Restoring the Original Xbox - Retro Console Restoration & Repair

Restoring the original Xbox. In this episode I will restore this old Xbox. The console is very dusty and it has some problems, but nothing beyond restoration. The disc drive is stuck and it won't save the time and date if it's unplugged. Both are common problems with the Xbox and pretty easy to repair. This unit has been unused for along time and it also needs to be cleaned from all the dust on the inside and outside. I wanted to publish this episode right before Christmas have got this gaming console for Christmas almost 20 years ago.

I wanted to keep the stickers at the bottom intact so I used isopropyl alcohol to soften the glue. This allowed me to lift the sticker with a sharp blade without ruining it. Fun fact: the bottom says opening the console will void the warranty. Of course the warranty is over but eve if the console was new it wouldn't. The FTC has deemed warranty stickers illegal in the US with some exceptions. Nevertheless, it was fun to try to get in unnoticed.

The disassembly was pretty straightforward. A few screws here and there and a ton of cables to wiggle free. After everything was out of the body I opened the disc drive. I didn't see any tutorials for this type of drive. so I had to figure that out myself. Microsoft used different drives in different versions of the original Xbox. The disc drive is stuck for one of two reasons. Either the rubber band is too stretched and it slips of there is too much dust. I shrunk the band by boiling it for a minute or two. I blew all the dust off and whatever was left was cleaned off with isopropyl alcohol.

I also wanted to replace the condensator which is used to keep the time and date if the xbox is unplugged. Condensator is basically a small battery.. Microsoft used cheap condensator for this and they start leaking eventually. Condensator contains acid which causes corrosion and might ruin the motherboard so I had to remove the condensator anyways. I replaced it with similar but different looking condensator. Only in v1.6 xbox the condensator won't start leaking. The corrosion was removed by washing the board with isopropyl alcohol.

On the board there was also heat sink to cool the CPU and GPU. Between heat sink and the board there is always thermal past or thermal pad that is used to transfer heat. If there is air gaps the heat wont transfer efficiently enough. Also if the thermal paste dries, that can cause overheating so I replaced the paste. It's important to clean the old paste. A small drop of paste in the middle of the CPU is the best way to apply it. Some people draw X or something else silly but that might cause air bubbles. A simple drop is the best based on my research.

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SOME TOOLS FROM THIS PROJECT:

MY FILMING GEAR:

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[OddTinkering]

Hello everyone! Next week it's Christmas so I wanted to wish you all merry Christmas (just merry normal day, if you don't celebrate Christmas). I hope you get as awesome presents as this Xbox was 18 years ago!

[StygianOubliette]

The fact that this is considered “retro” now makes me feel ancient.

[EnfantDesAstres]

I love how he played like 3 or 4 Halo missions, probably enjoyed himself a lot and remember that he had to put some footage of him playing to show that the restoration worked

[finned.]

If this guy ever decided to do a jumpscare my soul would leave my body

[MikeXiL]

Watching him clean the top of the Xbox and being annoyed by it is such a mood. I remember having so much annoyance with maintaining it to be clean

[Tejanrocks]

I love how when you were restoring the Gameboy you said I am not comfortable with electronics and now you took apart this Xbox so easily.

[montetho]

This is equivalent to watching the scene where the toy collector in Toy Story cleans up woody. Same energy.

[Soytortrixdelimon]

I think the key of all his videos is:
Patience and a lot of Isopropyl.

[John--]

I remember fixing my older brother's Xbox when I was a kid. Can't believe it was 18 years ago. Stuff like that was a lot simpler then lol

[noobsaibot]

I know im going to sound like a kid but i like the duck. He just so helpful.

[arcaneusumbra]

I'm still fascinated by the complexity of these machines even though they're outdated

[ragaboioey]

This is like the part from Toy Story where the old guy is fixing woody, accept woody
is an Xbox from 2001 in this case.

[Undeadagain]

I don’t know if you read comments on almost 5 year old videos, but this video helped me fix my Xbox! I had pretty much the same problems as you except WAAAY more internal dust. Boiled the belt and cleaned all the nooks and crannies after replacing the time capacitor. I even learned how to solder. These videos are a great help, thank you for these!

[kehill]

There's no doubt this man could restore the infinity gauntlet.

[bhomas_real]

Microsoft: Modifying this console will void the warranty.

This nameless person: I AM THE WARRANTY!

[adamjensen]

I love those moments when he *AGGRESSIVELY BRUSHES THE THING*

[terrapinflyer]

For some reason I always admire how well the IDE ribbon cable is folded to fit in the case. Love taking these apart.

[morpheusv]

Before I even watched the full video:

“Is he gonna do it?”

“Nah, he can’t be a fan”

“But he might ...”

*Fixes the Xbox like a pro:*

“Alright here we go.”

*Opens the disk drive*

“Is he gonna pull—“

*pulls out Halo*

Me: Sheds a tear of joy

[jeo]

my face when he opens it up and it isn't a green glowing fluid reactor like the startup graphic:


:O

[beholder]

Wow this takes me back. I got one of these in 2004 and played it for years. I even got it modded with a chip and was able to play old Nintendo and PS games on it. It was pretty much a mini PC for it's time.