X-box mod for Mame help (Also Best Console Game Ports)

[northerngames]

the stock 64 would run all them up to the early 90's no problem for sure.

[Ginsu Victim]

Locate Auto Installer Deluxe and burn to cdrom.

Just a note: Some XBOX DVD drives have trouble reading CD-Rs. I would burn to DVD-R just to be safe.

[ark_ader]

CoinOPS is the latest Mame with the games running full speed. BAE = Big Ass Emulator a selection of emulators with supporting roms.  I cannot link it but if you look hard enough you will find the site with everything.  Oh you might need a rapidshare account.....

Yes you can go with a USB to Xbox adapter, I hacked mine to use with the PC.  The stock memory of 64mb is plenty.

Splinter Cell is the easiest and widely used, just get the original game not the re-released one.

Avatar info is on EE "Whats behind your Avatar"

I would just send the necessary files to you, but that would not help or benefit you nor would it be in the spirit of this site.  Hack your own!   

I have a chip modded Xbox, but like others have said it is not required.  If you have a friend who has a modded xbox - he/she could transfer the saves to your memory unit much quicker...

[jukingeo]

the stock 64 would run all them up to the early 90's no problem for sure.

Then that is good enough for me .

Locate Auto Installer Deluxe and burn to cdrom.

Just a note: Some XBOX DVD drives have trouble reading CD-Rs. I would burn to DVD-R just to be safe.

Yes, I did manage to find that posted somewhere on the Xbox-Scene site and that it was advised to burn to DVD-R.  That isn't a problem as my computer does have a DVD burner.  Since the prices came down so much on DVD-R's I no longer bother with CD-Rs unless I have to make a music CD that will be played in a standard CD player. 

CoinOPS is the latest Mame with the games running full speed. BAE = Big Ass Emulator a selection of emulators with supporting roms.  I cannot link it but if you look hard enough you will find the site with everything.  Oh you might need a rapidshare account.....

Ok, so CoinOPS is the Xbox Mame emulator then.  No I don't have a Rapidshare account.

Yes you can go with a USB to Xbox adapter, I hacked mine to use with the PC.  The stock memory of 64mb is plenty.

Ok, sounds good.

Splinter Cell is the easiest and widely used, just get the original game not the re-released one.

How could I tell the originals from the re-released ones?  You have an Amazon link or a picture of the box?  I am sure I could pick up the games at my local GameStop and/or Play N Trade.

Avatar info is on EE "Whats behind your Avatar"

Was that clip from a movie?

I have a chip modded Xbox, but like others have said it is not required.  If you have a friend who has a modded xbox - he/she could transfer the saves to your memory unit much quicker...

No I don't know anyone locally.  I found out about running Mame on the Xbox right here.   Most of the 'locals' in my area are PS2 & 3 people.  Some went the way of the Wii too.  Not many I know even own an Xbox.  The Xbox sections in both GameStop and Play N Trade are pretty small in comparison to the Playstation sections.   I guess you can say that both the Xbox and Xbox 360 are considered the 'lesser' systems here.

Thanx,

Geo

[jukingeo]

Hello guys,

Well after much digging I finally found this guide for softmodding and it seems to follow what you guys have been mentioning here all along.  So I am going to go with this procedure.  HOWEVER, I am going to post the guide here and see if it gets the seal of approval before I start anything.


http://www.mrdictionary.net/_xbox/guide_php.php


I have not been able to get out to GameStop yet to get the necessary items for the mod.  I was going to use an Xbox controller/memory card set up via a USB adapter for my PC for the actual exchanging of the necessary files, but I am not 100% sure that the memory card would be recognized by the computer via this method.   It would save a step in hacking a cable, that is for sure.

I know that the memory card is more expensive than a USB stick, but I probably would need a memory card anyway if I am going to buy some Xbox games.

So if this guide gets the thumbs up...then wish me luck because I am going in!

Oh!  Happy New Year!

Geo

[crashwg]

I probably would need a memory card anyway if I am going to buy some Xbox games.

The XBOX has plenty of HDD space for game saves.  The memory card will pretty much be useless once you've got the thing modded...

[DJ_Izumi]

I probably would need a memory card anyway if I am going to buy some Xbox games.

The XBOX has plenty of HDD space for game saves.  The memory card will pretty much be useless once you've got the thing modded...

