Xecuter Blaster360 FAQ Options

[Xbox-Scene]

Xecuter Blaster360 FAQ Posted by XanTium | November 29 17:12 EST

From Team Xecuter: [QUOTE] First we would like to thank you all for sending us your questions. We have answered the most popular ones for now and the rest that are not listed will be posted soon. Any more questions are welcome: * Q: What is it ? A: The Blaster 360(more info) is switching tool that enables you to plug in your SATA cable or X360USB externally to the Xbox 360 to be able to flash update your firmware without openeing the case again. * Q: Do I have to open up the case to install this? A: Yes, just once. * Q: How long does it take to install? A: In our experience about 5 minutes. * Q: Do I need any special tools to open up the case. A: We recommend the Xecuter Unlocking Kit V2. This includes a tool to open up the case itself and a Torx10 screwdriver. This is available at all Xecuter stockists. * Q: Can I flash my Samsung with USB with the Blaster 360. A: Nope. The Blaster is an external switching device, it does not give any flash update capabilities. You have to use SATA for Samsung or the X360USB for Hitachi. * Q: Can I use this on an Hitachi 078 model? A: Two part answer. First no as you cannot flash update the 078 model. Second Part however is that we are working on something nice so that you can flash update your 078. * Q: Wow FANSTASTIC (to the above question) what is it? where is it? how much? when can I buy? etc etc A: Like we said its a work in progress and another product - you'll see soon * Q: Do I have to solder anything? A: There is absolutley no soldering required. There is simply a couple of plug sockets. * Q: Do I have to cut the case? A: There is absolutley no physical damage to the exterior of the case. * Q: What is the mode switch for? A: To switch between Modeb and standard (Modeb for Hitachi, Standard forSamsung) * Q: Does the Blaster360 use the Xbox power supply? A: Nope. You use an external Molex power supply (or PSU). This isolates the Blaster360 function to be completley safe and seperate from the Xbox 360 itself. * Q: How does the Blaster360 turn on ? A: When you connect the external Molex PSU the Blaster360 auto switches to "External Mode". When you disconnect the Molex PSU it auto switches to Xbox360 mode. Of course you must NEVER plug in the molex psu and the xbox360 psu at the same time. Lots of smoke (probably) * Q: How much is it? A: We are currently optimizing costs and will announce a retail price shortly. It won't be cheap but won't be expensive either. Bear in mind we operate a high quality design and r&d policy which is expensive for us. No cheap china knock offs here. * Q: Where can I pre-order? A: We will announce stockists in the next few days. * Q: Can I dump game data to my PC using this? A: Yes you can * Q: What is the LED Glow feature ? A: Simply put its a strip of green light that pulses. Gimmick? Yes. Required? No. Cool. Absolutley * Q: Can you disable the LED - cus I hate LEDS? A: Yes you can You can also set the LED to be permanently on if you don't like the glow feature. * Q: Can you flash the Samsung MS28 drive as it requires some switching on and off to get it to work with SATA ? A: Yes you can. We have included an MS28 on/off switch to make it very simple. (It is essentially a power on / off switch as on the connectivity kit v2) * Q: Do I need the connectivity kit? A: Nope. All those functions are built into the Blaster 360. * Q: Where can I find install instructions? A: We will post detailed instructions shortly. [/QUOTE] Official Site: http://www.team-xecuter.com

[.:Dino:.]

* Q: Do I have to cut the case?
A: There is absolutley no physical damage to the exterior of the case.

Haha, that pretty much gives it away. No damage to the EXTERIOR of the case, in other words, prob gna have to cut the inside of the case.

[gaming fanboy]

Haha, that pretty much gives it away. No damage to the EXTERIOR of the case, in other words, prob gna have to cut the inside of the case.

its so ugly

[RiPpN-N-TrIppN]

yeh it looks like shit i reckon
i dont think there will be any cuttin at all it will just have 2 long sata cables that connect from the mobo to the blaster then back to the dvd drive
it really is a waste of money u can look around the forums and theres ways to setup your box so u dont need to open up the box again and u dont need to cut any thing and u dont have this big arse ugly glowing box on the top of your xbox
have a look around for Textbooks method
Rip

[gsharpshooter]

so how do this help me hack my console like if i just open my xbox 360 install thisshit then my 360 has the falsh with this thing

[IntestineMan]

So from reading this, they imply that the ms28 resistor wire mod is basically just turning the power to the dvd drive on/off? And if this can be done externally from the dvd plugin wire, then couldn't one just cut one of the wires and connect a switch instead of the smd resistor removal etc.? Or, does this blaster still require the smd resistor mod and the wires connected to the blaster for ms28 switch?

[bucko]

Looking nice Team Xecuter, at least this making 360 DVD modding more feasible/practical...

[Kewlj1313]

Very Nice !:-)! I can't wait to get my hands on one of them 0078FK hitachi modz :-)! mhmh!!

Thanks team X!

JFlitt

[Textbook]

One thing I can say is FAQ's are a very good thing. I've never seen something quite like this from Xecuter. A+ for the support team over there on this move. Xecuter has had a history of some pretty questionable support in their forums. Compiling an FAQ like this shows me that they do care about their potential customers and want them to know what the product is and what it actually does.

On the other hand, it's just sad that people have to ask these kinds of questions. It's not like it's a complex product. It's a simple external SATA port with an integrated Xecuter connectivity kit. It powers your drive, has a switch for modeB, and connects to the SATA port and uses some switches. That's really all it is, if you can't figure out what that is from this FAQ, you probably shouldn't be trying to mod a 360.

Haha, that pretty much gives it away. No damage to the EXTERIOR of the case, in other words, prob gna have to cut the inside of the case.

