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[Sean215]

I have two Asus systems.  One with Sil3114 and the other with nforce4 chipset (A8N32-SLI & P5N-E SLI).  Just bought a VIA 6421L SATA card just to be safe.  Even I read that you can flash Sammy with NForce4 but rather be safe.

I have opened up the XBox 360 and everything is ready to go.  I have read so much on the guides and material that at this point I am confused as a deer looking at the headlight!  

In order to do this right I just want to know if this steps are correct;

1) I install the VIA card and disable the onboard SATA on my MB and enable boot from USB Flash in BIOS
2) Physically unplug all the SATA HDD
3) on my other system I have to format the USB with startup files and put the IXtreme v1.4 firmware that I download from the usual place on to it. My first question, on the xtreme boot maker (I don't think I could find the v0.3.6 but found the v0.3.5)  Do I check the box that says "MS28 Bad Flash Compatibility and Apply Boke's..." check boxes even though my sammy is MS25 and not MS28? Second related question, the IXtreme v1.4 gives 4 folders with different read speeds, 2X, 4X, 8X and 12X upon unzipping.  which one of these folders you recommend to point to in the Xtreme Boot maker Open dialog box?
4) reboot the PC with the VIA card installed and SATA Cable connect to the XBox but XBOX is OFF.
5) Once I get to the DOS I turn on the XBOX.  Next question, do I have to wait for 10 seconds here?
6) Then I should run the MTKFlash r /m orig.bin
7) take my Flash drive and go the other system and run the Maximus Firmware toolbox
Open the origin.bin file and copy the key, close the program
9) reopen the maximus and this time point to the file samsung\xtreme.bin on the USB and paste (replace) the key with the key I copied earlier.
10) close the app and making sure that xtreme.bin is in the root directory, take the stick back to the other system.
11) rebbot the PC with Xbox off and then once in DOS turn on the XBOX (do I need to wait 10 seconds here too?)
12) run MTKFlash w /M Xtreme.bin, choosing my SATA
13) turn off the PC , plug the XBox SATA back to the Xbox and turn on the XBox to see if XBox reboots.
14) at this stage if everything went fine I just burn a copy and see if it is readable by XBox now, right?
  my final question, to burn a copy of my games I have bought a DL Burner from Light-On and opened it up for hot swap, is this ok or should I buy a Kreon drive ? any other suggestions for burning steps?

Thank you in advance for any help i can get.  BTW, kuddos to all that made this possible for the rest of us, great works guys!  (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[OggyUK]

While Im actually pleased to see members researching before posting, I think you still need to slow down and read through Textbook's Guide.

Alot of your info is correct, but an early step in you process would make the rest pointless.

You must make your bootable disc on the PC you are flashing with as XBM configures MTKFlash for one paticular port on the via card assigned by the PC.


1) I install the VIA card and disable the onboard SATA on my MB and enable boot from USB Flash in BIOS

Correct

2) Physically unplug all the SATA HDD

Not essential, but it means you wont read the firmware from one of these, Id suggest all newbies only have the Samsung and USB connected, all IDE and Sata devices removed

3) on my other system I have to format the USB with startup files and put the IXtreme v1.4 firmware that I download from the usual place on to it. My first question, on the xtreme boot maker (I don't think I could find the v0.3.6 but found the v0.3.5) Do I check the box that says "MS28 Bad Flash Compatibility and Apply Boke's..." check boxes even though my sammy is MS25 and not MS28? Second related question, the IXtreme v1.4 gives 4 folders with different read speeds, 2X, 4X, 8X and 12X upon unzipping. which one of these folders you recommend to point to in the Xtreme Boot maker Open dialog box?

Again, you MUST make your device on the PC you will be flashing with. I always use 12x unless a customer requests different, and yes check both boxes.

However, iPrep is the new latest and revised XBM - altough for Samsungs, its quite irrelevant, it just makes it user friendly.

4) reboot the PC with the VIA card installed and SATA Cable connect to the XBox but XBOX is OFF.

Correct - booting from USB of course (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

5) Once I get to the DOS I turn on the XBOX. Next question, do I have to wait for 10 seconds here?

Nope - Boot PC from USB, type your 'mtkflash r /m orig.bin' press enter, you will then be faced with a port selection screen

6) Then I should run the MTKFlash r /m orig.bin

As above

7) take my Flash drive and go the other system and run the Maximus Firmware toolbox

Yes, but remember to spoof as MS25 if using Xtreme 4.0+ or any iXtreme revision, or use the 'make hacked firmware' batch tool

Open the origin.bin file and copy the key, close the program
9) reopen the maximus and this time point to the file samsung\xtreme.bin on the USB and paste (replace) the key with the key I copied earlier.

All of this can be covered by using the make Hacked Firmware batch tool'

10) close the app and making sure that xtreme.bin is in the root directory, take the stick back to the other system.

