Hi guys, I’m quiet new to the world of Xbox modding but I’ve waded through almost all of your Xbox scene tutorials and I have gained much information about hacking. I’ve no plans to carry out these mods yet but I hope to do it in the summer holidays when I have a decent job that gives me enough income to afford everything.

Basically I need all feedback and information about these mods and I will mention specific feedback were required.

The Mod Chip

I’m hoping to buy a chameleon because they are so cheap $25, that’s about £16 compared to the Executer2 Pro mod chip. The reason I would like to buy this mod chip is because I believe it’s a 1024kb bios space, is that true? And apparently I can split bioses with a win32 programme. What programme is that and where do I download it? I also heard that the mod chip requires a Matrix Programmer, does that come with the package? Also what programmes do I need to prep the chip for a bios. And were can I get bins, dialup users (me) can’t get onto #xbins . Any other information regarding this mod chip can you please mention here.

Version 1.2 mainboard

I really need to buy this part separately. As well as being up to date with all of the circuitry I will also be able to attach a Case PSU without any problems. I can buy these sorts of spare parts but were are they located, on the net, doggy street shops, computer fairs? And will it all function with my v1.1 component like USBX connecters/boards, dvd drive etc. And how much do you reckon they will be?

120 gig Hard Drive

Well I assume I can just simply buy one but what tools do I need to prepare the hard drive for the Xbox. Were are the tools to lock the Hard Drive? I would also like to know were a Disk Defragmenter is for the Xbox because I’ve heard that transferring big amounts of data regularly can disrupt the hard drive access and make it very noisy.

Also I’m hoping to just use XBMP as my dashboard (I know, configuration file uses MD5SUM pass) and does this include the tools for preparing the hard drive or do I have to do that with windows or something. I would prefer windows tools.

Xbox Hard Drive in my workstation

I’m hoping to use the original to create Xbox Iso on my computer and transfer them via networking. I just format the drive under Windows 2000 Server sub menu don’t I? Well this all be enough space for ISO files (one game at a time).

Xbox Mandrake 9.0

Well can I just install mandrake for the amount of space I would like instead of 8 or 10 gigs. Also it just uses free space right, and I will be able to use the F drive because I customised the amount of space to be used.

Xbox case

I saw the tutorial for the case but for a modded case. Is that ok. I have enough power for the case lights because I’ll be using the Case PSU on my ver2.1 mainboard. But any important information is welcome.

Xbox PC Case PSU instead of XBOX PSU

Well I’m hoping to do that with an Xbox mainboard. But will too much power (350 Watts probably) blow the board or anything. And the Original DVD drive has to be on the mainboard right? All spare power connections will be going to hard drive, and fan (I can by a PSU to Fan connection converter from Maplin).

That’s about all I need information about. I will be doing other stuff like USB adapters etc, oh yer were could I buy IMAC style USB keyboard & mouse from?

Well all information is welcome. GG sorry if I boarded you.

PS would a Linux PSX emulator work ok in Linux?

epsxe

I think you have to have a Matrix first, and the chameleon is just an add on....and it thats the truth, get an X2

wow congratulations on being one of the most well-informed 'newbies'



sounds like it will be a sweet box

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Version 1.2 mainboard I really need to buy this part separately. As well as being up to date with all of the circuitry I will also be able to attach a Case PSU without any problems. I can buy these sorts of spare parts but were are they located, on the net, doggy street shops, computer fairs? And will it all function with my v1.1 component like USBX connecters/boards, dvd drive etc. And how much do you reckon they will be?

You lost me here, why do want to buy a main board seprately ?

1) Chameleon does come with 1MB(1024kb) bios, and it does need to be programmed with a Matrix programmer, which may be included after the chip is released. And, no, you don't need a Matrix to get Chameleon to work.

2) You don't need a v1.02 Motherboard or a PC Power Supply, the Xbox powersupply is plenty.

3) You do need to prepare a harddrive, there is a tool called Slayer's Auto-installer (I didn't use this, so I don't know exactly how it works), that will put the EvoX dashboard on your Xbox's new harddrive, it will also prepare and I think install any apps you burn to the CD. And ConfigMagic Final is what you want to lock the harddrive. I also wouldn't recommend XBMP as your default Dashboard, not as functional as EvoX.

4) You can't transfer ISO format games to your Xbox, it won't be able to read them. But, all you have to use is an FTP program to transfer games.

5) You won't be able to play games, etc.. along with Linux. Linux BIOS' are 1MB(1024kb) and will take the entire Chameleon modchip bios to run. So, you can't put any other bios' on the chip to run EvoX or anything else.

6) Case/PC mods aren't my area

I hope I helped a lil'

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2) You don't need a v1.02 Motherboard or a PC Power Supply, the Xbox powersupply is plenty.

