after downloding from my fav. ftp site and un-archiving, i open X2.4983.BIOS (folder) ---> BIOS (folder) ---> and run CHECKBIOS (MS-DOS Batch File) to verify the BIOS's authenticity

up pops a dos app window that's scrolling 100 MPH

i hit the 'square' button at the top left, and the scrolling stops to read ...

X2 4983.xx Release Checker

1. X2 4983.06
2. X2 4983.67
3. Quit

"" is not valid. Please try again.

does the "" is not valid above mean these are unauthorized versions of this BIOS?

did you get it from xbins ? if so, then it's legit. no need to worry.

thanks Key. that's exactly what i wanted to hear

(in reply to a PM):

Now, assuming that you've got a good flash, and can load Slayers from disc, you're good to go.

But about that flashing issue. Once you've got a good flash an a new dash, you don't need a disc to flash a new bios. All you need is a bios file on your PC somewhere and a copy of Team Xecuter's (from now on TX) xbox-side app FlashX (NOT X-Flash, the windows app). Since your using an TX chip and a TX bios that's the ONLY way to go (I mean, there are others, but they with FlashX you CANNOT fuck up your box, again, provided you've got both TX chips and bios).

You get the bios you want from XXXXs, again, go with 4981. There are two versions in the "unofficial" folder, one labeled fixed and so forth. I've talked at lengh with Psilocybe about this, BOTH are FINE. You can read the docs and see what the issue was, but don't give it a moment's thought.

You mod it with XBtool, then (not 100% necessary but good practice and it helps) you use X2 BIOS Manager to resize the 256k bios to a 512k bios. Technically, cromwell did it for you the first time, and FlashX would do it for you, too, but if you even got drunk and tried to flash a regular sized 256k bios to an X2 Lite using Evox, you could mess it up. Point is, just don't flash from Evox (or Slayers, which is just Evox basically).

Lemme get back to this in a minute...

Read what Psilocybe taught me about X2 chips and BIOSes. You can get the PC side software on the Tools section of X-S, and the guides are easy to find, like this one for FlashX (although the screenshots are old, it method is still the same), and go straight to the source to learn about XBtool.

thanks a whole bunch again Xombe!

unfortunately my fridays, saturdays, and sundays i spend either sleeping or working; so, i won't be able to get back into this hard again until after i wake up monday night.

i don't see anything stopping me now from finally getting this first box of mine done up right ('cept maybe the 120G Maxtor Console Corner has had my money for now for over a month and a half)... will be telling the final xbox story here, hopefully, mon late or tues (goin to BestBuy to get the damn thing if i have to i guess).

maybe this should've been a PM, but i just wanted everyone here to know that a lot of folks have freely given really good advice, and i can't thank them enough. but, in any order, HooDoo, Xombe, and Nightfire-Player, all three, have been outstanding with their extensive and 100% accurate PM guidances; that they've given me a legacy is the only way i can put it. these guys are truly passionate persuers of our, most assuredly, uncommon common interests ... and i can't say enough about them either. thanks guys


PS would it be inappropriate to devote a single last line in my future posts to bashing Console Corner until they get me my HD? their last email to me on this backordered HD issue now resides halfway down page 2 in my yahoo inbox. i mean, it's about time i get my atty to certify them a tidy little letter ... you know?

Everyone, I repeat, EVERYONE starts off from the same starting point. I've been helped as I've helped you. Hence, my sig.

I sometimes get flamed for bashing noobs, but except on very rare occasions (that I always personally apologize for), I only bash LAZY or ARROGANT noobs. You, my friend, are a great noob. Polite, appreciative, well-spoken (written? ), and always provide enough info so that you can be helped.

Let me paraphrase: you are the antithesis of the kind of noob I flame. What I mean is, I help some new users just a bit, the lazy asses I flame, and the few like you I want to see it to the end.

Thanks for the shout-out, but you should've given Nightfire-Player first billing. He's been at this a lot more than me, and his info is often more accurate than mine. Without reading his posts over the years (and many other great members of X-S), I could have never passed on the knowledge.

And about your sig thing, after looking at the board rules, it seems that so long as you don't LINK to any site, you can badmouth them by name, give your beef, and in a way it may help others steer clear of them if they are fucking people.

Note: I have NO knowledge of that business, so if LUXI's thing is a one time thing, don't come flaming me.

