , Unfortunately both of them require a new drive as they either dont read any discs or scratch them i have a question regarding replacement drives , do i need to replace like for like ? (ie if one xbox has a samsung drive do i need to replace with the same ) ?
Hi dans87, The xbox is not bound to the same brand of drive or even a drive with a special Key. You can use any drive from a xbox in any other. You are also free to change it with any brand you like. From my memory the Samsung drives where the best. If you want to get deeper in the Hardware you could also mod a LG 8163, a LG 8164 or a Samsung SD-616 to work in the xbox. These Drives were originally made for use in a PC so you would need a special Firmware flashed and the correct cable soldered to the corresponding internal testpoints. So feel free to replace the broken drives with working ones from any Xbox you get.
Before you go pulling things out. Clean the laser and realign the trays. You can also replace them with any PC IDE DVD-ROM drive, you just won't be able to play original discs. Unless you do what N64 Freak said.
The LG 816x requires the right firmware, doesn't it? I remember downloading from that guy's site that was able to modify it using a customized PCM and flashing it on my PC to read Xbox discs.
