to be honest. the game save explot is the esiest.
I tried to use the hot swap method but unless you are running an xp machine or are familier with linex this method is extremely frustrating and dangerus.
My IDE controllers in my PC OS where damaged while tring to hotswap. While they still funtion to run my hdd my cd rom is not being detected.
And the friend with a modded xbox. Lets face it if you had a friend with a modded box you probobly would post here asking for help.
So my advice to you is. Go out to the bank. Get $40usd and buy yourself an action replay with a memory card. Now depending on weathor or not you own any of the games the exploits work through you may or may not want to run over to the video store and rent one of them. I used splintercell becouse 007 was not available.
And there you have it. You are all set. And you got a action replay out of the deal. Make sure you get an AR with a memory card if you don't already have one. And if you do have a mem card you can save and build your own AR. The instructions are around here some where.
PS. if you build your own AR and don't own a wire stripper don't sweat it. Grab a razor or a steak knife and sit down with a cutting board at the kitchen table and just shave the wires. Thats what I did.
All in all good luck