Down farther on the page are newer pictures, along with the completed metal DVD lid.

Here are the images:










As you can see, I have a Samsung drive. I left the metal sides on the lid for more structural strength - I was worried about the spinner mount bending up or down and not working as it should. I know people have had problems involving the mount, and I effectively avoided all problem designs.

You all know that the spinner is magnetic, and *attaches* to the motor spinner that the disc sits on. If I close the DVD tray while the box is on [with no disc in the tray], and then reopen it, the spinner mount clicks as the magnet disengages, however using a game or any sort of disc works exactly like an unmodded DVD drive - silent and smooth. I recommend using this type of cut if you're worried about drive integrity. Keeping the sides allows you to still fasten all four screws back down to the DVD drive, as well as making the lid firmer than just having the spinner mount sticking out from the back of the drive.

This post has been edited by mastercheef: Dec 22 2003, 04:34 AM

If you send me the pics I'll upload them for you...

someone ! please get some pics up man!

i need to do this mod

Done.

SCOOBIE DOO!!
hahahaha

alright dude i have a thomson should i just leave the area for the screws

It's totally up to you man. I had the idea that keeping the sides would help the lid retain some of it's rigidity, and it seems to have worked just as I expected. You have to do a little bit more cutting, but when you're using a Dremel, it only takes a few seconds.

on the thomson theres 2 main screws that cant be taken out.. so somehow i gotta work around that

This post has been edited by Muntzster: Dec 22 2003, 01:37 AM

Since this will be a mod I will be doing, how big of a problem would it be to make the "peninsula" circular instead of square?

Big A

Depends on the tools you have, really. It shouldn't be that much more work, though.

This mod still work the same with most of the dvd roms that come standard in the xbox?
Mine is a Phillips, plays some brands of cd-r, most of my cd-rw, & dvd-r games/movies.

- Have been looking for a good clear pic of the cut made to the actual dvd-rom,
Thanx Mastercheef !

heh- bit rough cut, wot did u cut that with>? we got grinders, sabre saws & plasma cutters at our disposal at work.

He used a Dremel, it looks rough becuase where the paint has been worn of by the blade there is a reflection simluating rough edges.

To answer all the questions...

1. I believe this mod DOES work with all DVD drives that were made with the XBox. As far as I know, all DVD drives are basically the same these days when it comes to they way they spin the disc.
2. It's a *rough* cut because I used a Dremel. I snapped on a brownish grinding bit, and cut right into the metal. Obviously I wore goggles and a mask - sparks were flying everywhere! Oh, and the grinding bit was very skinny, probably less than a 16th of an inch thick.
3. Making the "peninsula", or as I call it, the spinner mount, round is what I just finished doing - pictures are below. I've been taking it one small step at a time to make sure I did it right and accurately.

So... MORE PICTURES! I rounded off the spinner mount as best as I could. The pictures make it look better than it really does, so I'm thinking of getting a thin strip of rubber or plastic to wrap around the edge, as well as covering up the slightly scratched metal surface with some sort of glossy red sticker, or something related to the XBox besides the X logo.

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Here are two pictures of the metal lid, cut and sanded:





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The lid is now mounted on the drive and screwed down:





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Almost fully assembled...



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A quick picture of my 80mm 12v Antec fan mod:



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Fully assembled. All it needs now is some plastic or rubber lining and something to cover the metal surface:







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Before people start shooting comments off about the *shitty* paintjob, I'll tell you that it will be repainted very soon. I'll be directly focusing on the part around the window - small pieces of paint chipped away due to normal wear and tear, and it looks like it needs more than 3 quick coats.

So... what do you think? I hope this helps everyone who was looking for some shots of the metal lid, specifically a Samsung drive.

This post has been edited by mastercheef: Dec 22 2003, 04:32 AM

It helps very much. Thanks Mang! I'll be putting up pix of mine by the end of the week. Look for it!

Great Stuff Mastercheef !
anotha great tutorial jus in time for xmas modding, LOL @ all the drunken modding going on over the silly season.

if it all turns to custard, mayb santa will buy me a new xbox...

thank u man.. we need some tuts for thomsons each dvd has a dif layout for th emetal casing