So my friend gave me an Original Xbox.. : Othor Games

» Fri Jul 04, 2014 3:42 am

The very first one, from 2001 I think? Anyway, it works (seemingly) fine, and I have 2 controllers, the power cable, AV output cables, everything checks out fine.

Except..one thing? Well, two. Every time I turn it on, it asks me for the time and the date. As if I never did that before. Secondly, when I go into a game, and make a save, and turn it back on, the game acts as if it's the first time I've ever played it? Like it doesn't actually save anything.

Secondly, half the Xbox games I put in it don't work, they just load for ever and ever and then eventually it says "You must connect the DVD player remote to the Xbox to watch movies!"

Uh, it's not a DVD, it's MechAssault lol..

Does this mean it's pretty much gone? I think it's an HD thing and then the lens thinks it's a dvd when it's an xbox game, and it does this to multiple games..

I may just buy a new console without the cords on ebay or amazon or something if this can't be fixed..it's just that occasionally, it WILL load the disc, and I can play the game just fine, it just doesn't save when I save it. O.O

» Fri Jul 04, 2014 2:06 pm

It could be a time loop

Spoiler

A 'Clock Loop' is when your Xbox loses time. Since the Xbox does not have a CMOS battery after a certain amount of time of not being plugged the clock is rest. This can happen anytime after 45 minutes. (15 hours for me) When your Xbox loses time, it's going to want to go to MS Dash to set the time. You can't get to MS Dash, because your modified something on your Xbox if you played with the font files and are trying to boot "PBL" with the Dash of your choice. By default your Xbox wants to go to MS Dash, but the modified fonts etc.. are saying "No, no, launch PBL". The Xbox gets pulled it two different directions at once. Then it gets all confused and reboots.

Some ways to try and fix the problem, but not all suggestions will work for everyone.

Let it boot. Let your Xbox boot until it breaks out. Fonts will kick in a set the time.
Plug your Xbox into an active computer network. After a couple of boots, you should be out.
Put an Audio CD in your Xbox
Unplug all controlers
Try all of the above in diffrent combo's (it works for some indviduals)

If all else fails, then you'll have to get access to your Xbox HD, disable the fonts, set the time and then turn them back on again. (You really hope this never happens it isn't an easy fix)

» Fri Jul 04, 2014 11:08 am

It sounds like the disk reading laser isn't working properly. This happened to our Xbox like 10 years ago and we sent it in and got it fixed. No idea how you would fix yours.

» Fri Jul 04, 2014 5:45 am

granted I have never owned an Original Xbox so I am basing this purely off theory, but assuming the Optical Drive either uses a Standard IDE or SATA connection.. you could theoretically Jury Rig something that would work..

» Fri Jul 04, 2014 7:01 am

If the drive needs to be replaced, it looks like an easy fix, and it looks like it uses a standard DVD drive form factor

http://www.instructables.com/id/Replacing-an-XBOX-DVD-drive/

» Fri Jul 04, 2014 11:13 am

I appreciate that link, but I think I'd rather spend 20 bucks on eBay than trying to figure that out LOL.

» Fri Jul 04, 2014 2:53 am

and IDE as well I see.. may make it a little harder to find (SATA is pretty much the standard these days).. but go to any major electronics retailer (Futureshop, Staples, Best Buy, etc..) and they will still likely carry some..

» Fri Jul 04, 2014 7:42 am

And I'm pretty sure this thing hasn't been plugged in for over 7+ years sitting in a guys garage. So it's definitely a time loop thing haha.

» Fri Jul 04, 2014 10:53 am

Mine has not been plugged in for years either. I think 2008 was the last time, but it could have even been 2003......

After I got Morrowind for the PC, there was no reason to use my Xbox after that. But, my copy of the game still has the ability to buy Grandmaster Lockpicks since it was before the patch that removed that. Took me the longest time to figure out why I could not buy those anymore.....