How to Make an Old XBox Work With Computer Parts

Setting up the Computer Drive

• 1

  Download XboxHDPrepar Utility software (see link in Resources) and save it to the desktop of your Windows-based computer. Install the software then turn off the computer.

• 2

  Disconnect the computer from the wall outlet. Open the case and find a vacant IDE slot. Plug a standard IDE cable into the empty slot and then connect the new computer hard drive. Plug a power connector from the computer power supply into the new IDE hard drive. Put the drive in an empty drive bay. Reconnect the computer to the wall outlet.

• 3

  Turn on the computer. Ensure that Windows recognizes the new drive by going to "My Computer" and verifying that there is an extra drive listed under "Hard Disk Drives."

• 4

  Start the XboxHDPrepar Utility software and select the hard drive that you want to format for the Xbox. Pick the "Only 1st 4096 sectors of partitions" option and ensure that "Zeroing" has a check mark beside it. Click "Prepare" to install the necessary software onto the new computer hard drive.

• 5

  Turn off the computer once the installation is complete and disconnect the computer from the wall outlet. Unhook the power connector and the IDE cable from the new drive and remove it from the computer. Remove the extra IDE cable and close the computer case. Reconnect the computer to the wall outlet.

Replacing the Xbox Hard Drive

• 6

  Open the Xbox case by peeling back the silver sticker on the bottom of the Xbox and remove the screw with a Torx head screwdriver. Peel back the sticker with the bar code on it and remove the screw below it. Peel back the four rubber feet in each corner of the Xbox and remove each of the screws.

• 7

  Turn the Xbox right-side-up, firmly grasp the sides and stretch them outward so that the bottom of the Xbox will separate from the top. Shake the system gently if you are having trouble separating the top from the bottom.

• 8

  Remove the three screws securing the hard drive and DVD drive. Move the DVD drive aside by lifting it up and to the left. Lift the hard drive straight out and unhook the IDE cable and power cable.

• 9

  Remove the plastic mount on the old hard drive with a Philips screwdriver and use the same screw to attach it to the new computer hard drive. Attach the IDE cable and power cable to the new computer hard drive and insert it by dropping it straight down into the vacant slot.

• 10

  Replace the top of the Xbox, turn the system over and insert the six screws back into the correct slots following the dis-assembly instructions in reverse. Plug in your Xbox power cable and audio/video cables and turn it on to verify that your new hard drive works.