Lite-on DG-16D2S Laser Replacement

[playguy]

Hello.

I had my Xbox for a year when it started not reading discs and getting errors. I, stupidly, tried to adjust the POT, but ended up frying the laser, and now it's dead.

So, I was thinking about ordering a new laser to replace this, and I was just wondering if it was too complicated. It's not the taking apart that frightens me, i've taken apart Xboxes, PS3 and PSPs before, it's the soldering. I've read you have to de-solder a anti-static ball on the replacement laser, and I have no experience (or equipment) to do it properly. I was thinking that, since it is justg to break it, a hot screw driver would do the trick, maybe I'm just stupid. What do you guys think?

I chose to get a laser because it is cheaper, and because buying a new unit altogether requires paying for someone to inject something in it...if you know what I mean. This way I can salvage the PCb board.

[Gazcoigne]

installing a new laser is a very simple task

yes there is an anti solder ball that you must remove before installing, but you have to remove it cleanly or you may damage the ribbon cable.

a cheap soldering iron is easily bought to do this, you only need a standard 15W one