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[obcd]

Hi,

the xboxhdm package might be the best choice for you. It is a sort of linux distribution that boots from cd and allows the creation of a xbox harddisk.

the problem most people are facing is the fact that xbox harddisks are locked with a password. You need to unlock the harddisk before you can use it.

the locking password is unique for every xbox. The xbox mobo contains a small memory chip (the eeprom) which contains 256 bytes of data. Some of it is the unique HddKey which is used together with the harddisk model number and serial number to calculate the password.

There are a couple of options.

1. You can install a modchip in your xbox. That way, you can use something like a slayers rescue disk to backup your eeprom. You can even reformat your harddisk with it and reinstall the original M$dash. Using that method, things could work without the xboxhdm package.

2. You can use the hotswap method. With this method, you let your xbox unlock the harddisk after which you disconnect the cable and connect the disk to your pc. You have to leave the power cable in as the disk wll lock again when power goes away. It is a dangerous method which can damage your disk, your xbox mobo and your pc mobo.

3. You can build or buy a eeprom reader and get your eeprom contents with it. This is a less known method.

http://forums.afterd...view.cfm/357863

So, the only method that doesn't require additional hardware is the hotswap method.

You can use the Ndure package together with xboxhdm to prepare a harddisk directly with the softmod.

regards.

[billyabobo]

QUOTE(obcd @ Jun 12 2007, 03:48 AM)

There are a couple of options.

1. You can install a modchip in your xbox. That way, you can use something like a slayers rescue disk to backup your eeprom. You can even reformat your harddisk with it and reinstall the original M$dash. Using that method, things could work without the xboxhdm package.

Thanks for the response.
There are many mod chips out there.  I am not interested in XBox live or anything.

Do you have a recommendation for a chip that I could purchase?

[obcd]

Hi,

pretty much any chip should work.

Older modchips used a external switch to change the banks or disable the chip. The newer ones just look how you started your xbox (power or eject button) and load the modchip bios or original bios according to that.

You have solderless modchips for people with no soldering experience. These might generate problems after a while due to bad contacts. If you have no soldering experience, find someone who has it, and let him install a pin header in the LPC holes.

I have a Xchanger which I use for servicing purposes. You can upload a 256Kb bios and a 512Kb bios to it. At startup it gives you a menu on the screen to select what action you wan't to do. You can upload a bios to it over the network. It has one big disavantage. You can only scroll trough it's menu's with a original xbox controller. I have some madrics Q3 controllers who refuse to work. Once proper installed, you don't need the menu's anymore. You can make it boot it's bios directly.

So, what I find important:

1. Easy way to upload a bios.
2. No external switch to disable it.
3. The price.
4. Easy installation (usually the LPC port header pins and 1 wire to the D0 point)

Some modchips come with additional features like a Lcd display or a way to switch your xbox on with the remote control.

regards.

[billyabobo]

QUOTE(obcd @ Jun 14 2007, 05:17 AM)

pretty much any chip should work.

Older modchips used a external switch to change the banks or disable the chip. The newer ones just look how you started your xbox (power or eject button) and load the modchip bios or original bios according to that.

I just want to make sure I go to a site where I can buy one that is "right".

Do you have any suggestions on where I should go to get one?  I will take you suggestion and get one that requires soldering.

TIA

[triggernum5]

You actually don't need a modchip if you're willing to hotswap..  Its a slightly trickier timed hotswap than with a bootable drive, but if you pull the dvd cable its pretty easy..  See DaddyJ's hotwaping thread in my sig..  See, the hdd will be temporarily unlocked while it realizes there is error 21..  Worst case scenario is you will need to atleast borrow virtually any modchip (since your box is so old any chip should work)..  The hdd itself is worth maybe $5, but problems are VERY rare anyways..
Error21 just means files are messed up..  xboxhdm with an ndure package will totally rewrite it, then it will boot, then you can get your eeprom data, then you can upgrade the drive..  So even if the hotswap went bad, you'd still be in the same position you are now, assuming the 8GB hdd wasn't overly valuable to you..

[obcd]

Hi,

I have a X-changer I use for repair purposes and I can only say that it works great.

It does has problems in the chip setup menu with non MS controllers. It doesn't recognise some of them.

(I had a madrics Q3 controller and it wasn't recognised)

I bought it in a internet shop in Holland. called Conseleland.

I had no experience with modchips when I bought it. I simply Googled for it and that came up. As I found the price very reasonable, I decided to give it a go.

regards.