Xbox 360 not reading discs

[MaximA32]

So recently my 360 has decided to turn itself from a kickass game console to a large paperweight. It started a couple of weeks ago when it wouldn't read MW2. So I cleared the cache per the troubleshooting on the Xbox website and that took care of it. Now today, I go to play and the same thing happens. I tried clearing the cache again and nothing. I tried all of the games I have to no avail. I tried blowing the laser eye off with some canned air and still nothing. I read that some older consoles have issues with their players? Something about Samsung and Hitachi. Could this be my problem? Who else has had this issue? Any help is appreciated!

[Loki]

That happened to my last 360. It started having more and more trouble reading discs until one day it finally RROD'd. It may be circling the drain, but hopefully it isn't that bad.

[MaximA32]

Oh lovely. Maybe I'll get it to start reading again and go trade it in for a new one..

[MinisterofDOOM]

Something about Samsung and Hitachi.

Yep.

Hitachi drives have bad disc retainers. The spindle that drops down onto the disc can fail, and without it the drive can't read discs.

You can tell which drive you have by looking at the disc tray.


I lost my first elite to a failed Hitachi drive. Fortunately it was still under warranty.

BUT...it actually doesn't sound like this is your issue. Drive spindle failure is an all-or-nothing deal. There's no gradual worsening of performance. It goes bad and that's it.

[MaximA32]

So it seems I've got the BenQ. Just wish I would figure out wtf is wrong. It's driving me up a wall.