Uhh, yeah, with an 8GB HDD and like 4+GB dedicated to the partition for saving games, the Xbox1 basically has unlimited space for game saves.  Memory card was really only made for transfering save games from one Xbox to another.  Unless you fill it up with like OTHER stuff.  One of the used Xbox's I got seemed to have a LOT of storage used by default and couldn't figure out why.  I finally realized that the previous owner had left like 15 rap CD's ripped to the drive.

[jukingeo]

The XBOX has plenty of HDD space for game saves.  The memory card will pretty much be useless once you've got the thing modded...

Uhh, yeah, with an 8GB HDD and like 4+GB dedicated to the partition for saving games, the Xbox1 basically has unlimited space for game saves.  Memory card was really only made for transfering save games from one Xbox to another.  Unless you fill it up with like OTHER stuff.  One of the used Xbox's I got seemed to have a LOT of storage used by default and couldn't figure out why.  I finally realized that the previous owner had left like 15 rap CD's ripped to the drive.

I wasn't too sure if after soft modding the Xbox that if I wanted to use Xbox games that I could still save games to the HD.  However, I have looked up the rather outrageous prices on the Xbox memory cards and I am thinking more and more that a USB (female) to Xbox (male) adapter would be better.  At least in that case I could reuse the memory stick for other functions, and like you guys said, for Xbox games I can just store on the HD (if possible after the mod).

That does bring up another question.  Once an Xbox is modded, could you still play Xbox games?  Or do you have to put the box back to it's original state before Xbox games could be played on it again?

Thanx,

Geo

[DJ_Izumi]

Most Xbox games don't even offer the oppertunity to save direct to a memory card, they just save to the hard drive and you can then transfer save game files to the memory card in the dashboard.

A soft modded Xbox can do what any Xbox game expects it to do, including save files.

[jukingeo]

Most Xbox games don't even offer the oppertunity to save direct to a memory card, they just save to the hard drive and you can then transfer save game files to the memory card in the dashboard.

A soft modded Xbox can do what any Xbox game expects it to do, including save files.

Oh, ok sounds good.   I think the thing that I read was that you couldn't go on to Xbox-Live with a modified box because you would get banned, thus in that case you would have to undo the mods.   Anyway, it isn't that big of a deal because my long run intentions are to put the Xbox in a cabinet (bartop).   I bought the Xbox for $35, so buying another one (to keep unmodded for a while) isn't going to break the bank.

Thanx,

Geo

[DJ_Izumi]

Oh, ok sounds good.   I think the thing that I read was that you couldn't go on to Xbox-Live with a modified box because you would get banned, thus in that case you would have to undo the mods.

This IS true, and Microsoft has a very effective automated system for detecting mods on the Xbox1, it's nothing stealthy like on the 360.  However as you'll likely find that almost every Xbox1 game except Halo 2 maybe has zero players, Xbox Live access on an Xbox 1 is largely useless.

I even had to get Outrun Online Arcade on my 360 just to get some Outrun multiplayer goodness.  While MS keeps the servers for every Xbox1 game going, there are basically no players for almost everything.   ...Though I woulda got Outrun Online Arcade anyway.  HD goodness. :3

[jukingeo]

However as you'll likely find that almost every Xbox1 game except Halo 2 maybe has zero players, Xbox Live access on an Xbox 1 is largely useless.

I even had to get Outrun Online Arcade on my 360 just to get some Outrun multiplayer goodness.  While MS keeps the servers for every Xbox1 game going, there are basically no players for almost everything.   ...Though I woulda got Outrun Online Arcade anyway.  HD goodness. :3

This is what I was thinking as well.  When the original Xbox was new I am sure Xbox-Live was flooded, but now most of those Xbox people jumped on the bandwagon and got a 360.  So I would think the Live people would follow suit.   I am not 100% sure what all Live has to offer so I was not sure if I would connect to Live or not.   I have had a PS2 for quite a long time and I never pursued any on-line ventures with that platform.

However my main interest in the Xbox was discovered right here in this thread.  When I learned that you can run Mame on an Xbox, I right away lit up.  Given the Xbox's small size in comparison to a PC, it is a shoe-in for a Mame mod for a bar top cabinet.  The Xbox would allow me to create a pretty small cabinet and keep all the electronics in a nice small enclosure.  Then there is the cost.  I paid $34 for the Xbox.  I  don't think I could do that with a PC and then everything has to be all configured.   A PC needs a keyboard encoder too, so that is another expense.   With the Xbox, I just have to hack a couple controllers.  With 4 controller inputs, that is quite a few buttons I have access to!

