Project HackBOX

[XCVG]

Project HackBOX
Hack Dat Box!

Intro
I got an XBOX for free. And no, I can't just leave it alone. I'm (probably) going to mod it.

Complete Planned Failed
Stage 1: Repair
Stage 2: TSOP Mod (tentative, see below)
Stage 3: Hardware Mods

Stage 1: Repair
This was easy. It turned out to be the infamous broken power connector problem. Easy fix.

Stage 2
This is where I have to make a big decision. I have a few options.
1. Leave It. Duh, but then it would be more like Project LameBOX.
2. Softmod. Easy(ish) and safe(r) but doesn't really do what I want it to do.
3. TSOP Flash. Cheap and does what I want done. But it doesn't seem very safe.
4. Modchip. I'd rather not pay for one, but it's still an option.
I need your help to choose. Some links to more info would be nice too. I want to run a custom dashboard and play some media. I also want to install a bigger HDD.

Stage 3
Hardware mods, simple stuff like putting video outs on and maybe a "cable upgrade". Probably some USB ports. Not set in stone.

[ttsgeb]

With the options presented and the project name, along with your current expenses, the next step should be a TSOP flash. It just wouldn't seem hacked if you went about it in a safe way. Alternatively, you could try to design and build your own modchip for that really authentic hacked feel.

[XCVG]

With the options presented and the project name, along with your current expenses, the next step should be a TSOP flash. It just wouldn't seem hacked if you went about it in a safe way.

None of the methods are particularily safe. There's opportunity in all of them to screw up.

But yeah, I'll probably go with the TSOP flash.

Alternatively, you could try to design and build your own modchip for that really authentic hacked feel.

I'm 1337 but not that 1337, lol.

[stuntpenguin007]

I have a 1.0 xbox which means it has a 1mb TSOP so I was able to flash it with the latest xecuter 3 bios after softmodding it and soldering the write enable pads.

Be careful though, don't try to flash a sharp TSOP or a winbond without reading up on it. If your lucky you have a hynix and it will be really easy.

Xecuter 3 bios support booting without the dvd drive and get rid or a lot of other errors too.

I also put orange underglow on it and cleared the jewel and put leds under it, in case your looking for ideas.

[XCVG]

I have a 1.0 xbox which means it has a 1mb TSOP so I was able to flash it with the latest xecuter 3 bios after softmodding it and soldering the write enable pads.

Be careful though, don't try to flash a sharp TSOP or a winbond without reading up on it. If your lucky you have a hynix and it will be really easy.

Xecuter 3 bios support booting without the dvd drive and get rid or a lot of other errors too.

I also put orange underglow on it and cleared the jewel and put leds under it, in case your looking for ideas.

What's wrong with a sharp or winbond TSOP? Do they have some sort of issue? Also I thought the Xecuter 3 bios doesn't work in a TSOP flash?

[samjc3]

I'm seriously curious, what can't you do?

well, you cant make it play 360 games, you cant make it run vista, you cant make it levitate, you cant make it write games on its own, you cant make it roll over, or beg, or do any other dog tricks.......

realistically, i dont know of anything you cant do.

[stuntpenguin007]

A Sharp or Winbond TSOP has to have something extra done to them or else you will end up with a brick if you try to flash them.

Xecuter 3 bios can be flash IF you have a version 1.0 xbox with a 1mb TSOP. I think 1.1 - 1.6b all have 512k TSOPs. Otherwise you can use Xecuter 2 bios or other bios.

You will have to softmod your xbox to flash it but softmodding will not allow you to easily upgrade the hard drive, change what files the system boots from, run the xbox without a dvd drive, AND best of all... if you screw up the files on your hard drive, you just pop in the recovery disc and fix it.

[XCVG]

Well a little update, the pawn shop guy wouldn't sell me the dongle that goes from the controller to the XBOX. That means I have to find one somewhere else. The reason I need one is so I can load the custom savegame onto a memory card after modding it into a USB cable. I can also use the XBOX controller on my PC and if I do it right hook a USB device to my XBOX. In any case, does anyone have an extra they can send me for free

[samjc3]

In any case, does anyone have an extra they can send me for free

i might. i think i have two or three hangin around. i'll check.

[stuntpenguin007]

If you want to feel really cool (or even if you're cheap) you could unplug the dvd drive and get error 21, unlocking your hdd and then unplug the ide cable and put it in your computer, leaving the power cord untouched, and then use xplorer360 to put the files on it.

but... since you're probably going to want a usable controller anyways, you could always take the lame way and get another dongle thing.

you're probably going to wait but you could solder directly to the memory card if you're impatient.

[vskid]

If you want to feel really cool (or even if you're cheap) you could unplug the dvd drive and get error 21, unlocking your hdd and then unplug the ide cable and put it in your computer, leaving the power cord untouched, and then use xplorer360 to put the files on it.

Note: If you hotswap the hard drive, make sure you connect the ground of the PC to the ground of the Xbox before turning either on. The Xbox doesn't have a set ground like the PC will have (because it doesn't have a ground connection in the cord), I've read that the difference can be up to 100v.

[stuntpenguin007]

Yeah I would assume you look for a tutorial first, don't try do it off of just what I posted.

[XCVG]

If you want to feel really cool (or even if you're cheap) you could unplug the dvd drive and get error 21, unlocking your hdd and then unplug the ide cable and put it in your computer, leaving the power cord untouched, and then use xplorer360 to put the files on it.

I'd rather not. I'd probably damage my PC if I tried to.

but... since you're probably going to want a usable controller anyways, you could always take the lame way and get another dongle thing.

Well yeah, it may be lame but it's not very risky.

you're probably going to wait but you could solder directly to the memory card if you're impatient.

I could, I could also mod the controller, but I want to keep both in nice condition.

[stuntpenguin007]

Yeah I get ya. You'd rather not do really ridiculous things when you could just wait and build the adapter.

I might have been mistaken about the X3 bios. I realized that I'm running X2 bios but there the latest, which you can still only use on a 1.0