Lite-on drive replacement help

[sitn_on_20s]

I am trying to replace my dvd drive in my xbox 360.  The xbox is only about 3 months old and had a shelf full stuff fall on top of it.  After that, the drive won't read anything and it spin for about 5 secs and then in the console goes back to the "open tray" option.  It never recognizes the disk being in there.  This is the case for both dvd's and games.  I bought a replacement drive but it is a Hitachi-LG Rom Version 0027ac.  I have search all over on how to make this drive work for me. Can anyone give me some suggestions to get this thing back up and running.  I can't seem to find anything on the 0027 FW.  Should I try to find another Lite-on drive?

[Arakon]

you couldn't put in another liteon since you can't flash the key to them.
as for the hitachi, that is likely a devkit/pre-release firmware. you likely can only flash it with a 46 firmware, but for that you need to program the chip externally.

[idog]

In this case, where you're not really interested in playing backups, just trying to get your xbox in working state again, you actually COULD use another liteon.

From the sound of it, your drive itself is damaged, sooo, if you get another Liteon (I'm sure you'll find one as people have no use for it after they have done a replacement with a flashable one), you can take out the PCB of your damaged one and put it into the new one.

Am I wrong or is this is a possibility ?

[gigabite]

^ yeah your correct there (might be a bit hard finding a Lite-On...everyone is keeping theirs), if you like I can externally flash that Hitachi for you (PM me)

gigabite

[sitn_on_20s]

Thanks Gigabite but I think I want to take a stab at it first.  So Basically, I can use the Hitachi which is what I really wanted to do in the first place, I just need to download firmware version 46, put it in ModeB with Slax,connect it to the computer with a SATA cable and then Use Firmware ToolBox to flash it?  Anyone have a step-by-step guide for newb's   Also, I've read that when you replace a drive you have to extract a Key from the old drive in order for another drive to work on that particular motherboard, does this apply to me? Thanks for all the help everyone!
Heath

[gigabite]

I just need to download firmware version 46, put it in ModeB with Slax,connect it to the computer with a SATA cable and then Use Firmware ToolBox to flash it?

No, which is what Arakon said you can't do lol...

you likely can only flash it with a 46 firmware, but for that you need to program the chip externally.

Yes the key extraction from the old drive applies to you (unless you get another Lite-On drive in which case you can swap the PCB's)

gigabite

[sitn_on_20s]

I think i follow but how do i go about programming the hitachi exteranlly?  Which program would i need to have to do this?  Can you point me in the right direction for this?  Thanks,
Heath

[sitn_on_20s]

Also, how do I go about extracting the key from my old drive?  I'm pretty vague on that.  Does it require me purchasing a key extractor or is there another way?  Thanks again,
Heath

[gigabite]

you have to extract the key from the lite on using an RS232 and dvdkey, program externally means...de-solder the firmware chip, read it in an external programmer

gigabite

[sitn_on_20s]

I found that tread after i posted and am in the process of reading all 36 pages of it now Hopefully I can learn some from it.  Sorry I didn't see it before.

[sitn_on_20s]

After looking into that thread its more than I want to take on.  So, I am gonna find a replacement Lite-on drive.  Am i correct to think that I should be able to just swap over the Chip from my original drive over to my new drive and it work?  All in all i guess all I'm really doing is replacing the laser?  Would a bad laser cause this?

[gigabite]

not swap the chip, swap the PCB's but yes...and basically yes all you are doing is replacing the laser (well the motor too etc etc) so you better hope your PCB isn't damaged...which it shouldn't be

gigabite