I am going to take a trip out tonight and see if I can get some more supplies to mod the Xbox.  I already have the memory stick that I want to use, so I just have to build the adapter and get the necessary game for the exploit.

Geo

[Ginsu Victim]

Given the Xbox's small size

This is the first time in recorded history that these words have been uttered.

[jukingeo]

Given the Xbox's small size

This is the first time in recorded history that these words have been uttered.

LOL!  I was referring to the size in relation to using a full PC setup.  In a full size cabinet you have plenty room for all the extra cards and plug in devices normally associated with a PC based mame cabinet.   But in a bartop cabinet, things can get cramped pretty quickly.  So in that aspect the Xbox is small.  However, in the context of it's original purpose as a video game console that sits next to your TV...yeah, it is one of the largest video game units I have seen.

Geo

[Ginsu Victim]

Given the Xbox's small size

This is the first time in recorded history that these words have been uttered.

LOL!  I was referring to the size in relation to using a full PC setup.

I know what you meant.

[jukingeo]

Update:

Ok, I FINALLY managed to get out today and start getting the necessary materials for the mod.

First stop was Play N Trade.

Sidebar: For some reason just about all the Game Stops in my area are no longer carrying original Xbox games what gives with that?  They still carry Playstation games all the way back to the original Playstation, but when they started carrying used Xbox 360's it seemed they abandoned the original Xbox completely.   Play N Trade, while not as big as Game Stop, still carries Xbox games and supplies.  Play N Trade even has some old cartridge consoles like the Sega Genesis.   Prices are WAY better at Play N Trade as well.  Just about all the Xbox games were $4 or $5.

Anyway, they didn't have Mech Attack nor the original version of Splinter Cell, BUT they did have 007: Agent Under Fire.  So I picked that game up.   While there I picked up a couple extra controllers (for hacking) and extension cable.   I walked out of there spending less than $30 for everything.

Next stop was Radio Shack to get a USB extension cable so I can hack that to the end of the Xbox cable.   Get this...Radio Shack wants $34 for a 10 foot USB cable.  $34?!?!?!  What the heck?  Why so expensive?  I figured a cable like that should be around $10...$15 at the most.   So naturally I said "F" that.   I have to dig in my old computer cable box and hopefully I can find a USB female to male cable.  I don't think I have one though.  Usually on USB cables the female end has that 'D' shaped plug on it.  However, if that fails, it looks like a trip to Walmart:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=13216164

Ahh, that pricing is much more like it.

So I am going to run some more tests on the Xbox tonight, make sure the game is working and hopefully by tomorrow night, I can get to some serious modding .

Geo

[Ginsu Victim]

Sidebar: For some reason just about all the Game Stops in my area are no longer carrying original Xbox games what gives with that? 

Company-wide they started clearancing out Xbox stuff about a year ago and aren't taking anything used. Once it's gone, it's gone.

[ChadTower]

Doesn't matter much anyway.  Every Xbox game I have bought from Gamestop we'd have to go through 4-5 discs at the counter before the guy would find one recognizable as a DVD.  Even after that it would be hit or miss as to whether the DVD was fully readable when I got it home.

[DJ_Izumi]

I find that cables like USB cables are cheapest picked up at dollar stores.

[Ginsu Victim]

I find that cables like USB cables are cheapest picked up at dollar stores.

And you get what you pay for. I have USB extension cables from Dollar Tree that SUCK. I now use them to hack for the 5v only.

[DJ_Izumi]

And you get what you pay for. I have USB extension cables from Dollar Tree that SUCK. I now use them to hack for the 5v only.

I've never had issues, video, audio, USB and network cables from the dollar store.  Those kinda cables arn't exactly rocket science afterall.

[Hoopz]

I spent hours trying to install print drivers and get a printer working after wiping Vista to XP.  I knew it had worked previously (on a different XP machine).  Finally, I realized that the USB cable I was using was a cheap one that came with a cheap child's digital camera.  I switched it out and the printer started working immediately. 

I don't buy expensive cables, but I'll stick to ones that I know work already from now on.

I mean, I spent ---smurfing--- hours.  That damn printer is lucky to be alive right now. 
















