Hello all, this is my first post here. My name is GameMaster90, I usually visit the GTAforums, but I am in desperate need of help, so I was re-directed from a friend to visit here.

Ok, I recently purchased an Xbox off of eBay (Care to look at it? Here) and I want to mod it. I want to install a new harddrive on it, morethanlikely a 60 GB Western Digital. But I need to know how. Next, I want to back up my games onto the harddrive. How is that done?

So, if someone could give me a list of everything that I need, from tools to mods that I need, please list them here. I would greatly appreciate any help.

P.S.
Yes, I read the message above the forum, but I just want to make sure from the experts that I get everything I need.

before you can do the HD thing and backup, you'll have to decide what to do: modchip, softmod, etc.
don't know much about softmod, as ive only done chips.
then you'll be able do the HD thing and backup

Ok, well first off you'll either need to have a softmod, tsop flash, or chip. I myself prefer a chip... and if you're looking for something as cheap as possible, I'd suggest the Duox2. Very good chip and very cheap here in the BST forum. The install instructions can be found here: http://duomodchip.com. Once it is installed correctly it will need to be flashed with a hacked bios, that will allow you to run homebrew apps, backups, etc... You will need to get either the x2 4981, 4983, or 5032 bios from '"xbins" (search for it on google) and if possible flash via network. Lots easier and faster. Then Dl Slayers Auto Installer, which you can check out in xbins, burn it to a disc and format/install the dash (menu) and different apps. Including dvd2xbox which you will use to backup your games to the HD and you're set.

Thanks for the replies, but I want to explore my options, what about softmod? Is it easier to install than a chip? Cheaper? How is it installed? Why do most prefer chips? Thanks.

take some time to look through the Softmod tutorials and dont forget to look at the chip makers website to see their isntall guides for chips. Then decide what would be better for you and how do you rate yourself at soldering. Open up the xbox and check it out if you are up to the task. I personally go for the chip. A lot more reliable then a softmod if something where ever to f'up.


Ex-CON

Alot of ppl do prefer softmods over chips, but I myself started off with chips and just like them more. Especially when you have an X3 that is able to do things a softmod cannot do. I'm not really into softmods and I don't know much about them, but I do know they are cheaper to do and don't require you to void your warranty by opening the xbox. I'd also say it is easier to install, but I know if you make a mistake it can easily mess up the xbox and require you to chip it to fix it. Like I said before I don't know much about softmods though... I'd check out the No-Modchip Hacks Forums for more info.

Depends whether you've installed a chip before..

It's certainly less dangerous to install if you've never installed a chip.

Cheaper? It's pretty much free (appart from a few things)

It uses a hacked gamesave, when this hacked game save for either 007, Splinter Cell, or Mech Assault, is loaded, it runs the installer for the softmod.

Most prefer chips for a lot of different reasons. Some people are weird and think people are too cheap to get a chip. But basically modchips are easier to go on live (an exception is coldbooting a game).

But TSOP flashing has all the benifits of a modchip, without a modchip.

There are many ways to go, it all depends what you want. I can't go into depth without knowing which path would be best for you.

I'd recomend a chip (most likely solderless)? As you're new to this, installing a softmod/larger hard drive would be a lot of work for someone like yourself.

A chip and slayer's is all you need and you're on your way!

I do think if you get a chip it should be soldered in. Even if you get someone else to do it in the end it will be the best choice. Once it's soldered in, you're set and won't have to be realigning it if you used an adapter. Check out the Modchip Installer Forum for an installer in your area. Other then that I do agree with Winchy about everything. Thanks

Yeah, the best thing is to get it soldered.

If you can get someone to install a chip for you it would be ideal.

If you got a softmod, you would need to install a softmod onto your retail hard drive, then ftp your C and E folders to your computer and have a back up of you EEPROM, then make an xbhdm CD and then put the C and E folders on your new drive, then lock it with the EEPROM. Then you would have to ftp and delete the E drive and ftp it back (due to a bug in the linux kernal making the E folder read only, which can mess up gamesaves in the long run).

And I doubt you want to do all of that do you?

If you get a modchip, then if you could get someone to install it (or use a solderless adapter as a last resort), then use Slayer's and simply install everything onto it, you don't even need it locked (unless for example you want to play on live).

And also, if you go for a softmod, you can play games on live by coldbooting them, which does not load the hacked files. But I wouldn't wana risk that personally.

