Checklists For Fonts/audio Exploits And Pbl, Check this before asking questions Options

[Grospolina]

Okay, people are always asking the same questions over and over, so here are some easy checklists to look at before you do the same:

General Softmod Tips:
1. After getting any exploit working, run EvoX backup and then copy the files (especially eeprom.bin) to your PC. This is essential in the case that you cannot access your hard drive after making a bad mistake. Don't assume that it won't happen to you.
2. Do not reboot if your drive is unlocked. Do not unlock it for no reason. The Xbox will not boot from an unlocked drive (when using softmods only). Disable the lock/unlock actions (if they exist) in evox.ini if you are using EvoX.
3. Do not delete any of the original files in C: drive (except maybe the old fonts). These are the dashboard files, and they are required for any dashboard exploit (font, audio) to work.

Ultimate Dashboard Exploit (UDE):
1. You MUST NOT have kernel 5713 or higher (it doesn't let you use and old update.xbe)
2. You MUST have the correct version on update.xbe
3. You SHOULD make a backup copy of your original xboxdash.xbe
4. You MUST rename update.xbe to xboxdash.xbe and replace C:\xboxdash.xbe
5. You MUST rename "Xbox.xtf" and "XBox Book.xtf" to change the extension (usually to .XFT).
6. You SHOULD make a copy of your original xboxdash.xbe and edit it to point to your original font files, so that you can still access the dash (tutorial). You can use XTF2XFT Patcher instead of hex editing the files.
7. You SHOULD backup your C:\ drive, especially xboxdash.xbe
8. If you have XTF files in C:\, you SHOULD change the extension (e.g. XFT) or delete them
9. You MUST use bert_ate_ernie.xtf
10. You MUST NOT use bert.xtf, ernie.xtf and/or snuffleupagus.xtf
11. You SHOULD NOT delete your other dashboard files (C:\Audio, C:\xboxdashdata.xxxxxx)

Note: Instead of renaming the fonts from XTF to XFT, you could rename the C:\fonts directory (e.g. C:\f0nts). This is the suggestion in the original UDE thread. Either way works.


Font Exploit (except UDE):
1a. You MUST have MS dashboard 4920 or lower (upgrade/downgrade if you don't)
1b. You MUST NOT have kernel 5713 or higher (it doesn't let you downgrade the dashboard)
2. You MUST NOT move, delete, or edit C:\xboxdash.xbe (but you can copy it and edit that)
3. You MUST rename "Xbox.xtf" and "XBox Book.xtf" to change the extension (usually to .XFT)
4. You MUST sign default.xbe with the -font key (unless it's already signed)
5. You SHOULD make a copy of xboxdash.xbe and edit it to point to your original font files (Do NOT replace C:\xboxdash.xbe with it though), so that you can still access the dash (tutorial). You can use XTF2XFT Patcher instead of hex editing the files.
6. You SHOULD backup your C:\ drive, especially xboxdash.xbe
7. You SHOULD NOT delete "Xbox.xtf" and "XBox Book.xtf"
8. You SHOULD use Bigfonts, Ernie & Bert Reloaded, or hacked MechInstaller fonts (differences)
9. You SHOULD NOT use "Bert is Cheating on Ernie" fonts (only works on kernel 4034)
10. It's a good idea have a working copy of a gamesave exploit with FTP access. If you do, you MUST NOT unplug the Xbox for more than 3-4 hours if the Xbox does not boot (e.g. installation not yet complete), or else you will not be able to use the gamesave.
11. MI fonts: You MUST rename your original fonts to "Xbox.bak" and "XBox Book.bak" (NOT .XFT)

Audio Exploit:
1a. You MUST have MS dashboard 4920 (upgrade/downgrade if you don't)
1b. You MUST NOT have kernel 5713 or higher (it doesn't let you downgrade the dashboard)
2. You MUST NOT move, delete, or edit C:\xboxdash.xbe (but you can copy it and edit that)
3. You MUST sign the XBE with the key it uses (unless it's already signed)
4. You SHOULD backup or rename your original ST.DB (if you have one)
5. You SHOULD know the XBE name that it loads (e.g. E:\linux.xbe, E:\linux.x, E:\exploit, or E:\pbl.xbe) and what key it uses (-habibi or -audio)

Phoenix BIOS Loader (PBL):
1. You MUST NOT have kernel 5530 or higher (flash TSOP, install chip, or don't use PBL)
2. You MUST have the RC4 key in the boot.cfg file (it shouldn't be all 0x00's)
3. You SHOULD have the EEPROM keys in the boot.cfg file (they shouldn't be all 0x00's)
4. You MUST use bootable-from-media (BFM) BIOS ROM(s)
5. If the screen flickers, then you have the Focus chip and you MUST use a newer BIOS (e.g. X2 4979 and up, or Evox M7)
6. You MAY turn on debug mode ("debug true" in boot.cfg) to speed up booting (no logo)
7. You SHOULD use XBtool to check the boot paths in your BIOS ROM(s).
8. PBL1.3: You SHOULD rename the BIOS to "xboxrom.bin" (or edit the name in boot.cfg)
9. PBL1.3: You SHOULD NOT delete "phoenix.raw"
10. PBL1.3: You DO NOT need to include the "phoenixboot" folder (source files)
11. PBL1.3.5i: You MUST put at least one BIOS ROM in the "Bioses" folder
12. PBL1.3.5i: You SHOULD edit boot.cfg to point to the name of one of your ROMs
13. PBL1.3.5i: You DO NOT need to include the "Source" folder (source files)
14. PBL1.3.5i: You MAY need to unplug third-party controllers and/or memory cards when loading PBL

I'll edit and add stuff if I've missed anything. Please comment on the checklists if you want, but also please do not ask for help in this topic (search or make a new topic).

Edit 1: Added item on getting MS dashboard to work when using fonts
Edit 2: Added item about not unplugging Xbox when fonts do not work
Edit 3: Clarified item about not unplugging Xbox. Fixed typo in second PBL1.3.5i item. Added comment about removing third-party memory cards when using PBL1.3.5i.
Edit 4: Numbered points for easy reference.
Edit 5: Added general softmod tips.
Edit 6: Added warnings about kernel 5713.
Edit 7: Added info about UDE.

This post has been edited by Grospolina: Jun 9 2004, 05:16 PM