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[joeje]

Hi all, first post here. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Recently picked up an Xbox with a Modchip off Gumtree. It has an SST 49LF020 installed. It has the really ancient EvoX D6 BIOS flashed to it. I want to customise the flubber boot screen, so I went ahead and downloaded iND BIOS from xbins.

Using Xflash V2, I attempted to flash the chip, however I get a programming failed error message. I'm stuck on this pre-historic BIOS and I don't know where to turn! - Google doesn't give any results at all!

Images of Error and Modchip: (No, this isn't a giant TV Screen, Xbox is hooked to a Projector)

Picture of BIOS Checker 4.0b confirming name of Chip and what BIOS is installed: http://joeje.co.uk/xbox/1.jpg
Picture of Xflash failing: http://joeje.co.uk/xbox/2.jpg
Picture of Modchip: http://joeje.co.uk/xbox/3.jpg


Things I've tried:

• Holding down the power button for 5 seconds to disable protected mode
• Holding down the eject button for 5 seconds to disable protected mode
• Holding down the power and eject button for 5 seconds to disable protected mode
• Flashing a different BIOS

Thank you in advance!

This post has been edited by joeje: Oct 13 2013, 01:59 AM

[joeje]

UPDATE: I've discovered this could potentially require a LPC Programmer to flash a new BIOS. This involves de-soldering the chip, soldering it to the programmer, flashing it and then re-soldering it to the Xbox. This seems ridiculous. There must be a way of flashing this chip whilst it's in the Xbox, are there any points I have to bridge together to disable some sort of flash protect mode?

I am begging for an answer on this one guys, if you have any knowledge of this type of Modchip, please post your intel! - Thanks

This post has been edited by joeje: Oct 13 2013, 12:23 PM

[joeje]

UPDATE 2: I decided to peal off the sticker on top of the Modchip so I could actually see what sort of flash memory I was dealing with. Upon removal, I discovered another sticker underneath it, referencing to another BIOS that was previously flashed to it. (The sticker on top had the current BIOS version written on it, see my first post for picture) - Here's a picture: http://joeje.co.uk/xbox/4.jpg - This is proof that it is possible to re-flash this chip!

[joeje]

UPDATE 3: Apparently, these types of Chips are known as "cheapmods". Xbox-scene has a tutorial on their tutorials section on how to enable flash-protect mode on a similar modchip: http://www.xbox-scene.com/articles/cheapmod-flashprotect.php

That article talks about shorting pins 7 and 8 to enable write protect, so I tried looking at my modchip to see if I could see any pins shorted together with a bit of solder. Couldn't see anything - Link to picture: http://joeje.co.uk/xbox/5.jpg

I also found this diagram to make a write-protect switch:

(IMG:http://pictures.xbox-scene.com/3/cheapmod-flashprotection/cheapmod-prot.JPG)

I'm not sure what it means when it says GND, I don't know if it's referencing a possible ground point on the chip or on the power supply? - I am completely stumped. I'm not bothered about installing a write-protect switch, I just want to make the chip writable! - Please can someone reply!

This post has been edited by joeje: Oct 13 2013, 07:44 PM

[joeje]

UPDATE 4: I've found this schematic of a similar chip for a different project on sourceforge:

(IMG:http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/strokey/nfs/project/s/st/strokey/thumb/7/72/Strokey_v1_schematic.png/600px-Strokey_v1_schematic.png)

Pins 7 and 8 are on the other side, and there are 2 pins with a trace connecting each other on the top right of my modchip in the same place as the schematic. Picture: http://joeje.co.uk/xbox/6.jpg

Would this be the trace I cut to enable write mode!?!?!?

This post has been edited by joeje: Oct 13 2013, 10:56 PM

[joeje]

PROBLEM SOLVED! - I cut the traces to pins 7 & 8 like the diagram said and it worked!

[ochentay4]

[ochentay4]

Well, solved it myself, pins 3-4-5-6-7-8 have to be bridged to flash the chip.