Posted: Thu Nov 18, 2004 10:02 pm Post subject: New to modding, a little help please.
Hello i just bought a new Crystal Xbox to replace my older Thomson drive Xbox and have decided to mod the Thomson. All i would like to know is what chip i will need in order to achieve:
-change my hard drive to around 120 gig(i think all chips let you switch HD, but not 100%)
-save nes, snes, gba, genesis emulators with roms on HD
-Save back ups of my Xbox games and imports
I don't need to worry about Xbox Live and Bannings because i don't plan on going on Live with this console. Any help would be appreciated.
TheModGod Xbox-Hq Legendary
Joined: Apr 18, 2004 Posts: 5303 Location: Greensburg PA
Posted: Thu Nov 18, 2004 11:49 pm Post subject:
I'm assuming you want to mod your Xbox, not the Thompson DVD Drive correct??
First thing you need to do is determine your xbox version. Once you do that, order a chip. I typically stick to fourth generation chips like X3, Xenium Ice, or SmartXX, but if you want to save ten bucks you can try a Xecuter 2.6, or buy a discontinued Xecuter 2.3 in a solder or solderless version.
Once you have your chip picked out, then you need to install it. Some chips have to be flashed with a hacked bios BEFORE you install. The fourth gen chips can be flashed after install. Once flashed, go ahead and take out the stock HD and install the larger one.
You can then either use the chips tools (if a fourth gen chip) and format the HD or use an Autoinstaller like the Xbox HQ 1.3 final beta, or Slayers AI. These installers will format, prepare, and lock your HD. They will also install the factory dash, hacked dash, and all the applications you will need.
Once you have that done, you can then download our Xbox-HQ Emulator Autoinstaller 1.0 and install up to 21 Emulators. Then all you have to do is add the games!
Of course I have made is sound somewhat simplified. It isn't real difficult, but if you arent preapred it will be.
realmccloy
----------------------------
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HurricaneJesus Xbox-HQ Newbie
Joined: Nov 18, 2004 Posts: 3
Posted: Fri Nov 19, 2004 10:14 pm Post subject:
"I'm assuming you want to mod your Xbox, not the Thompson DVD Drive correct?"
yeah i guess i don't need the drive modded if i am taking it out and putting a new one in.
"First thing you need to do is determine your xbox version. Once you do that, order a chip. I typically stick to fourth generation chips like X3, Xenium Ice, or SmartXX, but if you want to save ten bucks you can try a Xecuter 2.6, or buy a discontinued Xecuter 2.3 in a solder or solderless version."
ok i am gonna buy an X3 because it seems like a good choice, my xbox is 6 months old but im not sure how to check which version it is.
"Once you have your chip picked out, then you need to install it. Some chips have to be flashed with a hacked bios BEFORE you install. The fourth gen chips can be flashed after install. Once flashed, go ahead and take out the stock HD and install the larger one."
so i get the X3 and install it as the instructions say(the soldering is not a problem). Does this come flashed? i don't even know what this means. I guess since it is 4th gen it will come flashed, so thats good. as for the HD, i just do a straight swap after i have chipped the box? what is a good, cheap approx. 120 gig HD?
"You can then either use the chips tools (if a fourth gen chip) and format the HD or use an Autoinstaller like the Xbox HQ 1.3 final beta, or Slayers AI. These installers will format, prepare, and lock your HD. They will also install the factory dash, hacked dash, and all the applications you will need."
Ok so it is 4th gen so alll i have to do is follow the chips instructions to format the HD?
"Once you have that done, you can then download our Xbox-HQ Emulator Autoinstaller 1.0 and install up to 21 Emulators. Then all you have to do is add the games!"
do i have to become a member for 10 bucks a year? if so that is no problem because i would rather get the programs off here as opposed to winmx or some other p2p.
"Of course I have made is sound somewhat simplified. It isn't real difficult, but if you arent preapred it will be."
I am prepared for the install, but everything else isn't too clear, a little more help would be greatly appreciated, and then i will order the chip and HD.
Thanks for the help.