Hours!  DAMMIT, now I'm all worked up again!  DAMMIT!

[ChadTower]

I've never had issues, video, audio, USB and network cables from the dollar store.  Those kinda cables arn't exactly rocket science afterall.

No, but cheap is cheap, and I have had interference issues with cheapo USB cables more times than I want to admit.  Cheap = badly shielded.

[crashwg]

I have a USB-XBOX adapter you can have for the cost of shipping.  Just let me know via PM where to send it, I'll ship and let you know how much it was.

It looks like this one (other than the website being different) and plugs into a controller port on the front of the XBOX.  I know it looks kinda weird and that it doesn't look like it would fit but it really does...

[tightwad]

Dangit...now I have another option for my Cab build...and it might just be the perfect one.  Time to hit up Craigs List for an X-box…the one I have isn’t allowed to be destroyed…err..hacked…or I might have a rebellion on my hands.  I have Splinter Cell (not sure if original release) already, so hopefully that reduces my confusion to just one of these 4 pages.  USB extension cables I have if needed, so that is a non-issue!

[smalltownguy]

I spent hours trying to install print drivers and get a printer working after wiping Vista to XP.  I knew it had worked previously (on a different XP machine).  Finally, I realized that the USB cable I was using was a cheap one that came with a cheap child's digital camera.  I switched it out and the printer started working immediately. 

I don't buy expensive cables, but I'll stick to ones that I know work already from now on.

I mean, I spent ---smurfing--- hours.  That damn printer is lucky to be alive right now. 
















Hours!  DAMMIT, now I'm all worked up again!  DAMMIT!

LOL! I've SOOOO been there. I once spent a few hours at work troubleshooting a laser station's network setup. Fixed IP addresses, VPN settings on our LAN, TCP/IP bindings, etc etc..

And that's when I realized the network cable was not plugged into the printer.

 

[jukingeo]

Hello All,

Wow!  Lots of responses today.   Ok, since most of the responses were in regards to the USB issue, I will sum that all up now.

In terms of the price, I figured that there would be better cables and El Cheapos...If it WAS for a printer OR a external hard drive, then yes, I probably would spring for the $30 cable with the extra shielding.   However, I don't want to spend that kind of money to hack the cable.  As it is I probably will be only using the USB adapter with the Xbox once in a blue moon.  Once I get the box modded and all my Mame roms on board, then that will be it.

So I am probably going to go to Walmart to get the cheaper cable and will see what happens with that.  I will take extra measures to keep the cable short.   

Doesn't matter much anyway.  Every Xbox game I have bought from Gamestop we'd have to go through 4-5 discs at the counter before the guy would find one recognizable as a DVD.  Even after that it would be hit or miss as to whether the DVD was fully readable when I got it home.

Really?  Then I must check that game out proto

Company-wide they started clearancing out Xbox stuff about a year ago and aren't taking anything used. Once it's gone, it's gone.

That really sucks.  I can understand moving the old system out for the new one, however GameStop STILL has Playstation ONE games which is going two systems back now, not one system back.

But it isn't a big deal because I found Play N Trade and they still have a decent selection of Xbox stuff.

Dangit...now I have another option for my Cab build...and it might just be the perfect one.  Time to hit up Craigs List for an X-box…the one I have isn’t allowed to be destroyed…err..hacked…or I might have a rebellion on my hands.  I have Splinter Cell (not sure if original release) already, so hopefully that reduces my confusion to just one of these 4 pages.  USB extension cables I have if needed, so that is a non-issue!

Yeah, I was surprised to learn that both the original PS2 (not the slimline) and the Xbox could be modified to use Mame (or any other emulator for that matter).  It could be also set up as a media center and even a full functional Linux computer.  Granted from what I been told you are better off with a PC for PC work.  But in terms of using console/arcade emulators, I think it is perfect too.

I guess you been following the thread up to now, huh?  Well, I thought the Xbox was the perfect solution to my problem as well.  I needed a small computer for a bar top cabinet.  With the Xbox everything is all self contained.  After getting it ready, you just need to add the screen, a couple of hacked joysticks and you are good to go.

Now getting to the game.  I asked the guy in Play N Trade (and it is mentioned here too) and he said the original Splinter Cell (which they didn't have) is the one you need; not Double Agent, not End Game, not conviction, not Pandora or Chaos Theory, etc.  All of these will not work.

