*EXPERIMENTAL*

Yes, you heard right. Due to the fact that our dear friend DVADER has abandoned us, I took it upon myself to fix the 720p/1080i sync problems for Modchip/VGA users.

This fix should have full support for Conexant AND Focus encoders, and both should run PERFECTLY at 480p, 720p, and 1080i. I have not yet personally tested this, as I have no modchip myself, but I am 99.9% POSITIVE it will work perfectly, as I have FULL faith in my hex editting skills.

What I have done is used the code for the on-the-fly hex edits done by the newest version of NKPatcher v10-vga10 and compared it against the code in an actual BIOS, and was able to figure out what registers did what in the actual BIOS. All current BIOSes should be fully supported too.

All you have to do is extract your BIOS files using xbtool, and then replace the following strings in xboxkrnl.img with a hex editor. (I personally recommend using the 'replace' option in XVI32 - A free hex editor.) Then repack the BIOS, and flash onto your Modchip.

NOTE: BE SURE TO APPLY BOTH PATCHES SO YOUR BIOS SUPPORTS BOTH ENCODERS! If you really want to, you can just do one of them, but why not have support for both?

NOTE: AS SAID BEFORE, I HAVE NOT TESTED THIS. USE THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK! BE SURE YOU CAN RECOVER IF THIS DOES NOT WORK! Although i'm sure it will work perfectly fine.

If someone with a modchip and a VGA cable could test this out and post your results, I would appreciate it.

_______________________________________________________________________________

--BEGIN CODE FOR CONEXANT ENCODERS--

Replace this code:



With this code:



--END CODE FOR CONEXANT ENCODERS--

_______________________________________________________________________________

--BEGIN CODE FOR FOCUS ENCODERS--

Replace this code:



With this code:



--END CODE FOR FOCUS ENCODERS--

_______________________________________________________________________________


Thanks/Respect/Credit:

Dr. Oldschool - For creating NKPatcher and the first VGA Softmod
masticism - For initially fixing the purple tint on 720p/1080i
DVADER - For showing up, and then leaving us high and dry, thereby motivating me to do this.
Textbook & leeloo - For tutorials on building VGA cables

I'll definately have to try this out, seems easy enough

If I was one of those people who quoted people and put it in my sig, this would be in there :

Nice fix!

Might be interesting to see what happens with a BFM BIOS which is correctly patched...

UPDATE!

I have now created an automatic patcher for my fix. It functions exactly the same way that DVADER's patch worked. Simply drop this in the directory with the xboxkrnl.img file, execute, and click Patch. Once patched, simply delete both the xboxkrnl.img.bak (backup file) and vgapatcher.exe, and then repack the BIOS with xbtool and flash.

NOTE: The automatic patcher AND the VGA fix are both still considered experimental until someone can confirm it works properly.

You can find it here:

http://forums.ngemu.com/attachments/misc-p...-vgapatcher.rar

NOTE: I did not hack DVADER's patcher. I simply used the same patch creating program that he also used, known as dUP2.

I test the vga patch on my version 1.0 xbox with dou x2 modchip and everything turn green after I flash the bios. (480p = green tint, 720p=green tint, and 1080i=greent tint)




xbox 1.0
bios x2 5035
dou x2 modchip
sony g520 monitor with SOG support

Which encoder are you using? Let me know and I can try to fix the problem.

EDIT: v1.0 XBOX, that would be Conexant. I'll have an update in a minute.

EDIT: EDIT: Any news from anyone on the Focus encoder?

UPDATE!

New version of the autopatcher, hopefully fixes the Conexant green tint issue. Be sure to apply this to a 'clean' BIOS. Meaning, don't attempt to repair a BIOS file patched with the old patcher.

http://forums.ngemu.com/attachments/misc-p...-vgapatcher.rar

NOTE: The code for Conexant in the main post of the thread is incorrect now.

Very nice. Props to you. Textbook and I had the same idea, but had trouble obtaining the patched bios and pretty much forgot about it. It's too bad my only chipped box right now is a 1.6. I might have to get another chip and try this... Thanks for all the work you did on this!

Hell ya thanks for trying. I just added VGA to a box and found the wonderful world of green and purple tints.


Hope it gets worked out!

UPDATE!

Sorry, another update concerning Conexant. This follows Dr. Oldschool's method exactly, so it should be correct now.

http://forums.ngemu.com/attachments/misc-p...-vgapatcher.rar

Once again, all feedback is helpful.

NOTE: I wish there was an easier way to post/edit.

As soon as I get my VGA cable from Pimpmaul69 I'm going to try this out, I've already patched an X2 5035 with your patch

I just test the new patch on a virgin x2 5035 bios and the green tint still exist for 480p, 720p, and 1080i. I also tried to use DVADER vga patch first and then apply this new patch with no luck. (480p ok, 720p=purple tint, 1080i=purple tint)

Okay, let me do some testing on my machine, and i'll see what I can do about the Conexant issue.

