Print

[theLameOne]

This is an idea that has been mentioned at least once in forums.

The idea is simple: Why load the flashROM from an expensive modchip when it is possible to load it from the HDD? Well, I am proud to announce this has now been achieved.

Huh? What?

Doing such and such, it is possible to pack a kernel such that it can be booted from the HDD using your debug Xbox (or debug convert, for cheap bastards). That is, using a debug BIOS.

One great about this is the flashROMs packed this way *should* boot on any Xbox (debug, V1.0, V1.1, V1.2, V1.3, white debug, prototype debug) provided it is running a compatible kernel. Of course, I can't verify this, but I think you'll find its true.

Another great thing is the ability to run many kernels at once without taking up extra flashROM space. Once a 256KB HDD BIOS booting kernel is released, it will be possible to run a wide variety on BIOS ROMs on, say, a 256KB V1.2 with no additional hardware.

If your still using your TSOP, you suddenly eliminate the risk of upgrading your BIOS, because it is now possible to recover by simply removing that BIOS file.

Possible boot locations:
d:XBOXROM.BIN
e:XBOXROM.BIN

Of course, if your unhappy with the above (or anything else, for that matter), hax0ring this stuff is about as easy as bashing newbs.

It will also eliminate the desire to install switches on your Xbox. Consider this:

[evox screen with "Boot Kernel blah" options]

This will be possible with another application thats in development atm.

On another note: packing these BIOS's isn't compilacated, but be patient, because soon a generic kernel packer will be released (similar to Team Assemblies "pack.exe")

Anyway, what could this make redundant?
* xboxloader.xbe for debugs (cool work, btw, "Dr")
* Modchips bigger than 512KB (256KB shortly... I think?)
* A multiBIOS switch on your Xbox
But we will have to wait and see what bugs this has.
The X-ecutor 2 and debug BIOSs seem to work normally, but some others have problems.

OK, cause I've been rushed I've probably not explained this that well, and left serious holes, so I've started this thread to discuss it and report bugs.

If you want to read an older thread of this idea, go here.

Also, harmless though it is (it won't aid you with piracy), this may have legal implications for those who wrote it. I remind everyone that I am merely reporting news, and I do NOT endorse what has been done.
I hope I don't have to repeat that.

Greets to Iriez


-lame_2D

=)

(yes, my nick changes frequently, but the "lame" remains)

[chilin_dude]

QUOTE (theLameOne @ Jun 22 2003, 10:37 AM)

This is an idea that has been mentioned at least once in forums. The idea is simple: Why load the flashROM from an expensive modchip when it is possible to load it from the HDD? Well, I am proud to announce this has now been achieved. Huh? What? Doing such and such, it is possible to pack a kernel such that it can be booted from the HDD using your debug Xbox (or debug convert, for cheap bastards). That is, using a debug BIOS. One great about this is the flashROMs packed this way *should* boot on any Xbox (debug, V1.0, V1.1, V1.2, V1.3, white debug, prototype debug) provided it is running a compatible kernel. Of course, I can't verify this, but I think you'll find its true. Another great thing is the ability to run many kernels at once without taking up extra flashROM space. Once a 256KB HDD BIOS booting kernel is released, it will be possible to run a wide variety on BIOS ROMs on, say, a 256KB V1.2 with no additional hardware. If your still using your TSOP, you suddenly eliminate the risk of upgrading your BIOS, because it is now possible to recover by simply removing that BIOS file. Possible boot locations: d:XBOXROM.BIN e:XBOXROM.BIN Of course, if your unhappy with the above (or anything else, for that matter), hax0ring this stuff is about as easy as bashing newbs. It will also eliminate the desire to install switches on your Xbox. Consider this: [evox screen with "Boot Kernel blah" options] This will be possible with another application thats in development atm. On another note: packing these BIOS's isn't compilacated, but be patient, because soon a generic kernel packer will be released (similar to Team Assemblies "pack.exe") Anyway, what could this make redundant? * xboxloader.xbe for debugs (cool work, btw, "Dr") * Modchips bigger than 512KB (256KB shortly... I think?) * A multiBIOS switch on your Xbox But we will have to wait and see what bugs this has. The X-ecutor 2 and debug BIOSs seem to work normally, but some others have problems. OK, cause I've been rushed I've probably not explained this that well, and left serious holes, so I've started this thread to discuss it and report bugs. If you want to read an older thread of this idea, go here. Also, harmless though it is (it won't aid you with piracy), this may have legal implications for those who wrote it. I remind everyone that I am merely reporting news, and I do NOT endorse what has been done. I hope I don't have to repeat that. Greets to Iriez -lame_2D =) (yes, my nick changes frequently, but the "lame" remains)

Sounds good...so what you're saying is that even if we have unflashable mods we will be able to use new bios'? If so great....Would it be possible to do this say with the retail MSdash so if we don't have switches we can access xbox live? Whens it being released?

