Confused New Guy Options

[hamisht]

Hi xbox-scene,

I am confused as to my xbox problem. I recently got my Mod-Chipped Xbox back from my brothers place, after a long stint in the garage..

I plugged it in, and the Dashboard loaded (unsure how to find out what it is).. but nothing seems to work anymore. I click on Media Center and it just goes to a blue screen (no text), then back to the Dashboard.

What I would really like to do is either re-format the whole hard drive and start from scratch, or install a spare 250GB hard drive I have, and also start from scratch on that.. just to try and eradicate any problems..

From what I have read on the main site is that you can't post links to downloads for legal reasons.. how can anyone help me without breaking any rules?

Is there some kind of boot disc I can burn that will do this and load a new Dashboard? Any help would be very appreciated..

[Heimdall]

HeXEn. Just Google Heimdall's Xbox Engineering Disc. Burn it to DVD-R, put it in the Xbox, reboot. It has on-screen instructions. You'll want option 3.5.3 or 3.5.4 to rebuild the disk, or to build a new disk.

[fallenangle]

There are others here with far more extensive knowledge and experience than me so I'd wait for their advice before proceeding.

Edited: like Heimdall

However, if it was me and you're certain the HDD and the disc drive are working OK I'd find AID (Auto Installer Deluxe - Google is your friend). Follow the instruction on how to burn it to disc (always use DVD-R, as they're the most universally compatible with Xbox disc drives). Then use the options it provides to format and then install everything you're likely to want and more.

Only thing is to make sure you select the install for chipped Xboxes rather than softmodded ones. It's all pretty self-explanatory. Although it could provide a little more information in certain sections the AID manual (essential reading) is a benchmark of clarity and good (noob friendly) design in this field.

This post has been edited by fallenangle: Nov 10 2011, 12:57 AM

[hamisht]

Thank you so much guys, I will try it and report back on how it goes... fingers crossed!

[hamisht]

HeXEn. Just Google Heimdall's Xbox Engineering Disc. Burn it to DVD-R, put it in the Xbox, reboot. It has on-screen instructions. You'll want option 3.5.3 or 3.5.4 to rebuild the disk, or to build a new disk.

3.5.4 - Is that 'New Disk, PAL Xbox' ?.. eeep doing it now... lol

It went through a whole lot of stuff, then came up with 'Unleash X' and back to the DVDs menu.. I take it that means it is done, and I shutdown?

After a re-boot, it has now come up with the regular Microsoft Xbox Dashboard. I guess now I just find a dashboard to install?

This post has been edited by hamisht: Nov 10 2011, 05:48 AM

[hamisht]

There are others here with far more extensive knowledge and experience than me so I'd wait for their advice before proceeding.

Edited: like Heimdall

However, if it was me and you're certain the HDD and the disc drive are working OK I'd find AID (Auto Installer Deluxe - Google is your friend). Follow the instruction on how to burn it to disc (always use DVD-R, as they're the most universally compatible with Xbox disc drives). Then use the options it provides to format and then install everything you're likely to want and more.

Only thing is to make sure you select the install for chipped Xboxes rather than softmodded ones. It's all pretty self-explanatory. Although it could provide a little more information in certain sections the AID manual (essential reading) is a benchmark of clarity and good (noob friendly) design in this field.

I tried this one too, but it still only boots to the standard Microsoft dashboard, even after doing the one click install for EvolutionX. Gutted

[Heimdall]

It sounds as though you have a strange BIOS setup that's looking for the dash in a non-standard location. The simplest solution is to rebuild the disk with HeXEn option 3.5.4, then flash a new BIOS that looks for the dash in a more standard location. Do you know which chip you have, so we can pick the most appropriate BIOS?

[hamisht]

If I opened the machine, would it say on the chip? My first guess would be the Duo X2 GS.

[Heimdall]

Open it up, then have a look at this table.

[fallenangle]

Just for my information Heimdall why would a chip have been flashed with a BIOS which effectively prevents the user installing the very things that they're using the chip to allow them to do? Why would anyone create a BIOS like that in the first place?

hamisht

Have you tried turning on the Xbox using the eject button ie. with tray out?

Another thing: I really don't know if this applies here and I guess it is dependent on the modchip but are there any external switch arrays fitted. These may allow you to select banks ie, if there are two banks the other may have a different BIOS?

[Heimdall]

There is no standard location for the hacked dash on a chipped / flashed Xbox. Over time most standard hacked BIOSes have converged around being preconfigured to have C:\evoxdash.xbe as one of their booting dash locations, and all of the installation disks reflect this. However, there is nothing to stop the person who builds an Xbox from editing the BIOS to only look for C:\avalaunch.xbe, or E:\default.xbe, or F:\xbmc.xbe, or any other name or location.

As to why people would do that, they might want to have the Xbox boot directly into XBMC in F:\Apps\XBMC\default.xbe, but instead of putting a shortcut at c:\evoxdash.xbe they just edit the BIOS because they think it's simpler.

[hamisht]

Open it up, then have a look at this table.

My one doesn't seem to be on there, it does say the 'PC-BioXX, OpenXbox, NitroXX was replaced with the SmartXX'..

on the chip it says 'Smart XX' LTOPX (or LT0PX). Here is a photo; http://i42.tinypic.com/ja8bqp.jpg

On a search you guys have it on your site: http://www.xbox-scene.com/xbox1data/sep/EE...AupiiocKYEx.php

This post has been edited by hamisht: Nov 10 2011, 08:24 PM

[JohnnyHunng]

Look at THIS ...Yours is a Generation 4 modchip, SmartXX LT OPX...very nice chip.

I believe with a SmartXX if u hit power then eject, you should be able to get back into the SmartXX OS and from there you can flash a new bios to it..i'd suggest Xecuter 2 5035...after that you should be able to boot Heimdall's awesome HeXen disc and start over with your 250GB hdd.

This post has been edited by JohnnyHunng: Nov 10 2011, 10:42 PM

[hamisht]

Does the Hexen disc flash the bios?

If I press the Eject button before pressing Power, I get the Xbox loading screen, then a '05 Service Required' message, and the eject button flashed red and green.

If I press Power, then Eject while it is loading, I get the same message.

[Heimdall]

Power down your Xbox. Turn it on with the power button, and the eject button will turn red for just a moment, and this is when you need to press the eject button. It will bring up the SmartXX menu, from where you can flash a new BIOS.