Correct

11) rebbot the PC with Xbox off and then once in DOS turn on the XBOX (do I need to wait 10 seconds here too?)
12) run MTKFlash w /M Xtreme.bin, choosing my SATA
13) turn off the PC , plug the XBox SATA back to the Xbox and turn on the XBox to see if XBox reboots.

Follow the same steps as reading the firmware, but using the command you just put ' mtkflash w /m nameofhackedfirmwarefile.bin

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Its alot easier using iPrep as FirmTool copies the key over for you, but you can do it whatever way you feel more comfortable with.

Just take your time, if you are unsure STOP come back on and search / ask.

[ThomasQ]

I've been trying to flash a ms25 too..

My setup is an Asus P5LD2, with a ich7 chipset, but I've installed a VIA VT6421 PCI sata controller for connection with the ms25. I've been using Iprep v006 for making the USB boot drive, and want to flash the drive with iXtreme 4.0. Also I use the Molinex to Xbox360 Power adapter from Diyagadget.com//

So far, so good. After booting in DOS, loading the Iprep bootdisk, I run dSam, but I cannot seem to connect to the drive.. I've tried every combination of power on/off, no other SATA or IDE devices, etc.. After I get the message that I should have the drive ON and have to press enter, I get the following message:

Type the port number that matches to your Sata poer
Turn off the 360's drive, and then press enter.
Wait 10-15 seconds, then turn the power back on.

And then it goes immediately into MTKFlash, wich cant find the drive..

I also tried to boot into DOS and use a MTKFlash, wich I have Hexedited my string into, but still no luck..

And ofcourse I tried this one,
1) I install the VIA card and disable the onboard SATA on my MB and enable boot from USB Flash in BIOS,
but by disabling I just unplugged all my SATA Devices (still had one IDE optical Drive running, could that have anything to do with it?)


I also got a BenQ VAD Drive I wanna flash, or actually spoof for a Hitachi in my own 360, but again, I seem to connect. After using Iprep and running the dBen command, I get the message to turn my drive on, see the status of the drive toggle between 0x51 and 0xD1, off for 2 seconds and the status should stay at 0xD1 and then on, so the status will change into 0x73, but my drive's status never changes from 0x79??

Anybody got any good suggestions? Obviously somewhere, something is wrong. I really think it has something to do with my PCI card, but I don't know what.. If anybody could help me out I'd be much obliged.. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pop.gif)


And one last thing, something weird.. I purchased the SATA PCI card, saying it had a VIA VT6421 chipset, but after hooking it up, and Installing the VT6421 chipset, it's calling it a VIA RAID Controller - 3249 in my system information, same as in Iprep.. I've read that this shouldn't matter, but maybe it could be usefull to know..

This post has been edited by ThomasQ: Feb 10 2008, 12:57 AM

[Sean215]

OggyUK, Thanks for the reply.  You are 100% right about the startup file creation.  I missed that in my calculation.  Because when you disconnect all the HDD there is no way to boot from them.  That through me off about that step. The reason I was trying to do that was, I was under the impression that the PROGRAM may read the wrong BIOS if the HDD are still connected but if it is only a safe guard against the HUMAN error, I am experienced enough not to pick a wrong selection.

Anyway I will keep the HDD connected and do the steps in one computer rather that two, as we discussed.  I will post my result afterwards, so if anyone is unclear can see what I did.  Thanks a bunch again, you saved me before I start it!!!   (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I got Banned from XBins (for 550) so I will wait a day to get the rest of the software I need. Meantime with extra time in hand, I am going to read one more time through the manual again.  After that I will start the flashing process once I have all my setups ready.  Thanks again.... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[OggyUK]

QUOTE(ThomasQ @ Feb 9 2008, 11:48 PM)

I've been trying to flash a ms25 too..

My setup is an Asus P5LD2, with a ich7 chipset, but I've installed a VIA VT6421 PCI sata controller for connection with the ms25. I've been using Iprep v006 for making the USB boot drive, and want to flash the drive with iXtreme 4.0. Also I use the Molinex to Xbox360 Power adapter from Diyagadget.com//

So far, so good. After booting in DOS, loading the Iprep bootdisk, I run dSam, but I cannot seem to connect to the drive.. I've tried every combination of power on/off, no other SATA or IDE devices, etc.. After I get the message that I should have the drive ON and have to press enter, I get the following message:

Type the port number that matches to your Sata poer
Turn off the 360's drive, and then press enter.
Wait 10-15 seconds, then turn the power back on.

And then it goes immediately into MTKFlash, wich cant find the drive..

I also tried to boot into DOS and use a MTKFlash, wich I have Hexedited my string into, but still no luck..

