what would you do?

[JaGo]

My Hitachi DJ stopped playing ALL discs out of the blue.
after the tray closes I got 'Open tray' literally 1 second after it closes.  No attempt to spin up and a slight clunk/click half a second before the 'Open tray'

So... I bought a new laser thinking it would fix it.

Got my new laser through the post yesterday.  Fitted it and guess what... the drive still doesnt spin up and I get 'open tray' 1 second after the tray has closed, no matter what disc I have in there. Just as before.
 

I wish I knew of somewhere that actually refurbs drives.  I have looked everywhere and cannot find anywhere in the UK where you can buy replacement Hitachi's or Samsung's.

My only choices now are;

1. Buy a whole new 360 (which would be pretty gutting)
2. Put it in the draw and forget about it until drives become avail in the UK.
 

[rossmac18]

Same thing has happened to me.  The Dashboard says 'Reading' for about half a second after inserting ANY type of disc then goes to 'Open Tray'

I was thinking of trying a new laser but won't bother now.  For the record - I've restored orig.bin and it makes absolutely no difference.

What would I do?  What I am doing is leaving it in it's box in a dark corner until I can pick up a cheap replacement drive (Also in the UK).

[fastlegs123]

Im in the same boat. Im thinking of sending back the xbox and see if they will replace it. Ive removed the securiy sticker and all but i may might give it a shot, they can only say no!

cheers.

[JaGo]

I have been informed that there was a piece of solder that must be removed from my new laser before it will work.

I am going to try this tonight and will report back.  Man I hope this works!

Will report back...

[garyopa]

Yes. on all new lasers there is a very small part of solder joining together the gaps in traces going to the laser.

You must remove this before installing the new laser.

[Loneh]

Yes there is, its called ESD or something. Its to protect against electrostatic shock i think.

Have a look at the attached pic. just remove the blob of solder and your good to go.

[JaGo]

NIce one posting the pic, now I know what I am looking for!  Just bought me a £17 soldering iron just for this.

[JaGo]

Think i might have fried the chip on the laser trying to remove the solder 

There is still 3 small bits of solder left on there that dont look like they are blocking any route (if that makes sense) took me ages and some of the chip is slightly discoloured due to the heat (only used a 15v with 2 mm head) so must have done it wrong.
Just couldnt get it all off  Sh1t!
Sooooo frustrating.

I put it all back together and no luck.

If anyone out there is selling a drive - let me know!

[creatox]

You should also have bought some DeSolder Braid.

[JaGo]

hmm might buy another laser and try with the braid... if only I knew about the braid yesterday!

[JaGo]

just ordered my 2nd laser along with some braid.  Any tips?!?

[uberfry]

put the braid on the solder, then heat up, just above the place where you want to suck up the solder from
best tip for this is the flat one, but if you don't have one, a fine/thin one will do too

[JaGo]

do you mean flat one as in flat head on the solering iron?

[rossmac18]

I think he means "best tip" as in "best soldering head (the 'tip')" not "best method"   So yes - go with the flat head

Where did you order your replacement laser from Jago?

[JaGo]

Mrmodchip.com
My last one came 1 one day which I thought was good and it had the blob so knew it was new.

[Maisbiensuer]

Is it Possible to take a LAser from a Hitachi Drive and put it into the Samsung Drive? Are the Reading qulities the same?

[stonersmurf]

Is it Possible to take a LAser from a Hitachi Drive and put it into the Samsung Drive? Are the Reading qulities the same?

Yes there the same laser. Just need to swap a small piece at the bottom of the laser, it connects to the motor and is held on by one screw. But I am not sure why you would want to since the Hitachi seems to be better at reading and load times now.