How to Remove an XBox Laser
The Xbox 360 has a DVD drive used to play game discs. A defective laser in the DVD drive will cause errors in reading the game disc and impair the game console's ability to properly display the game. You can remove the laser from the DVD drive and replace it with a new one procured from an Xbox parts supplier, providing you are willing to void the Xbox 360 warranty by opening the console yourself. No electrical or mechanical skills are needed, and you won't have to lose time waiting for a service center to replace the laser for you.
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Things You'll Need
- Towel
- Torx screwdriver
- Phillips screwdriver
- Phillips jeweler's screwdriver
Instructions
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1
Put the towel down on a table. Remove all of the cables from the Xbox 360. Put the Xbox 360 down on the towel.
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2
Insert the Phillips screwdriver into the ventilation holes on the right side of the game console. Release the four tabs at the top inside of the game console. Repeat this procedure on the left side of the game console.
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3
Press the power button. Grab the faceplate with your left hand at the upper-left corner. (Reverse this for "lefties.") Pull up on the compartment door at the lower-right corner with your right hand. Wiggle the faceplate loose. Remove the faceplate.
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4
Turn the Xbox 360 face down on the towel. Lift up on the bottom shelf and remove the 14 screws using the Torx screwdriver. Return the Xbox 360 to its upright position on the towel.
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5
Lift up on the outer shell of the Xbox 360 and wiggle it free from the bottom shell. Use the Torx screwdriver to remove all of the screws from the back plate. Lift the plastic inserts that are on the left and right of the game console off of the bottom shell. Remove the back plate from the bottom shell.
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6
Use the Phillips jeweler's screwdriver to remove the screws from around the DVD drive. Lift up the DVD drive. Use your fingers to pull out the cables connected to the back of the DVD drive. Put the DVD drive down on the towel.
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7
Pull the disc tray of the DVD drive out. Use the Phillips jeweler's screwdriver to remove the screws from both sides of the DVD drive. Carefully remove the top case off the bottom case of the DVD drive.
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8
Pull on the blue tabs to unplug the three connectors attached to the front and left and right sides of the circuit board. Remove the circuit board.
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9
Use the Phillips jeweler's screwdriver to remove the four screws surrounding the laser head assembly that is now exposed from under the circuit board. Lift the laser assembly off the two rails that it is riding on and remove it from the DVD drive.
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Tips & Warnings
Wear an anti-static strap to keep static electricity from damaging the internal components of the XBox 360.
Breaking any of the connectors inside of the Xbox 360 can render the entire game console unworkable.
Do not touch the laser diode inside of the laser head assembly as it is very fragile.
