Installing an Old Laptop HDD into Original Xbox.

[LentFilms]

Okay, so I finally bought an Xbox from one of my friends who sold it to me along with two controllers and Monster component cables for $30.

I bought it with the intention of softmoding it. I’ve already ordered a controller to USB adaptor to mod it using this guide but I would also like to install a bigger HDD into it after I’m done. I would like to use a Toshiba 120gig HDD (Toshiba MK1237GSX HDD2D62 E ZL02 S) from an old HP laptop that I’ve had just laying on my work bench for a long time, but I’m not entirely sure how I would convert this for use in the Xbox. I can’t exactly pinpoint what connection it’s using, I don’t believe its SATA or IDE but then again I may be wrong so here are some pictures of it…


Can someone here who has experience with Xbox modding tell me if it’s possible to use this drive and if so how to go about converting it? It would be much appreciated.

[LentFilms]

Never mind, I'm idiot. Apparently the connection that was on it before was an adaptor that went over the SATA connection that I guess HP put there for whatever reason. Once removed it shows it’s true form.


I'm guessing I can just use a SATA to IDE Adapter to plug this up to the Xbox? Something like this...'

or I'm I overlooking something?

[fastbilly1]

I dont know the details about softmodding an xbox, but the stepping down from SATA to IDE is viable. Aslong as the drive is supported by the bios/softmod utlities, you shouldnt have a problem.

[LentFilms]

Alright here's another question.
I plan on buying this SATA to IDE adaptor after hearing that it works well inside an Xbox…
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/sata-to-id ... card-12537

Now how would I go about locking this drive for the Xbox? Xboxhdm doesn’t seem to recognize SATA drives.

[Anapan]

Your picture is too big. It makes it hard to post.

Why are you trying to connect a SATA drive to an XBOX? AFAIK they're not really compatable.
I have several PATA drives that are 500 GIG and less which I no longer need (2+TB SATA2+ drives are very cheap right now and much faster)
I'd consider a swap for a very lightly used Seagate Baracuda 7200 320GB PATA drive for your SATA notebook drive if you're willing to pay shipping to me. It's labeled tempfiller - I formatted it after first use and replaced it with a 500GIG. I'd even buy your adapter at cost. If you want a 500 Gig I'll ship it for cheap.
I have no knowlege of what you're trying do do, just trying to help as I've done the HD swap to a bigger PATA a few times and could help you get it going otherwise.
I recently aquired several laptops I intend to sell shortly that would benefit from a HD upgrade.

[LentFilms]

Why are you trying to connect a SATA drive to an XBOX?

Well the biggest reason being I already have a SATA drive that I'm not doing anything with at the moment. I also want to future proof it by installing an adaptor since IDE drives are getting hard to find. I haven’t heard anything about them being less compatible, just that it could be hit or miss depending on the adaptor you use.

I'd consider a swap for a very lightly used Seagate Baracuda 7200 320GB PATA drive for your SATA notebook drive if you're willing to pay shipping to me.

Ill pass on that, but thanks for the offer.

[gtmtnbiker]

I suggest that you poke around the xbox-scene.com forums to find info on using a sata drive with the original xbox. There are people who have successfully done it with a soft-mod but their sata drive is lockable.

What brand of drive do you have?

Your other option is to install a mod chip and then you don't have to worry about drive locking.