Credit
Sneakypeanut

Development console and sidecar Disassembling

Im not responsible and stuff for damage you do to your sidecar or kit.
Tools needed:
T8 screwdriver
T10 screwdriver
T15 screwdriver
Flat Blade screwdriver 3mm in width is best to stop marks to housing
Pliers

Tutorial:
Why hey there 360 wanna open up? Any way you should have a console sat in front of you that looks a bit like this colors maybe different but the concept is the same.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
You will want to lay the console down flat to start off with if you haven't done already.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Next you want to remove the faceplate. Easiest way of doing this is to put your thumb in the USB flap and pull!
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Once you have removed the faceplate you should have something that looks like this.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Next we are going to remove the bottom grill/mesh whatever you want to call it. You need to pull up on the front then push the thin flat screwdriver though the holes on each side in-between where there are some filled in holes. There should be 3 tabs on each side if someone hasn't already attempted to open your console before.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
In this picture you can see where the 6 tabs connect to the main case.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Once the Grill is removed the console should look a bit like this.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Next we are going to turn round the console and work on the sidecar side. There are 4 tabs that you can get to on this side but the sidecar has 6 in total. So be careful when lifting the sidecar up. The tabs are in-between the blanked out holes again.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
On the back of the console there are 2 tabs you can access. 1Tab is hidden under one of the feet, so lift the foot out with the flat bladed screwdriver.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
One you have released all the tabs you need to lift the sidecar up from the back of the console the2 front tabs will still be connected.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
To release the tabs on the front of the console you will need to rock the sidecar from side to side till 1 of the clips releases.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
To release the other clip lift up the sidecar on one side while still holding at an angle so the other clips don't reconnect.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
One of all the clips are released you can pull the sidecar away from the console by about 1/2CM.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
The clips should just about clear the top of the case but if not don't worry just means you have to be more careful when you are removing the rest of the casing.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Next you will have to remove the warranty sticker if it is still intact. Then unclip the 4 clips on the front of the console.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Next you will need to unclip the back of the case this can be done by placing a small flat bladed screwdriver into the 7 small on the back of the console. It is easiest to start with the 2 on the power connector side of the console lift the case up slowly while unclipping the case. There are some clips under where the fans are just press gently on the case and they should release. Next continue onto the other 5 clips above the AV/HDMI ports till the case is completely released. You can now remove the bottom of the console to reveal the chassis of the console.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Once you have removed the bottom of the case you should be left with something like this.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Next you will want to remove the eject switch. This can be done by pulling on the switch till it comes away from the DVD drive.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Next you want to remove the 6 screws that hold down the top of console. The screws that should be removed are show in the picture below.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Next you want to flip the console over making sure you don't damage the sidecar.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Once you have flipped the console over you can remove the top part of the case just by lifting it off.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Next you will want to remove the DVD drive. This is done by lifting it up and out of the console.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Next remove the 2 cables that connect the sidecar to the DVD drive.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
To remove the Fan duct, place a small flat head screwdriver into the small slot at the top to release the tab. Then lift out the fan duct.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
You should have something that looks similar to this in front of you.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Next you will want to disconnect all the sidecar connections.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Remember to disconnect the hard drive connector it will make your life a lot easier.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
To remove the sidecar it is easiest to push the black cables though first then SATA and finally the 2pin power cable. Your sidecar should be completely separate to your kit now.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
The Headers with the cables not attached.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Next we are going to disconnect the fans this will vary between motherboards but it can be done by pulling up on the connector at the back of the motherboard. On a xenon motherboard you may need to press a tab in to remove the connector.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
To remove the fans you may need to lift up the metal bar that holds them down this can be done by placing a screwdriver in the gap between the fans and the metal bar and pressing up till the fans pop out. You can now lift the fans out.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
To install the new fans first line up the 2 little studs at the bottom of the fans with the 2 holes in the console chassis and push the fans back into place.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Next connect the fans back up to the motherboard you may need to place an adapted into the wires to make the fans work with your motherboard.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]

