Xbox:DVDROM Flashing
Any non-Xbox IDE DVD drive can be used in the system, but it will only be able to read burned media and the Xbox will no longer be able to detect a disc inserted or eject from the dashboard. A workaround for this is to press the eject button, insert the disc, then reboot the Xbox at which point it will load up the disc.
However, a Samsung SDG-605B, SD-616F, or SD-616T drive; or an LG GDR-8163B can be flashed with custom firmware to be able to read Xbox games.
These flashers require a 32 bit PC.
Flashing a Samsung Drive
1. With your PC off, connect the DVD drive to your PC's IDE port.
2. With your Xbox off, connect the DVD drive to your Xbox's power cable. Power on the Xbox and PC.
3. Launch the MTK Win flash program (or the MTKFlash program for DOS). Select ATAPI Mode and click "Launch ATAPI Version". Select the .bin file for your drive and and select the .bin" and flash the drive.
4. Power off the Xbox and PC, and plug the DVD drive into the Xbox's IDE cable.
Flashing a LG Drive
1. With your PC off, connect the DVD drive to your PC's IDE port and unplug any other drives from the IDE ports.
2. With your Xbox off, connect the DVD drive to your Xbox's power cable. Power on the Xbox and PC.
3. Extract the contents of 8050L_FW_Flasher_FIXED.rar to your Desktop. Press Start, type in CMD, right click "Command Prompt" and select "Run as Administrator". Enter the following commands:
cd %UserProfile%\Desktop\ SF8163 8050L.dld 3 /f /c /p /o
4. Power off the Xbox and PC, and plug the DVD drive into the Xbox's IDE cable.
Physical Modification
Physical modifications can be made to make the drive act exactly like an original Xbox drive and physically fit in your console.