Removing The Xbox Front Panel (Aka Bezel/Face Plate) - Microsoft Xbox Repair Manual

You should now have a pile of parts like this below
To get to the power and reset buttons you will need to remove the front face plate. I have only
done this by completely disassembling the case including the fan and inner tray. By doing this the
bottom of the case becomes flexible and you will have an easier time popping off the front. You
will find three tabs inside the case that are holding it, careful these are fragile. To get the plate off
you will need to loosen the three and both sides of the front plate where it clips to the sides of the
case (the side clips are the most difficult), all three inside tabs need to be loosened simultaneously
while popping off one side or the other of the front plate. I think there is a possibility of doing this
without removing everything but for now complete disassembly is my best advice.
TIP: If you are trying to remove the stickers without damaging them and making it look like they
were removed, using a few drops of hexane (Zippo lighter fluid) around the edges of the stickers
to get started and then using a drop as or two as you go, peeling back the sticker will help a LOT.
The hexane temporarily neutralizes the tackiness of the sticky goop on the stickers, so that they
peel back easily without ripping etc or looking like they've been peeled up. Once the hexane
evaporates, which happens within a few minutes, the tackiness will return and you can push the
sticker back down like nothing ever happened.

REMOVING THE XBOX FRONT PANEL (AKA BEZEL/FACE PLATE)

Okay this one was not that obvious to me. That thing is on there good and it is easy to break the 3
tabs or crack the case. Take your time and be careful. The goal is to remove the front panel
without tearing the whole Xbox apart. You would need to do this if you were planning to paint it,
install different color LED's in the power switch or just replace the power switch. This can be
accomplished while the cover is off but the rest of the Xbox is assembled.
Tools: Big Flat Blade Screw Driver or other device to use as a pry bar.
Start by opening the console and removing the top cover. Next disconnect the yellow cord coming
from the front panel. Notice the three tabs at the front bottom on the inside of the case. You will
not need to remove the USB daughter board or USB connections but you can if it makes for easier
access to the tabs.
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