XBOX (Original)
XBOX Error Codes Explained
When an error occurs, you will see an error during the normal boot up sequence. Instead of your booting the MS dashboard or Custom Dashboard (Evox, UnleashX, Avalaunch, etc.), there will be a message on the screen that says, "Your XBOX Requires Service" and you will see a number on the upper left-hand corner of the screen. This is your error code number.
NOTE: you will not see the bootldr (Boot Loader) error's as they are othe cause the rebooting and FRAGs (Flashing Red and Green LEDs)
2 - bootldr - EEEPROM check failed
When you see this error most of the times you have flashed something incorrectly or you dropped solder on your EEPROM chips/traces.
4 - bootldr - RAM check failed
One or more of your XBOX ram chips have failed. Maybe you have a bridged solder connection. Note, if they are failed, removing solder won't fix them). Maybe you were static when you touched the ram chips. They are sensitive.
5 - kernel - HDD not locked (The retail XBOX BIOS require the hard drive to be locked)
When you replace or upgrade your hard disk drive for one that is larger it must be locked. The original (also called "Retail") hard drive is locked by MS. This locking process uses information that is on the motherboard. The "Lock" on an XBOX hard drive contains information that is based on the hard drive itself and the motherboard it came with. The only time this error should occur is when you boot up your XBOX and you have a hard drive in your XBOX that is not yet locked.
6 - kernel - Cannot unlock HDD
It means you are trying to boot up the XBOX with an hard drive that is locked in combination with a different motherboard than you are using it with right now.
7 - kernel - HDD timeout
Most of the times, the IDE cable is not properly connected when you see this error. Please reattach the ide cable. Not only to the hard drive but also to the DVD drive. Also try to reconnect the ide cable to the motherboard.
8 - kernel - No HDD found
Please make sure your XBOX HDD is attached properly. Most of the times the Ide cable came loose or isn't seated properly in the IDE port of your hard drive. Also make sure the power supply cables are intact and working.
Make sure the ide cable is also connected properly to the rest of the hardware (DVD and motherboard).
9 - kernel - HDD parameters (PIO/DMA/or size {debug}, certain size minimum is required for debug)
Not very common error, please try another hard drive.
10 - kernel - DVD timeout
Actually, it's almost the same as error 6/7/8. But also make sure the yellow (Sometimes also grey and or black) power and control cables are properly connected to the motherboard and the DVD drive.
11 - kernel - No DVD Found
Same as #10
12 - kernel - DVD parameters (PIO/DMA)
Same as #10
13 - kernel - Dashboard launch fail (due to missing/bad key, or anything else that would prevent it from running) and the dashboard didn't specify why it failed.
In the EEPROM chip there is a kernel which is incompatible with the dashboard (4920)
14 - dashboard - Error loading dashboard (dashboard generic error)
Same thing as above (error 13). This time it is also a little mistake from you on changing names or having played around with files on the XBOX hard drive. Error 14 is most often because you changed boot orders or names of startup files on the hard drive.
16 - dashboard - Clock cannot be set.
Error 16 has to do with not finding the menu setting with which you can set the clock of the Hard Drive. This happens to a lot of people that erase their HDD (original/upgraded) or MS dashboard files and after that they don't immediately install the HDD but leave the XBOX without power longer than 5 hours.
20 - kernel - The dashboard was attempted to load and failed
It was a cold boot, and the dashboard didn't specify why it failed, but it (for some reason) needed to be noted that the DVD passed the challenge/response authentication.
21 - anywhere -
This error says that the machine was booted to display a error, basically someone told the machine to reboot (or launch a xbe) with this flag, and the error code just means it's been rebooted by the flag.
This occurs frequently when the XBOX is unable to boot due to dashboard changes being made.
Why Won't DVD Drive Eject?
As the system ages. The effects of wear and tear begin to set in. In the case of the DVD drive eject problems that you may experience. The root cause is issue generally one or two things.
1. The DVD Drive Belt. As pictured below this rubber belt will loosen and slip or begin to crack and break. This is what drives the gears that ultimately open / close the DVD drive.
2. Gears are not turning for whatever reason. Generally old grease mixed will dust will gunk up and cause the gears to stick.
Although some DIYers are comfortable with performing this operation, we do offer disk drive repair services. Click the menu items: Services > Game Consoles > Microsoft > XBOX (Original) for details and pricing.
Using Mod Chips, Custom Firmware and Custom BIOS Legally
Although we cannot tell you what to do. We request that all customers that have a mod chip or custom firmware installed to continue to use it for legal purposes only. CGC Repairs may be required to install one in order to fix an issue with your equipment. For example:
The XBOX is now over 20 years old and obtaining replacement parts has proven to be difficult or near impossible. If the hard drive was to fail we may need to install a mod chip to support installing a new Hard Drive.