Sidecar:
You should have something that looks like this in front of you.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
You will want to start off with trying to get a screwdriver or other tool for opening small gaps in-between the outer casing and the main bit of the sidecar.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Then lift up the plastic so that the tab is above the outside of the shell.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Next you want to slowly push out the sides of the sidecars outer casing to release the 6 tabs that hold the shell on.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
The tabs should lift up over the side of the shell.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Next you will want to release the back tab on the sidecar. This will intern release the main part of the sidecar from the shell.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Next slowly start to pull the shell away from the rest of the sidecar. To reveal the insides [ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Once you have removed the top of the sidecar you should be able to see the hard drive on the top and the debug boards below.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Remove the 4 T15 screws from the top of the sidecar to release the debug board that holds the hard drive.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Next you will want to carefully pull up on the top board being careful not to damage the 2 connectors that connect it to the lower debug board, one the board has disconnect be sure to remove the power cable from the bottom side of the board as you will not be able to remove it without disconnecting this first.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
You should now be able to see the lower debug board. To remove this board you will need to remove the 4 stand of screws that are used for holding in the top board. I used some pliers to unscrew them.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Just feed the wires through and pull the board slowly away from the casing making sure not to damage any of the cables.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
To remove the hard drive remove the 4 T10 screw that hold down the hard drive to the board.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Next you want to slide the hard drive away from its connector making sure you don't damage both.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Next lifts the hard drive away from the board making sure not to lose the 2 plastic pads from under the HDD they stop it from shorting on the top of the debug board.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
You now should have a fully disassembled Sidecar like the one shown below.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
To enable PIX on a test kit sidecar you will need to remove the little blanking plate those blocks of 1 of the USBs.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
It simply pushes out, giving you the ability to use PIX if your console supports it.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Reassembly:
Next we are going to install the new hard drive into the sidecar. I used a 500GB Toshiba hard drive from my old laptop.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Slide the drive back onto the SATA connector on the sidecars upper debug board. Then slide the 2 plastic tabs to line up with the holes on the bottom of the board.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Reinstall the 4 screws into the bottom of the hard drive don't tighten them up to tight as it may damage the hard drive.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
If you have not placed the lower board back into the sidecar yet do so being careful not to trap or damage any of the cables, install the 4 stand of screws ready for the top board to be installed. Connect the power connector to the upper board, be careful not to cut your hand on the shielding in the sidecar it can be sharp.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Place the board into the top of the sidecar and line up the connectors with the lower board press down firmly to reengage them be careful not to damage the connectors when you do this. Next reinstall the 4 T15 screws into the board and screw them in.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Next place the top back on the sidecar the back should go on first then the rest should follow.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Push down firmly so that all the tabs reengage with the outer shell of the sidecar.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Next you are going to reattach the sidecar to the console, start of by feeding the power cable though the hole in the top of the chassis followed by the SATA cables and then the black debug cables. This may be a bit of a pain and may take a little while as you have to get the wire though a small gap.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Next feed the wires through so that you can connect them to the board. And connect up the hard drive connector on the outside of the chassis. And connect up all the debug cables and SATA to the board apart from the DVD drive ones. The cables will only fit in one place and shouldn't fit anywhere else.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
You will want to feed the power cable round so that it does not get in the way.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Next you will want to install the fan duct it should just click in. If you notice in the picture I put the fan duct in before I put the sidecar on yeah I confused myself there.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Next you will want to connect up the DVD drive. Make sure you connect the wires the right way round it is all too easy to put the cables in the wrong way and blow up the drive.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Place the DVD drive back into the console and make sure it sits flush with the chassis.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Testing connect the console up hopefully not as precariously as I did.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
It should fire up nicely (note it's not 1 red lighting just happened to be when I took the picture)
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Next you will want to recover the console to reformat the hard drive. I won't cover that in this guide. If all went well the new hard drive should show up freshly formatted.
If everything is good and working unplug everything carefully and lay the development kit back down on your desk and place the top of the case back on.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Carefully flip it over and place the 6 T10 screws back in the holes screw them up tightly.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Next attach the eject switch this can be done by pushing it back into place till it clicks
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Next Place the bottom of the kit back on press down so all the tabs reengage on the back and the front.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Next you will want to push the bottom back onto the console. Make sure that the notch is at the front then push the grill till it clips back into place.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Next stand up the console, line up the sidecar tabs with the ones on the case and push firmly down on the sidecar till it goes 'CLICK' and the sidecar sits back down in its normal position.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Now reattached your consoles faceplate it should just click right into place.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Fire up the console and check that it is still working fine.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]


Thanks for reading hope it helped