I have a Xbox version 1.0 I fixed the disc read error I was having (or I think I did) I replaced the dvd laser and put a better ribbon cable in.(heard this will make it load faster)
Now it gets and error number 8 (no HD found) I checked the cables to make sure everything was hooked up right and still gets error.
I am not really into modding but just want to make my XBox work. What should I do? I have read that mod chips and new HDs are one way to fix it are there others? I would prefer to not have to spend a bunch of money for a mod chip and a new HD.
Thank you for your time.

well before you think you have busted it, have you tried replacing the original cable back in to see if that solves your error issue, if it does, then the cable you bought is duff.

If it still persists then you will need to get a chip and a new hdd

WizBit

I think i had tried the old cable and the sameerror but I will try it again.
What would be a good chip/HD setup I just need to get it working again and not a bunch of fancy stuff or difficult to install.
I want this to be cheaper than just buying another xbox.

well that depends on what chip you buy and what size hdd you buy.

ive only dealt with xecuters, and ive never had any problems installing them.

With the hdd issue, if you use xbl, you will need to buy another xbox or buy a hdd the same size as the original one that is faulty.

If you dont really want spend out on all that then sell your faulty xbox for parts on ebay (you'll get more for it this way) and buy yourself a second hand one from your local store.

WizBit

Had the same problem on a v1.0. The dvd-drive went bad, then the hard drive, then the power unit. Trust me, it isn't a cable...it's the xbox.

The most irritating thing is that you can't just swap out the major components (like HD and MOBO).

Which is why you really should get a mod chip, regardless of whether you decided to fix your xbox or even get a new one. I took the modchip out of my newer xbox (v1.6) and put it into the xboxv1.0 and was able to install a 40gig HD I had lying around. Since the dvd-drive is bad, I just ftp the games to the HD and play off of it.

I'm still looking in the forums for better ways to fix the xbox, but atleast with the mod chip, I was able to come up with a simple solution that let's us continue to use the broken xbox.

Also, I have the xecuter X3ce with the solderless adapter, which I recommend if it is your first time installing a mod chip. Xenium also makes a solderless adapter and the best part is that the adapters have lights to let you know you've got a good connection.

I was thinking of going the solderless way just because I am not very experienced soldering but is there any downside to the solderless besides cost?

So lets say I have the chip installed and a new HD How hard is it to get it all working?

What would cause the parts to fail on your Xbox? Why would all the parts suddenly fail?

heres what I did.
( I may have forgoten to mention this is a stock xbox no mods of any kind except replacement of thomson laser when it started the disc read error crap)

Put old IDE cable in hooked up like normal to everything
powered on
I hear the HD sounds
code 11
flashing red/green


turned off
disconnected dvd from IDE
hear HD sounds
same effect as above code 11 flashing red/green

Put NEW IDE ribbon in all connected
no HD sounds
flashes green three times no video
flashes red/green faster than above
doesnt boot

leave new IDE ribbon dissconnect the ide from DVD
boots to error 11

I dont know what this means. I double checked all cables and connectors.

Check your hard drive jumpers. That might not be it though due to the fact it hasn't been modded or hdd not upgraded, sorry to say, your DVD drive is more than likely gone.

how do i make sure its dead can i put in my computers cdrw drive?

what position should the jumper be in? i never messed with it but i should check to make absolutley sure.

For the hd, master.

i get error 11 now how do i test/fix DVD?

is there any way to repair my dvd drive besides replacing laser which i have done allready. it is a thomson drive

Shouldn't the HDD be on cable select? Look on the top of the drive and it'll show a diagram of what the jumpers mean.

The jumper should be cable select.
The IDE interface on the mobo can cause this as well as a dead HDD/DVD

so even if i put in a new dvd drive it could be the HDD?

how can i test this before i spend money on new drives?

if i were you i would buy a new Xbox HD that will cost yo about $10 there is a guy sellin 'em in bulk just try n make a deal with him........DVD drive is gonna cost 'ye a bit more $30 for a tommy....around that any way's...and then take a 10ilb sledge and bust the fuck outta your old HD and save the parts for a NICE cup holder .....

I usually use my old xbox HD as a paperweight or something quick on-hand to throw at my brother, or the dog.

