Replace Xbox 360 S Optical Drive Guide
Duration: 45 minutes
Steps: 43 Steps
Time to swap out that drive that gobbled up your beloved Call of Duty! Just a heads up: the optical drive and motherboard are a dynamic duo and need to be replaced together. If you only switch out the optical drive, you might find your game disks playing hard to get, and online gaming could turn into a real hassle. So, let’s get this done right!
Step 1
Be gentle when taking off the fan vent—let’s keep those plastic clips intact and happy!
– Next up, it’s time to tackle the top vent! You’ll be popping that bad boy off, which is held in place by thirteen trusty clips. Let’s get to it!
Step 2
– First things first! Make sure the console is oriented with the words ‘XBOX 360’ right-side up, and let’s have the faceplate looking to the left, shall we?
– Now, grab that trusty metal spudger and slip it between the top vent and the top bezel at the rear of your Xbox. You’ve got this!
– Give that spudger a gentle twist away from the console, prying up the edge of the fan vent until those pesky plastic clips pop free. Easy peasy!
Tools Used
Step 3
– Let’s start by gently inserting a metal spudger between the fan vent and the top bezel along the left side of the console.
– Now, just like we did on the left side, let’s start prying the left side of the top vent away from the top bezel.
– Keep going along the left side, carefully freeing all the clips. You’re doing great!
Tools Used
Step 5
To release each clip, slide a metal spudger under the lower edge of the clip. Once you’ve got it in place, a gentle pry away from the console will do the trick to set that clip free.
– Next up, let’s get those six clips that are highlighted in red to pop open!
Tools Used
Step 6
Turn the device so the left side is facing you, and the front screen is facing the right.
You’ll hear a little “pop” when the clip comes loose. It’s like a tiny party in there!
– Slide a metal spudger into the front slit on the left side of the top bezel, right between the bottom edge of the clip and the left case, just like we mentioned earlier.
– While you do that, give the spudger a little twist away from the console and gently lift the top bezel to release that pesky clip.
Tools Used
Step 7
– Now, let’s tackle those last two clips on the left edge of the top bezel. Use the same technique you mastered earlier to set them free.
Step 8
The top panel is still feeling a bit shy and isn’t ready to break free from the console just yet.
– First, take hold of the whole top panel with both hands. Gently lift the left edge up high enough to let those tricky clips rest comfortably on the top of the left case.
– If you find any clips that have decided to reattach themselves, just grab a spudger and give them a little nudge to release them again.
Tools Used
Step 9
– Alright, let’s give this Xbox 360 S a little spin! Turn it so the back is facing right and the right side is towards you.
– Now, grab your trusty metal spudger and slip it into the crack on the right edge of the top bezel. You want to slide it between the bottom edge of the clip and the right case.
– Time to free that clip! Lift up on the top bezel with your fingers, and while you’re doing that, give the spudger a little twist away from the console.
Tools Used
Step 10
– Just like we did before, gently pop open the middle and front clips along the right side of the top panel. You’ve got this!
Step 11
– Gently lift the top panel off your device, giving it a little wiggle if needed. Remember, no force required! Just a friendly lift.
– If you encounter any clips that are feeling a bit clingy and have decided to snag a ride back onto the console, grab your spudger and coax them back into submission with a gentle touch.
Tools Used
Step 12
Position your Xbox 360 S with the bottom side facing you. Let’s get to work!
– Slide that latch to the left to release the hard drive cover like a pro.
– Gently pull the hard drive cover away from the console and give yourself a pat on the back!
Step 13
The fabric tab is snugly hooked onto a catch deeper inside the hard drive housing. It might require a bit of muscle to coax the hard drive out.
– Grab hold of the fabric tab labeled with the size of the hard drive (like “250 GB”) that’s attached to the drive.
– Pull the hard drive straight out of the console. It’s like giving it a high five, but with more force!
Step 14
Get ready to tackle this! Next up, we’re going to take out the bottom vent.
– This little gem is held snugly to the bottom panel by seven handy clips that you can see right here!
Step 15
Position your Xbox 360 S with the hard drive port facing up and the faceplate turned to the left, just like a pro!
Step 16
Great news! All the clips along the right and front edges should be free now. If you happen to notice some other clips have also decided to join the party and come undone, that’s totally cool.
– Just like before, gently pop open the last two clips on the bottom right edge. You’ve got this!
Step 17
– Let’s get this party started! Grab that bottom vent and gently lift it away from the bottom bezel. It’s like giving it a little high five, but with less enthusiasm.
Step 18
– To detach the clips highlighted in red, grab a metal spudger and slide it under the bottom edge of the clip. Once you’re in there, just give it a gentle pry away from the console, and voilà! The clip will pop right off.
Tools Used
Step 19
You might hear a little ‘pop’ sound, which means the clip has successfully popped free!
Step 20
Congrats! You’ve successfully liberated the entire left side of the bottom bezel. You’re on a roll!
– Let’s get this show on the road! Slide a trusty metal spudger through the left middle slit on the bottom bezel. Find that sweet spot between the bottom edge of the clip and the left case.
– Now, grab the bottom bezel and give it a gentle upward pull. At the same time, rotate the spudger away from the console to release the clip.
