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[twistedsymphony]

I have a friend who wants to get into the scene and asked for advice about moding his xbox. I originally had a version 1.0 xbox with an Enigma chip and later upgraded to an xecuter version 1.0

What are the benifits to just flashing the TSOP or getting a modchip?

here are some things I've picked up.... please correct me if I'm wrong.

differences
1. with a modchip you can deactivate it and run live
2. if you mess up a modchip install you can always remove the modchip


other things I'm not sure on...
can you run a larger hard drive with just a TSOP flash?
can you use IGR with just a tsop?

I've searched and really couldn't find a good comparison of TSOP flashing versus installing a modchip.
any help would be greatly appreciated.

[lordvader129]

a TSOP flash gives you ALL the benefits of a modchip including HD swap and IGRs if you have a 1.0 or 1.1 you can even install a switch to use Live

the only downside is no Live if you have a 1.2 or 1.3 and if you screw up its alot harder to fix (but still usually fixable)

[bobgk]

Another thing to consider when deciding between a TSOP flash or a modchip is what bios you'll be running. People have said that bios's may soon be over 1mb, which is the xbox 1.0 and 1.1's TSOP size.  And if your buddy has a version 1.2 or 1.3 xbox, you're limited to 256kb. If you dont mind just the basics, a TSOP flash would be fine.

[GuySmily]

The only reason I have a modchip now is for the chameleon with its evox control.  It does sound a bit scary to play with my tsop since I've already lost 2 mobos, but if I didn't have this chip I would probably do it.

[Dreamcazman]

They've all been v1.0 Xboxes and I've just installed a homebrew mod, flashed, then removed the chip.

If any of us want to go on LIVE we'll simply buy another Xbox. They are pretty cheap nowadays.

It's true that it is better to have a proper modchip in case the flash goes bad, then you can at least recover easily. But I'm willing to take the risk by flashing the TSOP. If something happens, the worst is I have to solder in the chip again..

[craigncheri]

from an installers point of view these are the advantages/ disadvantages of the tsop flash

you want your xbox modded, we can do it right now, no ordering a chip and waiting
no additional cost of purchasing a chip
will perform identical to most mod chips
can be disabled on version 1.0, and 1.1 (which is the majority of xbox's I see)
once you understand how to do it and have done a few it's much easier and quicker then installing a chip
there are fewer/no wires to break or come loose or have bad solder joints

disadvantages
if you don't know what your doing you can damage your xbox and need a pro to fix it.
for the first xbox you do, you will have to lay out some cash to buy a memory card, a way to program that memory card, etc.
if you have a version 1.2 or 1.3 you will need to decide if you want to use live or not.

[twistedsymphony]

Thanks for all the great advice guys...

I think I'm just going to point my friend to this thread and let him decide which way he wants to go.

I already have a memory card and I'm pretty sure I an pick up 007 for about $10 used...

[Dreamcazman]

QUOTE (twistedsymphony @ Sep 13 2003, 12:07 AM)

I'm pretty sure I an pick up 007 for about $10 used...

Or you could hire it out..

[chinmi]

in my opinion....

if you fucked up a tsop mod like putting a bad bios on your tsop, you have to buy a mod-chip to fix it... and there's a 50-50 percent probability that the mod-chip will fix it, so there's a 50-50 percent your xbox will be useable again...

if you fucked up a mod-chip mod, you still have a lot of other option to fix your xbox, like :

• ditch the mod-chip and play the xbox in it's original form
  
• get another mod-chip
  
• use hot-swap
  
• use the external programmer
  

so in my opinion, eventhough doing the tsop mod is cheaper, it's still have more risk then doing the saver mod-chip mod

[PsiDOC]

QUOTE (chinmi @ Sep 13 2003, 01:18 PM)

in my opinion.... if you fucked up a tsop mod like putting a bad bios on your tsop, you have to buy a mod-chip to fix it... and there's a 50-50 percent probability that the mod-chip will fix it, so there's a 50-50 percent your xbox will be useable again... if you fucked up a mod-chip mod, you still have a lot of other option to fix your xbox, like : ditch the mod-chip and play the xbox in it's original form get another mod-chip use hot-swap use the external programmer so in my opinion, eventhough doing the tsop mod is cheaper, it's still have more risk then doing the saver mod-chip mod

What total and utter rot!!
In the event that and Xbox TSOP gets nuked. A Modchip WILL, and I repeat this WILL get the XBox running again. NO 50/50. It will work, just make sure you install it properly.
Please remember a Modchip takes over the duties of the original program in the TSOP and is totally seperate. Infact you can even remove the TSOP from the box, and the Modchip will still boot it!
Regards,
Psi

[chinmi]

QUOTE (PsiDOC @ Sep 13 2003, 07:43 PM)

In the event that and Xbox TSOP gets nuked. A Modchip WILL, and I repeat this WILL get the XBox running again. NO 50/50. It will work, just make sure you install it properly. Please remember a Modchip takes over the duties of the original program in the TSOP and is totally seperate. Infact you can even remove the TSOP from the box, and the Modchip will still boot it! Regards, Psi

   

that's why i still choose mod-chip then tsop flash    

[MURDERER]

I have done over 40 XBOX TSOPs, and I have not screwed up a single one. It is all about the skill and patience you use when you solder. Follow my tutorials, they are outdated, but still show good technique when soldering very small wires.

The latest method I use to flash TSOPSs is,

1) FTP to xbox using 007/MA gamesave exploit.
2) Copy EvolutionX to the c: partition.
3) Solder the required points to write enable your XBOX TSOP.
4) Use 007/MA gamesave exploit and EvolutionX to flash your TSOP.

Enjoy!

iMURDERER