Xbox 360 Repair (Warranty or DIY???)

[tetsu96]

Had a DVD rom go tits up today on my xbox 360. Seems that the drive itself is still communicating but discs don't spin. Seems like this is a known issue from what I've read.

The Xbox seems to have warranty left on it so it can be sent back for a replacement.

But my concern is a double header - I bought it used so I don't know if someone before me opened it up to try to mod it (UPDATE - scratch that, the security stickers are behind the faceplate and look untampered with, but I can almost imagine having to pay for return shipping w/o work done because MS refuses it for some reason), and even if it wasn't, I wonder if the hardware failure rate of 360 drives is enough to warrant a different approach.

So what do you guys think - since I have a bit of warranty left, is the recommended thing to go with an official MS repair? Or is it a bit more forward thinking voiding the warranty and getting the firmware key so I can do firmware flashes myself if drives need replacement in the future (and are the current replacement drives harder to extract the keys from making now the best / only time to get the keys)?

[boykster]

If its under warranty, and you're sure the warranty hasn't been voided by opening it, then I'd say send it in.  Replacement DVD drives are easily $75 or more, and shipping won't be that much. 

Who knows, you may get an entirely new unit...mebbe yours has the dreaded ---smurfy--- solder job on some of the early units and the one you get in return is better....

[NIVO]

definitely try for a warranty repair. Even if it doesnt happen your only out shipping.

[ChadTower]

Warranty repair. 

[pointdablame]

Yup... this is a no-brainer.  If you still have a warranty, and your security stickers are still in tact.... send that thing back to MS

[tetsu96]

The tribe has spoken.  Thx for the input.   

I sent it back.  Gonna be a long month without the 360...  it's like I won't have anything to play at all.  Except for the cabs.  Ok, I may not be that bored waiting, but I'll miss the stupid Pinatas.

Found out my warranty goes longer than I thought too so I'll hang off on modding for a while too but is there truth to what I've heard about the newer drives being harder to flash?

[boykster]

Gonna be a long month without the 360...  it's like I won't have anything to play at all.  Except for the cabs.  Ok, I may not be that bored waiting, but I'll miss the stupid Pinatas.

Found out my warranty goes longer than I thought too so I'll hang off on modding for a while too but is there truth to what I've heard about the newer drives being harder to flash?

I hear you....when I'm working (at home) the Gears (of War) talk to me...they tell me to kill things.  Its all I can do to keep from firing up my 360 and racking up some frags and downs. 

As far as teh newer drives, they're all doable, its just a matter of finesse.  Do you know what type of drive you had/have?  each drive / firmware revision has its own idiosyncracies, but are all doable...

[tetsu96]

I hear you....when I'm working (at home) the Gears (of War) talk to me...they tell me to kill things.  Its all I can do to keep from firing up my 360 and racking up some frags and downs. 

As far as teh newer drives, they're all doable, its just a matter of finesse.  Do you know what type of drive you had/have?  each drive / firmware revision has its own idiosyncracies, but are all doable...

It was one of the earlier Hitachi/LG drives.  Loud sucker when it spins up, louder than the Samsungs from what I've read.  I don't know what they're putting in the boxes these days, but I guess I'll find out when it comes back.