Xbox Corroded Traces & DVD Pot Tweak (Part 2) - Retro Console Restoration

In this video (Xbox Restoration Part 2) I continue my Xbox restoration project and pick up where I left off in Part 1. I begin by attempting to adjust the potentiometers on the Samsung SDG-605 DVD drive to attempt to revive the laser and get the motor to spin when a game disk is inserted. Although some baseline values are available online for the Thompson and Philips drives, I had no such luck finding any for the Samsung drive. I took a measured approach to lower the resistance in -15% increments to deliver more power to the laser.

I source a 'parts' Xbox from eBay, described as untested and may or may not be working. To my delight, not only does the console work and is in fantastic shape, it is also a v1.0 which is a very desirable version for modding. I really lucked out with this listing and wish all my chance purchases on eBay turned out like this one.

The 'parts' Xbox is in such good shape that I decide to switch gears and restore it, instead using my original Xbox for parts. Along the way I remove and replace the clock capacitor with a high quality replacement (not needed, I know) and I replace the thermal paste on the CPU and GPU. The existing thermal compound on the GPU in particular was as hard as a rock.

I'm thrilled to have this mint fully restored Xbox in my collection and have big plans for it. More details in the video.

🎮 Xbox Restoration Part 1
Check out Part 1 to see how this Xbox journey began
   • Xbox Corroded Traces & DVD Surgery (P...  

🎵 Music
Sunbathers - Scandinavianz   / scandinavianz  
Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0
Free Download / Stream: http://bit.ly/_Sunbathers
Music promoted by Audio Library    • Sunbathers – Scandinavianz (No Copyri...  

Affiliated links below to some of the tools I use if you'd like to support the channel:

🖥 Composite and S-Video on my Mac
USB Capture Card: https://amzn.to/2YM4TT7
(Catalina 64-bit drivers can be found on the manufacturer's website)

🔧 Toolkit
Screwdriver Set: https://amzn.to/2X7s0Gj
Automatic Wire Stripper: https://amzn.to/30F5TJm

🖌 Soldering Essentials
TS100 Soldering Iron: https://amzn.to/2YIJZUR
No Clean Flux Syringe: https://amzn.to/2NFUZvQ
No Clean Solder: https://amzn.to/2NHEAqQ
Desoldering Braid: https://amzn.to/312Grws

🔍 Soldering Add-ons
Tip Tinner: https://amzn.to/31w2EF4
Helping Hands Soldering Aid: https://amzn.to/3ihgksP
Heat Shrink Tubing: https://amzn.to/31wGq4b

🔥 Thermal Compounds
Arctic MX-4 Thermal Paste: https://amzn.to/2Ak2y8w