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How to Clean the DVD Player in a Xbox

Like any electronic device, the Xbox gaming system will collect dust and dirt if you do not clean it regularly. This can lead to disc errors and stop the DVD drive in the machine from correctly reading game discs and DVDs. If the problem lies with a dirty DVD drive, you can remove the drive and clean it with a regular lens cleaner. Taking apart an Xbox to get at the DVD drive is not much different from taking apart any computer.

Things You'll Need

Torx 20
Philips screwdriver
Compressed air can
Lens cleaner
Cotton swab

Instructions

- 1
  Unplug all of the external cords from the Xbox, including the power cord and connecting cords to the television. Remove the stickers on the bottom of the Xbox to expose some screws. Peel off the four rubber feet to expose more screws for a total of six. Remove each screw using the Torx 20.
- 2
  Flip over the Xbox console. Hold the sides of the cover and gently shake it loose and lift upward to remove it.
- 3
  Remove the three screws holding the hard drive and DVD drive in place. You will find one under the IDE cable and the two others on the front of the DVD drive.
- 4
  Unplug the IDE cable from the hard drive and then loosen the power cord from the track it plugs in to on the motherboard. Lift the hard drive straight up and out of the case to remove it. Lift the DVD drive up and out of the case, too.
- 5
  Remove the four screws from the DVD drive using the Philips screwdriver. You will find two screws on the top of the drive and two on the back. Flip the DVD drive upside down and pull out the drive's bottom tray (which is on top right now).
- 6
  Push the two catches on each side of the top of the DVD drive to unlock the top cover. While holding the catches in, lift up the cover to remove it and expose the DVD drive's lens and mirror.
- 7
  Spray the DVD drive with the compressed air can to clear off the dust and debris. Wipe the lens and mirror with lens cleaner on one end of a cotton swab. Dry the lens and mirror with the dry end of the cotton swab. Do not leave streaks on the lens or mirror.
- 8
  Reassemble the Xbox, DVD drive and hard drive in the reverse order you took it apart.

Xbox 360