And if you do get called on it, at least this thread is proof that you gave it thought before acting, so I doubt any mod will give you shit.

i missed sayin some things in that last post of mine, so ...

Xombe (Oct 1, 10:10a)

yes that's what i'm beginning to understand Xombe. once one can freely ftp into one's Xbox, the installation of an app is as easy as transferring a file from your PC to the correct Xbox drive and subdirectory ... and that slayers is an easy way to install a bunch of apps all at once, rather than by ftp transferring them from PC to Xbox.

'You mod it with XBtool'?. this must have been one i missed somewhere along the way. what i've read to do, is to open the raw downloaded bios w/ X2 BIOS Manager, double it's size, save as .BIN -- make a dummy file -- use nero or whatever to combine these two files into an ISO(?)/BIOS install disk for the Xbox.

what type of modding should i have done to my bios before using it?

even if what's your talking about doing isn't entirely necessary, i'd still rather know what's going on here maybe just for future reference.

'Point is, just don't flash from Evox'. so basically i need to remember not to flash any new BIOS's from anything other than the Cromwell screen like i've seen before?

thanks for the links too Xombe


Xombe (Oct 1, 10:28a)

ahh yes ... antithesis ... most definitely one of my favorite words. thanks for the kind words too Xombe. try 'esoteric' on for size would ya?

Nightfire? yea ... he's been super helpful in his PMs ... all his advice is help makin my setup five by five. i'm tryin not to burden him too much w/ PM's cause i'm sure he's answers a lot of em.

Console Corner? thanks for the advice. i sent them a link to my post asking the board if i could start bashing them, and now they seem eager to send me a 160GB HD instead of a 120GB...which would be nice of them. it is possible they made an honest mistake on this one ... i'll be making sure and to let everyone know how this one turns out.

last question:

how dangerous is it to install slayers before saving one's BIOS and EEPROM to CD?

please note i have already saved my Xbox's BIOS and EEPROM on it's OWN C:\ drive as a tutorial has suggested.

thanks everybody

XBTool tut: Here, and downloadable. Mostly you'll want to uncheck "animation", "trademark symbol" abd the logo colors (that will just take some experimenting to get it JUST right .

Then, having modded it you do to it just like you stated before:

cool Xombe

always leave cromwell in one of the banks? ... gotcha.

set your chip to bank 2 and it will flash to bank 1? ... gotcha ... and visa versa i would imagine. kind of suprised i didn't already know that.

update: Xbox<--->PC FTP connection made !!

just downloaded and installed XBtool ... so my next mission is to implement some of the BIOS modifications you've suggested Xombe.

my next box mod will include installing a 160GB Maxtor ... and i noticed there was a warning on the XBtool download page. here it is ...

'For those moving from a non-LBA48 BIOS, if your drive is greater than 137GB and you already have a partition 6 which goes up to the 137GB barrier then choosing the partitioning option "Partition 6 Takes Rest of the Drive" will result in data corruption when the drive is written to. You'll need to reformat the drive if you want to resize your partition 6 to use all available space.'

since i'm using the newest X2 BIOS's, do i even have to worry about what this is talking about?


my thanks again Xombe!

Well, it’s an important warning in SOME cases, but you are exactly right. You’re not moving up from a non-LBA BIOS (re: x2 4977, etc.), you’re using the X2.4981.06.256k. Plus, you’ll be installing a fresh drive, and format/prepping it with Slayer’s, which will help you out even further on that one (keep reading)

Question: We HAVE discussed the X2.4981.06 vs. the X2.4981.67 thing right? This has spanned so many threads I don’t remember, or know where to look! Anyway, you’ll want to go with the .06 for once big fat F drive, unless you really want a G: drive too (which wouldn’t be that big with a 160GB drive), so when using XBTool, just keep it at “Partition 6 Takes Rest of the Drive". You’ll have no problems.

Good news about CC, too, man! Hope you get that 160 (cause if you don’t, and only get a 120, you’ve GOT NO LBA support worries)

One thing about Slayers, though. Yeah, it sets up some apps for you on the HDD, but personally I don’t like how (meaning what apps) it sets up, as many to most users are just unnecessary, or have better alternatives. For examples (IMHO):

boXplorer? You’ll get tired of evox as your default dash pretty soon and want to start playing around with (as independent apps, and later switching to one as a replacement for evox) other dashs, most all of which have much better file browers/managers.

