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[echto]

Today I opened my mailbox and to my surprise there was a nice Priority Mail cardboard envelope from Canada Post with EASYBUY2000.COM listed as the sender.  Inside, yes you guessed it, 1 of the 23 Matrix modchips Easybuy2000 was giving away.

Included in the package was the modchip itself, the flasher, and a small clear plastic bag containing 1 small metal star washer.  All the items were wrapped in bubble wrap and held together with a rubber band.

As soon as the batteries for my camera finish charging I'll post a pick of the bundle.

THANK YOU Xbox-Scene.com and Easybuy2000.com!!!



Merry Christmas everyone!

[KazuyaWaruasobi]

Indeed. I received mine as well. The programmer is faulty, but still, Thanks easybuy.

[BenJeremy]

Good place for my 'review'

I got mine promptly, and immediately went to program it. Sure enough, the cable I use for my other programmers did not work for the Matrix - it needed to be plugged directly intot he PC, which presented ANOTHER problem: the nuts on either side of the connector had to be removed, because they blocked the programmer from being plugged in. This could be either a mechanical probglem (poor design of the connector, knowing it must hook into the back of the PC directly to a standard LPT port) or an electrical design problem (cannot handle signals through a length of cable)

Programming was a snap. I used a battery of suspect nature, but it programmed and verified without fail in Win2000 with the software downloaded from the Xodus web site.

Next came installation.

I probably would have been less frustrated with a soldered connection. I got a v1.1 box to put the mod into (with a spiffy Samsung drive), and UNFORTUNATELY, the Xodus and EB2k websites fail to mention the fact that mode 1, the 'alignment mode' does not work right in the v1.1 Xboxes!! This oversight cost me two hours of frustrated fiddling around. My first attempt had flashed green, then went to red, but not realizing this meant it WAS aligned OK in a 1.1, I worked in vain to get a green LED.

Exasperated and ready to solder the wires in, I did a search of the forums here.... and discovered the truth (see, the search really works, and I didn't need to bother people asking a question already answered here!) - the Matrix alignment mode doesn't work right! Soooo.. getting back into it, I had to do about 10 reboots in mode 2, until the Xecutor2 logo showed up (be sure to plug inthe HD and DVD drive).

Now everything was secure, and it's running backups just fine.

It's too early to pass final judgment, but so far, the Matrix has delivered as promised. I haven't tried flashing through Evo-X yet, not has it had anytime to demonstrate the stability of the pogopins and the mounting.

Pros:
No solder
Programmable externally
Multiple bootup modes
Semi-useful alignment mode (for a v1.0 Xbox)
Programmer software very simple and easy to use
Delivers what's promised

Cons:
256kB flash memory (not enough for a Debug BIOS)
No multiBIOS options through the mod
Alignment problems on a v1.1 Xbox
Poor documentation with regards to the alignment issue.
Poor mechanical or electrical design of the programmer.

What Team Xodus/Matrix needs to do for Mattrix2
* 1MB flash memory
* Full range of multiBIOS options using switches
* Improved programmer design, allowing a cable to be used.
* Alignment mode that works on all systems.
* Allow external programming while plugged intot he Xbox.

I must say, too, that I prefer the modular connection system the X2 team is using. Even better if they can use the same connector at the mod unit.

How else to differentiate the product from becoming an X2 clone? Well, the PC-Bioxx method of externally programming while plugged into the Xbox would be nice, beyond that, what else is there? Are we seeing the end of innovations for the Xbox modchip market (or will somebody burst onto the scene with a 3D mod? )

Overall, I give the Matrix a solid 7 out of 10 rating.

[KazuyaWaruasobi]

First of all, I think I speak for the rest of the advanced members when I say: SHUT THE HELL UP!

We don't need whining from noobs. You don't think people that DIDN'T get a chip for free, and were considering paying $60 for one would appreciate knowing the pros and cons? He's not complaining about the chip you jackass, he's reviewing it. To help others!

[echto]

QUOTE (ozweepay @ Dec 21 2002, 05:16 PM)

You got it for free right? How ungrateful. Send me one free, I won't complain. And before you come back with a retort of "I just want to let people know the pros and cons and make them aware" spiel, here's a pro for ya: You got it for free!!! Funny how the people that would have gladly taken one for free didn't get one, but the people that don't appreciate it get it handed to them.

