It's easier and cheaper to try a couple different brands of cd-rws than it is to replace the Xbox DVD-ROM. However, if you can't get it to read any CD media, swapping Xbox DVD-ROMs is as easy as unplugging the old one and plugging in the new one.
If that doesn't work, try this:
1. Take out the Xbox DVD-ROM.
2. Put in a PC DVD-ROM. Plug in the IDE cable, but you'll need a molex Y-splitter to splice power from the hard drive for the PC DVD-ROM. Ignore the yellow cable that plugs into the Xbox DVD-ROM.
3. Power on, flash your BIOS, do whatever you need to. The PC DVD-ROM will read anything that it reads normally, but it will not read original Xbox game discs.
Here's the full tutorial with pictures:
http://www.xbox-scen...es/swap-dvd.phpRead over this one too, it's almost the same thing without pictures:
http://www.xbox-scen...es/dvddrive.phpThen when you're done flashing your BIOS and doing what you need to do with CD-rws, simply reverse the whole thing, and stick the Xbox DVD-ROM back in for reading originals.