XBox Hardware Problem "Dirty Disc" error

[Anthem]

I'm sure that there are other RFD users out there who have experienced the "Dirty Disc" error that recently hit me. None of the 19 games I have are recognized any more on my XBox. Nor are any of my DVD movies.

Apparently this is a major problem that Microsoft refuses to acknowledge - perhaps for fear of a massive recall being required.

I contacted Microsoft and they said that because my XBox is out of warranty (3 years old), I have to send it in at a cost of $119.99 CDN + tax + shipping
All up, the costs would be close to just buying a new XBox (which I have to think is exactly what they want me to do.)

Another solution is to try a rather tricky mod to my Xbox to increase the power of the lased on the DVD reader. I've heard mixed reports on the difficulty of doing this successfully AND on the longevity of the fix.

My questions are:
Have any of you faced the same problem?
What did you do to resolve it?
How did you preserve your save games?
What are my options for getting it repaired here in Canada?

Thanks for any advice you can provide.

[sleepyguy]

I'm soo outta the loop in terms of XBOX hardware/software. Are these original pressed DVDs or DVD burns. I heard that using backup media makes optical lasers work harder in terms of reading data. I'm just drawing straws of course.

At that price I would just buy a new xbox and use the broken one for spare parts.

I'm sure that there are other RFD users out there who have experienced the "Dirty Disc" error that recently hit me. None of the 19 games I have are recognized any more on my XBox. Nor are any of my DVD movies.

Apparently this is a major problem that Microsoft refuses to acknowledge - perhaps for fear of a massive recall being required.

I contacted Microsoft and they said that because my XBox is out of warranty (3 years old), I have to send it in at a cost of $119.99 CDN + tax + shipping
All up, the costs would be close to just buying a new XBox (which I have to think is exactly what they want me to do.)

Another solution is to try a rather tricky mod to my Xbox to increase the power of the lased on the DVD reader. I've heard mixed reports on the difficulty of doing this successfully AND on the longevity of the fix.

My questions are:
Have any of you faced the same problem?
What did you do to resolve it?
How did you preserve your save games?
What are my options for getting it repaired here in Canada?

Thanks for any advice you can provide.

[Carnage]

For any hardware problems,etc you should check out xbox-scene.org.

Any issue that has come up with the xbox will be answered there. It's a great resouce to browse through.

Edit: And why did you make the poll multiple options. You've either not had hardware problems or you have, can't be both. ;)

[wanted]

I've heard about this. I think it was in regards with EA games or something. If it going to cost that much, you might is well get it modded and run games of the hard drive.

[Defiant]

My Xbox is old too, it was purchased around launchdate. The Thompson DVDROM drive it came with died back in March. I ended up just buying a Samsung from a member here. No problems and, in a way, Im glad I had to get it because it increased disc compatability with my modded box. Your best bet is to bite the bullet and just buy another xbox dvd rom drive. MS doesnt care.

EDIT: Oh and to answer your question directly. Swapping a dvdrom in the xbox is REALLY easy. Just use a torx screwdriver to open up the case and just swap the drives. Its just like installing a PC cdrom drive except the power cable is different(much smaller). You can find all the info on how to open up your Xbox on xbox-scene.com . None of your savegames or data on the hard disk will be affected at all.

[trini]

Brand name media is iffy on my box however when i throw a no name cheapo disc from factory direct it plays without a hitch now how odd is that.

[ledorky]

You must have a crappy Thomson.
A person I sold my 2.5 year old Xbox w/ Philips drive still has it working great.

Yeah, either buy a Samsung drive or mod that baby and just ftp everything.

[Degenerate]

I have a Thomson and it works great. I have over 200 dvdr and all play fine. Only had 2 games that gave me dirty disc errors...can't remember which ones. One of them was that Vin Diesel movie can't remember what it was called.

[Carnage]

Chronicals of Riddick?

[therock911]

I have the thompson drive too, no problems

[wanted]

I have the thompson drive too, no problems
GUYS! Quickly whats the best type of media out their Thompson users!

[Anthem]

EDIT: Oh and to answer your question directly. Swapping a dvdrom in the xbox is REALLY easy. Just use a torx screwdriver to open up the case and just swap the drives. Its just like installing a PC cdrom drive except the power cable is different(much smaller). You can find all the info on how to open up your Xbox on xbox-scene.com . None of your savegames or data on the hard disk will be affected at all.


Thanks all for your replies.

I'm just wondering if I could get a little more detail...

Defiant, you mention a Samsung Drive. Where can I get one and how much does it cost?

I'd love to be able to preserve my saved games on the HDD. Failing drive replacement, will the direct cable link between Xboxes (Network Cable) allow me to transfer saved games from old to new Xbox or do I need to use a Memory Card or similar?

I am comfortable trying to change the drive myself, but need to know the exact type I need to buy.

THanks again.

[RedLightning]

You can't just buy a DVD-ROM drive off the street - you need an Xbox DVD-ROM drive of some sort. While they are, at the core, IDE DVD-ROM devices, they are different enough (custom combined power/audio/control connector, and special firmware required to be able to read Xbox DVDs) that only special Xbox DVD-ROM drives will work.

The only exception is a specific model of a Samsung DVD-ROM drive which was electrically and mechanically similar enough to the Samsung DVD-ROM drives used in some Xboxes to able to be flashed with the Xbox firmware. Don't bother trying to find one of THOSE, either, because they're rare as hell. Plus you'd still have to construct the yellow connector for the drive even if you had one.

If you don't want to get a modchip, basically have three choices:
a) Buy a Xbox DVD-ROM drive from somebody selling a working unit
b) Buy a new Xbox, transfer your old saves over with a memory card
c) Buy a new Xbox, gut it for the DVD-ROM drive, and stick it into your old Xbox

For transferring savegames, any Xbox memory card will work (and also many USB flash drives with a proper adapter), but some games (e.g. Ninja Gaiden, DOAXBV) don't allow their savegames to be copied to a memory card.

[Kurtz7834]

Been using a Thompson XBox for 2.5 years. Still works OK. Serious Sam gave me trouble for an unknown reason (the disc was brand new) by 99% of games play fine. The Thompson drives like my Maxell DVD+R discs, but newer XBoxes with Philips drives won't read them.

The Thompson drives are known to have problems, but it could be because all the older XBoxes have these drives and they are showing wear and tear due to age.

Don't waste your money buying a Samsung drive off Ebay, just buy a new XBox if you don't want to try opening it and cleaning the lens. You could do one of those EB trade in things where they give you $100 credit for a non working unit.

[Jaytee]

I have a Thompson drive. I use only Princo and Ritek 4X media, never had any problems.

[toalan]

I have a phillips drive, I have teh dirty disc error from hell. I can only use my xbox for a maximum of 20 minutes even with real xbox games. I am pretty pissed off, I just do not feel that I should pay for a replacement drive for a mistake microsoft made. I will probally get a new DVD drive, but it makes me sick to my stomach. I mean microsoft has made some decent money off me, I have about 10 real games and been on xbox live for more than a year. I love their system, it is ashame that microsoft has no regard for their loyal customers. Must be karma catching up to me though because I never bought legal copies of WINXP or office.

[Jaytee]

toalan - why dont you get a mod chip and hard drive? 20 mins should be plenty time to rip games to the hard drive so you can play them

you also get faster load times off the hard drive