NOTE: Any Focus encoder results is still helpful.

*DOUBLE POST*

Okay, this SHOULD fix the green tint issue. Hopefully.

Version 4 of the Autopatcher, once again, run this against a 'clean' BIOS image.

http://forums.ngemu.com/attachments/misc-p...-vgapatcher.rar

NOTE: Still untested, as I am not in a position to flash my TSOP at the moment.

I just test the patch on a x2 5035 bios with a 1.4 xbox (focus) and everything is green!

Tried it on my conexant chip and no go, sorry.

480p = Green

720p = Purple, green, and very dark.

Keep up the good work....i can almost taste what i've been waiting for for over 3yrs.

Version 4 of the Autopatcher

My test result:

470p= green tint

720p= very dark pink tint (barely see the screen)

1080i=very dark pink tint (barely see the screen)



Tested on

xbox v1.0
modchip dou x2
bios x2 5035

I wanted to add that i tried it on an x3 chip, with the x3 bios.

Okay, so unfortunately it would seem that it's not as easy as just editting the encoder's registers. Let me do a little more research on DVADER's method and i'll see if I can find a fix.

EDIT: I'm guessing that there is some kind of 'enabler' code that needs to be implemented.

I'm sorry I can't test the patch myself currently, but I do really appreciate your work. Thanks in advance!!

UPDATE!

I have found the 'Enabler Code' that is present in DVADER's patch, and I have included it in my own. This is a 'back to the drawing board' release, meaning that I went back and double checked all my logic/work and made sure this would be the correct way to do it. Still no guarantees, but as long as people are willing to test, I will be willing to keep working on this fix.

But I think this should be the correct patch. (/me crosses fingers)

Version 0.5 of the Autopatcher. Please report your results.

http://forums.ngemu.com/attachments/misc-p...-vgapatcher.rar

how did you get xbtool to extract/pack the bios?
i can't seem to get it to work

Version 0.5 of the Autopatcher

My Test Result:

480p= 100% working

720p= 100% working

1080i= 100% working


Thank you very much for working on this patch. All the modchip people should be happy now.





Right now I am playing soul calibur 2 @ 720p without purple tint problem. The graphic is very sharp.

Nice!!! So glad to hear it's working properly!!!

ChickenBOX180, thank you for your help with beta testing. Your name will be added into my credits list as a beta tester.

Seriously, I really appreciate your help.

Version 0.6 - Only a cosmetic release to include ChickenBOX180's name in the credits.

http://forums.ngemu.com/attachments/misc-p...-vgapatcher.rar

That's really sweet man.

So Connexant is working since ChickenBOX180 has a v1.0 box, that sounds wondeful.

May I add a question: is "force progressive" possible as well if that is not too perky to ask?

LOL, it's not too perky to ask.

I am looking into this possibility at the moment, and I will see what I can do. Although, i'm not sure if it can be done. I will do some research into the NKPatcher v10-vga10 source code and see how it modifies the kernel, and see if Force480p can be applied to my patch.

Until then, everyone enjoy the patch!

NOTE: I'm still waiting for confirmation on whether or not the Focus encoder works, but i'm sure it will work fine.

I still get green tint after I press (L trigger + R Trigger + select + start) to get back to xbmc dashboard. This only happen when I play game at 720p (soul calibur 2) or 1080i (znes emulator). I don't know if this small bug can be fix or not but I am 100% happy with this patch.

So, is it a quick green screen, and then the XBMC screen itself is normal?

Or is XBMC itself green after you reset?

xbmc dashboard stay green until I reboot the xbox or select a diferent game to play then it's back to normal.
The green tint doesn't happen when I play game that support 480p only.

Sweat mother of meat; good job Frosty! You've accomplished what many have been trying to do for years!

All resolutions work 100%!

The only problem i see is that when you exit out of a 720p game or app (emulator) the dash returns to green, and i have to reboot to get colors back.

Also, those games that revert back to green (UBI soft games, morrowind, etc.) still do it. And the N64 emulator, once a game is booted, turns green. But these have been vga issues from the beginning. If this could ever be fixed (at least the N64 emulator, for me) then the vga bios would be perfect.

Again, kudos and great job.

Yeah, i'm not sure of the cause of this, but I am currently working on a fix. The temporary solution to this problem would be to either enable 720p/1080i in your dash, or use a dash that supports 720p/1080i. (UnleashX)



AFAIK, these problems are caused by the game itself changing the encoder's registers, and the BIOS doesn't automatically correct this. I'm not sure if this is fixable, but I will look into it.

For modchip users!

Thanks much mate!

bump on my q
on patching the x3 bios

You can also download a more recent release of XBTool here.

Also, I tried using your latest patch on the Xecuter 4981 BIOS, and I seem to be encountering the same green screen problems as ChickenBOX180. But for games that only support 480p, your patcher works wonderfully!

