Original Xbox Softmod as of 2013

[iJott]

I have a memory card already loaded with the Splinter Cell exploit and a copy of Splinter Cell.  If you want I could ship them to you for $10 and give you your $10 back once you ship them back. 
Edit: dug through my stuff and found chaos theory and my hexen disc. I can send those also for the dash update and anything else you would want to do

I'll take you up on that offer if it's still open. I'll even double the deposit if you want. I wouldn't need Chaos Theory though since I already have it  .

I really would like to do the hotswap method but I don't have an IDE or PATA connection, only SATA.

[knave]

I really would like to do the hotswap method but I don't have an IDE or PATA connection, only SATA.

It shouldn't be too difficult to find one...borrow or get for free. See if you have a local recycling center...

[iJott]

I really would like to do the hotswap method but I don't have an IDE or PATA connection, only SATA.

It shouldn't be too difficult to find one...borrow or get for free. See if you have a local recycling center...

I don't think that would work seeing as I only have a laptop (well, two, but one is ancient). I do have an expansion modular bay that I can use to add a secondary hard drive to my laptop, but it has to be directly connected to the bay. The instructions for the hotswap say to make the swap quickly, which would be impossible. Is there a way to hotswap using a firewire port?

[ChadTower]

He's saying to go to the recycling center and grab an old full PC.  Most PCs that get recycled by home users are still fully functional and only need operating system refreshes.  Cheap (or free) and easy.

[iJott]

He's saying to go to the recycling center and grab an old full PC.  Most PCs that get recycled by home users are still fully functional and only need operating system refreshes.  Cheap (or free) and easy.

Sounds like a plan. I'll check where the local recycling centers are around me. What exactly would I do though? Call and ask if they have old electronics equipment they're giving away? If I can find an old PC that would be great. More equipment to hack and mess around with.

[knave]

Around my area we have a computer/electronics specific recycling center, the CRC. but some electronic shops also sell lease turn-ins and other old PC's, Craigslist and freecycle are other options.

I would google around your area or if all that fails Tiger direct was selling some Pentium 4s for $cheap.

[iJott]

Around my area we have a computer/electronics specific recycling center, the CRC. but some electronic shops also sell lease turn-ins and other old PC's, Craigslist and freecycle are other options.

I would google around your area or if all that fails Tiger direct was selling some Pentium 4s for $cheap.

I've had no luck finding recycling centers near me. Every listing online is for pick-ups of old electronics (from businesses and individuals) and when asked if they sell that equipment they act perplexed and confused. It's actually been quite funny.

I'm picturing in my mind an old computer just sitting in a pile--sad that it's about to be crushed and melted down--when there's a willing home right here ready to rescue it and hack it into useful condition, heh. 

[drmlvr]

**update**
I finally got mine softmodded, it was relatively painless.   (thanks Blux for sending me the softmod kit! Worked like a charm, will send it right back).

ok, now I am having difficulty updating to the newest XBMC.  I have ftp'd the new file and the old XBMC continues to load  Can someone please provide any tips or help?  Just about done modding this oldie and just need to update newest version to start getting some good use out of it.

What I have done/not done:

*Used Hexen disc to install old XBMC to launch from e: as Dashboard.
*XBMC booted perfectly,as Dash, then went to File Manager. (read somewheres that it is not good to ftp and update XBMC while running it, so launched another dash.)
*Went to E:Drive
*selected evoxdash.xbe to boot Unleash, then just left the dash there idling. (Not sure if I need to go to Hexen tools and launch the Dash from there instead, so please chime in if I need to).
*Downloaded and used Filezilla to ftp to the XBOX.  Used 198.168.0.2 as address, user:xbox, password:xbox-then hit connect. (note: I ftp'd with static ip not dhcp.  Using a router so not sure if this is okay).
*connected successfully and went into E: folder.
*then went to Apps folder.
*I then dragged the new file XBMC 3.2.1 and put it right next to the original XBMC file.
                       -This is where things get strange on me..-
*Renamed old XBMC folder to XBMC2 and renamed new XBMC build to just XBMC.  As I rename the last file, both files then just revert back to original file names, not sure whats happening??
*I reboot Xbox and same old XBMC comes back on.  Should I just put the new file straight to Dashboard folder, or not good idea?

