xbox 360 open tray error - fix/ideas needed

JMcB · 08-06-2010, 12:34

Hi all,

My brother in law give me his old Xbox for my kids, he said it was only playing some games and not playing others. The error was "open tray" error, i.e. when i put in a game 95% of the time it wonâ€™t load the game.

I've tried different copies of the same game so it's not a scratched disk.

I've googled the Xbox 360 open tray error and tried some of the things that came back.

1. Took all lead's out and reattached them
2. Cleared the memory
3. Took out the hard-drive, and put it back in.

I donâ€™t know what to try now. The Xbox is out of warranty i was thinking about a DVD cleaner but Iâ€™m not sure.

If anyone has fixed or knownâ€™s any way around it...Please let me know

pabscars · 08-06-2010, 14:03

Its probably the laser thats goosed or if your lucky full of crud and needs a good clean, which can happen if its been in a smokers property.

I would try the dvd cleaner first, or if your a tight wad just get a thin wooden kebab scewer with a bit of cotton wool taped to the end, open the tray then remove the power supply and shine a torch inside and you should be able to see the lens.

moisten the end (spit on it if needs be but I use isopropanol) and give it a wipe.

Its worth a try but its probably the laser that is knackered.

Just be aware if you fancy having a go at replacing the laser which isn't a big job, make sure you get the correct one as theyre are a few different types available.

Just one quick question, when you insert a disc does it make a clicking noise before it spits the disc back out. If it does then its your laser thats a gonna.

JMcB · 08-06-2010, 14:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by pabscars

Its probably the laser thats goosed or if your lucky full of crud and needs a good clean, which can happen if its been in a smokers property.

I would try the dvd cleaner first, or if your a tight wad just get a thin wooden kebab scewer with a bit of cotton wool taped to the end, open the tray then remove the power supply and shine a torch inside and you should be able to see the lens.

moisten the end (spit on it if needs be but I use isopropanol) and give it a wipe.

Its worth a try but its probably the laser that is knackered.

Just be aware if you fancy having a go at replacing the laser which isn't a big job, make sure you get the correct one as theyre are a few different types available.

Just one quick question, when you insert a disc does it make a clicking noise before it spits the disc back out. If it does then its your laser thats a gonna.

No clicking at all, it dosen't even kick the disk out

pabscars · 08-06-2010, 14:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMcB

No clicking at all, it dosen't even kick the disk out

So what exactly is it doing, can you hear the disc spin up at all

JMcB · 08-06-2010, 14:34

The disk sounds like it's spinning up ok, some games work fine then next time don't. for eg. Fifa 10 was working fine, kids then wanted to play forza 3. F3 didn't work it just say's open try. So i put fifa 10 back in and got the same fault

pabscars · 08-06-2010, 14:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMcB

The disk sounds like it's spinning up ok, some games work fine then next time don't. for eg. Fifa 10 was working fine, kids then wanted to play forza 3. F3 didn't work it just say's open try. So i put fifa 10 back in and got the same fault

Right ok, what I was after was specifics, but from what your saying it does sound like the laser is on its way out.

My first console did the exact same thing, and cleaning the lens worked for a few months then it started playing up again, finally it stopped loading games completely and a new laser was the only solution.

The reason I was asking for more detail is that sometimes the tray mechanism's wear or become a bit stiff through lack of lubrication, and wont quite close properly, therefore spitting the disc out strait away, because it thinks its jammed.

JMcB · 08-06-2010, 15:04

I'll have a look when i get back home tonight. I'll have to pick up a DVD cleaner first.

pabscars · 08-06-2010, 15:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMcB

I'll have a look when i get back home tonight. I'll have to pick up a DVD cleaner first.

Fingers crossed it will do the trick

Good luck and have fun

Wad_2002 · 08-06-2010, 17:41

The lazer is goosed mate. I i remeber correctly, the majority of xbox's made before 2009 with fitted with the crappy lite-on drives.

I been though 2 xbox's with the same problems. Tried everything to get it to work without success. I you had the "Play DVD" error, then there is ways to get around it.

Only thing i could suggest is having the quicklaunch screen up and as soon as you close the drive, hit A on the game. This usually does a force read on the drive.

Aragorn · 08-06-2010, 18:16

You might be able to get a new DVD fitted by one of the grey maintainers but it will probably cost around Â£50+.

vanman · 08-06-2010, 22:05

my son had same prob he go's on xbox live and downloads demo's and plays them from the hard drive. that might help you on a temporary basis
he saving for ps3 now

Wad_2002 · 09-06-2010, 12:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by vanman

my son had same prob he go's on xbox live and downloads demo's and plays them from the hard drive. that might help you on a temporary basis
he saving for ps3 now

The PS3 blue ray drives are no better mate lol/

I haave a 120gb hard drive and install alot of my games. It saves on wear and tear on the drive.

JMcB · 09-06-2010, 13:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wad_2002

The PS3 blue ray drives are no better mate lol/

I haave a 120gb hard drive and install alot of my games. It saves on wear and tear on the drive.

I've done the same, but my brother-in-law didn't so now my kids got a free xbox from him and daddy has to try to get it working.

I went home after work on tuesday and my oldest lad was playing fifa 10 on it. he said it played first time, then he asked was it because i took my hard drive back on Monday night....