XBox hardrive

I am asking this question for my nephew. Hope someone might be able to offer some advice. Thanks. I have an Xbox where the hard drive is clicking and not letting the system boot up. My understanding it will no longer read the disk any more. We are not using the system in a network. My hope is to get another hard drive and load in some software. After some research, I've run in to the terms locked and unlocked, MOD chips and tutorials that include setting up for networking. My question is, is there a download or disk available to load into the hard drive so we can start playing games again? Any help would be great.
Mark
Answer #1
Do you get an error message displayed on the TV set, if so what is the message?
There is no ‘magic’ solution to your problem ………….. you need to retrieve the HDD Password Lock key that comes with your existing drive. This can be carried out using XboxHDM (Linux CD), once you have this you can rebuild a new HDD (Western Digital) with a fresh copy of the C:\ Partition (clean dashboard) and use the HDD Lock key, without this it’s ‘bricked’ …… finally Slayer’s Disc or AID (Auto Installer Deluxe) can be used to format and install additional applications onto your new HDD.
Answer #2
Thanks for your reply … I will pass this info on to him.
Answer #3
If the hard drive is clicking that means the hard drive it self is dead…
You could mod another hdd to work with your current xbox, although a new xbox is fairly cheap.
Answer #4
Thanks for your reply too …
More info about the trouble.
The message on the TV says Your Xbox requires service and to call Xbox customer service.
I've had another hard drive fail with a similar clicking noise in my computer. The hdd was benched tested to retrieve files. The unit showed a few numbers and that was it.
Answer #5
I know that but it should be specific and give you an error code eg

http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/210562

This is a guide on how to use XboxHDM …… it might look confusing but it’s very simple to do

http://xguides.xbox-scene.com/tikiwiki/tiki-index.php?page=XBOXHDM+for+dummies

Answer #6
Thanks much Chrome — excellent links. Will be sure to pass this info along to him.
Answer #7
Clicking = death regardless of the HDD
Answer #8
Thanks for your reply too.
Clicking = death regardless of the HDD
Yes – this is what he suspects now too.
Answer #9
Clicking = death regardless of the HDD
Yep, his hard drive is definitely dead. Go make an oscillator out of it and stare at it