Broken (but not dead) Xbox 360, any help?

[Finalspirit]

I posted over on Notebookforums and was referred here by one of the users, and I hope that someone here can help a little with a problem I'm having with my 360.

My 360 died for the second time, and this time it is now out of warranty, so I'm SOL. From my observations, I'm guessing something with the DVD drive is screwed up. I'm wondering if anyone knows what would cause the drive to stop reading DVDs, but still let's it read standard CD-roms. I can't play any games or movies, but I can play music discs fine. Any ideas on how to fix it myself would be much appreciated. The system also boots up just fine, no red lights, and I can access everything off my HD, so the system plays demos and arcade games.

Also, whenever I insert a DVD, it's as if the disc hasn't even been put in. The screen says "Reading" then immediately switches to "Open Tray"

Also, in case the fix is basically, "get a new drive" then is there any place other than Microsoft that could fix it, because I'm not too keen on spending 150 bucks on something with a history of breaking down.

Thanks a ton

[Craig]

hmm...well first off I'm sorry to hear about your system...that's a real drag man.

I believe the DVD rom isn't really anything special. I've heard of people changing them out with others to have a more quiet drive anyway.

hang tight and I'm sure some of the XBox faithful that are more educated than myself will chime in

and welcome to the site

[Speedde423]

You still might try MS. I believe they extended the warranty on at least some consoles.

[Finalspirit]

Thanks for the welcome Craig and yeah, here's hoping someone can help. Speede: I am aware they have extended the warranty, I was told I had either 1 year from purchase, or 90 days from my last fix. Both of which have passed (On April 20th, only 3 days after my 360 actually stopped working :-( )

[trip7]

WAHAHAHAHAHA....sorry i wasnt laughin at you. god knows ive had R-tarded amounts of probs with my 360. heres what i recommend. Xbox Scene great site for mods and home assembly/repair/disassembly type stuff. I would read through all they have on the topic and see if theres someone with the same kind of problem. report back if they cant help

[Skado]

wasnt MS banning modded 360s that changed the dvd drive? home modded ones obviously, not repaired by MS

[Finalspirit]

Nothing I read about the DVD Drive stuff on Xbox Scene was of much help to me, unfortunately.

[Craig]

here's a great XBox forum: Xbox 360 Forum

run by my buddy Omar...check it out

[Finalspirit]

Alright posted over there as well, anyone here who sees this and has some suggestions, feel free to add your input.

[Dukefrukem]

FinalSpirit, i posted on your NBF post, but here is what i said.

Get it fixed my microsoft, and when you get it back, sell it ASAP. sell it on ebay or craig's list and prepare for the NEW Xbox being released this fall with the new chips. It will fix the current overheating problem that has plagued the system for almost 2 years now.