The 007: Agent Under Fire game I bought does appear to be the original.  So I believe I have the right one.  I  just have to test it to see if it is in good working order.

So I am going to try that out tonight.

Geo

[tightwad]

Got my Xbox today...$40 for the Xbox, all cables including HD ones, 4 controllers and 13 games....of which I already have 5 or so, and most of the rest are sports games.

I have Splinter Cell  "Stealth Action Redefined" which I believe is the original.  Hacking a controller to add a USB port will be simple with the instructions...I have a custom electrical website where I make Motorcycle Harnesses and such....that part is a breeze.

Gotta test the Xbox first...woohoo

[jukingeo]

Got my Xbox today...$40 for the Xbox, all cables including HD ones, 4 controllers and 13 games....of which I already have 5 or so, and most of the rest are sports games.

NICE deal!  Where did you get it....Ebay, Craigslist?

I have Splinter Cell  "Stealth Action Redefined" which I believe is the original.

When I went to Play N Trade, they had about 3 or 4 different Splinter Cell games.  Apparently SC is a series and he told me the original game is JUST plain Splinter Cell.   "Stealth Action Redefined" is probably part of the series.   However, for all I know it COULD be the first one in the series and the one needed for the hack.  But they guy did say the first one was just "Splinter Cell". 

At any rate as for the game itself I wasn't interested in Splinter Cell.  So I did manage to find a copy of 007: Agent Under Fire and that game I probably will play. 

Hacking a controller to add a USB port will be simple with the instructions...I have a custom electrical website where I make Motorcycle Harnesses and such....that part is a breeze.

Yeah from what I gather 'regular' USB has 4 wires +5v, +Data, -Data, Gnd.  The Xbox has also a 5th +12v wire which is yellow.  So you just have to match the color codes up when going from the XBox male connector to the USB female and you leave the yellow wire floating.

What I find that is so cool about the 5th wire is that you could get an LED WIZ board from Groovy Games and install translucent buttons on your control panel and have it flash the lights.   So I can definitely see many uses for that +12v.  What I need to find out is what is the max current draw for that line.  Don't want to blow something up.

Gotta test the Xbox first...woohoo

Yes, do that right away.  I bought my Xbox right before the holidays and I didn't do a thorough testing of it.  So I did most of my testing this week.  Initially I had noticed the drawer was a bit sluggish and at first I didn't think anything of it as it did read the disc.  But last night it almost "ate" my game as the drawer refused to open.  Finally after picking at it I got my game out.   Needless to say, since I have a "30 day" warranty on the Xbox, it is going to go back and I am going to get another one.  This time I am going to make the guy fully test it before I leave the store.

Which does lead me to another question.   I am wondering that once I get the unit replaced that maybe I should offer the guy $10 bucks for this one and I can open it up and attempt to fix the drawer myself.  After all it probably isn't worth it for the store to pay someone to fix it.  I believe it only needs a drawer belt.  But once I have it open, I might consider a mod chip so then I would have TWO Xbox's.

Geo

[tightwad]

Yeah, got it on craigs list.  The two genuine Microsoft controllers (seem bigger than the S one I have) don't work, but it did come with X-box live headset...

I have a problem now tho...

I am following the guide linked on page 3 (very indepth and well written), and everything worked until it came to saving to a thumb drive....the one I had on hand wasn't supported (PNY 256mb) so I swung by walmart and picked up a 2GB Sandisk Cruzer Micro (on the supported list).

The problem I have is that when dragging the files to the new drive (either file), I get "XBoxPowerSaves MFC Application has encountered a problem and needs to close.  We are sorry for the inconvenience." from Microsoft, and it has to kill the process.  When this happens my disk appears to be full of a bunch of files, and nothing I can do will erase them...I have to uninstall the driver, revert to the original driver, format the drive, then revert it back to try again.  Anyone else had this issue?

[jukingeo]

Yeah, got it on craigs list.  The two genuine Microsoft controllers (seem bigger than the S one I have) don't work, but it did come with X-box live headset...

You probably have the original Xbox controller which is affectionately known as "The Duke".   Too bad they don't work.  If the problem is physical and not electrical then perhaps you can still hack the boards.

I have a problem now tho...

I am following the guide linked on page 3 (very indepth and well written), and everything worked until it came to saving to a thumb drive....the one I had on hand wasn't supported (PNY 256mb) so I swung by walmart and picked up a 2GB Sandisk Cruzer Micro (on the supported list).

