It was the one and only Mass Effect. The game is that huge that it constantly requires data to be read off the dvd - hence all the spinning noise. I could always tell just before the game would crash because the noise would become alot louder and sounded like it was actually scratching the disk. A few seconds later boom - Disk Read Error.

I thought it was the disk at first but when I tried to play other games (and films) the same Disk Read Errors occured.
It all started with Mass Effect. I don't know if the games constant use of the laser can cause the console to degrade more quickly, or if it was just a dud in the first place.

Knowing Microsoft's track record with hardware, I'm guessing it's the latter.

Good luck with the 360. Lord knows you'll need it :)

Thanks for the encouragement. Only time will tell if I can complete my goals. That and if I can stop rewriting everything.