Topic: Another Newbie With Some Questions (Read 94 times)

Mr. Og · « **on:** April 17, 2009, 11:31:00 PM »

Hi all, just got my first Xbox and I want to mod it. In the past I installed mod-chips for GCs and PS2s (PS2 is WAY harder) and I was about to do the same for the Xbox, but as I started gathering info about modding the Xbox I read about softmods and I decided to go with one (my 1st).

I usually get by fine by just reading guides and tuts but when reading info this time I was really swamped! There's just SO MUCH guides about softmods - most outdated, some conflicting and some incoherent...
I was reading for more than 6 hours in the course of 2 days (seriously) ,which isn't easy for me since I'm not a native English speaker, and now I even have MORE questions (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

I'd really appreciate it if someone would just give me links to all the guides I need to read in order to execute the best softmod (Ndure, right?).

Also, a couple of questions:
2. Does modchips and bios flashing have any advantages over softmods ?
3. (a bit off topic) I read there is no way to backup your games (that is, copy the contents of the original DVD) with a PC DVD Drive and the only way is to FTP into the Xbox, but all those guides were really old... Is it still true in 2009 ?

Many thanks in advance!

Mr. Og · « **Reply #1 on:** April 18, 2009, 02:15:00 AM »

Sorry for the double - it's a bit too late for editing the OP.

Just wanted to give some info: My Xbox is a V1.0 (Mexico, 2001), Kernel is 3944 and Dashboard is 4920.
At the moment the only original game I have (actually, it's the only game I have for Xbox, original or not) is Fusion Frenzy(2001).

If more information is needed please let me know.

This post has been edited by Mr. Og: Apr 18 2009, 09:17 AM

obcd · « **Reply #2 on:** April 18, 2009, 02:48:00 AM »

You can always mess up a softmod. If you delete some dashboard relevant files on your harddisk, your xbox will boot in an error screen. The only option to fix this behavour is connecting the harddisk to a pc ide port, unlocking it and fixing it's file structure. A chip modded and Tsop flashed xbox can boot from a dvd, even with a blanc harddisk in the xbox. That are the biggest differences. You can alter a chip bios so that the xbox startup screen changes. You can change the color, disable the sound and that sort of stuff.

You will need dashboard 5960 as initial dashboard for the softmod. If you have a recent game with online play features, and you have your xbox connected to the internet, the game might update your dashboard automatically if you select it's online features.

The most recent softmod is indeed the ndure. You have the kingroach ndure 3.1 which works in combination with xboxhdm, and you hav the Krazy ndure which works with a game exploit.

You will find 3 main groups of modding.

1. Installing a modchip
2. Using a game exploit
3. Using xboxhdm and a pc

1. You will need a modchip

2. You will need one of the exploitable games and a way to transfer the gamesave to your xbox. A while ago, the action replay set was the way to do this. Now, you can use a compatible USB stick and a gameport to USB cable. The xplorer360 pc program allows to write to a fatx formatted partition.

3. The cheapest way to softmod your xbox with xboxhdm is the hotswap. This method can however damage your xbox, your hardisk, and your pc. Some guys here will claim this is not true and say that it's a perfectly safe method.
I prefer the eeprom reader method. You need a little homebrew interface to read out the xbox eeprom contents. It can always be used, even when the hotswap is no longer possible. If you do everything as expected, it is perfectly safe for your xbox.

http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/357863

You can buy dvd rom's that can be flashed with a special firmware. That firmware together with some special program allows the readout of original xbox and xbox360 games. So, it's no longer true that you can only backup your original games with the xbox.

regards.

Mr. Og · « **Reply #3 on:** April 18, 2009, 03:13:00 AM »

Wow, thank you for the quick and detailed explanation!

I've already read the eeprom reader method and although it wouldn't be a problem for me (I'm quite electronics savvy) to build, I'd like to go with the hotswap.

I'll Use an old computer and hotswap - I can risk my Xbox, I can't risk my PC.

But there is an obstacle - I have only one game and can't obtain another in the near future (no friends with an Xbox), Is there any way I could update my dashboard without a game? Or with my game (Fusion Frenzy)?

If not - is there another mod (I.E. not Ndure) I can use for my dashboard?

xyteam · « **Reply #4 on:** April 18, 2009, 09:27:00 AM »

if you buy a game like halo2 which is very easy to get a hold of second hand then you can update your dash.

Mr. Og · « **Reply #5 on:** April 18, 2009, 11:05:00 AM »

QUOTE(xyteam @ Apr 18 2009, 05:27 PM)

if you buy a game like halo2 which is very easy to get a hold of second hand then you can update your dash.

But I don't like Halo 2... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) Do I really have to bother looking and spend money only to be left with a game that I can't use for anything?

I bought this console for one purpose and one purpose only - to play a game called Munch's Oddysee (from 2001) and this is the only game I intend to buy - that is, after I try it (hence the mod). I've had bad experiances with games I bought and turned to be very bad (if Munch's Oddysee is half as good as Abe's Oddysee or Exoddus, I'll be pleased).

Anyway, I still wish to know: Is there no way to update the dashboard w/o a post Halo2 game? I can try to connect to Xbox Live, would that help?
would it be possible to update the dashboard if I install an exploit older than Ndure ? If so, could I update the dashboard and then upgrade to Ndure ?