Was that the guide I posted?  Uh Oh, I have that same 2gig Sandisk drive...

The problem I have is that when dragging the files to the new drive (either file), I get "XBoxPowerSaves MFC Application has encountered a problem and needs to close.  We are sorry for the inconvenience." from Microsoft, and it has to kill the process.  When this happens my disk appears to be full of a bunch of files, and nothing I can do will erase them...I have to uninstall the driver, revert to the original driver, format the drive, then revert it back to try again.  Anyone else had this issue?

Wow!  I hope I don't run into that problem.  Keep us posted on how you solved the issue...like I said, I have the same memory stick!

When you check for USB compatibility use this list:

http://www.xbox-linux.org/wiki/Xbox_USB_Compatibility_List

This list is great because it not only tells you what works, but what doesn't work and any conditions.

For that drive it says "U3 Enabled" and "50,000+ blocks".  As I recall U3 is some kind of memory stick manager that is loaded on to the San Disk Cruzer when you buy it.  The thing is though, as soon as you plug the memory stick into the Xbox, it will be reformatted anyway.   So I don't know if there is a condition that has to be met.

I noticed that for the "mini" versions of the San Disk they are requesting that the file system be changed to FAT32.  As of now NTSF is the standard formatting for Windows XP and higher...so you might want to see if your memory stick is formated to FAT32.  You should be able to see that information when you put the memory stick into your computer and right click on it and then bring up the properties.  One of the first things listed will be the file system.

Try to double check that first.  If not, then I would search the web using that error message as a search subject.  Perhaps one of the guys here might also know what is going on.

As for me, well tonight I am making a return run to Play N Trade, to get my Xbox swapped out.  But I am going to offer them $10 for this one and perhaps I can fix the DVD drive.  If not, then I am going to chip mod it and just get my files in and out of it via USB.

Geo

[ChadTower]

You can go with that cheap USB cable but heed this advice:

The first time you run into an issue with the USB communication immediately suspect that cable.

First time hacking of a closed system is hard enough without throwing "does this one piece actually work" into the equation.  You can waste hours on an issue like that. 

[Ginsu Victim]

Apparently SC is a series and he told me the original game is JUST plain Splinter Cell.   "Stealth Action Redefined" is probably part of the series.   However, for all I know it COULD be the first one in the series and the one needed for the hack.

That's the first one.

[Ginsu Victim]

At any rate as for the game itself I wasn't interested in Splinter Cell.  So I did manage to find a copy of 007: Agent Under Fire and that game I probably will play.

I've read you should NOT play the game you use to do the exploit. It can ruin the save file and undo your softmod.

[DillonFoulds]

Just throwing in my .02$

Listen to ChadTower and GinsuVictim in this thread. It sounds like they both know what they're talking about, 100%

- - - -
The following could get technical, feel free to skip it.
- - - -
Personally, I've modded over a hundred (that's not an exaggeration, either) boxes, via Xecutor modchips (x1, x2.x, x3), Duo-X modchips (by far the BEST chip, if you're going that route), cheap mexican clones (had a couple guys bring me chips they found in a mexican flea market), softmods using 007AUF, MechAssault, and Splinter Cell (everything from simple Phoenix Bios Loader, to UDE, Krayzee's NDURE that was previously linked), TSOP flashes, you name it. That being said, here's the SUPER SUPER SUPER condensed everything you need to know about xbox modding guide.

Step 1: FIND YOUR XBOX VERSION!

