How to Troubleshoot an Original Xbox
The Microsoft Xbox was the company's entry into the video gaming hardware market, and its answer to the Sony PlayStation 2 and Nintendo GameCube. The machine played host to classic games such as the first two "Halo" titles, and introduced features now seen as standard, such as a hard drive and internal broadband modem. If your original Microsoft Xbox is not running as smoothly as you would like, a few troubleshooting steps may be in order.
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Things You'll Need
- Clean toothbrush or vacuum cleaner with brush nozzle
- DVD lens cleaning disc
- Glass cleaner
- Lint-free cloth
Instructions
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Make sure the machine is securely connected to your television and power outlet. Loose connections can result in poor picture quality, loss of game control and corrupted save data. Disconnect all leads from your Xbox, TV and power outlets, then securely reconnect all cables.
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Check that the console is operating in a well-ventilated location free from dust or direct sunlight. Operating your Xbox in confined spaces that impede the machine's internal cooling mechanism can result in disc read errors, hardware glitches, and even lasting damage to the machine's internal workings. If necessary, move your console to a new area, making sure to place it off the ground on a clean, smooth surface with at least two inches of free space on all sides for clear ventilation.
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Clean the machine's vents and fan bay with a new, clean toothbrush or the brush nozzle of your vacuum cleaner. Make sure all vents–located on the back and sides of the machine–are free from dust buildup, which can clog the machine's cooling mechanisms and internal workings, causing system errors.
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Clean the machine's DVD laser to ensure fast and accurate reading of game data. Insert a DVD lens cleaning disc into the machine and play the DVD as you would a DVD movie. While the disc is running, clean any games that have been loading poorly by wiping them down with a lint-free cloth moistened with glass cleaner. Clean in smooth, straight strokes from the center hole to disc edge, never wiping a disc with circular motions.
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Contact Microsoft if your Xbox console still does not work after taking these steps. The machine is an older model, but depending on the problem, your console may still be able to be repaired.
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Tips & Warnings
Never use a CD lens cleaning disc to clean the lens in an Xbox or any other DVD product. CD lens cleaning discs contain harsh brushes unsuitable for use on a DVD player's precision laser head.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit video game control pad image by Paul Hill from Fotolia.com