– Alright, one more time! Use the same technique to free the clip at the front of the left edge of the bottom bezel.
Tools Used
Step 21
Flip that console around so the faceplate is lookin’ at you from the right, and the right case is all up in your grill.
This clip is a tough cookie, no doubt. You gotta be ready to put in a little elbow grease to get the spudger in just right.
– Slide that trusty spudger into the rear-most gap on the right side of the bottom bezel and give it a little nudge behind the clip. Just push down gently while pressing the tip against the right case.
– Now, as you release that clip, lift the bottom bezel up like you’re unveiling a surprise!
Tools Used
Step 22
Step 23
Be careful with this little clip – it’s smaller than the rest, so don’t try to remove it from the top like you did with the others.
Step 24
Hey there! Opening up your Xbox 360 any further means you’ll need to get past the warranty sticker on the outside. If you’re really determined to go further, know that doing so could void your Microsoft warranty for anything not directly attached to the motherboard. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair.
Step 25
Flip that console right-side up, making sure the faceplate is looking right at you!
– First things first, let’s track down those two sneaky clips hiding at the top edge of your console, just behind the Wi-Fi card. They’ve been waiting for us!
– Now, while you’re giving a gentle nudge to the left and right cases to push them apart, grab a metal spudger and carefully pry those clips away from the case. You’re doing great!
Tools Used
Step 27
Give that Xbox a little spin! Flip it over so the faceplate is facing left, and the left case is facing you. You got this!
– As you gently push the left and right cases apart with one hand, make sure to pop free that sneaky clip hiding next to the hard drive slot.
Step 29
Now that you’ve got the top and bottom clips under control, you can safely remove the spudgers that were holding them apart.
– Let’s get started by inserting the flat edge of a metal spudger between the left and right cases, where the warranty sticker used to be – this is the first step to freeing your device.
– Now, carefully pry the left case upwards to create a gap between the two cases, and then slide the spudger in toward the left case. You’re making great progress!
– Finally, rotate the spudger upward to release the last clip. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair
Tools Used
Step 30
– Gently pop open the clip located in the front left corner of the top edge that keeps the left case snugly attached to the faceplate.
Step 31
– First things first, flip that console over with the back facing up! We’re getting into it now.
– Next up, gently release that one cheeky clip in the front left corner at the bottom edge holding the left case tight against the faceplate.
– Now, give the left case a little twist away from the device to pop off those last two hidden clips. They’re just waiting for their big moment!
– And voila! You’ve successfully removed the left case. Keep it safe!
Step 32
Flip that console right-side-up, making sure the faceplate is facing straight ahead!
– Pop that clip loose near the front right corner of the top edge to free the right case from the faceplate. You’ve got this!
Step 33
Flip the console so the bottom is up and the faceplate is facing you. It’s time to get started on this repair journey with Salvation Repair!
– Pop that little clip in the bottom right corner of the top edge to free the right case from the front case. You’re doing great!
Step 34
Hold on there! The faceplate is still hanging on by a delicate ribbon cable. Let’s not go all in and remove it just yet.
– Gently lift the left edge of the faceplate upwards to pop off those last two clips holding it snugly to the right case.
– Now, just detach the faceplate from the rest of your device and give yourself a pat on the back!
Step 35
The locking tab has a tiny wiggle room of only about 2 mm.
– Grab your trusty spudger or just your fingernail and gently lift that clear blue tab away from the connector. You’ve got this!
– Now, slide the locking tab on the power switch board cable connector toward the top of the console. Easy peasy!
– Next up, pull the power switch cable straight out of the connector. Nice and steady!
– And voilà! The faceplate is now free from the rest of the console. Look at you go!
Tools Used
Step 36
– Go ahead and take off those two 5.6 mm T8 Torx screws that are holding the RF module snugly to the metal case. You’ve got this!
Step 37
Alright, the RF module is still holding on tight to the Xbox with a big ol’ USB connector. Don’t worry, we’re almost there!
– Gently pull the board straight out from the Xbox to remove it – you’re making great progress!
Step 38
– Let’s get that wireless card out! First, loosen that single T10 Torx screw that’s holding it in place.
– Now, gently pull the Wi-Fi board out of the console. You got this!
Step 39
This sticker is here to show if someone has been snooping around, but no worries—Microsoft can’t void your warranty as long as you keep everything intact. Enjoy the process!
– Peel off the big white sticker from the metal frame to reveal a hidden screw waiting for you!
Step 40
– Let’s get started! Carefully take out those five 55.5 mm T10 Torx screws that are holding the right case snugly against the metal frame.
Step 41
Flip that Xbox over so the right side is shining up at you!
– Gently lift the right case off by its sturdy metal frame. You’ve got this!
Step 42
– Unplug the data cable from the back of the optical drive—let’s give it some breathing room!
– Now, gently disconnect the power cable from the back of the optical drive. It’s time for a little power break!
Step 43
– To put everything back together, just work your way through these steps in reverse – easy peasy!
– If you didn’t quite get it done, no worries – you can always schedule a repair.
– You’re almost done! Take a deep breath, you’ve made it through the tough part.
