Need Guidance, emulators, what chip, what os... Options

[IAmCanadian]

ok lemme rephrase that, I'm downloading roms of games that I own =P (and its funny cuz its not a lie)

I figured that I didnt need a crossover cable since I had a hub.

Anyway, which dashboard should I choose?  Looks are semi-important but I suppose functionality and stability come first.  I've only read about XBMC and EvoX, XBMC seems like its being updated more frequently, and it also looks prettier, and I've heard from a number of people EvoX is crappy.  I just want another's opinion, otherwise im gonna go w/ xbmc =P

I use XBMC, it's a GREAT dashboard..

[eulo]

yeah, I think im going w/ that.

I was looking around for skinning tutorials and couldnt find any for XBMC. I'm good at photoshop, but I dont know the dimensions. I wanna start working on it before my chip gets here (I'll have my hands full for a while =P)


Also, if anyone can be so kind, I should be receiving my chip on monday, and I'd like to have someone to talk to to make sure I'm not gonna screw anything up. I've been reading this entire week about stuff, but I would rather not screw up my 200$ xbox.

If anyone has aim and is willing to talk to me through installing my chip and flashing the bios, please PM me, email me at saber@chartermi.net, or talk to me aim on Eulogy1337. I'll make ya a forum sig or something =P

Thanks for everyones help, I'm just a little paranoid of screwing up

CODE

Xbox version 1.6 (Dont know if its b or not, but shouldn't matter, right?)
Xecuter 2.6 w/ LPC rebuild

[Xombe]

I was looking around for skinning tutorials and couldnt find any for XBMC.  I'm good at photoshop, but I dont know the dimensions.  I wanna start working on it before my chip gets here (I'll have my hands full for a while =P)

XBMC skins are far more about the XML code than the graphics that they use.

But if you want to know, the current default Project Mayhem III (see my sig) uses standard 720x576 backgrounds, and the home window graphics should be 512x362 (regardless of aspect ratio; the 4x3 and 16x9 use the same dimension, though streched differntly). You can use other sizes, but they'll take up far too much memory. Check out the forums at www.chokemaniac.net for starters.

I'd suggest skinning UnleashX first for practice, and then get heavily into XML coding. It's beyond me, honestly. All I know how to do is edit, not actually create code.

[eulo]

ok, one last question...

if you own a v1.6 or v1.6b there is only one recommended bios for you to use. For v1.6 you need EvoX's M8_v1.6 bios. For v1.6b you need EvoX's M8plus_v1.6 bios.

Is this information accurate? I mean, is that the bios I want? I'm not sure if I have b or not until I go out tomorrow and buy a torx 10 screwdriver, but I want to make sure there isnt a newer version or totally different bios I should flash onto my chip. Its going to be here later today if all goes according to plan.

[Albino]

I would use either the xecuter2 5032 or 5035 bios rather than evox M8. When you get hold of them there are two versions, one will say old after it, the other _16 or something like that, use the _16 one. On the topic of dashboards, if you want full blown graphics and eye-candy UIX is the way to go, its a completely open source dash but editing it does require some coding knowledge. Other than that use xbmc.

[eulo]

Thanks a ton, albino. I'll hop on xbins and look for those right away.

I want to be able to make my own skins, but my coding skills are very limited..
I know HTML, Visual Basic, and basic scripting (like max-payne modding, lol) But I suppose thats a good enough foundation to learn. Thanks again for the quick response.

One more thing -- does it matter what program I use to flash the bios, depending on what bios I am upgrading it to? I dont think it is, but what is recommended for xecuter2 5035?

This post has been edited by eulo: Jun 27 2005, 10:58 AM

[eulo]

Well, Im following the tutorial (somewhat) here Xecuter 2.6 Bios Tutorial, general guide to get you going..

To get the bios.bin I have to use x2bm ? right? then burn that to CDRW (with the dummy file) ?

This post has been edited by eulo: Jun 27 2005, 11:18 AM

[eulo]

err.. following that tutorial I get this error message on x2bm 2.1 when trying to select x2_5035_v16plus_512k.bin on bank 4

(and note that it didnt give me an error message when putting it on bank 3, but it doesnt show up on the program either) even though the tutorial tells you to put the hacked bios onto banks 3 and 4

This post has been edited by eulo: Jun 27 2005, 11:57 AM

[Albino]

You don't need x2bm, when you get your xecuter 2.6 installed the easiest method will be to link it up with your computer with either a crossover cable for a direct connection or patch cable if you use a hub/router. Then boot up the xbox with the chip on, it will load flashbios, if you can't see anything on the screen, load the other bank, as far as i'm aware the xecuter 2.6 comes with 2 versions of flashbios, 1 for 1.0-1.5(3.0.1) consoles and 1 for 1.6,(3.0.3) i think you want bank 2. Then use the HTTP:// flash, the screen will give you an IP address log into that using your webbrowser then browse for your bios on your computer and press the button to flash. There is a more precise tutorial here.

[eulo]

I see, thanks a ton! I'll try it. That tutorial is for the X3 but I suppose it will work with the 2.6, considering I use the right bios versions.

My xbox was already hooked up to the same hub (which has a router downstairs hooked to the uplink port, which goes out to the internet through a cable modem) as my computer so I'll be fine there.

So, what I want to do exactly is 'boot' from bank 2 (if infact it is for 1.6), then go to the ip address in IE, then use that page to flash? It'll flash bank 1, and flashbios will still be on bank 2 (incase I screw up or need to update it; dunno if any apps I can install using the hacked bios I will put on bank1 can do it, whatever)?

[eulo]

alright I got the chip installed and everything, my network looks like this


computer --> hub --> xbox

I'm pretty sure you got those mixed up... 3.0.1 for 1.6 and 3.0.3 for everything else.

I go to enable networking... and it doesnt give me an IP. Its been sitting there for like 15 mins. It says

CODE

nforce: MAC Address xxxxxxxxx
100-mbps-link-half-duplex
TCP/IP Initialized.