Need Help With Rf Mod Options

[Elmojo]

Hi all,
I am in need of assistance.
I decided to add the RF remote power mod to by box.
I'm following this tutorial -> http://www.xbox-scene.com/articles/rf-power.php
I bought the same model door chime as in the tutorial to minimize differences.
My box is a v1.6(b?) and has an X3 CE modchip (installed solderlessly) and 80GB WD HDD, but is otherwise stock.

Here's my issue:

I have the chime gutted and extension wires attached.
I can probe the large molex connector on the MoBo and get 3.3v with the box off as expected.
However, my 3.3v wire is blue, not brown or purple as stated in the tutorial, which makes me think the how-to was written for an earlier version of xbox.
Also, I have to remove my front panel to get to the back of the power switch, again this makes me think version difference.
I have tried every combination I can think of, and can't get the box to recognize the 'on' signal from the transmitter.
I've noticed that when I connect the +/- power leads from the RF receiver to the molex power plug as instructed in the guide, the voltage drops to 1.4v, almost as though something in the box is responding to the 'load' (potential?) and dropping the voltage.
I'm by far not much on an electronics expert, so please excuse any poor electronics grammar I may be using.

Can anyone offer any insight into this? Has anyone successfully done this mod on a v1.6 xbox?

I'm all out of ideas and afraid that I'll fry something if I poke around in there anymore!

Oh, speaking of poking around, during one of the test runs, while I was trying to get to the back of the power switch, I think I bridged the last (supposed GND) and next-to-last pins on the header that connects to the yellow cable bundle and the box turned on. I know I didn't damage anything, because the box still works fine with the normal power button and the chime still 'dings' if I reconnect the speaker.

Please advise, I'm lost and really want this feature to work!

Thanks,

Elmojo

[lostboyz]

first dont mess around with your box while its plugged in, it isnt a smart idea

it sounds like you are trying to power it via, the wrong point on the psu. I think the 1.6s have a 3.3v stby just for a signal where as it has a 5v stby that you can put a load on.

I have done the mod, taken it out, put it back in, took it out and threw it away. I bought a XERC it is worth every penny.

I know I am not helping but this mod is fun at first but just dosent work like you wish it did

[Elmojo]

Yeah, I hear ya about the not digging around with an energized power supply, but it's the only way I'll know if it works, so I'll just have to be extra careful.

I did find a 5v lead (two in fact), but wouldn't 5v be too much to send to the RF receiver? It's designed to run on 2 C bateries, so it only gets 3v.

I do plan to get the IR mod at some point, but I've already bought the door chime, and I can't afford to get the IR mod yet, so I'm kinda stuck with this for the moment.

Can you shed any more light on this issue, please? Anyone?!

Elmojo

[Elmojo]

Come on people!
I know there are some uber-smart cats out there that can answer my Q in just a few sentences.
I have no doubt that at some point I'll be switching over to the IR mod, but for the moment my budget only allows for minimal funds to go to the xbox project, and I've already hacked up the chime, so I can't return it.

Someone please take pity on a newb and give me the info I need?

All I need to know is where to connect the signal wire from the chime to get it to switch on the box, and where to power it from.

Thanks,

Elmojo

[Guitarzan01]

You would need resistors or a diode to turn the 5v hot wire to 3 volt (anywhere from 2.7 to 3.3 will work). So, a resistor around 140 ohms put into a branch off of the 5v wire will power it.

This post has been edited by Guitarzan01: Mar 11 2007, 10:42 PM

[lostboyz]

i would personally use a voltage regulator rated at 2.7-3.3v

and if you cant get the pin for the P/E board tuck it into the yellow connector that goes to the mobo or solder to that point under the mobo.

And the problem with the mod is it works great to turn on the box, but will not turn it off. There is too much rfi from coming off the dvd drive. I ended up sticking an antenna out the back of my box and even then it only had a 5ft range to turn it off. Like I said its fun to do but just wont work like you want it to

[isedeasy]

Also the Xerc2 is cheaper than most doorbells

And it has the cool fade effect when your xbox is off

This post has been edited by isedeasy: Mar 12 2007, 01:31 PM

[mikelspencr]

well, im gonna be doing this mod again, so lemme offer my advice. (i ditched my dvd, so mine may actually power off!)

• ok...i first did it in a 1.6, i stuck it where it said to stick it (that sounds dirty...lol ) so try that.
• have you tested all the pins on the p/e board? it took me a min to get ther right one....and i didnt have to take the front panel off....(matter of fact, i couldn't...)
• i figured the load dropped a lil on the 3.3v... but i still worked with it...

good luck man...let us know...