In the current state, I would recommend one of the following:
Modchip
- Requires: Xbox versions 1.0-1.6b (v1.6 and v1.6b require an LPC rebuild. This is done with either wires, or an LPC rebuild PCB, whichever you feel more comfortable with).
- Requires: Hacked Bios, and a way to flash it (Pre-modded box and hotswap chips, or a flashing disc such as evox)
- Requires: Somewhat advanced soldering experience. LPC is BASIC, d0 wire (modchip activation) is super easy if you use the alternate d0, found on the bottom of the motherboard.
- Solders to the "LPC" (dual rows of pins on the xbox motherboard).
- Duo-X (10 bucks at divineo, can handle (2x512mb) Team Xecutor X2 v5xxx+ bios variants)
- There are more pricey alternatives (x2.6ce or x3), but in the end they run the same BIOS as the Duo-X. Bios banks can be up to 2x1MB (x3 bios on x3 chips only)
- Hacked Bios loads on boot, can boot to either MS Dash, or to the hacked dash directly. Faster boot-up than softmods.
- Typically have a 1MB (8mbit) onboard tsop. This tsop gets flashed in sections, ranging from 4x256MB, 2x512MB, or 1x1MB, but this varies entirely by chip. Cheap clones may only have a 256MB flash.
Softmod
- Requires: Xbox version v1.0-v1.6b
- Requires: A Legitimate copy of either 007: Agent Under Fire (Original only, NOT Platinum Hits)
 - OR Mech Assault (Original only, NOT Platinum Hits)
 - OOORRR Splinter Cell (NOT Chaos Thoery, Double Agent, or Pandora Tomorrow, Not Platinum Hits)
- Requires: A way to get your hacked gamesave to your xbox.
 - xbox memory card adaptor for your computer
 - or usb adaptor for your xbox and a USB flash drive
 - OR Action Replay (easiest way).
 - OOORRRR Already hacked xbox, FTP save to E:\UDATA (or is it TDATA? I don't recall...), put the save on to a memory card, and copy to your "virgin" box
- Requires: Softmod package, available on Xbins.
- NDURE, as linked above, is probably the easiest softmod package to use.
- Boots as Microsoft legitimate xbox, until the softmod is loaded.
- Softmods replace system fonts. Xbox powers on, loads and runs the hacks, reloads the bios on-the-fly, loads hacked dashboard.
TSOP
- Requires: Xbox version below v1.6
- Requires: Same flash tools as a modchip
- Requires: Soldering Iron Experience!
- Ignore this if you have a v1.6 xbox. The TSOP method is removed entirely from them.
- Flashes the onboard bios with a hacked BIOS
- No hardware needed.
- Solder a couple jumpers on your motherboard to enable flashing. Go nuts.
- You'll still need a gamesave exploit in most cases to perform this, as you'll need some way to launch in to a flashing program.
- It helps to be technologically inclined if you're going to attempt this one. This points are much harder to solder than a typical modchip.
- If your BIOS doesn't fully fill the TSOP package, you may need to pad it by adding a second copy of the same bios to itself (CMD: "copy a1.txt+a1.txt b1.txt")

Bioses
- Already integrated in to softmod packages, if you're softmodding, ignore this section.
- 1mb Variants (x3, only works on x3 chips)
- 512mb Variants (x2 5000 and up, works on Duo-X, X2.6ce, and any x2 series chip by team xecutor).
- 256mb Variants (x2 below 5000, works with literally any modchip or TSOP flash)
- Can be customized, to an extent, with applications available on xbins (Ie: Changing boot video colors, changing dashboard boot order, etc.)

Hard drive upgrade
- You can play the games off the hard drive (x:\Games\, x being either E(stock), F(new drive, up to 137gb), or G(above 137gb))
- Apps launch from the hard drive as well, via a homebrew menu (read Dashboards, below)
- If you have even the smallest inclination to try out xbox live (as stated, only good for halo 2 now), you'll need to upgrade your drive BEFORE signing on to live, or the xbox will be banned.
- Hard drives are locked by motherboard, also as stated above. New drives will be unlocked, you'll need to format and lock them with your xbox.
- NEVER UNLOCK YOUR STOCK HARD DRIVE WITH A SOFTMOD! This can, and likely will screw you over. Remedy this with a modchip.
- The best locking\unlocking application to use on your xbox would be ConfigMagic. There are alternatives that run in a Dos environment, but I won't go in to detail on that here.

Dashboards
- These are the custom loader menus you'll use to launch your apps (media players, emulators, etc.) and games (copied from the disc).
- Evox (Evolution-X) was the first dashboard to feature a built-in FTP server, enable file copying, TSOP flashing, and some-what a customizable interface. Think bare-bones, but reliable.
- MXM, Unleash-X - The newer generations of dashboards. Fully customizable, added animated features, sound effects, and on and on. These dashes have an improved FTP server that can handle up to 20MB/s (Bytes, not Bits!)
- THC, UIX, Enigma - Microsoft dashboard hacks. Looks more "stock" than the above, but can also be customized. There was an FTP server hack implemented in these. It's CRAP.
- XBMC! - This is your go-to dash now. This bad boy is an all-in-one dashboard, that's still being developed for to this day. It's been ported over to PC, Has FxP as well as FTP, meaning super speed, xbox-to-xbox transfers, support for almost every audio/video codec and container you can throw at it. Some modding methods may require you to use a forwarder/pre-loader.
- Get them off Xbins

