Dvd drive upgrade?

[Redherring32]

Hi I have a Xbox original 1.6 and I'm upgrading the HDD, and I also want to replace the dvd drive with a modern sata slim drive.
There is an article saying it can be done on reddit...
How credible is this?

Thanks in advance!

 

[FR0ZN]

Nothing unusual, it's probably just a mess to install a PC drive in an XBOX.

 

[DinohScene]

It's a mess.
I'd say get a refurb drive or refurb your own by dropping in a new laser.
Much easier.

 

[Lumstar]

Xbox drives and game discs aren't standard.

Modding can get a PC drive working to some extent, but in most cases it won't be able to read legit Xbox games. (I don't know much about which games have compatibility issues played from DVD-R or HDD)

 

[Redherring32]

Ok first off, how available are the lasers, and second would replacing it make it so I could use the drive without fear?

 

[DinohScene]

Pretty sure you cna get them on ebay.
No, eventually all optical drives die.

Installing a larger harddrive and running games off off that will keep the DVD drive in a pristine condition.

 

[Redherring32]

I am putting a 120mm case fan in where the jewel was,
And I need to make room for it how would I get the Xbox to work without dvd drive,
Since a smaller drive isn't an option?

 

[DinohScene]

You'd have to flash a custom BIOS that allows for DVD drives to be ignored.
I honestly don't remember what custom BIOS supported it tho.
You'd have to do some google-fu on it.

 

[Redherring32]

I would but tsop flashing is impossible on a 1.6.

 

[MrCokeacola]

Xbox drives and game discs aren't standard.

Modding can get a PC drive working to some extent, but in most cases it won't be able to read legit Xbox games. (I don't know much about which games have compatibility issues played from DVD-R or HDD)

I can go in more detail of the differences. A normal DVD is read from the inside-out. But an Xbox disc is read from the outside-in. Because of this, is the reason if you put an Xbox DVD into another DVD player you get the first track on the DVD disc that says to please play on an Xbox console. Xbox disc drives were made specially for this and is the reason why you can use any old drive. I've seen lists online of some very old DVD drives that would be flashed to work on an Xbox but can't seem to find any documentation nowadays.

 

[Redherring32]

Thanks for the info,
I'm just gonna remove it and rig it up so I can plug it back in a port on the side of the Xbox.