Topic: Xecuter Blaster360 Update and Install Preview (Read 128 times)

Xbox-Scene · « **on:** February 02, 2007, 11:30:00 AM »

Xecuter Blaster360 Update and Install Preview
Posted by XanTium | February 2 12:54 EST

(IMG:http://www.burstnet.com/cgi-bin/ads/ad9520b.cgi/ns/v=2.1S/sz=300x250A/

Quote

We've been crazy busy since our last update on the Blaster360. After many many more tests we feel we finally nailed the problem regarding dumping game data. I think I will ship a number of samples out to the scene to get some hardcore feedback as I'd like it tested on multiple systems.

To give you an insight as to how complex this easy sounding product actually is, I will list some tech info of the internal switch controller that we feel finally solved the problems.

We have utilized a Serial ATA multiplexer and buffer that implements 2:1 failover switch function for 1.5Gbps and 3.0Gbps links. This function is used when dual hosts, such as I/O controllers, must access single-port disk drives in high availability storage subsystems where redundancy and load sharing are important. The outputs from the I/O controllers are multiplexed to the Xbox 360 Serial ATA ODD (Optical Disk Drive). The output from the ODD is then buffered and replicated to the I/O controller. When switching from one I/O controller to the other, a Serial ATA link must be reinitialized with out-of-band (OOB) signals, which are transferred through the Serial ATA multiplexer transparently. The Blaster360 internal switch provides high output swings with pre-emphasis, and programmable receiver sensitivity that are needed to drive long backplanes and external cables.

In addition the switch also supports a 1:2 port multiplier (link replicator) mode where one host can connect two drives.

Some of you will understand all that - the rest will be saying "wtf?"
(IMG:http://pictures.xbox-scene.com/xbox360/blaster360/multiplex.gif)

Now a lot of you have asked how do you install the Blaster360 - and how is it possible to do so without cutting any metal or any part of the case. Here is a look for the very first time to see how its done

1. Fix the main Power Control Unit (PCU) to the underside of the ODD, and then plug the ODD power cable into the PCU. The red ODD power cable (labelled XB360) from the PCU then connects to the 360 motherboard. The 2x8 Pin header cable plugs into the Multiplex Switching Unit (MSU).
2. Install the supplied SATA cables (90 to 180 for XB360, 180 to 180 for ODD) as shown in the photo.
(IMG:http://pictures.xbox-scene.com/xbox360/blaster360/PowerB-1x60_s200.jpg) (IMG:http://pictures.xbox-scene.com/xbox360/blaster360/SATA_Cable-1x60_s200.jpg)

3. This is the part that everyone seems to be worried about. How do we connect the internal MSU to the external Blaster360 unit without cutting any part of the case. As you can see pretty simple (the MSU pictured here is the version we were using before we implemented the Multiplexer as described and pictured above)
(IMG:http://pictures.xbox-scene.com/xbox360/blaster360/Switch_Board-1x60_s200.jpg) (IMG:http://pictures.xbox-scene.com/xbox360/blaster360/Switch_Board-2_s200.jpg)

4. Now connect the MSU to the external Blaster360 unit. Make sure that all connections are secure.
5. FINISHED :-)
(IMG:http://pictures.xbox-scene.com/xbox360/blaster360/Blaster360_Plugin-1x60_s200.jpg) (IMG:http://pictures.xbox-scene.com/xbox360/blaster360/Finishedx60_s200.jpg)

As you can see we have put a LOT into this. It really is important for this kind of product to be as stable and as reliable as possible due to the fact that you will be flash updating your drives using this product as well as spending many hours backing up your originals. Im expecting some final prototypes on Monday and then I'll get some samples out to some of our testers next week to make sure everything is solid.

Thank you for your patience - we promise you won't be dissapointed.

Official Site: http://www.team-xecuter.com
Pre-Order Blaster360 ($70/€60): Divineo USA/CAN | ModchipStore USA/CAN | ShopNeo UK | MrModchips Europe/UK | Divineo Asia

xxANTMANxx · « **Reply #1 on:** February 02, 2007, 10:45:00 AM »

Thats awesome

Worseley · « **Reply #2 on:** February 02, 2007, 10:55:00 AM »

WoW!!! This looks so complicated to make but so easy to install/use.

Great Job keeping the name Team Xecuter mean High Quality on XS.

quarky42 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 02, 2007, 11:26:00 AM »

Thanks, Team-Xecuter. Looks like a solid product. I'd rather wait an extra month or two for something like this to come out.

If you are taking additional beta-testers, I'm ready to open up my 360 and mod the drive. I've installed numerous X3s for various folks so I'm fairly handy with electronics.

chalosf · « **Reply #4 on:** February 02, 2007, 11:46:00 AM »

wait, this this is not out yet..wtf?

Textbook · « **Reply #5 on:** February 02, 2007, 11:49:00 AM »

(IMG:http://pictures.xbox-scene.com/xbox360/blaster360/Switch_Board-2_s200.jpg)

Genius.

Djpj · « **Reply #6 on:** February 02, 2007, 11:57:00 AM »

omg!! tej h4xx0rd da 360!

What's the release date?

powaking · « **Reply #7 on:** February 02, 2007, 11:23:00 AM »

QUOTE(Textbook @ Feb 2 2007, 01:20 PM)

Genius.

This part I'm lost on. What is popping out of the red circled vent holes? Is that what the outer part connects to the PCB board? Kind of hard to see.

rehab · « **Reply #8 on:** February 02, 2007, 12:00:00 PM »

That's some pretty impressive stuff right there...

Props!

smash_linux · « **Reply #9 on:** February 02, 2007, 11:44:00 AM »

QUOTE(chalosf @ Feb 2 2007, 01:17 PM)

wait, this this is not out yet..wtf?

Couldn't say better...

tdcemanuel · « **Reply #10 on:** February 02, 2007, 12:26:00 PM »

what is this stuff? what exactly is the hack?

bucko · « **Reply #11 on:** February 02, 2007, 11:56:00 AM »

Nice work

Helliano · « **Reply #12 on:** February 02, 2007, 12:49:00 PM »

Gj Xecuter, now lower the price.. $70 is still too much for this unit.

X-Staff · « **Reply #13 on:** February 02, 2007, 12:16:00 PM »

QUOTE(chalosf @ Feb 2 2007, 07:17 PM)

wait, this this is not out yet..wtf?

well, the reasons have been discussed in great detail and progres reports have been posted many times. It's all there for you to read if you cared to.

QUOTE(Helliano @ Feb 2 2007, 08:20 PM)

Gj Xecuter, now lower the price.. $70 is still too much for this unit.

once again I dont set the price - the retailers do. At $70 they've pre-sold a combined total of 30k units so someone out there thinks its worth it. There will always be products that someone thinks is too expensive or someone has absolutley no need for. That's fine, I have hundreds of thousandsof users who like one product I do and hate another - thats the beauty of a free market.

Please, if you can manufacturer this cheaper then I will buy from you.

QUOTE(tdcemanuel @ Feb 2 2007, 07:57 PM)

what is this stuff? what exactly is the hack?

Its not a hack. Use the search button on these forums or goto www.team-xecuter.com and read about the Blaster360.

appleguru · « **Reply #14 on:** February 02, 2007, 12:19:00 PM »

QUOTE(powaking @ Feb 2 2007, 01:30 PM)

This part I'm lost on. What is popping out of the red circled vent holes? Is that what the outer part connects to the PCB board? Kind of hard to see.

They're using 2x2 headers to go through the holes.. Pretty innovative

Author Topic: Xecuter Blaster360 Update and Install Preview (Read 128 times)