Emulators
- Place in x:\Apps, so that the format is similar to: F:\Apps\xsnes9x\default.xbe. Obviously your drive letter may vary. most dashboards only look at one level in for default.xbe, so make sure you have "apps\foldername\default.xbe" for all of your apps. "Apps\foldername\foldername2\default.xbe" WILL NOT WORK!
- Roms go in x:\apps\emulatorfolder\roms\ in most cases, unless otherwise specified by the emulator (Read the READMES!)
- Get the emulators off Xbins, you'll supply the roms your self, same as PC emulators.

Xbins
- EVERYTHING that you'll need to download for xbox modding will be on XBINS. EVERYTHING. PERIOD. Softmod packages, Bios files (for your modchips), dashboards, emulators, apps like ConfigMagic. EVERYTHING is there.
- Go to their IRC channel (#xbins on EfNet), you'll need an IRC client installed, such as mIRC
- type !list and hit enter, you'll get login information for the xbins FTP site, as well as the XBMC FTP site.
- Go nuts with your favourite FTP client!


Any questions? Feel free to ask

[Ginsu Victim]

Man.....I think you may have covered too much.

[crashwg]

That's some pretty good info listed in a well organized posting DillonFoulds.

Softmodding via hotswap should be added in there somewhere. 

I softmodded a 1.6 via NDURE and a hotswap just last week following THIS THREAD ON XBOX-SCENE.  Following the instructions is pretty easy.  The only problem that I had was two of the three computers I tried wouldn't recognize the XBOX's HDD.  If I hadn't had the issue of the computer's not recognizing the drive I would have completed the task in less than a half hour including the time it takes the program to run which is like 15 minutes.  Up until recently I've always been a "modchips are better" kinda guy, and while that still is true to a point, I'm much more open to softmodding now.  If I could get rid of the "flubber animation" and the either replace or remove the XBOX logo from startup I would probably never buy another modchip.  Then again I haven't tried upgrading the HDD in a softmodded XBOX yet.  I'll get back to you when I feel like undertaking that task.  It's super easy with a modchip BTW at least with a the Xenium chips that I have been using.


In addition to that information I'd like to recommend "Auto-Xbins".  It logs into the correct IRC channel, types in everything you need to get a log in for the FTP site then logs you in to the FTP with it's built in FTP client.

*A small note on Auto-Xbins:  Some anti-virus programs might misidentify it as a trojan such as ESET's NOD32 calls it a "variant of Win32/IRCBot trojan" and tries to quarantine it.  It's not doing anything that it doesn't show you on screen and I assume that it thinks it's a trojan because it types for you.

[DillonFoulds]

I tried to keep it as "noob friendly" as possible, while still getting AS MUCH information in one post as I could. I think I was fairly close to that goal.

As for that guide, it looks to be pretty decent. I haven't used xboxhdm much myself, so i can't comment much in this department...

Auto-Xbins, and other bots have a tendency to get you temp banned from xbins, so I'd suggest sticking to the manual method myself.

[tightwad]

My problem is still with the USB drive....Drive #1 (PNY 256MB) doesn't work in the Xbox but AR will transfer files to it, and drive #2 (Cruzer mini 2GB) works with the X-box, but when I try to transfer the files it crashes AR and I get a windows error report deal.  I tried this on 2 computers to see if it was computer related, but I got the same result.

I will try a Crucial stick I have....after that I will have to try a different method altogether...possibly a hot swap but I am not a fan of that option if I can avoid it.

[Hoopz]

My problem is still with the USB drive....Drive #1 (PNY 256MB) doesn't work in the Xbox but AR will transfer files to it, and drive #2 (Cruzer mini 2GB) works with the X-box, but when I try to transfer the files it crashes AR and I get a windows error report deal.  I tried this on 2 computers to see if it was computer related, but I got the same result.

I will try a Crucial stick I have....after that I will have to try a different method altogether...possibly a hot swap but I am not a fan of that option if I can avoid it.

The hot swap method is actually very easy.  As was mentioned above, it can be completed in 15-20 minutes and that includes the programs installing.