This post has been edited by Mr. Og: Apr 18 2009, 06:08 PM

steveo1978 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 18, 2009, 12:52:00 PM »

QUOTE(Mr. Og @ Apr 18 2009, 01:05 PM)

I bought this console for one purpose and one purpose only - to play a game called Munch's Oddysee (from 2001) and this is the only game I intend to buy - that is, after I try it (hence the mod). I've had bad experiances with games I bought and turned to be very bad (if Munch's Oddysee is half as good as Abe's Oddysee or Exoddus, I'll be pleased).

how are you gonna try it before you buy it and why would you need to mod a console to try a game out.

Mr. Og · « **Reply #7 on:** April 18, 2009, 09:23:00 PM »

Well, I also don't want to close any options I might need in the future... I might even turn the console to a media center.

Anyway, I'd really love some help with my current problem (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

This post has been edited by Mr. Og: Apr 19 2009, 04:23 AM

Mr. Og · « **Reply #8 on:** April 19, 2009, 12:26:00 AM »

Never mind... I connected the Xbox to my router and when I pressed "Xbox Live" I got a message saying that my system is being updated. I didn't have to buy any game, just stick a cable...
When it was over, sysinfo said my Kernel is 3944 and Dashboard is 5960. So I guess I'm good to go.
What I don't understand is why when I asked if there is another way to update the dashboard no one told me about Xbox Live... Actually, now that I think of it, it's probably because I didn't wait long enough. After all, only 21 hours have passed since that post...

So I guess I just got a little impatient. Sorry (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mellow.gif) .

OK, So let me just see if I got this straight, what I need to complete my exploit is:
Kingroach NDURE 3.1 Installer, xboxhdm 1.9 and this tutorial:
http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?showtopic=496263

That's everything, right?

Thanks for all the help so far,
Og

Mr. Og · « **Reply #9 on:** April 19, 2009, 06:25:00 AM »

Oh great. Just great.

I connected the Xbox near the computer, turned it on to see that it works - it did, I turned it off. Now I hooked the power connector from the PC (as I was instructed) to the Xbox HDD and turned both the PC and Xbox on.
I was expecting the MS dashboard but got a nice "Your Xbox requires service" screen.

I turned everything off, then returned the Xbox to it's original state (away from the computer).

And I still get the "Your Xbox requires service" screen (and the eject LED is flashing red).
The error screen is like this:
http://www.llamma.com/xbox/Repairs/your_xb...res_service.htm

So be honest with me... I'm screwed, right?

This post has been edited by Mr. Og: Apr 19 2009, 01:26 PM

kingroach · « **Reply #10 on:** April 19, 2009, 06:33:00 AM »

Did you reconnect the IDE power cable to the xbox hard drive?.. You shouldn't connect the power connector from pc to xbox hard drive. Xbox hard drive needs to be powered by xbox. After you unlock the harddrive ( using error 12 / playing a song etc) ; connect the primary master IDE port from pc to xbox harddrive while its being powered by xbox.

Mr. Og · « **Reply #11 on:** April 19, 2009, 06:54:00 AM »

QUOTE(kingroach @ Apr 19 2009, 03:33 PM)

Did you reconnect the IDE power cable to the xbox hard drive?

I can't reconnect it, I never disconnected it - the 1st time that I turned th Xbox+PC on I got the "your xbox req..." screen, I didn't even get to the hotswap (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Or do you mean the HDD power cable? then yes I did (still get the error)

QUOTE(kingroach @ Apr 19 2009, 03:33 PM)

You shouldn't connect the power connector from pc to xbox hard drive. Xbox hard drive needs to be powered by xbox

But I read that it has to be done in many tutorials! for example take this guide:
http://www.llamma.com/xbox/Repairs/your_xb...res_service.htm

It says:

QUOTE

Method 2: You have a 4-pin molex power cable in your PC long enough to reach the Xbox. So you hook up the power cord from the computer into the Xbox hard drive. So therefore, the computers power supply is supplying the power to the Xbox hard drive. This way, there is no floating point ground (because the hard drive is connected to the computers power supply) and you dont need the chassis connecting wire.

QUOTE(kingroach @ Apr 19 2009, 03:33 PM)

After you unlock the harddrive ( using error 12 / playing a song etc) ; connect the primary master IDE port from pc to xbox harddrive while its being powered by xbox.

Now it's too late for that, I get the "Your Xbox requires service" screen everytime I turn the console on.

What should I do now (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) Please help me kingroach...

Mr. Og · « **Reply #12 on:** April 19, 2009, 07:05:00 AM »

False alarm!!

I left the Xbox disconnected from the power outlet for about half an hour (while I was writing the message about the error) and now when I turned it on, I got the MS dashboard... phewww, thank goodness.
Now I'm gonna try again but with a ground wire instead of the PC HDD power cable.

Mr. Og · « **Reply #13 on:** April 19, 2009, 07:52:00 AM »

OK, second time's a charm... I now see the UnleashX dashboard and I tried and succeeded to boot a backup game.

Now I'm gonna look for a way to backup my EEPROM and Xbox files, so I'm back to reading guides again.
But before I leave you alone, I have one last question, I got errors while installing Ndure, here is an image:

(IMG:http://thumbnails13.imagebam.com/3312/a2bd1033114944.gif)

Is this OK? Or should I be worried?

kingroach · « **Reply #14 on:** April 19, 2009, 11:40:00 AM »

thats fine.. those are just some extra files to fill up the space in C drive..

Author Topic: Another Newbie With Some Questions (Read 94 times)