Alrighty, I was thinking about modding my Gamecube, and I've got a few questions:
A. Is there a site like xbox-scene for gamecubes?
B. Which is the best modchip? I'm wondering about ease of installation mostly, because while I'm fairly handy with a soldering iron, surface mount terrifies me. Any other critical differences noted would also be nice.
C. Which is the best aftermarket case for full size dvds? I've heard rumors of some of them scratching discs, and I was curious.
D. Looking at some of the install pics, I see that there is something plugged into the expansion port. I was also thinking about getting a bba, so what would happen if this thing was unplugged from the expansion port? I think it was the usb interface, but I'm not sure.

Thanks

No but http://modthatcube.pxn-os.com/ has all the info you'll ever need.


It's debatable but most people will either recomend the Qoob or the Viper GC. I personally like the Qoob better because it seems to be supported better. the Qoob comes in a Cheap "SX" version and a more expensive "Pro" version. the SX is cheaper then the ViperGC and the Pro is more expensive then the ViperGC but also more feature filled.

Installation is a breeze, it's easier then installing an Xbox or PSX modchip thats for sure, probably one of the easiest consoles to mod. You'll have a harder time opening the damn case then soldering the points (at least I did).


I can't tell you because I use Mini DVDs... they've come down in price quite a bit and are only a few cents more expensive then full sized DVDs now anyway. The GC DVD drive is VERY VERY picky. using Ridata G04 mini dvds with an NEC burner has produced awesome results with my GC... IMO it's worth not dealing with the DRE headaches and just going with the mini dvds. some will beg to differ but that's my opinion. (becides nothing looks and feels more like the stock case then... the stock case)


I have no idea what you're talking about. I have a BBA on my GC and I don't recall ever seeing a GC modchip that used that port The GC has several expansion ports on the bottom and I know one or two chips use that AREA to feed out a ribbon cable though one of the other (not the BBA) ports but AFAIK it doesn't interfear with how they work.


I'd also recomend reading this writeup I've made: http://www.wiki-scene.com/wiki/index.php?t..._Modding_Primer

it might cover a few things you haven't thought about.

What about the Viper GC Extreme? How does it compare to the qoob pro? modthatcube had the bios comparison charts and the reviews, but never really sat down and compared them. I only have wal-mart's and radioshack's selection as far as dvds go, and my home wal-mart even more limited when I'm on break from school. I was just wondering 'cause I'm about to go home and bring it here sometime in the next couple of weeks. And as far as burners go, Not much choice either. I don't have a desktop here, which means I'm stuck with the one dell put in my laptop, which serves very well for anything thus far. Desktops have become a rarity in a "residence hall". I have to get used to that term as I am now one of the many minimum wage puppets housing refers to as "Information Assistants".

I think you Are talking about the guy who did a Ethernet port install on the side of his GC (in an expasion port) so that he could test multiple mod chips without taking apart that god forsaken case. I will look around, but I am pretty sure that is what you are reffering to. the guy was using a Qoob pro Vs a Viper if I recall correctly.

From roughly the middle of the review of the Viper GC Extreme on modthatcube:



Hard to argue with this.

Edit: Also from near bottom of review:

If I were you I'd get an install diagram from the Gamecube "scene" and nothing else...everyone will give you wrong advice and attempt to convince you that the install of the modchip is near-impossible as they're so superior to you. Put some electrical tape over the BIOS (yellow/purple wire) to prevent short circuit w/ heatsink. Figure everything else out yourself or suffer the blight of ignorance that is the GC scene. I think the Qoob Pro and the Viper GC Extreme are pretty much the same thing. The XenoGC is like 20 bucks and enables backups though. Rock that.

Ahh see I had no idea that the Viper group had released an "Extreme" version of their chip... hence Why I'd never heard of something using the BBA port...

exactly what does the USB adapter do for you? It only talks about PC streaming applications for flashing/backing up/streaming... so I suppose if you DONT have a BBA it's a handy alternative, buying the chip with the USB is probably cheaper then buying some other chip and a $30 BBA

I'm curious if you can stream DOL files from a USB mass storage device... If so that would be pretty sweet if you internalized a USB port and shoved a 1GB memory stick on there for all you old NES emulators... but if you can only stream from a PC then IMO it's useless unless you don't have a BBA.

Actually you can do that...I think? Using a fusion of old and new school methods...someone in a GC irc chatroom, back when this was my project, showed me his and bragged of it excessively. It plugged into the memory card slot, enabled backups, enabled loading of DOLs, and was built from an SD card and Pro Action Replay components I believe. He spoke of transferring it from GC to GC.