Need Xbox help

[AlexC]

I  just traded some stuff for an Xbox and want to make some moddification to it. I've been reading varios sites and forums but they are all very confusing and if you (a newb) ask for any kind of help question in those type forums they'll flame you to death. So I thought I would ask here instead   . All I want to do to it is add a bigger hard drive (80gb) and be able to load games into it and play them from the hard drive, like you can do with the PS2 HD Loader. I think in order to accomplish this I will need a mod chip installed and that's ok with me since they sell the solderless ones.
If anyone has any good links with simple instructions (in plain english) or can write some up on how to make the upgrades I would greatly appreciate it.  Thanks all

[clanggedin]

First of all buy a Xenium with the solderless adapter. iT takes 5 minutes to install. Next you'll need a bios and you'll have to get that from IRC #Xbins is the place that will give you info on where yo get that. Since you are new to the whole mod scene I would suggest Slayers Auto Installer. It can format drives install bios and put all the programs you'll ever need onto your XBOX.

http://www.XBOX-SCENE.COM has all the tutorials and stuuf you'll need to add a new drive and install you mod-chip. Also check out http://www.ozxodus.com

[pointdablame]

I'll put a vote in for the Xecuter 2.3 lite Plus mod chip.  It's solderless, and I personally like it better than the Xenium.  Very easy to install.

I would definitely get Slayer's Auto Installer.  It makes everything really simple for a n00b.  Hell, I started using it too because its just so easy.  No need to be all 1337 IMHO if you can do everything with a few simple button presses.

As far as installing a new hard drive, its the exact same as a hard drive install in a PC.  Open Xbox, unplug IDE and molex cables, take out old hard drive, put new one in, and put back the cables.

If you have any more in depth questions, let me know.  The chip install is pretty straightforward, and the HDD install is down right simple, so you should be fine.

[AlexC]

Great, thanks for the help   . I guess its now time to order the mod chip.

[shmokes]

Ahhhh!!!!!  Don't follow this advice.

Currently there is no better chip for a Newbie than a SmartXX (though Xenium has closed the gap quite a bit with its new OS release).  Xecuter 2.3 cannot compete.  But in a matter of days or weeks Xecuter 3 will be out (the PCBs are finalized and in production) and it beats out every other chip currently out in terms of features and ease of use.

Hold off until Xecuter 3 is in stores.  BUY IT FROM AN AUTHORIZED RESELLER WHICH WILL BE LISTED ON THEIR WEBSITE!!!

And still, there's no way around it.  You will simply HAVE TO go to the tutorial section of www.xbox-scene.com and read a bunch of stuff.  Here are some things you will need tutorials for off the top of my head:

1- How to determine what version of Xbox you have.
2- How to install a chip (including where and how to solder to the D0 point)
3- How to prepare a new hard drive to work in the Xbox
4- How to set up network shares so you can stream videos and music from your computer to Xbox Media Center (This is an absolute must.  My wife now uses my Xbox more than I do thanks to Xbox Media Center.  It's that cool.)
5- Read all the stuff about networking to Xbox Media Center again because you won't get it right the first time.

Anyway, if you run into any specific questions I'd be happy to try to help.  Feel free to PM me in case I'm not monitoring the forum.  

[pointdablame]

I really have to disagree on the Xecuter being hard to install.  I've never installed a SmartXX myself, but have heard good things about it.  However, I've seen people install 2.3 Lite + chips in 2 mins without ever even knowing how to open up an xbox.  It really is simple.  To say it can't compete is a bit far-fetched.