XCommander? See above.

HDLoader, nope, go with dvd2xbox (they’re both on 2.6)

XBWatch? Has anybody ever used this? Not that I know of (I’m not bashing it or the dev, though)

Avalaunch? An awesome dash, but the thing is, you can either install ALL these apps or none at all if I’m reading the docs right (and per my experience).

So, what I’m trying to say is, for a smart guy like you, you ought to use Slayers to format the new drive and install evox on it so you can start booting evox from your HD and not need the disc. I don’t like to do the full install personally, be you ought to (even though I said they are often unnecessary) go with the full shebang, Option 3A) Full Install on Large HDD – *C* 5960. That’ll put evox on C Drive, and all the apps in the right places (meaning F: Drive, in folders that confirms to naming conventions we mostly all use, see below).

Then you can see how an F Drive is often set up, with folders named Apps, Emu (or Emulators), Games, Music, Videos, etc. Then I recommend FTPing into your now booting-evox-from-HDD xbox, and deleting the folders for any apps you don’t want (like XBWatch, or the Adam emulator (or I don’t know maybe you’re old enough to want to use it… personally, I’m an Atari 2600 man, so all I need is z26 ) Take a good look at the the evox.ini file, too, to see how to mod and add/remove links to apps in the menu, or flat out rearrange it. Read this great breakdown of the evox.ini file for reference. If you’ve survived O-Chem and grew up in the days of DOS (or at least the birth of HTML), you’ll do fine. Once you get the hang of it, the syntax is quite simple. It’s just a pain in the ass…(which is why you’ll want to upgrade to Avalaunch or UnleashX, etc. as your default dash).

But, when you’re good and ready, we’re gonna forget all that shit and get you running Xbox Media Center as your main dash, cause it fucking RULES. Though don’t be surprised it posts follow contradicting me, like “naw, it’s way to hard to set up” or “(insert dash here) is better because it has telnet” (but who the hell needs telnet on an XBOX?), etc. But once you see the newest builds (not just the basic release that comes in slayers) running, especially as a dash, you’ll understand…

But for the very valuable experience of learning how to install apps gotten from the usual places yourself, start learning, with our help. If you don’t learn now, what will you do when a really killer app comes out and you don’t know what to do with it?

So, basically, mod the bios, follow the instructions and make a BIOS disc of your new, cool bios, flash it with Cromwell, put the new drive in, use Slayers option 3A) Full Install on Large HDD – *C* 5960, get it booting from the HDD, then start peeking around the F Drive and the evox.ini like I said above (but make a backup of it first before you change things (you can keep a copy on your PC, or just copy it to some file like evox.bak, etc. on the root of your boxes C: drive, where the real one resides).

man thanks Xombe...

... gotcha on the animation, trademark, and color tip.

Is it possible to preview a modified BIOS in XBtool, say like when you're 'tuning in' you new BIOS's color scheme, without actually having to combine it w/ a dummy file, burn it into an ISO(?), and flash it to the box to finally get your 'view'?

... won't have time to write more till a couple hours from now...but thanks for the outline you've given me. i got a good view now of what i'm doin and where i'm heading toward.

... yea ... browsed through some of the apps slayers installed ... looks like they'd get the job done ... but i'd expect there'd be better alternatives.


I'm used to the install/uninstall process we all go through with our PC's. Choose an 'install' or 'uninstall' option and a wizard gives you windows with choices on how you want the job done...then does it for you.

Am i mistaken in assuming app install and uninstall on the Xbox is as simple as FTP-ing it into the proper folder? or does it also usually include actually modifying the code of a file(s) already on the Xbox to accept the new applications?

tip toeing through the tulips ... L

(is my red type too offensive? ... it does make the text kind of bright i guess)

BTW, everyone, check out the 'Testimonials' link at the EVtools downlode web page ... it's freakin hilarious !

http://home.alltel.net/nghtshd/evtool.html

No, your red type isn’t offensive but it makes you look like you’re quoting somebody, rather than emphasizing the points you’re most focus on. I’d bold it instead.

Lemme answer your questions out of order, as I have to check something first You are exactly right in your assumption than an app “install” is just FTPing to a folder somewhere, and “uninstalling” it is just deleting the folder.

