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[wolrahnaes]

QUOTE (Chancer @ Nov 26 2004, 02:04 PM)

In the UK YES it is illegal. the modchip enables the possible circumvention of copy protection which is indeed illegal.

If it's illegal, then why does it seem that there are quite a few chip resellers in the UK?  They don't exactly hide (some linked from the front page here), so you'd think they'd be busted if it was actually illegal.

Hell, here in the US we even have that ugly DMCA, and chips are still perfectly legal.  Where it becomes illegal is if you ship it with a MS-based BIOS and/or any XDK-compiled software.  There you end up distributing copyrighted material.

The solution is, of course, to do exactly as all the major chip makers now do and ship with a Cromwell based BIOS that enables flashing from CD or LAN, or just use a chip like XBIT that has USB flashing.  Then you include a document explaining the use of xbins, and all is perfectly legal from your end.

I'm in the process of starting a modding business on campus with a friend of mine.  We do softmods as a teaser, and then when the user inevitably comes back wanting more space or the ability to turn off the mod to play on Live, we sell them a chip and install it.

[EYOB]

The only problem I have is figuring out how to solder.

I modded my first Xbox nearly 1 year ago.  It was like a v. 1 or v. 2 with solder in the d0 or LPC holes, whatever you call em.  Now that one's fucked.  I guess, it was because I did the solderless install with the X 2.3b lite plus (I think that's what it's called).  Now I'm trying to mod it with the XBIT solderless chip.  It wasn't working out.  Now it's just a normal Xbox.

I bought another one, because I was at base nearly 2 hours away from home and my Xbox.  I was standing a 24 hour post, and knew there would be plenty of time to play Xbox.  Not wanting to drive, I decided to buy a new Xbox.  This one didn't have solder in the LPC/d0 part of the Motherboard.  So, I used the XBIT to install solderlessly into that one.  It has problems from time to time, but I'm able to fix it.  I use this new modded Xbox most of the time, and let my friend use my other normal one.

The problem now is how to learn to solder.  I guess I could go into another forum and figure that out.

Just for the heck of it - Could you guys "point me in the right direction" ??  Like a certain link, or outline of soldering ??

I've never soldered before, but there seems to be overwhelming advice to solder when it comes to modding.

BTW: Thanks VERY much for the handy advice !!

[EYOB]

It's kind of a cross, between which I should use.

Xecuter 3 is new, so most likely the best choice.

But I'm familiar with the XBIT, and I can use the USB to flash it instead of with a CD.

What do you guys think ??

If the X3 works better, I'll order them in bulk.

And like someone else said, about 2 or 3 120 gig HDD's.

[mr will]

Once again, soldreless is not the best way forward.  I just switched to using the new xecuter lpc rebuild board and I can now solder in a x2.6 and have it all working in 30 minutes flat! That little piece of board is the best £1.99 any modder can spend!!!

[mr will]

I think your starting point shoud be x2.6 not x3 because you can get the 2.6 for about 1/3 the price. unless you can pass the extra cost on, which i doubt unless you find a customer with to much money!

[itsmee129]

, buy 5 alladin chips at one time, so the cost for each chip is about $17(about$85). tell the people they are regualar modchips that cost $45 and you are in teh money my man, well thats what i do


edit: and oh yeah, how much would u sell that broken motherboard for?

[EYOB]

Broken Motherboard ??

I don't think it's broken.  As long as I can solder, I think it will work.

I understand your logic of buying older chips.  But I figure the newer the better.  So I'm guessing when/if I buy a certain type of chip, it will come with instructions, in a pamphlet or online.

I want to learn to solder, can someone provide me with a link on how to solder ??

[Pharoh]

if you really want to make more profit but charge the same rate you could do a TSOP mod, i have done a few of them so far its a win win situation, modded box and i dont have to buys chips in bulk, but if thats what you want to do i would recommned the aladdin chip good features, reliable, & cheap especially in bulk. just a thought.

[EYOB]

So, what's the difference, between an Alladin, Xbit, and X3 ??

[itsmee129]

QUOTE (EYOB @ Nov 28 2004, 10:00 PM)

So, what's the difference, between an Alladin, Xbit, and X3 ??

the price, all chips are the same, they are a microchip with alternative bios for the xbox. its just some modchips have other features liuke some support an lcd screen and some are jsut more popular

[EYOB]

Thanks for the advice.

[Casper1786]

u forgot 2 add that some also have an OS(SmartXX V1/2 and Xenium), and the X3 has CongigLive, less attractive OS, but has on-the-fly BIOS editing, meaning u can change BIOS settings without Reflashing your Chip. but if ur installing for som1 else and doing all there setup, it's obvious that they're not interested in all the Tech Details, an probably won't need more then 2 256k Bios banks, so 3rd Gen Chips should be more then enough. for example the X3 ConfigLive is only useful 2 those who make multipul changes 2 there system like changeing the color of the loading sceen, and don't wish 2 be bothered with re-flashing all the time. also note that the OS of any chip just like X3's ConfigLive is useless 2 the standard user, but it is helpful for a First time setup, really makes HDD upgrades eiser, no need for EvoX Boot disks if the OS supports FTP(X3 Config Live does, don't know about Xenium or SmartXX) or your DVD drive won't read your burned media for w/e reason. I also should add that I don't know much about the XBIT as I haven't read much on it, I currently have an X3, witch is my Very First Modchip for any system. now about LCDs, these are only usful for XBMC(dunno if anythin else supports them) really, so unless the person is going 2 listen 2 allot of music and movies in XBMC, this is not needed, also note that there is only 4 options when it comes 2 LCDs, there is X3, Xenium, SmartXX and some LPC add-on device that adds LCD support 2 all LPC based Mods(can't remember the name), also if I missed any, som1 feel free 2 add. so with all that in mind, you also wanna consider what BIOS your Using when it comes 2 XBL, I'd suggest an X2 BIOS, unless were talkin 1.6 or 1.6b systems, then u have some time 2 wait for support in the X2 Line of BIOS.

I suggest the X2.6 as it works on all versions, and gives the user the choice for an easy upgrade in the future 2 the X3 chip if they want, just pull it off the Pin-header and unplug the few wires, plug them into the X3 and put it back on the LPC, Change the Switches and your all done. plus since it has a Hardware disable switch the users can diside if they still wish 2 use XBL on that system, just as long as they don't do HDD upgrades...

[Chancer]

QUOTE

If it's illegal, then why does it seem that there are quite a few chip resellers in the UK? They don't exactly hide (some linked from the front page here), so you'd think they'd be busted if it was actually illegal.

Send an e-mail to [email protected] or pm bustanuvver (ukmodchips.biz) and ask them about legality. many UK chip sellers have already been hit indeed M$ has forced them to stop retailing chips
The ones still advertising simply have not been caught up with yet.

[itsmee129]

softmodding is for jerks, lesbians, and poor poeple. also im getting an X3 and xlcd, it looks hottt

[BlackRanger3d]

Aww to live in Canada, where it is complely legal to Mod your Xbox, and to make back ups of games you own.