TheModGod Xbox-Hq Legendary
Joined: Apr 18, 2004 Posts: 5303 Location: Greensburg PA
Posted: Sat Nov 20, 2004 7:52 am Post subject:
Quote:
"I'm assuming you want to mod your Xbox, not the Thompson DVD Drive correct?"
yeah i guess i don't need the drive modded if i am taking it out and putting a new one in.
?? I'm confused. It is possible to mod a DVD Rom drive. You can flash hacked firmware to it so it reads more media brands, or you can install a new laser. I still have no clue to what you want to do to your Thompson Drive.
Quote:
ok i am gonna buy an X3 because it seems like a good choice, my xbox is 6 months old but im not sure how to check which version it is.
Open up your machine. Look at the video chip toward the back of the xbox. If it says Xcalibur, and the RAM chip says Samsung you have a 1.6 version. If the chip says Xcalibur and the RAM chip says Hymem, you have a 1.6b version. If the video chip says Focus, you have a 1.4 or a 1.5 version. To tell the difference between the two, just use a multimeter and check for continuity between the number 2 LPC hole and a ground point. If you have continuity, you have a 1.4 if not you have a 1.5.
If your machine is only 6 months old you do not have a 1.0 to 1.3. The X3 chip will work on any of these versions. The reason you need to know the version is because you have extra soldering to do on a 1.6, and a 1.5.
Quote:
so i get the X3 and install it as the instructions say(the soldering is not a problem). Does this come flashed? i don't even know what this means. I guess since it is 4th gen it will come flashed, so thats good. as for the HD, i just do a straight swap after i have chipped the box? what is a good, cheap approx. 120 gig HD?
Your chip will not come flashed. You need to read some basic tutorials before you move on. Flashing a mod chip with a bios means installing a bios on a mod chip. Without a bios your chip will be worthless. Just because it's a fourth gen doesnt mean it comes flashed. That means it hs it's own operating system.
You can swap the HD's out yet, but you will need to install files on the HD before it will work. You will install Microsoft software and hacked software. I would use an autoinstaller to format the HD. IT will be easier that way.
Quote:
do i have to become a member for 10 bucks a year? if so that is no problem because i would rather get the programs off here as opposed to winmx or some other p2p.
Yes, or you can pay 40.00 for lifetime. VIP membership makes your life much easier, trust me.
Quote:
I am prepared for the install, but everything else isn't too clear, a little more help would be greatly appreciated, and then i will order the chip and HD.
You need to read more about modding. You need to understand the basics. It's not just about soldering a chip. That is the easiest part of the mod. You need to understand the software end of it. I could sit here and write pages of info on modding, but unfortunately I don't have the time. You need to know what a dashboard is, you need to know how the bios is flashed to your chip. I would recommend reading Evolution X for dummies, glossary of terms for newbies, and also read up on FTP'ing with the xbox as you will need to know how to connect your PC to the xbox at some point or another. With the X3 you can either flash from your web browser or a CD that you make. There is just really too much to go over in one post.
good luck
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HurricaneJesus Xbox-HQ Newbie
Joined: Nov 18, 2004 Posts: 3
Posted: Sat Nov 20, 2004 9:25 pm Post subject:
All right i will read up on what you said. I have heard of FTP to the computer but im not sure about the cables needed etc so i will read up on that. Also you said that my chip will not come flashed, but i can flash it after i install it, so now i just need to know which HD i should order, is their a special kind just for the Xbox?
I appreciate all the info you have given me and i think this is all fairly straight forward, i just need to understand the Evo x dashboard and all this business with flashing(lol). I don't have a dvd burner in my computer yet, but i don't think i need one unless i want to burn games. I can use my standard CD burner to make the discs i need for the basics, right?
If you can let me know of a good HD to get then i will order this right now and start reading what i need to know to do the rest.
TheModGod Xbox-Hq Legendary
Joined: Apr 18, 2004 Posts: 5303 Location: Greensburg PA
Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2004 9:41 pm Post subject:
You need to use a lockable HD if you plan on using the MS Dash and MS Bios. You can use Western Digital, Seagate, Maxtor, with no issues.
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