Great work so far!

Thanks, I've been waiting for this for ages.

I can finally use X|BMX in 720p, now I just need to get live tv streaming
from my 9700 aiw! Anyone got this working?

Cheers!

thanks for you guy's help

WOW. FrostyTheSnowman your a GENIUS!!!!


Im gonna cry lol. Like Foe said weve been waiting for years for this and you do it in days lol.


Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOOT !!!!!!!!

So happy, I'll test shortly, maybe tonight.

UPDATE!

FrostyTheSnowman's VGA Patcher v0.7

Changes:

1. Mimics NKPatcher's VGA Code for Conexant/Focus exactly (Better Compatibility with more VGA Monitors)

2. Updated 'About' Section in Patcher


Known Bugs:

1. When using IGR, the screen will turn green on your dashboard until you select another game, or reset your XBOX. (This is caused by the current IGR methods not resetting the GPU before loading the dashboard.)

2. Games that do not reset the GPU before executing will be green. (Morrowind, Splinter Cell 1 & 3, Jade Empire, etc.)

3. 480i games (interlaced games) are not supported in VGA mode.


Future Plans:

I am currently waiting on a response from Dr. Oldschool to see if he can provide me with any pointers on fixing the above problems. I am not sure if/when there will be another release, but rest assured I will do my best. Until then, anyone else with hex editting experience with the XBOX BIOS is more than welcome to try and fix these problems. I am providing a list of the hex edits performed in my patch at the bottom of this post, so if anyone else wants to try to fix the above problems they are more than welcome to do so. Just be sure to include my name in the credits of your patch.

You can download the newest version here:

FrostyTheSnowman's VGA Patcher v0.7

http://forums.ngemu.com/attachments/misc-p...atcher-v0.7.rar



-------- Detailed Hex Edit Information for VGA Patcher v0.7 --------

All you have to do to create a VGA BIOS is replace some lines of hex code in the xboxkrnl.img file in an unpacked BIOS. Simply use the 'replace' option in many popular hex editors to do this. (I recommend XVI32 - A free hex editor.)

NOTE: There is only one instance of each of these codes in the XBOX BIOS. They should be easy to find and replace.

---BEGIN CONEXANT ENCODER CODE---

Replace this:



With this:



---END CONEXANT ENCODER CODE---

---BEGIN FOCUS ENCODER CODE---

Replace this:



With this:



---END FOCUS ENCODER CODE---

---BEGIN 'VGA Code Enabler' CODE---

Replace this:



With this:



---END 'VGA Code Enabler' CODE---

Known issues:

- When exiting out of a 720p game via IGR, or when exiting out of a 720p application (emulator or dashboard) back to a 720p dashboard, the screen will go green. The only thing that will return a 720p application or game back to full color is if you do a complete system reset, boot up a 480p game or application, or change the resolution to 480p in the dashboard, then back to 720p. Thereby reseting the GPU. Then when you exit out of the 480p game, application or resolution the 720p dashboard will be in full color. (Sorry if that was as confusing as hell )

- 480p dashboard, games and other applications do not show this behavior; IGR has no effect on it turning to green.

- Those few (but good) 480p games, and N64 emulator that turn green once the game is loaded are the exception. But if you IGR the dashboard color will return to full color in 720p or 480p.

Again, thanks for all the hard work frosty.

So basically, to sum it up, as long as you are playing 480p games you will be fine, and there won't be any green screens when you use IGR. If you use 720p/1080i games or applications, all you have to do is reset your XBOX after you are done using them and the colors will be back to normal.

Kind of annoying, I know. But hey, at least 720p/1080i has full color now, right?

this is great news!!! thanks bro. this should be on the front page!!!

No doubt.

This is more 'front page' worthy then a lot that makes it on there.

Correct. But if you are running your dashboard in 480p and boot up a 720p/1080i game or application, and exit out to your dashboard, your dashboard will be fine; in full color.

The dashboard going green after playing a 720p/1080i game or application only happens if you are running your dashboard in 720p/1080i.

NOTE: The v1.6 XBOX is still unsupported. My patch will not work for v1.6 XBOXs because they use the 'Xcalibur' video encoder. This encoder was internally developed by Microsoft, and there isn't any data sheets or documentation available for anyone to be able to get VGA working on this encoder.

a componet to vga adapter should however work tho, right? (like the x2vga)

and i need some clearification, once i reflash my chip with the patched bios, could i still use those same bios on a regular t.v. when i don't have a monitor at hand?

Yep, the X2VGA works just fine for v1.6 XBOXs.

So...The random firmware updates for the Xbox 360's DVD drive keep making the front page news...but this is left out?

Ok, I just patched a X2 5035 sucessfully and it worked great.

Just a couple of thing I knoticed:

With a standerd A/V cable, its all green!
Some blueish colours are green.
Dark blue colours are light purple.