Home >> Internet Games >> Xbox Live

How to HotSwap an Xbox Hard Drive

Microsoft implemented various security protocols that protected the Xbox hard drive from hotswapping. These security protocols make it difficult for a user to simply plug in the Xbox hard drive into a PC. The hard drives are protected by a password that unlocks the hard drive when the Xbox boots. By simultaneously powering your Xbox by plugging in your PC&'s power cords directly into the Xbox&'s hard drive, hotswapping becomes possible.

Things You'll Need

Torx 20 screwdriver

Instructions

- 1
  Flip your Xbox upside down.
- 2
  Locate the four "feet" that balance the Xbox console when it is in normal position. Use your Torx 20 screwdriver to unscrew the screws under the "feet" of the Xbox.
- 3
  Peel off the two white stickers, one titled "Xbox Gaming System" and "Microsoft Corporation" (which has a barcode on it). Unscrew the two screws under the peeled off stickers using your Torx 20.
- 4
  Flip the Xbox back to its original position and grasp the Xbox on the left and right sides. Pull the top cover off the Xbox and set it aside.
- 5
  Turn on your computer and press the "F8" key repeatedly until the "Windows Boot Manager" option appears.
- 6
  Turn on your Xbox console and wait until the "Main Menu" appears.
- 7
  Unplug the Xbox IDE cable, then connect your PC&'s IDE cable to the Xbox hard drive.
- 8
  Press the "Enter" key on your computer, selecting the "Windows installation" button.
- 9
  Click on the "My Computer" button when Windows has finished loading. The Xbox hard drive will be titled "dev/hdc".

Xbox Live