dannymak,
U can flash your xbit with a modded BIOS (colors changed, etc.) which should show up with the colors u selected when it boots. If the colors match what u flashed with then it's working. Or, u can flash ur xbit with one of the latest XECUTER2 bioses (i use 4979) which will show XECUTER2 at the bottom of the screen when it boots. Either of these would help demonstrate that ur chip is installed correctly and the BIOS is loading. Not foolproof but a good indicator nonetheless.
XBTool is handy if u are going to mod a BIOS with colors, etc.
Riker2k