QUOTE
Why do some people say that the solderless method is not reliable? Is it because the adaptor might slide off? Could I just open the case and put it back on?
Exactly. They do come loose depending on how well you installed it and how often you move it, but at some point it will come loose.
QUOTE
Are the features pretty much the same as everything else like turning it on and off, playing pal and ntsc, running XBMC, backing up games, allowing new hard drives, etc.? Are there disadvantages to this chip?
All chips do the same thing, the only differences are the features. If you have a pre-1.6 you can even do a tsop flash which requires no chip at all.
QUOTE
Do I just install the chip and thats all I have to do? I just turn on the Xbox and the chip boots up and I go to the the chip screen and I can acess the features immediately? I don't have to do anything like technical like updating bios or whatever? ( Cause I don't even know what that means...) Basically it's just a plug and play right?
Wrong. No chip will come ready to use because the bioses are illegal (except linux). You will have to find a bios (hint you won't find them on any web site since they are illegal you have to look elsewhere) and flash it (and make sure its the right bios for your version).
QUOTE
And lastly, what is a good price for the Ice solderless? I have done some research, and the average price is $58 or so. I don't know if I am getting ripped off or not, is $58 a good price?
The chip is about $45-$50 and the solderless adapter for pre 1.6 is about $4. However, after finishing up responding to your thread, you are probably better off finding someone local to do it for you. The extra money you spend will be worth it, have someone solder it for you and flash it and thro on some programs.
QUOTE(2XNKOTE @ Mar 10 2005, 07:40 PM)
my ice says it comes pre flashed, if the bios' are illegal what does this mean, ta

so i need to get m8 plus now yes
Alright, after reading some more, I see that I need to back-up the eeprom, and set up the original BIOs. The guide I am reading has some step-by-step stuff that the chip takes you through when you first start it up. So basically the chip will turn on once it is installed correctly and tell me exactly what I need to do to get it working right? In the meantime, do I need to extract all my files over to my Xbox (like my bios OS, XBMC, etc.?) Or should I wait to do that after I get my modchip up? Is putting the new bios on my system as easy as uploading it to a certain drive on my Xbox and it runs and installs itself?
Anyway, I've spent some more time reading, and I see that the original bios can be used to do some normal stuff, but if I want to run apps and XBMC, I have to put in special bios. What type of bios should I use? Can you not tell me that? If not, just PM me or IM me on Aim: JrPimp7112
Thanks.
QUOTE(_Zack_ @ Mar 10 2005, 11:07 PM)
Ah, sorry to keep double posting like this but the edit button is gone

Anyway, I've spent some more time reading, and I see that the original bios can be used to do some normal stuff, but if I want to run apps and XBMC, I have to put in special bios. What type of bios should I use? Can you not tell me that? If not, just PM me or IM me on Aim: JrPimp7112