Xbox Softmod Project--only cost is rental of a game!*

sniper_spike · Post by **sniper_spike** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 11:43 am

Bored with it, I recently canceled my XboX Live subscription, so now my XboX is (somewhat) free from any problems I would encounter with any type of modding.

I remembered one article on i-Hacked on softmodding, and decided to take another look at it now that I had no Live bannage to worry about.

http://www.i-hacked.com/content/view/114/62/

After reading it, I noted several things I needed--a game, software, and some sort of USB\Xbox type of memory stick. Realising that this was going to be more expensive than I thought, I started looking for alternatives. I could just rent a game, and to my luck, Mega X-Key actualy offered their software on their website! http://www.megaxkey.com/index.php?section=product (If anybody is wondering why you need the software, it's because a usb stick needs to be formatted for either PC or XboX, the software I think eliminates this problem) Now the only thing I needed was an XboX\USB memory card. I found this mod - http://mesh.typepad.com/blog/2005/01/cr ... _usb_.html but alas, I had no XboX memory card, but I did have a USB stick!

This was my plan.

1. First mod the XboX controller to USB\XboX (Not needed, I just did it for fun

) - http://www.ocmodshop.com/default.aspx?a=223

2. Then create a USB female adapter that goes into the xbox\break away portion of the cable.

3. Use the Mega X-Key software to then put the save file on the USB stick.

4. Rent one of the games stated in the article.

5. Load the save game from the HDD (after being moved drom the the USB drive) and install the Dashboard!

6. Install Xebian!

The first step is done, I had some fun in Street Fighter Alpha 3 with it!
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/9554/epsn00041fc.jpg

I just finished getting together the pinout for the XboX and USB and the design. So now I just have to build it. I used mike chamber's and this site for a reference to make the pinout. http://www.redcl0ud.com/xbox_wiring.html

The adapter is basically going to be a small piece a plastic with little contact plates.

I'll get a little Ms Paint diagram for some better visualisation, but I think you get the point.

*Assuming you already have everything else.

totokan · Post by **totokan** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 11:50 am

good use for an (otherwise) expensive doorstop

sniper_spike · Post by **sniper_spike** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 12:08 pm

Alright, here's the pinout\diagram.

vb_master · Post by **vb_master** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 12:22 pm

Might make a Linux Xbox if my parents lighten up.

Jeff · Post by **Jeff** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 1:32 pm

Wow...I did the same thing in July, but this exact same thing is so superior...

tom61 · Post by **tom61** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 6:16 pm

I hope you haven't updated the dashboard by getting on Live or playing newer games, as it kills the softmod.

Harshboy · Post by **Harshboy** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 7:03 pm

WAIT! that second page you posted in the 1st post is wrong! The white wire is where the yellow wire goes.....oh and you might like to do this...wait you already made the adaptor? Does it work? It really shouldn't cause thats not right....i made a xbox usb controller...and the way that page sais is wrong!

Edit: nevermind...it said the wires were not actual colors.....but still, why didnt you just splice the cables and match up......its that easy! The yellow wire can just go die

Stupid yellow wire!

sniper_spike · Post by **sniper_spike** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 7:32 pm

Umm... Ok then.

Harshboy · Post by **Harshboy** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 7:37 pm

oh, and i was wondering......are you going to install evoX later on? Or any other type of dashboard? And as for releases of Linux for xbox...if you want maximum performance...go with Xebian, it's great!

HK-47 · Post by **HK-47** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 8:27 pm

Once everyone starts thinking xbox sucks, and the xbox 3.141592653589793 is the best, and the price goes down, Im going to buy one and either turn it in to a server, or a media center.

vb_master · Post by **vb_master** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 8:32 pm

Harshboy wrote:oh, and i was wondering......are you going to install evoX later on? Or any other type of dashboard? And as for releases of Linux for xbox...if you want maximum performance...go with Xebian, it's great!

Cool, I'll have to try that out.

EvoX is illegal, you'll prolly have to go on "IRC" to find it. Isn't there something like OpenDash out now?

Post by **Sparkfist** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 9:58 pm

HK-47 wrote:Once everyone starts thinking xbox sucks, and the xbox 3.141592653589793 is the best, and the price goes down, Im going to buy one and either turn it in to a server, or a media center.

I'm thinking once I get a job (likely spring or summer) I'll get the money for one and either I'll game on it or I'll install Darwin. I doubt unless I find more then 5 games I'll game on a 360.

sniper_spike · Post by **sniper_spike** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 10:14 pm

I have tried to make the adapter 3 times today already! That copper tape I was using as contact plates was just too flimsy. Even with a bunch of contact cement it just kept breaking at the point after the solder.