Xantium's X3 Beta Review Options

[HSDEMONZ]

Xecuter3 beta sample preview
>> I received an Xecuter3 beta sample about 1week ago and I've been able to test the latest "X3 OS" beta builds.



What can you do in the software so far (keep in mind it's beta ... so more features may be available at launch):
+ 'X3 Live' - editing your X3 bios on-the-fly directly on your Xbox (screenshot).



You can enable/disable: Autostart X3 OS or dashboard, In game reset, debug bios, XBLive disable, No reset on eject, LBA mode, dashboard boot priority (fully flexible: filenames, bootdrive and order (max 4)), clock error-check (screenshot).



You can also change all Xbox Logo colors, flubber colors, flubber animation or use full color custom boot up logo. Disable or enable the start-up flubber animation, wireframe flubber and TM logos and choose the power-led color while you're in the X3 software.
Quicklaunch allows you to fastly boot a chosen executable from HD in the X3 sofware using the trigger button.
+ Network support: FTP with avalaunch compatible boost-mode and http (web).
+ Flash chip per bank from CD/DVD/HDD/FTP/HTTP (screenshot).



The X3 software uses 1MB ... but it ofcourse already includes the X3 bios (hacked MS bios).
+ Bios naming and launching as you want(screenshot).



You can select your bios bank from software (via X3 OS) or with the hardware dips on the external adaptor.
+ Backup and restore (on chip or on FTP) (screenshot)



and modify all EEPROM settings (video region, video mode, Fan speed, Date/Time). Also LCD settings (doesn't work yet in beta) and password protection (screenshot).



+ Format specific drives of HD, install new HD, lock/unlock HD (screenshot - screenshot).

[HSDEMONZ]

Review: Xecuter X3 Beta (continued)

+ Full Hardware info (can also be saved to file on Xbox HD): X3 info, Xbox Info (Xbox version and other specific hardware versions/info (screenshot)),



HDD info, DVD info, HDD Partition Info, Xbox Live Network Settings and all encryption keys (screenshot).



+ The X3 has a backup bios (256k) on separated chip. So if anything goes wrong with the default flashchip you can always use this to boot.
+ And some other specific features in the X3 software: cold reboot IGR, sreenshots, ...

I've also finally been able to make some High Definition pictures of the chip. Keep in mind this is beta hardware, the final will probably look a bit different.

http://pictures.xbox-scene.com/4/xecuter3/xsx3_1.jpg
http://pictures.xbox-scene.com/4/xecuter3/xsx3_2.jpg
http://pictures.xbox-scene.com/4/xecuter3/x3beta2.jpg

The X3 beta I got requires 2 more headerpins then a X2.x mod (LPC #13 and #14). There is also a plug with the wires for D0, HDD activity (optional), LAN activity (optional) and 2 wires for eject/reset detection (will probably be detected from software in final). If you press power button, Xbox will boot with onboard bios (modchip off), if you press power+eject for 1+ sec it will boot backup bios, if you press power-button for 1+ sec it will boot bios on X3 selected by dip switches. (note that this might change in X3 final - short press on power will have modchip enabled and 1+ sec press modchip disabled).
The wire-adaptor changed on the X3 ... the wires now link to a headerpin, so even if you do a wire-install you have a headerpin and you can easily swap modchips.

Team Xecuter told us this will be added to final/retail X3:
* New Linux based backup bios with many new features
* PC app to take complete control of your xbox and modchip
* 16 bit I/O. Many ports open for expansion.
* 320x200 LCD support
* Optional solderless install adaptor
* X3 final will be available without external switch (you can only select bank via software-control then), with a simple external switch (similar to the one shipped with beta) or with the pro switch (the 'design'/funky version)
* If you boot from any other bios - you can switch to different X3 banks from any dash - TX will release all sources for dashboards to add this.
* And many new features added to the "X3 OS". The X3 software and bios can be updated ... so new features can be added whenever TX wants.

Official Site: http://www.teamxecuter.com
(June 28 01:35 GMT+1)

This post has been edited by Chancer: Jul 23 2006, 10:36 AM