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How to Repair an Unrecognized Disk Error for XBox 360

When you want to play one of your favorite Xbox 360 games, there's hardly anything more frustrating than getting an error message saying the console can't recognize the game every time you insert the game disk into the drive. This usually means the laser on your 360's disk drive is dirty. The good news is that it is possible to open up your 360, access the disk drive laser and clean it yourself. And the best part about it is that you can complete this task in a limited amount of time.

Things You'll Need

Phillips screwdriver
Cotton swab
Rubbing alcohol

Instructions

- 1
  Turn off your Xbox 360 and remove any power cables from the back of the unit.
- 2
  Turn the console on its side and remove the rectangular hard drive from the side of the device by pressing the circular unlock button just above the hard drive while simultaneously sliding the drive down and off of the unit.
- 3
  Use your thumbs to push up on the faceplate, the plastic cover on the front of the console, where it meets the side of the unit. The faceplate will easily pop off.
- 4
  Use the tip of your Phillips screwdriver to pop the two side panels off of the device at the seams where they connect to the body of the unit.
- 5
  Insert the tip of your screwdriver in the seam where the top and bottom halves of the Xbox meet. Gently pry up on the screwdriver to separate the two halves. Set the top half aside, and you will be left with the interior components of the Xbox housed in a metal frame.
- 6
  Use your Phillips screwdriver to remove all screws on the top of the metal frame. Remove the top of the frame to expose the internal components.
- 7
  Locate the rectangular disk drive in the side of the Xbox, and use your Phillips screwdriver to remove the four screws on the top panel of the drive. Then remove the top panel of the drive to expose the circular laser inside the drive.
- 8
  Dip the end of your cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and gently swab the lens until all dirt and grime is cleaned from it. Then reassemble your Xbox.

Xbox 360