x box 360 not read games or dvd's

Problem details

The x box will play music, but not games or dvd's. When insert the disc, it just sits there doing nothing or "open tray". Tried to clean the lense with alcohol and q tip, but it did not solved.


Best solution

The open tray issue is normally linked to the laser itself. Do NOT have to replace the entire drive, as doing so may causes further problems.

If 360 is under warranty, send it in to be replaced.

If not, then there are things to try!

Open the console (using the various online tutorials) and remove the DVD-ROM drive. Open the drive and you'll have access to the laser. Get a Q-tip (cotton bud) and moisten one end with some boiled water. Rub gently over the lens of the laser, then use the other end to dry. Try the game again.

If the above doesn't work, purchase another drive assembly, matching what you already have. You could just buy the laser, but there's no point if it's something other than the laser (and you get one with a new drive). If you have a Hitachi drive, make sure you buy a Hitachi. The same with a Toshiba-Samsung. Keep the same drive type. New drives can be purchased from Ebay. For Toshiba Samsung's, either the MS25 or MS28 will be fine as the insides are exact. Hitachi's are likewise: any version will do.

Here's the good part: you don't need to mess with the firmware on your drive, since the problem is mechanical. Carefully remove the DVD logic board from your faulty drive (the circuit board inside the DVD-ROM itself) and get a Sharpie/Marker and tick it/sign it/etc. Something which you can distinguish one from the other. The boards will look the same and you don't want to mix them up!.

Set your board to one side and get your replacement drive. Open it up too and remove the board in the same way. Now put your board in this new drive, carefully replacing the cables (there are guides online for this too). Close the drive and try it.

Because you're keeping the PCB from your drive, your DVD key will match still and you won't have any configuration problems!