How to Use an XBox HDD in a PC
The Xbox 360 is essentially a computer that has been programmed specifically for playing video games. Some of its hardware, such as the hard disk drive (HDD) and DVD drive, can be removed and used in a desktop computer. The hard drive installed in the Xbox console is a standard 2.5-inch SATA drive, identical to those used in laptops. The drive comes in a variety of sizes, ranging from 20 to 250 gigabytes.
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Things You'll Need
- Xbox 360 hard drive
- Torx screwdrivers, sizes 6 and 10
- 2.5-inch SATA external hard drive enclosure
Instructions
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Removing the Hard Drive From the Enclosure
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1
Remove the hard drive from the Xbox 360 and turn it so that the top side is facing downward. Look on the back for four small screws, two on each end of the drive. One of the screws is concealed beneath the Microsoft warranty sticker. Use the T6 screwdriver to remove the four screws.
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2
Turn the hard drive back over so that the front is facing upward. Carefully remove the plastic cover---one end of the drive has a spring assembly that can be time consuming to put back together if it falls out.
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3
Remove the metal grating protecting the actual hard drive: Touch something metal to release any static electricity buildup in your body, and then use the T10 screwdriver to remove the four screws from the grating. Set the metal grating aside.
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4
Disconnect the hard drive from the black SATA adapter attaching it to the enclosure. Slide the hard drive from the enclosure. The plastic lip on the enclosure may seem to prevent the hard drive from sliding out, but you can bend it down without damage.
Connecting the Hard Drive to the Computer
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5
Install the Xbox 360 hard drive in the external hard drive enclosure following the instructions provided by the enclosure's manufacturer. Connect the hard drive to the PC using the cables provided with the enclosure. These are usually either USB or FireWire cables.
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6
Open the Control Panel on your computer and switch to Classic View. Select "Administrative Tools," and then "Computer Management." Select "Disk Management" to see a list of all the drives currently connected to your computer. Select the Xbox 360 hard drive and right-click to open a drop-down menu. Select "Initiate" to initialize the hard drive, and then select "Format."
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7
In the Format dialog box, type a name for the hard drive and select NTFS as the file system type. Click the "OK" button to begin formatting the hard drive. The formatting process can take awhile, depending on the speed of your connection and the size of the hard drive.
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Tips & Warnings
You can purchase an electrostatic discharge, or ESD, wrist strap to channel static electricity from your body and protect the hard drive.
Removing the warranty sticker and dismantling the Xbox 360 hard drive will void the console's warranty with Microsoft, or the hard drive's individual warranty if it was purchased separately.