What are you some sort or soothsayer?  No your not so blow it our your ass bunghole!  You have no idea how people are going to react and it really shows your intelligence when you pass judgement like that.

How ironic.  You say you won't complain yet you already are.

[echto]

QUOTE (BenJeremy @ Dec 21 2002, 04:37 PM)

Good place for my 'review' Overall, I give the Matrix a solid 7 out of 10 rating.

Thank you!  I appreciate the time you took to post this.

[KazuyaWaruasobi]

Wow, you're pretty damned cocky, and quite conceited. I suggest you get your head out of your ass just long enough to actually read his review, you might realise that it's just that: a review! Did you see him complain? I sure as shit didn't!

[M3_DeL]

Yeah hmm I am an "advance member"

QUOTE

You got it for free right? How ungrateful. Send me one free, I won't complain. And before you come back with a retort of "I just want to let people know the pros and cons and make them aware" spiel, here's a pro for ya: You got it for free!!! Funny how the people that would have gladly taken one for free didn't get one, but the people that don't appreciate it get it handed to them.

and I say

[M3_DeL]

I pulled it out of his butt......


What a bitter loser......wishes he won one........


Lol If my buddy doesn't get a Xbox I am gonnna destroy mine!!!! What do you think about that.....Matrix sucks...I hate it...it is cheap.


Yeah Im ungratefull but at least Im not whiny.......

So here is what we do to you

and then we ship ya off

[KazuyaWaruasobi]

Hehe, yeah. I'd love a 256MB modchip. . . .

[cykiller]

 
got mines 2 days ago, still nothing with xp, installed the drivers and always get message "cannot erase lpc", also my fingers hurt, my only alternative is to partition 98 (which takes too long) or go to friends crib but im too lazy!!

thanx for the chip anyway, this one was aittle crazier than others, guess they sent me a bad one.

[BenJeremy]

QUOTE (ozweepay @ Dec 21 2002, 09:53 PM)

QUOTE (echto @ Dec 22 2002, 01:43 AM) What are you some sort or soothsayer?  No your not so blow it our your ass bunghole!  You have no idea how people are going to react and it really shows your intelligence when you pass judgement like that. How ironic.  You say you won't complain yet you already are. Ok, here it is, in it's simplest form: I wouldn't complain if I got something for free. Get it? It's sort of a cosmic theory, but I broke it down for you, since you had trouble grasping it. Your name-calling skills, however, are enviable. I bow before your graces.

Who's complaining? I'm giving it an objective review.

Perhaps that's part of the point... get the chip out there for people to try out and pass along an informed opinion.

I haven't had a problem with the pogopins, and overall, I gave it a favorable rating. That's not "whining" or complaining - it's called BEING HONEST. I would recommend a Matrix to most people, with a couple of caveats. For those who don't want to solder, it's a great chip (and the only one offering a solder-free option at the moment).

Now, instead of YOU whining on and on about being such a loser and demonstrating that you are incapable OF being quiet, why not stop being a fanboy long enough to tackly my cons with a valid response?

[BenJeremy]

QUOTE (cykiller @ Dec 21 2002, 10:31 PM)

wow, bejeremy they sent u one with 256mb's?? lol, damn i'm jealous!!   got mines 2 days ago, still nothing with xp, installed the drivers and always get message "cannot erase lpc", also my fingers hurt, my only alternative is to partition 98 (which takes too long) or go to friends crib but im too lazy!! thanx for the chip anyway, this one was aittle crazier than others, guess they sent me a bad one.

Well, I corrected the 256MB business... if ONLY!  

Anyway, for issues in WinXP, try and look up "giveio.sys" and "WinXP" in google. There may be a fix for it.

I've written software to use giveio.sys on our Win2k platforms at work, to control hardware through the LPT port. It's pretty straightforward, and any problem with XP should be easy enough to solve (possibly needs the Paraport service disabled - though on our Dells it caused the LPT to 'go away' entirely).

[madmatt]

.....I got a rock...

[mickey123]

nice too know