Although the 1.2 mainboard DOES have a standard PC ATX power connector.

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4) You can't transfer ISO format games to your Xbox, it won't be able to read them. But, all you have to use is an FTP program to transfer games.

Yes you can, you will be just copying the files over, not actually creating an ISO, but that is fine. Yes, you will have enough room for probably 4-5 games on your stock XBox HD in your PC, but remember to backup your original drive and UNLOCK it with Config Magic, then you can just put it in your PC and format it.

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5) You won't be able to play games, etc.. along with Linux. Linux BIOS' are 1MB(1024kb) and will take the entire Chameleon modchip bios to run. So, you can't put any other bios' on the chip to run EvoX or anything else.

Yes you can, I run Linux all the time with Evox as the dash and all my games/files on F. It just creates a 2Gig file on E drive for Linux, but your Xbox will work fine as you state you want (XBMP as dash, and load linux from it) with any of the current Bios's like X2 or Evox

Listen up bucko! It sounds a lot easier than it is. Like which DVD drive will you get and will it read the CDs you create. You seem to have a good head on your shoulders but I hope you've got patience! Some things in the modding take time to work out. Before jumping into everything make sure you know everthing there is to know about it. It'll save you some money, trust me. My X2 pro was an easy install and I haven't had a problem so I recommend them. Take it slow and it will work.

Thanks for all of the information guys.

I would like to use a PC Case psu because I will be transfering my xbox orginals into a PC case and a Case PSU is much more safer, cooler and you get more power for cathode lights and LED fans etc so that's why I would like to do that. But a version 1.2 mainboard is needed for ATX connecter, and were do I get it!

And FTP, so I just transfer the game folders into say Xbox F:/halo/subfolders ? Hope it's that simple.

I really want to use XBMP as my dashboard because I spent £20 on a DVD remote and I do like my music collection.

Oh and you guys think I should get an X2 Pro then. But what bin files would you reccomend for that because I can't get onto #xbins.

And linux,

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It just creates a 2Gig file on E drive for Linux

I'm talking about Linux Mandrake 9 here, I downloaded that on Dialup lol. I'm not downloading Ed's that's horrid aperantly. I'm newbyish to Linux, though got some Linux magazines and had Linux Mandrake 9 as second OS on my PC.

There's still some text up in my orginal thread that hasn't been answered. like were do I get so and so stuff, please rearead it guys because I need to know all of this information.

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I'm talking about Linux Mandrake 9 here, I downloaded that on Dialup lol. I'm not downloading Ed's that's horrid aperantly. I'm newbyish to Linux, though got some Linux magazines and had Linux Mandrake 9 as second OS on my PC. There's still some text up in my orginal thread that hasn't been answered. like were do I get so and so stuff, please rearead it guys because I need to know all of this information.

If your getting a 1.2 then mandrakw won't work i'm afraid!

If you need a usb hub for your xbox then this is a good link for where to buy one!Great customer support and fast delivery (there in the uk as well!)
out of intrest were you from in the uk?If you are anywere nere me i could send u the debian linux cds.

Can you explain why Mandrake doesnt work on a 1.2?

Also, I am runnung Ed's Distro and it works great after you read the Linux forum and know what patches to get.. took me about a full day from start to finish to get linux all up with all the s/w, patches, and video fixed.

ooo that x-usb thing looks so cool and could probebly fit in a floppy slot for my case mod . Cheer's for that information.

Oh crap don't wokr on 1.2, nooooooooo. I live in Leicestershire in East Midlands, I've had net users post me stuff before.

Bah, what a long post.. ok, il read it now

So guys, I need to know were I can get a v1.2 mainboard. I tried searching on ebay but there all v1.0 or v1.1.

Also why doesn't mandrake work on v1.2, I don't see why it shouldn't work.

I think I will stick to an Executer 2 Pro mod chip. Can someone give me the link, is it xodus.com or something because it goes to this weird competition thing, I can't find my way around.

Also Were can I download xbins for the mod chip because I can't get onto #xbins for some odd reason (that room chucks me of banning dialup.poll users).

Another note, can I get IMAC style keyboard and mouse, they are so funky. USB <

Oh and

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5) You won't be able to play games, etc.. along with Linux. Linux BIOS' are 1MB(1024kb) and will take the entire Chameleon modchip bios to run. So, you can't put any other bios' on the chip to run EvoX or anything else.

I won't be using a Open Source bios, I'm hoping to split the mod chip into banks so I can add extra bioses, what tools do you recommend for this and is there any tutorials.

I would really like to use XBMP as my dashboard because basically I could run my XBox as a juke box so that's why I want to use that instead of Evox, I just want to know If there are any tools I need to download if I don't use Evox.

Hope that clears a few things up, keep posting your information guys.

wow.............just...........wow