Anyhow, apologies for the poor explanation/confusion, probably making this harder on myself than need be. If anyone has any suggestions, please give insight on how I can go about updating XBMC correctly.

Mike

[DillonFoulds]

Renaming via ftp sucks, just delete them both and start fresh.

Static IP assignments in a DHCP environment are fine, just make sure you're not statically assigning any IPs within the DHCP lease scope and all gateways and DNS servers point correctly (to your router), and you'll be okay.

[drmlvr]

OK, got updated to newest xbmc. Now just need a bigger HD. I guess I could post a thread at b/s/t, but if anyone has an old HD to get rid of for good price please post or pm me. A 250gig or so would be great.

[ark_ader]

Get Vision instead, it is much better and it is a fork on XBMC.

Check it out here.

[johnm]

Best way to view it is FEU3RSTURM's youtube channel

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLutMxePtcpoqVbRwcVwmRAHDAv5NCg3yR&feature=mh_lolz

[iJott]

OK, got updated to newest xbmc. Now just need a bigger HD. I guess I could post a thread at b/s/t, but if anyone has an old HD to get rid of for good price please post or pm me. A 250gig or so would be great.

Sounds like the softmod went pretty smoothly, which is good to hear since I'm planning on doing the same process you did. Any idea when you'll be done with the kit? Blux agreed to loan me the kit once you're done with it. Let me know and we can coordinate the shipping.

[drmlvr]

OK, got updated to newest xbmc. Now just need a bigger HD. I guess I could post a thread at b/s/t, but if anyone has an old HD to get rid of for good price please post or pm me. A 250gig or so would be great.

Sounds like the softmod went pretty smoothly, which is good to hear since I'm planning on doing the same process you did. Any idea when you'll be done with the kit? Blux agreed to loan me the kit once you're done with it. Let me know and we can coordinate the shipping.

Oh man, shame on me!  I completely forgot to mail it back, have it packed and ready to go but still sitting in my desk drawer.  All apologies Blux.  No problem, I will mail it to you instead.  Im not going to open the package, but enclosed is a five dollar bill to cover Blux's original shipping cost to me.  Please include it and forward it with the rest of the items when your done with it.  Thanks

Mike

....edit..quick note to just be clear and not mix things up.  Blux, did you want me to send it to iJott or to the other member you pm'd me about?  They can then just bounce it over to iJott.  Or is this the same person were talking about?  apologies again, senior moment 

[iJott]

Looking for some clarification from anyone that's done it before. Is there a way to upgrade my hard drive without an IDE cable (hot swap method)? I've read xboxhdm can now be booted off the USB, but does that replace the hotswap method?

I know how to softmod the stock drive, and ftp files to the modded drive, but is there a way to then mod an upgrade drive?

[Drnick]

See the following.  Looks like you can do it all with a xbox a spare hdd and a psu

[iJott]

See the following.  Looks like you can do it all with a xbox a spare hdd and a psu

Perfect  .

I think I read/watched somewhere that I won't need to first softmod the stock drive (just get halfway or something) if I'm going to upgrade the drive anyway. I'll search some more, but maybe you know the answer already?

[Blux]

OK, got updated to newest xbmc. Now just need a bigger HD. I guess I could post a thread at b/s/t, but if anyone has an old HD to get rid of for good price please post or pm me. A 250gig or so would be great.

Sounds like the softmod went pretty smoothly, which is good to hear since I'm planning on doing the same process you did. Any idea when you'll be done with the kit? Blux agreed to loan me the kit once you're done with it. Let me know and we can coordinate the shipping.