But just by FTPing it to the box HD, doesn’t always mean that your dash will “see” it. The better dashes, like Avaluanch, UnleashX, XMBC, will usually automatically recognize at make menu items/links/icons/whatever.

You’ll understand more when you start peeking into the evox.ini. I think slayers evox has its evox.ini set up (I’m at work and don’t have access to the slayer’s disc, only the PDF, so I can’t be sure how the ini file is written) with an autoadd command such that an app, FTPed as a subfolder of F:\Apps will be automatically added to the evox menu, as long as that app’s xbe is named default.xbe, which they almost always are.

And about previewing XBtool BIOSes, try the XBtool Color BIOS Preset Maker. You ought to check out the XS tools page a little more. But I know you’re a busy man, it’s cool.

I will post an example of my custom evox.ini (custom meaning only that I wrote it from scratch to make the menu exactly like I wanted it, and with total control and usablity) this evening. You’ll find it’s quite different from the slayers evox.ini, as slayers is an AUTO-installer, that makes everything as easily as possible for new users. But as time goes by, you may want to change them.

hey thanks X

i'll try to remember when you're at work so i won't bug you with this stuff. i know, i got the bug too. seen many a sunrise stuffed behind my computer screen.

looks like bit by bit i'm gettin to learn this stuff...so i'll keep in mind that what i think of as an Xbox's app's main 'executable' file should be in the form of 'default.xbe' when its 'installed' onto the Xbox's HD, regardless of drive.

it's 1:39 in the AM here in EST ... man we must be on opposite sides of the planet or something!

hope i edited this in time ...

check out the 'Textimonials' link at the EVtool download web4site:

http://home.alltel.net/nghtshd/evtool.html

... thats great

oh and yes Xombe, and thanks too ... you let me know to use X2.4981.06, as the difference between it and X2.4981.67 were entirely insignificant.

and yes i'm using the original factory retail 8 (or 10)GB HD

Technically, I do some of my best “work” at work, cause my wife isn’t bugging me to get off the damn computer and watch TV/cuddle/play Magical Drop 3 with her. I hate that game, cause she is just INHUMANLY skilled at it, but then we play some Burnout 3 and the catharsis calms me down (and I devastate her ). So post anytime you want to. I’ll answer when I can.

And yeah, although I’m from Seattle (well, WA state at least), I’ve been living in Japan for the last 4 1/2 years (the wife is Japanese), so we ARE on opposite sides of the planet.

Glad I told you about that .06 thing. Just like you, I misplace threads, and this like I said before, has spanned HOW many different posts?

Heh, heh, I’ve been to that site a number of times, but never read that bit. That’s fucking funny, man!

And I guess you did edit whatever in time, cause I have no idea whatever edit you’re talking about…

Finally, try this one on (from a loading screen in one of my favorite 386 era games, Sword of the Samurai): “A tranquil mind eschews impatience”

Here's an example of what a custom evox.ini looks like (gonna be long). It's from an oooold version of evox, but it's virtually similar in syntax. Mostly pay attention to the MENU section:

cool X,

under the 'BIOS' section ... are all those 'Flash =" signifying past BIOS's flashed? ... as the last line reads 'Current ='? ... i'm thinking not maybe.

(reading the rest of the file)

i see i see ... yes ... hell, i wrote BASIC language programs for the C64 a good deal lengthier than this! (yep ... IN the sixth grade)

i used to be called ... Load"*",8,1 ... naaaah!

wow! looks like i CAN wrap my brain around this code then!

so anything starting w/ a # is not seen on the menu? ... logged

anything strting w/ a @ is a built-in 'hardcoded' Evox command ... yep

graduating to the XBMC (Xbox Media Center) 'main dash level? ... that's what i've set my sights on since your earlier mentioning of it ... what should i be looking at to get me prepared for all this Pomp and Circumstance?

bingy

Read this guide to evox.ini (which by the way I gave you earlier in this thread... ) as it explains the "Flash=" thing. It's NOT signifying previous flashed. Read and you'll understand (and understand that you don't need to worry much about it). Just NEVER delete the "current" entry (the guide warns of this). Its fixable but just don't fuck with it. Focus on the MENU section, and compare the simple slayers MENU section with mine, and log the differences.

