If your old Xbox is starting to show signs of weakness and you intend to repair it yourself or install a chip in it, you will need to open the case first. Fortunately, if you have the right tools, opening an Xbox case only takes a few moments.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Open the case
Step 1. Turn off the Xbox
Unplug the console from the television and the power source.
Step 2. Turn the Xbox over on a flat, sturdy surface
The back of the Xbox is covered with warning stickers. You must remove the rubber feet and these stickers to reveal 6 screws.
Step 3. Remove the rubber feet that are located under the Xbox
There is one at each corner. Use a flathead screwdriver to pry the feet off the case. Under each foot you will find a screw.
Step 4. Peel off the warranty and serial stickers with a Swiss Army knife
You will see a screw below each sticker. You can keep the stickers by affixing them to waxed paper.
Step 5. Unscrew the 6 screws with a Torx 20 screwdriver
Torx 6-point star screwdrivers are typically used for working on computer equipment and other electronic machines.
Set the screws aside so that they are not lost
Step 6. Stand the console upright
Pull the top of the case by shaking it a little. The upper part of the case should come off. If you have difficulty removing it, check that you have removed the 6 screws from the base.
Part 2 of 3: remove the discs
Step 1. Locate the hard drive and DVD drive
If you are facing the front of the Xbox, the hard drive should be on the right and the DVD drive on the left. The hard drive is probably shiny, while the DVD player is a dull gray with a yellow sticker above it.
Step 2. Detach the IDE cable (the large gray cable) from the back of the hard drive
Firmly grasp the connector and pull it straight out of the hard drive axis. This cable can be hard to remove. Rock it back and forth if you have trouble pulling it straight out.
Step 3. Remove the screw under the IDE cable with a Torx 10 screwdriver
You can find this screw on the divider between the hard drive and the DVD player.
Step 4. Take the hard drive out of the case
Once you've removed the Torx 10 screw that holds it, you can remove the tray that supports the hard drive.
- The hard drive is connected to a power cable. You probably won't need to remove this power cable to remove the hard drive from the enclosure, unless you are changing the hard drive, in which case you can unplug it.
- You can release the hard drive from its tray by unscrewing the small screws that hold it.
Step 5. Detach the IDE cable from the DVD drive
Remove the cable the same way you removed the cable from the hard drive. Detach it directly from the DVD player.
Step 6. Remove the screws from the DVD drive
Two screws hold the DVD player on either side of it.
Step 7. Take out the DVD drive
Once the IDE cable and screws have been removed, you can remove the drive from the case.
Step 8. Remove the DVD power cable
Pick it up from the reader. Use care when removing the power cable, as it is Xbox specific and can be difficult to replace.
Part 3 of 3: remove the motherboard
Step 1. Identify the motherboard
This is the big green card to which all the drives are connected.
Step 2. Locate and unplug the IDE cable that goes from the motherboard
Unplug it in the same way as for the hard drive and DVD player.
Step 3. Remove the power cable from the motherboard
Firmly grasp the large connector and shake it at 45 ° angles on each side. It is very difficult to remove by pulling straight through the axle. You can grip the connector with pliers if you have difficulty.
Step 4. Remove the connectors
Two connectors must be removed in order to remove the motherboard. Remove each connector and remember where they were connected.
- There is also a yellow cable connecting the motherboard to the fan, the switch and the reset button.
- There is also a cable that connects the USB ports to the motherboard.
Step 5. Find the 11 screws that hold the motherboard
These screws are located all around the card. If you look at the motherboard facing the Xbox, you will see 5 screws on the CPU fan, 5 screws below, and one screw a few inches to the right of the fan.
Remove the screws with a Torx 10 screwdriver
Step 6. Remove the motherboard
Place your fingers on the edges of the motherboard and lift it up. Place it somewhere where it is not likely to be damaged.
Advice
- You can preserve the stickers by placing them on waxed paper strips.
- Use a magnet on a flexible rod to catch the small metal screws and make them easier to control.
- Keep the different screws in separate places so as not to mix them up. Put them back in the same configuration you found them in to make it easier to reassemble the Xbox.
