Yet Another Thread Asking about XBOX Modding...& An Offer!

[dsheinem]

So I currently have three original XBOXes laying around. This is their condition:

Xbox 1 (2001): Won't boot to OS but gives an Error code 09 (HDD Error)...which doesn't surprise me b/c the thing clicks when turning on. MFG DATE 11-2-2001

Xbox 2 (2002): Usually won't recognize discs (error screen) but sometimes does. Has games saved on working HD. Info screen says K:1.00.4034.01 D:1.00.4034.01 MFG DATE 9-9-2002

Xbox 3 (2005): Recognizes discs. Has games saved on working HD. Info screen says K:1.00.5838.01 D:1.00.5960.01 MFG DATE 4-26-2005

I also have lying around a spare 500GB SATA 7200RPM HDD, a 160GB SATA 7200RPM HDD, and a 80GB IDE HDD (unknown speed).

I want to be able to turn one of these into a machine that will emulate as many older systems as possible while also still functioning as an Xbox that plays original Xbox games off the disc. I'd like to load up one of the HDDs with pretty much every system's library from 1970s-1990s (including N64) to make it a plug and play emulation box with my CRT TVs that I shouldn't have to muck around with in the future for any reason. I don't care about media streaming or DVD, MP3, movie files or any of that.

The way I see it, I have two ways I can go about this.

1) Someone can point me to all the relevant guides and procedures to softmod, FTP, etc. and I can try to do this myself. This way requires effort on my part and is not the preferred method

2) I can ship all three Xboxes and a HDD with ROMs to someone who will do the work for me (softmod or chip), return to me the Xbox I seek, and keep the other two as payment for services rendered. This would be rad.

So, let me know if you can help with either option. Thanks!

[CRTGAMER]

Only the IDE drive will work unless there is a compatible SATA to PATA adapter. The Mod Chip route is better, though many just go the soft mod approach. I do not offer services, but have posted a guide concerning Hard Drive upgrade and another guide that identifies the different disc readers (some are better then others); both in the Guides Section.

[dsheinem]

Thanks, CRT, but neither simply upgrading my hard drive or knowing what disc reader I have is helpful for me at this juncture.

Surely someone has some specific things they can point me to and/or would be interested in two "free" XBOXes for their work...

[wclem]

Xbox 1 is probably a no go at all. You need a code (forget what it is called) to unlock the drive. They are all system specific. Without being able to boot the only answer is a mod chip.

#2 Should be doable as long as you can get the drive to run the appropriate game disc.

#3 is your best bet.

Easiest thing to do is use the Splinter Cell (there are other games) exploit. You need a memory card with the exploited save on it and the correct game. There are guides all over the place on this and you should have no problem with it. There is also someone on here who has a softmod rental for this purpose. I may have it around here and would gladly look for it but I would have to put you off till the weekend. IF I have it I would gladly loan it to you.

You will want to load the softmod then download all of the emulators then FTP over the roms. I would also upgrade the hard drive with the 80 gig you have. There are guides all over the net for doing this and the mod. There may even be other and better ways now but for me these were what I did a long time ago. You will need to unlock and the original drive then lock the new replacement drive. You will need to do this using a pc that has an IDE interface.

There are so many things that you can do to this system. I really suggest you do your homework on the various things you can do. You will also need to find the emulators and any other programs you need. Torrents are probably out there for this. There was an IRC channel out there that would let you FTP the files for all of this.

Oh yeah, no interest in doing LOL. You should be able to do this on your own easily. It is a great experience in learning how to do it. Also, when things go wrong you will know how to fix or repair them.

[wclem]

I know double post:

Go here man: http://www.techfreaks.org/articles/modxbox.shtml

Hands down the best guide out there.

And for the HD upgrade:

http://www.techfreaks.org/articles/modxbox2.shtml

[brunoafh]

Do you have a memory card? If so, the save exploit is the easiest method.

If you don't, and don't feel like spending money to get the job done, you can still do it for free if you have a PC with IDE connections available to you (and free time).

I used this guide, primarily. But note that unless there are new methods/softmods out there, you cannot do the hotswap trick with SATA connections at all, even with adapters. I emphasize this because I wasted a lot of time trying to do it this way myself.

Maybe you aren't interested in going this route at all though, so I won't yammer on about it now. But feel free to ask if you are interested and had any questions, I still have my notes and the software I used when I did it a few years ago.

[Anapan]

I'm all the way in Canada, but I can do it.... my method caps at 350Gig no matter the HD size for whatever reason. I never bothered to investigate - I've done several 500gig with 150gig laying unused - never been an issue even with the full supported mame set. I don't care to try a SATA drive since my method involves using an old pc with the drive as pata master and linux through low level trickery. My buddy just happens to have a 350 gig PATA laying around he'll give me. If you pay the shipping here I'll pay the shipping back and make one of 'em work perfectly!

Well, the modified Xbox Live Arcade ISO (Popcap collection) won't work without a hardmod - so no Hamsterball...

[dsheinem]

If you pay the shipping here I'll pay the shipping back.

I greatly appreciate the offer, but shudder at the prospect of shipping these to Canada.

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[Anapan]

lol. ya.
Well I can certainly help you do diy
Would anyone like me to quote and annotate with my notes the specific guides I follow in the guides section?

[dsheinem]

bumping this again to see if there are any (domestic) takers on my offer