Oh man, shame on me!  I completely forgot to mail it back, have it packed and ready to go but still sitting in my desk drawer.  All apologies Blux.  No problem, I will mail it to you instead.  Im not going to open the package, but enclosed is a five dollar bill to cover Blux's original shipping cost to me.  Please include it and forward it with the rest of the items when your done with it.  Thanks

Mike

....edit..quick note to just be clear and not mix things up.  Blux, did you want me to send it to iJott or to the other member you pm'd me about?  They can then just bounce it over to iJott.  Or is this the same person were talking about?  apologies again, senior moment 

iJott is the person it needs to be sent to.  There wasn't anyone else I just had some forum names/e-mails confused.

[SNAAKE]

tsop is easier than all this hot swapping madness

its just 2 points. SOME 1.3 xbox(I think) had tricky nand but still worked fine(had to flash it with a different software thats it). but either way tsop always worked just fine. I did hundreds for people.

[DillonFoulds]

What about all the 1.6 and 1.6b's?

[Drnick]

Perfect  .
I think I read/watched somewhere that I won't need to first softmod the stock drive (just get halfway or something) if I'm going to upgrade the drive anyway. I'll search some more, but maybe you know the answer already?

You will need it to be fully softmodded to work correctly as it will clone the existing drive.  Softmod only takes a few minutes to do anyway 

[SNAAKE]

What about all the 1.6 and 1.6b's?

usually I just installed the chip lol. it was less headache than this all this swapping and hard drive formatting with linux. to me anyway 

[iJott]

You will need it to be fully softmodded to work correctly as it will clone the existing drive.  Softmod only takes a few minutes to do anyway 

I see. So once I softmod the stock drive and get xbmc installed I'll use Chimp (included with xbmc) to clone the stock drive to the upgrade drive, then format the empty partition on the upgrade drive, right? After that I can install Visionary 2 Lite, leaving enough room to transfer over my games and movies, yes? 

I'm using the method in the video posted above (the y-splitter).

[northerngames]

What about all the 1.6 and 1.6b's?

usually I just installed the chip lol. it was less headache than this all this swapping and hard drive formatting with linux. to me anyway 

me too by the time you get done reading and what needs what where with a soft mod or tsop flash one would already have it up and running before your done reading type thing.

get a duo2 gs for like 12 shipped and throw a x2 5035 on it and your golden with the best of all/full options.

with the x bio's you can edit the flubber and what not in game / on screen instead of through a pc.

soft mod is still limited to a x2/x3 chip in various ways

[ark_ader]

Recently I just swapped a 60gb Softmodded Xbox to a 400gb.

I know that there are are issues with IDE2SATA adapters and drives that are 2TB, needing that LBA Bios.

It's easier with a Hard Modded xbox, agreed but if you do it right the soft-mod option isn't so needy to remedy.

I really do not know what the big deal is. 

[Zombiman]

Old school method using Splinter Cell hack and upgrading to IDE drive....

http://www.zombiman.com/htf/xbox/xbox.htm

 

[iJott]

Hey. Quick question: is it important to back up the eeprom file before modding the xbox?

Yeah, just kidding. Every tutorial I've read only repeated that instruction a million times and made it super bold.

Well, I didn't. I followed this guide here: http://www.instructables.com/id/The-Easiest-Way-To-Soft-Mod-An-Original-XBOX/step5/The-Fruits-of-Your-Labours/. Problem is where it says "Select Install Softmod" there was supposed to be a sub-menu pop up where I could choose to back up the eeprom. Well it never popped up. Instead that option just went right ahead and modded my xbox. So now I don't have an eeprom back up.

WTF?

I looked through the list of options and there's no "backup eeprom" option anywhere. Now what?

[johnm]

If it's soft modded already there are some programs that do it, in fact i think evox does it, though i haven't done it in years. You should also grab yourself a copy of Heimdalls Hexen xbox engineering disc (or something like that) it has a range of tools to help out in cases like this.