See, I told you if you grew up with command prompts you'll just fine with an evox.ini.

Preparing for XMBC? First you'll install it as an app in your F:\Apps folder, make (or have autoadded via the evox.ini Slayers gives you, and get it running, and get used to it. Then, you learn how to upgrade it from the basic 1.0 release to the latest build, add the all the new codecs to play damn near any video file, and finally, set it as your main dash. That's what you'll be DOING, but how to prepare? Once your sick of evox, start learning xml (which is like html, but more flexible) as that's what any DECENT dash (re: non-evox dash) uses as its "ini" file, in a matter of speaking. You'll see what I mean when you get there, just like you're learning the syntax for an evox.ini.

Log this: evox.ini is unique. Other dash config (re: "ini" type) files are written in xml. But, the .ini file wil come back around when you start using emulators. Do you know there's a great C64 emulator for the XBOX. Go to Emulators forum and learn who Xport is. Then prepare to be amazed.

yes yes ... 'already gave' ... need to stop spending time PM-ing and more on studying what i've already got!

never delete 'current' entry ... yes done

yes! ... preparing to XMBC ... thanks!

Log this? ... HAL has acquired.

where's Winter Games '85 when you need it?! (yep i no shit still got it somewhere!)

and you know what X? ... i still got my old packard bell 80286 (from '91) that's got both a 5 1/4 and a 3.5 flop!

here's the kicker ... what'd i get my best buddy (from 4th grade) for his last b-day (31st)? a full on (used, of course) C64 w/ 5.25" drive w/ a full set of games

guess i'm about to see if basic (?) 5.25" can be read and rewritten onto a 3.5" by a '91 pb. wish me luck !

There's an emu for x386 also, HAL.

Now, since I'm really, truly, 100% going to bed, I guess this is the way to go:

[steadly slurring] Daaaiiiissssy, Daiiiisssyyy, hooow doooeeess yooouuurrrr...

[Final PCB (or whatever the hell Kubrick was thinking of) removed] and fast forward nine years --> "Will I dream?" "Yes, HAL, all intelligent creatures dream."

Or something like that. I haven't seen/read Clarke's works recently.

Now, for real, good night. Period.

yea ... i'm crackin up laughin here at 11:18 in the morn EST

i just edited the shit out of my last post (to repost) and find you've already got one in on me X.

hehehe

since you've got all the old skool stuff ... you wanna talk DMC or the Fad?

Whodini maybe?

how about some Egyptian Midnight (stygian style)?

talk to you later man (cheese!)

believe it or not ... just going to bed too ... freaks come out at night ya kno!

Man, I’m not that old, you fogy.

The best that I can do is Pirate’s Cove on the VIC 12 (with the cassette tape “savegame” drive). My mommy wouldn’t buy me a C64, but I played quite a bit of Bruce Lee or Bungling Bay at my friend’s house. I was more of an Apple II man, as that’s what my elementary school had. So we’re talking Zork and Oregon Trail here. But when the *gasp* IIc came out, all the kids played Lode Runner (in COLOR), and but only the cool ones knew the level jump trick.

Man, that takes me back. But we’re loosing focus here. We’ve gotta get your current hardware ready to enjoy all that old skool software. So, while I’ll be busy today, but free later tonight, let’s get back to the issue(s) at hand.

And good luck with the C64 bit, man.

here's one for ya:

up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, Start


rilla marilla maree !

ju catch that bonus pong on SegaGenesis MortalKombat(sp?) !? - least i think it was a genesis, if not then PS2 - can't remember the controller feel just yet durnit! anyway ... it had 2600 written all over it! hell, i used to go through the rigamarole of MK just to get to pong sometimes!

got any good in-lines on where to get decent standups here in the midwest?? I got my eye out for a good standup Gallaga ... cheapest ones i've priced so far go for a grand to a grand two. worth it? ... yea ... but if i can get it cheaper i will.


[loudspeaker]
"all passengers please notice the door to the lavitory is to the rear, and you may unbuckle your safty belts as we have just left 'off topic discussion.'"

courtesy update for console corner:

evidently their move resulted in the 5-6 week delivery delay

for the inconvenience, they did upgrade my order for a 120GB Maxtor HD to a 160GB Seagate ... plus they added a pelican eclipse wireless II controller.

eh ... yea ... i suppose they've done enough to settle the peace