Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 8:10 am Post subject: Need help installing Linux on Xbox (dashboard downgrade?)
I might be a black sheep to this forum but I have an unusual problem.
I'm an Xbox newbie but a fairly experienced Linux user.
I would like to get Xebian on a 2003 xbox I purchased for the purpose of making a media PC. Kernel version 5101, dashboard version 5960.
I got the dvd kit remote to be used for my media pc setup as well as a simple Xbox controller. I also got one thumbhat type controller to navigate in MechAssault menu(dvd remote does not work here).
I don't know whole lot about the process involved but as I understand I need a dashboard downgrade. From what I see on xbox-linux.org my system should be compatible with the downgrade method.
I managed to solder in a normal usb connection, and found a flash drive that is recognized as a memory module. I wrote the MechInstaller image to it, copied the files and ran Emergency Linux and got the HD key and password.
I can't install Linux just yet because my dashboard version is too recent, this is where I need help.
I googled around for a few hours but found no clear explanation on how the downgrade is done.
If possible, please SUGGEST(if forum rules forbid don't post direct links) where I can get the older dashboard.
I'd hate to give up now, when I got all the hardware needed.
All help is appreciated!
wes213 Administrator
Joined: Feb 04, 2007 Posts: 10518 Location: Harrisonburg V.A.
Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 12:48 pm Post subject:
Welcome to the XBOX-HQ r00tb33r, we hope you enjoy this and all the other HQ sites we have to offer.
If your Dashboard version is greater than 4920 and your kernel version less than 5713 then it is possible to downgrade your Microsoft Dashboard to 4920.
If your kernel version is 5713 or later, then it is not possible to downgrade to a 4920 dashboard, and you will be unable to use the Software Method. ALL 1.6 Xboxes have >=5713 kernels, and so cannot be made Linux compatibile using the Software Method.
Why not use XBMC since all you need is a media center?
r00tb33r Xbox-HQ Newbie
Joined: May 21, 2008 Posts: 5
Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 7:00 pm Post subject:
wes213 wrote:
Welcome to the XBOX-HQ r00tb33r, we hope you enjoy this and all the other HQ sites we have to offer.
If your Dashboard version is greater than 4920 and your kernel version less than 5713 then it is possible to downgrade your Microsoft Dashboard to 4920.
If your kernel version is 5713 or later, then it is not possible to downgrade to a 4920 dashboard, and you will be unable to use the Software Method. ALL 1.6 Xboxes have >=5713 kernels, and so cannot be made Linux compatibile using the Software Method.
Why not use XBMC since all you need is a media center?
Hehe, I kind of said that I have kernel 5101. Every site and every person tells me that I CAN do it. But HOW is never said. We have already determined that I CAN and I would like to move on to the HOW. I know you folks run on pure hype and too much caffeine but lets focus for a sec and get this done and celebrate afterwards.
XBMC sounds like a great idea and it looks great... Does it play MMS network streams? It's kind of the main purpose of the project. I have a paid WebTV service of channels that are not offered by any other local service (not on cable/satellite). Then the second important task the Xbox will perform is play DivX and Xvid movies. As for music we don't need that and won't want that on the Xbox because we have a HI-FI that plays the most common digital formats without the quality losses involved with connecting an Xbox. Since I don't know if any readily made product is up for that I would be fine with Xebian, because that would put me at a normal complete distro where I can build and configure all the stuff that I would need.
Can I please get some help with dashboard downgrade?
I appreciate any help I will get.
Dkoots Moderator
Joined: Oct 13, 2007 Posts: 1015 Location: VA
Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 9:03 pm Post subject:
Calm down man. Wes is one of the best. He's happy to help, but I'm sure demanding won't do any good. _________________
wes213 Administrator
Joined: Feb 04, 2007 Posts: 10518 Location: Harrisonburg V.A.
Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 9:21 pm Post subject:
r00tb33r wrote:
wes213 wrote:
Welcome to the XBOX-HQ r00tb33r, we hope you enjoy this and all the other HQ sites we have to offer.
If your Dashboard version is greater than 4920 and your kernel version less than 5713 then it is possible to downgrade your Microsoft Dashboard to 4920.
If your kernel version is 5713 or later, then it is not possible to downgrade to a 4920 dashboard, and you will be unable to use the Software Method. ALL 1.6 Xboxes have >=5713 kernels, and so cannot be made Linux compatibile using the Software Method.
Why not use XBMC since all you need is a media center?
Hehe, I kind of said that I have kernel 5101. Every site and every person tells me that I CAN do it. But HOW is never said. We have already determined that I CAN and I would like to move on to the HOW. I know you folks run on pure hype and too much caffeine but lets focus for a sec and get this done and celebrate afterwards.
XBMC sounds like a great idea and it looks great... Does it play MMS network streams? It's kind of the main purpose of the project. I have a paid WebTV service of channels that are not offered by any other local service (not on cable/satellite). Then the second important task the Xbox will perform is play DivX and Xvid movies. As for music we don't need that and won't want that on the Xbox because we have a HI-FI that plays the most common digital formats without the quality losses involved with connecting an Xbox. Since I don't know if any readily made product is up for that I would be fine with Xebian, because that would put me at a normal complete distro where I can build and configure all the stuff that I would need.
Can I please get some help with dashboard downgrade?
I appreciate any help I will get.
Again just soft mod the xbox and run XBMC as your main dash, it plays MMS,DIVX,and can upscale DIVX HD to 720p.
I can stream the videos from your PC or run them from the HDD.
Quote:
I know you folks run on pure hype and too much caffeine but lets focus for a sec and get this done and celebrate afterwards.
r00tb33r Xbox-HQ Newbie
Joined: May 21, 2008 Posts: 5
Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 9:58 pm Post subject:
wes213 wrote:
Again just soft mod the xbox and run XBMC
Guys, I'm not a console person, this is the first time I have an Xbox on my hands.
What exactly is a softmod? And which softmod are you talking about?
Since I'm obviously clueless about what the softmod is, I need explanation on how it is done.
Pardon me if understood this wrong, but as I understand I need an older dashboard for exploits to work...?
r00tb33r Xbox-HQ Newbie
Joined: May 21, 2008 Posts: 5
Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 2:57 am Post subject:
Strange but all those non-M$ dashboards that enable FTP functionality to install XBMC require a modchip BIOS to run the unsigned code.
So obviously I am clueless about the process.
Could someone please explain how to install XBMC on a bone-stock Xbox... If not XBMC I would be happy with Xebian.
Thanks in advance.
wes213 Administrator
Joined: Feb 04, 2007 Posts: 10518 Location: Harrisonburg V.A.
No downgrade needed just the most up to date xbox kernel.
A stupid question arose, if I'm backing up the eeprom, does that mean that I'm having a new BIOS on this Xbox? If so, will I be able to ditch the Thompson drive in favor of something that supports writable/rewritable media a little better(not the Xbox Samsung drive)?
wes213 Administrator
Joined: Feb 04, 2007 Posts: 10518 Location: Harrisonburg V.A.
Posted: Fri May 23, 2008 3:56 pm Post subject:
You can swap out with a diffrent xbox disk drive and it will read CD and DVD R and RW's.
It wont run a PC disk drive so that samsung is about as good as it gets.
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