Original Xbox won't read particular game (3 copies)

[Carts]

I was recently given an original Xbox by a friend of mine. The console was rather dirty when I received it, so I took it apart and cleaned it all out and wiped down the lens etc. The system has been working great and playing any game that I've thrown at it for the past month. Fast forward to about a week ago when I went to go play a copy of Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance I purchased off eBay. I throw in the disc and immediately get the "disc is dirty or damaged" message. I figure it was probably the disc since it had some visible scratches on the surface that were quite deep, so I sent it back. I quickly get in a second copy, throw it in the Xbox, and same thing. This disc also had some pretty bad scratches so I figure it's probably just my luck with sellers on eBay. I decide to purchase a third copy and sure enough I get the same message as before. Yet this disc is near flawless. So I'm a bit puzzled now as to why my system won't read this particular game. I've played close to 10 different games since I've had the Xbox and have yet to experience any other problems. The only thing I had happen was Jade Empire froze once during a long session of playing. Is my disc drive to blame? Thanks in advance!


Edit: It sounds like it could be a laser calibration issue. I'll try the "pot tweak" fix and update once again.

[CRTGAMER]

I was recently given an original Xbox by a friend of mine. The console was rather dirty when I received it, so I took it apart and cleaned it all out and wiped down the lens etc. The system has been working great and playing any game that I've thrown at it for the past month. Fast forward to about a week ago when I went to go play a copy of Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance I purchased off eBay. I throw in the disc and immediately get the "disc is dirty or damaged" message. I figure it was probably the disc since it had some visible scratches on the surface that were quite deep, so I sent it back. I quickly get in a second copy, throw it in the Xbox, and same thing. This disc also had some pretty bad scratches so I figure it's probably just my luck with sellers on eBay. I decide to purchase a third copy and sure enough I get the same message as before. Yet this disc is near flawless. So I'm a bit puzzled now as to why my system won't read this particular game. I've played close to 10 different games since I've had the Xbox and have yet to experience any other problems. The only thing I had happen was Jade Empire froze once during a long session of playing. Is my disc drive to blame? Thanks in advance!


Edit: It sounds like it could be a laser calibration issue. I'll try the "pot tweak" fix and update once again.

Very likely the disc reader. Perhaps the game requires a lot of read head moves throwing off the disc reader if worn out?

Best to get a console that does NOT have the horrible Thomson disc reader. I prefer the Phillips since the Samsung has eject issues.

Original Xbox Guide - Which Revision Console
http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewt...755098#p755098

[Carts]

Very likely the disc reader. Perhaps the game requires a lot of read head moves throwing off the disc reader if worn out?

Best to get a console that does NOT have the horrible Thomson disc reader. I prefer the Phillips since the Samsung has eject issues.

Original Xbox Guide - Which Revision Console
http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewt...755098#p755098

Thanks for the reply CRTGAMER. Yes, I do have the horrible Thomson drive that was put in the 1.0 versions. At this point I'm thinking the laser is wearing out and the intensity just needs to be adjusted, though part of me would just rather buy a drive from a manufacturer other than Thomson. I'll see what happens with the pot tweak and maybe it helps extend the life of the drive a little while longer.

I appreciate the help.

[Greg2600]

Samsung drives were the best. They have eject issues? Most of the issues are bad motherboard traces on the systems which often had the Samsungs.

[Videogamerdaryll]

Check the belt..there is a belt that opens the tray and raises the laser mechanism..That belt is notorious to get weak/stretched...you can get the belt on ebay cheap..

If you open the tray and pull the plug on the system the tray will stay open where you can get to the belt..I have to take the top off the system and disc drive however to get to the belt..

[Videogamerdaryll]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-DVD-Drive-...-/191835153824

Note: it's not a seller I've dealt with just showing what I buy...I've fixed a ton of Original Xboxes...360s,and even my Sega CD with these belts..
.................................................. .........
Thomson drives though just go bad,I dunno what happens with them-I've had so many that just won't read a game,I have one listed on ebay now..
...I'll find the cleanest Thomson drive in an old xbox and the system won't read discs no matter even if I change the belt..

The belt in the Thomson dive is twice as long as other xbox drives ..

I thought at one time people desired the Thomson drive for some reason?

[Carts]

Check the belt..there is a belt that opens the tray and raises the laser mechanism..That belt is notorious to get weak/stretched...you can get the belt on ebay cheap..

If you open the tray and pull the plug on the system the tray will stay open where you can get to the belt..I have to take the top off the system and disc drive however to get to the belt..

Ya I checked the belt when I originally opened up the drive to clean the lens, it was still very snug. I even re-applied new grease to the gears and haven't had any problems with the tray itself just yet.

As far as the pot tweak, it didn't make any difference and still fails to read the game. I went ahead and bought a brand new laser off eBay that I should be getting in soon. I figured I would try the $8 option before jumping into a $40 Samsung drive.

Thanks for the help.