Actually, it's only the 1.6b that you would have to do that with...and all you need is someone who's got an older box (1.0-1.6..not the b version) to update the chip for you.
If you've tried to update your chip in the 1.6 and get nowhere, chances are you either did not burn the disk right or you have the wrong file on E / file in the wrong location on your HDD.
If you try to recover from disk, make sure you unplug the IDE cable from your HDD - the XOS defaults to looking for the recovery.bin file on the hard drive.
The entire process only takes a few minutes and if it's successful, the xbox will shut itself down - note though, there is no video in the OS Update on a 1.6. A lot of people get freaked out (myself included) the first time they see it.
However, all the above said, there really isn't a need to update the OS...the stock version (2.0.1) will do everything you need it to do, aside from skinning...but if you spend that much time in the XOS, then you need to review your gaming habits
HTH,
Wah
This post has been edited by wahman143: Oct 28 2005, 06:02 PM