Xbox Modding Newb Question

[TravistyOJ]

So dumb question.  But I recently came across an original xbox for practically nothing, and thought I would give modding it into an emulator box a try.  I have a spare 200GB IDE hard drive I'd like to use for it.  And while I get the whole softmod thing through save expliots, the thing I am still not clear on, is if I want to do a harddrive upgrade, is it easier to softmod the stock 8GB HD and then upgrade the disk, or since I am upgrading the disk anyway, do I just use some tool to unlock and write the custom dashboard, and then replace the HD?

I don't need super specific directions, but what is the high level step by step for softmodding AND HD upgrade?

[TravistyOJ]

Well, did some more digging, and I think I got it.  I think the path of least resistance is save exploit softmod with the original hard drive in place, and then use chimp to clone disk.  No computer necessary.  Thanks!

[knave]

I'm a fan of hot swap...if only because that's what I had when I did it.