Remember, the HDD isn't just there to save only. It aids in caching files for faster load times, reload times, and I think the game default.exe points to the cache directories to run a small amount of the game off the drive instead of going straight from dvd (i could be wrong). I have an xbox right now that used to give me a horrible load. I thought it was the dvd drive, but upon coming on the forums I found out that it was the drive not caching the files (about to die). So I unlocked a drive here, put it in that xbox locked it back up and it ran smooth. Still had to buy a remplacement DVD assembly for the philips though.

Is there any way for me to diagnose it without having and spare drives on hand? this thing worked before i messed with the dvd drive. but it had a disc dirty error so i tried to fix it with a new laser. instead of getting a new thomson should i try a 8163b mod with a drive form ebay?

You may have bought the wrong Laser for your drive! Also, if you bought a thompson from EBAY then you have to DESOLDER A POINT ON THE LASER IN ORDER FOR IT TO WORK! This can explain all your problems. It may be as easy as desoldering a point to enable that laser to run. Post up your thompson drive model #, and the original, and replacement lasers models.

just get rid of the thompson and get a samsung... their cheap... and the samsung is the best drive out there... and lastly its plug and play...

REplacement laser
number by barcode is L31608298

REST OF NUMBERS ON IT ARE
TOP60 26.4
0309171

The drive is Thomson TGM600
made march 2002

REplacement laser
number by barcode is L31608298

REST OF NUMBERS ON IT ARE
TOP60 26.4
0309171

The drive is Thomson TGM600
made march 2002

the original laser is
TOP60 26.9
0203211
L22298414

Where would you reccomend buying one?

Check the B/S/T portion of the forums. I recommend purchasing from Appleguru or puffdank. They are awesome. No offense to other BSTers on here.

The only way is to borrow a DVD drive from another box. It is more likley to be that than the HDD having had the error 11. To replace the HDD is altogether more involved as the box will have to be chipped.
Although the laser causes disc errors it is unlikely to cause error 11. The problem will be on the drive board.

Yea that's exactly what I ws thinking. DDE drives just give off DDE, not an error code. If you can't afford a samsung definately go with a Philips. The only way to fix the hdd is to chip the xbox, or run a softmod exploit(but don't install it), and backup eeprom. Then ftp the eeprom to your comp and use xboxhdm to rebuild the new drive you get. I wouldn't recommend the latter especially to a newbie! So you'll need a chip, a dvd drive, and an UNLOCKED HDD(or buy a drive with more storage capacity).

As mentioned by VerbalVenom "you have to DESOLDER A POINT ON THE LASER IN ORDER FOR IT TO WORK!"
Did you do this?

Go here and look at the bottom picture on the page.

May not have anything to do with it. But it's worth a shot.

Thank you guys for your help. I may seem like a pain but I wanna play my XBOX !!! And trying to fix an xbox and keep from spending about as mush to fix one as a working used one costs just doesnt make sense to me.

I need to get another dVD drive.

I did try to desolder the laser but ther really wasnt any on there I was just trying to elliminate possibilities it didnt work also used old laser didnt work so I have found it must be the soldering I did of the wires from the motor to the board if you are familiar with the thomson there are two tiny wires connecting the board to the motor to move the laser. WHO DESIGNED THIS THING? I must have melted somthing when soldering. This was the only change frfom working state besides the laser.

Anyone have a Thomson DVD without laser? who wants to sell for cheap?

BTW someone should come up with flow charts for troubleshooting these things. It would help Tons O' Noobs like me. And save us from annoying the pros.

Alot of lasers on ebay must have a POINT desoldered on the laser before working. The majority have them, but some don't. You shouldn't have went in there soldering without knowin WHAT to solder(especially when you have to DESOLDER). Now you have two bad lasers . Go to the B/S/T original xbox forums on this site and put up a wtb. You can get a chip for maybe $10 bucks (duox2), stock unlocked drive for another $10, and a dvd drive(anywhere from $30-$50, sometimes $25). Spongy, yes that's it! That's what you need to desolder. I'm not sure if it's the same place for every brand laser, so check with your seller to see.

my post is undertandably unclear after all I wrote it!

I didnt solder anything except the wires that came off when disassembling the DVD drive. I desoldered the static points you are refering to but it looked good before I did this and didnt help anything I was simply trying to elliminate it as a possibility.

So know I need a DVD drive and thats where I am at.

http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?showforum=12

3 pages to get the most crucial piece of info.
As said BST here buy a new drive and fit it straight in