So this has been happening for about 3/4 months now... My backups will not play/read all the time. Sometimes I can get them to work with a combo of turning on/off and ejecting/loading. It usually takes about 10-15 times when this does happen and then they usually play well. When they don't work I get a unplayable error or it just spits me back at the dash. All backups were done with XBC 2.3/5 on Verbatim media using SH162C and a 111d burner. I just upgraded from 42/3 (I can't remember which one) to 1.2c hasn't helped. Any help is much appreciated. TIA

tempted to say hadware related if it is true of recent backup as well.

clean laser -->> pot calibration -->> replace laser is the usual order

-soso

Haven't done any recent backups. So for starters just get one of those cleaning cd's at radioshack or something?

Those lens cleaners are crap. Open the drive and use a cotton q-tip and some isopropyl alcohol.

Try schtrom 3.2. I heard it is good.

i hear you have to get 100% isopropyl but the highest I can find is 91%. I was wondering if I could use one of those air canisters to get rid of the dust. I have 70% at home...

Give the air canister a shot first.

air didn't work. I'll try with the 70%

I usually use 90% for cleaning, as it's hard to get isopropyl in my country, but 90% works perfect.

Just be careful when cleaning, and let us know how it goes.

WELL................

Ended up doing a POT calibration. Seems like everything is working OK I tested 5 backups and got a freeze once during the game but at least they read all from boot up. I'm at 3.15 so I still have some room to work with. If it comes to me getting a new laser..... can I grab one from any CD/DVD drive I have laying around ro do I have to buy one specifically form a 360 drive?

PS Moda has a great tutorial!!!

Thanks for everyone's help

So basically I've given up on this drive. Still get backups freezing and now I'm getting unrecognizable error for my retail games. Only difference after the pot calibration (which is at 2.94 right now) is when i get the errors i don't get automatically spit back to the dash the side panel flashes out and i have to press A or B. All I need to know now is should I purchase a new drive or just a new laser? I know the lasers have an anti-static solder point that has to be removed and I'm not too familiar with soldering but if it is relatively easy I'll take the chance. All advice is helpful.

Since it is getting hardware, will transfer you to a better place

good luck,
soso

Laser replacement tutorials are in my Sig, and I'd go with that first, since the POT tweak helped out that points to the laser being weak/faulty.

Is an HD63 ok? I know they have those on ebay for decently cheap and I know divineo has benq lasers but they are a little more pricey. Which should I go with? or any other goos links (in US)?

do I need anything to desolder? like one of these? i have an iron how woudl I do it with just that?

Yes the SF-HD63 will work and either that or a 67 is in your drive now anyway and either one will work.

You don't need any kind of desoldering braid or pump really at all, a soldering iron will do the job by itself really. All ya have to do is heat up the spot and then just sorta 'wipe' it away with the tip of the iron, only takes a second or two, follow?

Yea, definitely. Thats what I figured at first but I've heard you need a braid etc. Thanks for the clarification. I'll try to find the cheapest on ebay but is there a best one to choose or is it kinda luck of the draw?