And ofcourse I tried this one,
1) I install the VIA card and disable the onboard SATA on my MB and enable boot from USB Flash in BIOS,
but by disabling I just unplugged all my SATA Devices (still had one IDE optical Drive running, could that have anything to do with it?)
I also got a BenQ VAD Drive I wanna flash, or actually spoof for a Hitachi in my own 360, but again, I seem to connect. After using Iprep and running the dBen command, I get the message to turn my drive on, see the status of the drive toggle between 0x51 and 0xD1, off for 2 seconds and the status should stay at 0xD1 and then on, so the status will change into 0x73, but my drive's status never changes from 0x79??

Anybody got any good suggestions? Obviously somewhere, something is wrong. I really think it has something to do with my PCI card, but I don't know what.. If anybody could help me out I'd be much obliged.. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pop.gif)
And one last thing, something weird.. I purchased the SATA PCI card, saying it had a VIA VT6421 chipset, but after hooking it up, and Installing the VT6421 chipset, it's calling it a VIA RAID Controller - 3249 in my system information, same as in Iprep.. I've read that this shouldn't matter, but maybe it could be usefull to know..

What port are you using on your VIA card?

hxxp://www.mercadolibre.com.mx/jm/img?s=MLM&f=16896902_5186.jpg&v=P

Call, port at the top 1
To the right 2
At the bottom near tehe date stamp 3

You need to use Port 3

[ThomasQ]

Yesss, it worked, flashed 3 drives beautifully!
Thanks! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pop.gif)  (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pop.gif)

[Sean215]

I installed the VIA Card on my system. It is by Creative I/O and on the box says "SATA Raid Controller Card"  It has a VIA VT6421A chip on it.  on the manual it says it a SATA Raid Controller card that uses VIA SATA RAID solution VT6421 chip as a RAID controller which has a 2 channel SATA and 1 Channel ATA133 solution.  

-Supports two SATA + two PATA hard disk drives
-Supports RAID 0,1,0+1 and JBOD
-Windows-Based RAID Configure and Management Software tool
-Supports hot-swap failed disk drive in RAID 1 array
-etc, etc....

Now I connect my Sammy and turn the XBOX and PC at the same time.  The VIA BIOS hangs on "Scan Devices, Please Wait...".  Then after a minute or two comes up and says:

"Hardware Initiate failed, Please Check Devices!!!
The Bios does not be installed. Press <g> to continue!"

I have installed the VIA driver that came with the card and my motherboard has NForce4 chipset (A8N32-SLI Deluxe).  On the BIOS of my MB in the IDE Configuration (Raid Setup) I have enabled all my SATAs (1-4) and disabled the nVidia RAID Funcrion.  So my hard drive shows up as Third IDE Master.  When I connect the Sammy to the SATA3 on the MB it comes up as Fifth IDE Master and is recognized.  Is there a problem with the PCI SATA card?  Is it because it is a SATA RAID card and not just a SATA Card that is giving me this error?  Should I ignore the error and proceed with the flash?  

I know many had success with VIA chip on their MB.  But I read that most people with PCI SATA card have problems.  Is this an accurate claim?  Or am I missing something here?

Thanks for all your inputs in advance ...   (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

[Toddler]

QUOTE(Sean215 @ Feb 11 2008, 04:02 AM)

I read that most people with PCI SATA card have problems.  Is this an accurate claim?

I think that's completely inaccurate.

[Sean215]

I have found many articles with people having same exact problems as me with same card.  But they fixed it by hex editing the MTKFlash to something called MTKFlashVIA.  Unfortunately, all the links are outdated and broken.  I also read that XBM v0.3.6 does this patching for you so I don't need to have this file.  So, I guess this card would work.  From what I read, I understand that I have to wait to get to dos before connecting my sammy and then the rest should be fairly easy. can someone who knows about it confirm this?  Appreciate it...       (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[OggyUK]

QUOTE(Sean215 @ Feb 11 2008, 02:42 PM)

I have found many articles with people having same exact problems as me with same card.  But they fixed it by hex editing the MTKFlash to something called MTKFlashVIA.  Unfortunately, all the links are outdated and broken.  I also read that XBM v0.3.6 does this patching for you so I don't need to have this file.  So, I guess this card would work.  From what I read, I understand that I have to wait to get to dos before connecting my sammy and then the rest should be fairly easy. can someone who knows about it confirm this?  Appreciate it...       (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

You are probably reading about whe we used to Hex Edit mtkflash, iprep and xtreme boot maker does this for us now.

[Sean215]

Yeah Oggy,  the articles were dated from jan 04 and later on.  I figured that that must be the case.  But I tried to read everything I could get my hands on, if you know what I mean.  I usually try to solve the problem on my own but I am not too proud to ask for direction when I am unsure.  (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Now the thing that I am unsure, is this card compatible?  My guess is, 90% yes.  What do you think?  Thanks again...  (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[OggyUK]

Do you have MSN? I can help you on that, easier to discuss on there.