Exactly. When this was first announced a long time ago, it was labeled as

No soldering, no cutting of the case - just plug 'n' go.

I said that doesn't sound right, as the inner case is pretty tight, the only holes in the RF shield are for the ports - usb/memorycard/video/power/harddrive. There's no open places to go between the external case and the motherboard. It's just not possible to have no cutting at all.

They later changed it to:

There is no cutting of any of the outer case whatsoever - it is a clean install with no visible damage.

And when I asked about having to cut the inner RF shield, they responded with:

Don't know yet. Depends - we are still making it. If you did you are talking 5mm to a pc of metal that wouldn't cause any problem whatsoever - maybe not though we are testing some cable designs still.

So you do have to cut the inner RF shield, just letting everybody know ahead of time before they make their decisions. But, like they said, it won't be a drastic cut.

it really is a waste of money u can look around the forums and theres ways to setup your box so u dont need to open up the box again and u dont need to cut any thing and u dont have this big arse ugly glowing box on the top of your xbox
have a look around for Textbooks method
Rip

I don't think it's a total waste of money, but I don't think it will be worth whatever the MSRP is. I won't be buying one because I already have a pretty good external sata mod mine is more difficult to do, required a few small dremels (nothing big), but it is completely hidden from view and doesn't look all that bad. I also can't use the memory card, but I don't even know a single person who uses their memory card ports (we have hard drives). The big plus for me is that it only cost me the price of a female sata bracket, around $10 on ebay. Glad you like my mod!

So from reading this, they imply that the ms28 resistor wire mod is basically just turning the power to the dvd drive on/off? And if this can be done externally from the dvd plugin wire, then couldn't one just cut one of the wires and connect a switch instead of the smd resistor removal etc.? Or, does this blaster still require the smd resistor mod and the wires connected to the blaster for ms28 switch?

The method they are talking about is the bad-flash recovery method with a VIA SATA controller. This method requires that you cut power to the drive, select it from MTKFlash, then give power back to the drive. All it is doing is turning the drive power off, then back on. This method only works with VIA SATA controllers.

[quarky42]

I probably won't be doing either method until my extended warranty (from Microsoft for having one of the first 360's) runs out somewhere around January or February. (I don't remember the details...guess I should go look that up.)

Textbooks mod looks cool if you like cheap, slick, simple, hidden. If you like to have that "manufactured" look of the additional port that's fine. I wouldn't fault people for putting Xecuter's product on there. It isn't bad looking and it is neat that they allow you to turn off the LED if you desire. It doesn't hurt to have a choice...either DIY or use their product as a guide. Neat. I like having choices.

I'm leaning towards the DIY, because I don't mind getting out the dremel or the tin snips if need be.

[Murc]

textbook - Did you have to remove both memory card slots? or just one. I just got my 360, and I dont think I will use the memory card slots...but I would like to keep one (just in case). and you talked about a female sata port....I bought the X360 usb thing, so couldn't I have that inside the 360, hooked up to the dvd drive using sata, and have it make the memory card port, be changed to a female USB port....and wholah.(?)

...although I'm still confused on how I could get the sata to go into the dvd drive...the X360...and the mobo...???

This post has been edited by Murc: Nov 30 2006, 05:31 AM

[X-Staff]

Haha, that pretty much gives it away. No damage to the EXTERIOR of the case, in other words, prob gna have to cut the inside of the case.

There is no cutting of the case. I kinda put the red herring there to see who would complain as there is always something

@Textbook - nice DIY Mod - good work. We've given to the homebrew community for 6 years now, its great to have projects like yours available.

@ Trip-Hippy - You're just an Xecuter HateBoy - a funny one at that. Transparent and predictable. Keep it up, fun reading over coffee in the mornings.

One thing I can say is FAQ's are a very good thing. I've never seen something quite like this from Xecuter. A+ for the support team over there on this move. Xecuter has had a history of some pretty questionable support in their forums. Compiling an FAQ like this shows me that they do care about their potential customers and want them to know what the product is and what it actually does.

I have to disagree in part. Our Xbox1 guides and support was second to none. You only have to see our guides and that fact we have a forums in the first place and the fact I answer questions directly shows that I care.

However I do agree that 360 products haven't had as many step by step guides as there should be, no excuse other than i haven't had the time as our staff are less since Xbox1. I have taken your comments on board and will work on doing a better job.

yeh it looks like shit i reckon
i dont think there will be any cuttin at all it will just have 2 long sata cables that connect from the mobo to the blaster then back to the dvd drive
it really is a waste of money u can look around the forums and theres ways to setup your box so u dont need to open up the box again and u dont need to cut any thing and u dont have this big arse ugly glowing box on the top of your xbox
have a look around for Textbooks method
Rip

Then you don't have to buy one then Its called CHOICE - you have several.

I love hateboys - comedy gold

This post has been edited by X-Staff: Nov 30 2006, 11:30 AM

[.:Dino:.]

Could you point me to a guide for the xecuter unlock kit, not the xcm kit please.
I have been loyal to xecuter in the xbox scene for a while, because of their reliability and enthusiastic approach, but please just show me how to use it, or else i have an awkward shaped piece of metal i payed £10 for.

[Be_Vigilant]

* Q: How long does it take to install?
A: In our experience about 5 minutes.

HA thats pretty wishful thinking

[gregeshleman]

I have a 360 with the team extender High speed air cooler and its powered through the DVD drive y connector built into the fans. Was wondering if the blaster will have a plug to allow you to plug the fans in to it. Or how the blaster will power the drive to flash also allowing the fans to be powered.