[iJott]

If it's soft modded already there are some programs that do it, in fact i think evox does it, though i haven't done it in years. You should also grab yourself a copy of Heimdalls Hexen xbox engineering disc (or something like that) it has a range of tools to help out in cases like this.

I installed UnleashX already. I'm burning HeXen right now to disk, so I'll try that out first. If it doesn't have the option then I'll try installing EvoX over UnleashX and see what I find. Thanks.

[iJott]

I couldn't get hexen to backup the eeprom (kept saying "e:\backups\eeprom\evodash.xbe file does not exist"). So I used krazies one-click softmod and erased my previous softmod. I then tried backing up the eeprom and got the same error message. I tried to do "basic install, nuleashx dash" and it failed because of no existing eeprom backup.

Going around in circles here.

[johnm]

You dont need to install evox over unleashx, just install it as an app. It should be on the hexxen disc.

[iJott]

You dont need to install evox over unleashx, just install it as an app. It should be on the hexxen disc.

Alright. I transferred the Apps from the hexen disk to the c drive, then navigated to the file location and found evodash.xbe and ran it. Gave me an option to backup eeprom and gave me a saying it worked.

Side note: is there a way to back out of the running apps screen without rebooting the xbox each time? None of the buttons go back to the main menu.

Edit: Ugh. I try to run the eeprom backup from the hexen disk and it gives me the same error message.

[iJott]

Too much of this led to this .

Turns out I was using the wrong file to do the softmod and it wasn't allowing me to install a new dash or back up the eeprom.

Works now. On to visionary.

[iJott]

Looking for help getting Visionary to work on XBMC default dash.

Where do I place the Visionary root directory? How do I get XBMC to access it?

Edit: figured out how to add Visionary as a source under Programs. Now I can access Visionary through that list.

But it keeps crashing when I start it for some reason. Anyone had a similar problem?

[johnm]

yeah a guy on the coinops forum


If it's crashing something hasn't transferred, it's your network settings on the xbox, network or your FTP program settings.

[iJott]

yeah a guy on the coinops forum


If it's crashing something hasn't transferred, it's your network settings on the xbox, network or your FTP program settings.

Eh, social engineering ain't so hard is it? 

That site is down for me though so I can't even check if anyone has responded. 

I'm thinking of just downloading the files all over again and transferring them to the xbox clean. But ... I can't find a link to the files that isn't coinops ... which is down for me ... 

Anyway, do you know how much room after the install there needs to be on the E drive? The transfer completely wipes it out (only 14kb of space remains). What files can I delete to free up room? I've got plenty of space on the C drive (300+MB).

[johnm]

Transfer all files and folders except vision media, this is the artwork, vids and for some games, zipped files. Just take out whatever game or pack doesn't suit your needs and copy it over.. I would delete your previous install and transfer everything with a couple of game packs to make sure it works first.

[iJott]

I'll try that next. But I read a few places yesterday that there's a locking mechanism in coinops that shuts down the emulator if even a single file is left out of the transfer (I guess to prevent hacked coinops from including viruses?).

[iJott]

Transfer all files and folders except vision media, this is the artwork, vids and for some games, zipped files. Just take out whatever game or pack doesn't suit your needs and copy it over.. I would delete your previous install and transfer everything with a couple of game packs to make sure it works first.

  

Awesome. It worked. Thanks man.

[johnm]

I'll try that next. But I read a few places yesterday that there's a locking mechanism in coinops that shuts down the emulator if even a single file is left out of the transfer (I guess to prevent hacked coinops from including viruses?).

And there is, but you're installing Vision

I think the problem from the off is you're reading old guides and getting mixed up info from different sites. Softmodding an old xbox and installing vision is a 1-2-3 simple process, if you read the right info thats out there that is

Now you just need to set up vision to suit what you want, again the info's there just look