[theLameOne]

This won't work with unflashable mods (an XBE solution is being looked at for this) I guess an unflashable mod will let you flash your TSOP with a BIOS that will boot from the HDD though.

I'm assuming this won't work with XB-live. For starters, the flashROM data will be different if a BIOS can be booted from the HDD at all (only debug BIOSs are comaptible atm).

I think it would also leave a footprint in the part of the memory that is checked... but I don't know too much about this.

The big condition is it requires a compatible BIOS (only some BIOS's seek to boot from the HDD). At the moment, all these BIOSs are 512KB, but the Xecutor2 looks "interesting" to say the least.

We'll see how it goes....

guys tried the new files yet?

[Jse]

kewl work

[jp110099]

sounds very awesome good job!

[TGD]

Just a quick question,  2 of my homies have old enigmah-x chips installed in their box, would this make it possible to upgrade their bios to a newer one even with their 1st gen chips that are non-flashable? Anotherwords, they dont need to go out and buy a new chip just so they can upgrade to a bigger hd.

Simple question so im looking for a simple answer..yes or no?

thx in advance

TGD

[the joker]

worked like a charm on my retail debug.  think I use the TATX one.

[Azadar]

I also hace a final Enigma and am looking for a way to use a new BIOS for HD and for NO-Patching of new games. Is this what Ive been waiting for?

Azadar

[Aspect]

Strange... I've been able to do this since I've gotten my debug kit.  Its nothing new, its something MS coded into the debug bios.  They use it with recovery discs, and bios development, I suppose.  The only new thing here is getting non-MS bioses to load, which wasnt very hard.

:popcorn:

-Aspect
 

[oneeyedelf]

hrm an xbe solution that would be cool, on a side note this would now allow an xbox to play backups with no mod, ie using the auf hack glitch then jamming the other bios into memory, booting to like a yboxdash.xbe (cant copy over the precious xboxdash), just to make this totally cool it would require evox's reboot to go to yboxdash and not reset the xbox

[matt03]

So there is absolutely no way to do this on a 256k mod chip (Matrix)?  Are there any 256k debug bioses?  Also, can someone post which debug bioses will/will not work?  Thanks a lot in advance for your help.

[theLameOne]

QUOTE (Aspect @ Jun 22 2003, 11:07 PM)

Strange... I've been able to do this since I've gotten my debug kit.  Its nothing new, its something MS coded into the debug bios.  They use it with recovery discs, and bios development, I suppose.  The only new thing here is getting non-MS bioses to load, which wasnt very hard. -Aspect

Aspect why are you so damn pessimistic?
I last mentioned this in this thread:
http://www.xboxhacke...0921&hl=xboxrom

where YOU implied it was impossible because your debug has a slightly different MCPX (which is actually totally false, but stupidly I believed you)

That executor 4977 BIOS would not boot normally, BTW, there were a couple of things that needed to be done.

Aren't you glad that its now become easier to use retail BIOSs on your debug junk?

Edit: preaching...

[theLameOne]

QUOTE (matt03 @ Jun 23 2003, 02:29 AM)

So there is absolutely no way to do this on a 256k mod chip (Matrix)?  Are there any 256k debug bioses?  Also, can someone post which debug bioses will/will not work?  Thanks a lot in advance for your help.

Any debug BIOS will work

[theLameOne]

QUOTE (Azadar @ Jun 22 2003, 10:34 PM)

I also hace a final Enigma and am looking for a way to use a new BIOS for HD and for NO-Patching of new games. Is this what Ive been waiting for? Azadar

No.
Try flashing your TSOP (caution).

[theLameOne]

QUOTE (oneeyedelf @ Jun 23 2003, 12:13 AM)

hrm an xbe solution that would be cool, on a side note this would now allow an xbox to play backups with no mod, ie using the auf hack glitch then jamming the other bios into memory, booting to like a yboxdash.xbe (cant copy over the precious xboxdash), just to make this totally cool it would require evox's reboot to go to yboxdash and not reset the xbox

An XBE solution would be cool, but it is alot of work. The trouble is the kernel manages memory. resources, and trying to overwrite it while its still doing this is difficult. They've been able to make it execute from another location in memory (but it crashes quick), and they've been able to reduce the kernel down to some annoying paging operations, I don't think they've been able to wipe the kernel yet. Time will tell.

I guess this is aimed towards ppl with cheapmods/matrix once the 256KB version is released, as well as those who don't feel safe reflashing their TSOP every BIOS upgrade.

For those who are not technically oriented enough to flash the TSOP, (which is now able to be done on any ver and mod except V1.3 Xbox), and don't have a flashable modchip, they should probably be ignoring this.

Edit: flashable*

This post has been edited by theLameOne: Jun 23 2003, 01:38 AM