I have vast computer knowledge, so pretty much anything that's software/hardware related I can pretty much handle. I know how to flash, format, network, all that.

It's just modding the Xbox itself that I am worried about.

So, in your opinion, what would be the most efficient chip to get. (I don't care much for Xbox Live, since I'm on dialup.) And, direct me to some tutorials that go with it.

BTW, thanks for all of you who have helped me, I greatly appreciate it.

The Xecuter3 (X3), and the Xenium Ice are the biggest hitters. I like the Xenium because of the on board operating system
X3 INSTRUCTIONS
Xenium INSTRUCTIONS

if your willing to spend the money maybe an X3 or a Xenium Spice would work. if you want to save some money X2.6 and Duox2 also work very well.

I agree with gamesdude. If money isn't a problem definately get an X3... Full of features and just an all around good chip. If not, the X2.6 is a great choice as well as the Duox2 which I explained earlier.

I'd personally go for Xecuter 2.6...

If I bought a X3, I'd find myself buying the control pannel with lcd and everything else.. (Not cheap stuff if you don't have the money for it all (being a 16 year old kid, I don't have the money for it all)

I have an X2.6 as it is (and a softmod which I'm putting a 2.6 in) and it works to my needs fine, I don't need all the extra features.

Yes Winchy, that is exactly what I what. A simple chip that will allow me to install a new harddrive and backup my games on it. I'm not interested in anything else. So for right now, it looks like I'll be getting the Xecuter 2.6, but I will do some more research on it.

Keep the suggestions coming though!

I've been installing X2.x chips since the X2.0, and they're good chips. A little more costly than a DuoX2, but also with less quirks (re: potential problems).

However, you ought to find out what version your Xbox is. If it's a non-1.6, and you can get your hands on a older version of Splinter Cell, 007: Agent Under Fire or Mechassault, you can't beat a TSOP flash. Really old Xboxes allow the TSOP to be split and a switch installed, so you can have both a hacked bios and the retail kernel on there for Live, etc.

If you don't care about Live, any non-v1.6 Xbox will do. All you need is an exploitable game like those above, two quick solder points on the mobo (the write-enable points) and you can boot Evox and flash the TSOP. If you can borrow the game and/or soldering needle, you can mod your Xbox for pretty much free, and not just a softmod, either.

I love this whole community feel... anyway

The TSOP flsh is the way to go in my opinion easy to do, and FUN =P

All you need is a mem pack or another way to get the gamsave onto the HDD of the xbox, then you can run Splinterell 1 / Mechassault 1 or 007: AUF and flash the onboard BIOS [TSOP]. You may need to know how telnet works, or at least a DOS promt works to do this.

Then the xbox will work like it is modchiped, but for much less the price.

The softmod on the other hand is ok in its aspects, but i dont really like it as if you delete 1 specific file by accident then Bye Bye xbox, and you will need 2 get a chip [there are other methods to recover but i wont go into them]

If your good at soldering then go 4 the chip, its a bit more chalenging and can be fun aswell. My tsop is dead, so i had to go for the cheapest chip i could buy [alad advanced 64+] this was from a bad tsop flash.

So all up go for the TSOP flash

I don't know what version the Xbox that I'm getting is, sorry.

Could you give me the advantages and disadvantages of getting a Xecuter 2.6 vs. Duox2? And give me the site that sells them the cheapest, lol.

The soldering needle, I think my dad has one, and my brother can do the soldering, because he welds for a living so he's pretty good with that.

The games, I'm sure Blockbuster has them right? Are they actually needed though?

Well the game isn't needed if you're installing a chip.

But the game may be like GOTY or something, and you may need it again if you don't install a chip. Buy a second hand one if you're softmodding.

just get a chip...

apple_guru in the bst forum sells duox2 for 15 shipped. i reccommend that or xenium, since xenium is very noob friendly and will upgrade t he hdd for u with just a molex y splitter and a change of jumper settings

Really the only difference is that the X2.6 has a switch and the Duox2 doesn't. The Duox2 is enabled/disabled depending what button you press (Power/Eject) to turn on the xbox. The switch with the 2.6 allows you to enable/disable the chip, enable/disable flash protection, and switch banks. It also has LAN and HD activity LEDs. Both are good chips and will allow you to do what you want to do. As for prices check out the BST, you can usually find a good deal there. But make sure they are NEW.
Good Luck