So, I have an original Xbox with a soft mod (did myself and am able to put games homebrew on it, plays great). Of course, 8GB (more like 5 in practice) doesn't go real far, so I have been wanting to do an upgrade. To be honest, I've held off on it for a long time because I felt unequal to the task (even after my softmodding success). I spent a lot of time (over the course of a few years) going over faq's and tutorials and just didn't feel up to the task... until recently.
Well, I burned an ISO containing the linux files and the C and E drives and eeprom from my Xbox in the correct location, "Xboxhdm 1.9" program boots up fine, and was able to format and copy all files to my newly intended HDD. Locked it without any problems (eeprom from that specific Xbox) was in the right place in the linux folder before the burn of the CD). Installed the HDD in my Xbox, and met my favorite "your system needs repair" screen in the world, complimented with Eject button light show.
I did realize that I forgot to set the HDD to "cable select", so I took it out, put the jumper pins where "cable select" should be and tried again (no change, just my Xbox having another cow).
So I threw my original HDD in and it settled the hell down. It's back to normal, I still have a working Xbox.
Also still have a working large HDD, as it unlocked via my Xboxhdm CD just fine.
The same booting CD is able to lock and unlock both Hard Drives, I tried this to be certain that there wasn't a discrepancy.
Any ideas where I went wrong, or should I just try a different HDD. The one I wanted is:
Seagate "Barracuda 7200.10" ST3500630A 500GB
This list:
http://xboxdrives.x-pec.com/?p=list&v_b ... _postedby=
...shows general success with that HDD, but a couple people had trouble too.
I do also have a:
Maxtor "Maxline II" D33019 250GB
..that I could try, but my confidence is waning and I think I may have missed something. Also, I'd have to transfer a bunch of files, which I just don't feel like doing.
My Xbox is a version 1.0 (as if that has any bearing on my troubles).
Any ideas?...
Softmodded oXbox HD upgrade (so damn close)
Softmodded oXbox HD upgrade (so damn close)
...just another lost soul...
Re: Softmodded oXbox HD upgrade (so damn close)
Your description of what you did is so thorough I'm not sure what to suggest.
Since it's already modded that rules out not having the latest MS dashboard (I think?).
You might try deleting and re-dumping the eeprom using XBOX AID.
Aside from possibly the serial I've done the mod using what I think is the same drive using the same tool. I think I've used Caviar blue and green too.
something to note - I've never been able to use more than 320GB of the 500 in any drive (using XBOX AID to format the not properly initialized H drive) after using hdm 1.9. If it's possible to use more it'd be great to find out how...
The only time something ever went wrong, it was because I didn't follow the guide in xboxhdm's text perfectly. I typically print the main part out so I can follow it.
You're so close! As a last resort, you might try unmodding it and start from scratch.
Since it's already modded that rules out not having the latest MS dashboard (I think?).
You might try deleting and re-dumping the eeprom using XBOX AID.
Aside from possibly the serial I've done the mod using what I think is the same drive using the same tool. I think I've used Caviar blue and green too.
something to note - I've never been able to use more than 320GB of the 500 in any drive (using XBOX AID to format the not properly initialized H drive) after using hdm 1.9. If it's possible to use more it'd be great to find out how...
The only time something ever went wrong, it was because I didn't follow the guide in xboxhdm's text perfectly. I typically print the main part out so I can follow it.
You're so close! As a last resort, you might try unmodding it and start from scratch.
Re: Softmodded oXbox HD upgrade (so damn close)
Quite unfortunate to lose 150+ GB, but it still would have been the best option of my spare drives.
I just tried my other spare HDD, and when I tried to lock it, Xboxhdm tells me that it "does not support ATA security spec".
Also, it showed a different Maxtor model than I see on the label; shows "5A250J0" instead of the "D33019" I thought it was (could be a refurb as I did buy it used). According to the list I linked, it is definitely NOT lockable, so that sucks.
Might have to try the other programs you mentioned (although, I can't seethe eeprom being the culprit). Or I do have one other HDD, show the same model "D33019", so if it comes to it, I may just shuffle files again and try that, after confirming the actual model, of course. It is a lot quieter than the other one, so it might actually be it.
It's not a huge deal, as they are not Drives that I use a whole lot, but it IS inconvenient.
Not sure how unmodding it would help (seems like to many unnecessary steps back to go back, but I understand the advice), so that would definitely be a last resort.
Thanks, ... I'll keep you posted.
--Update--
Okay, so my other HDD is the same exact model. I did not delete anything off of it this time, I just looked at what my bios identified it as.
Sooooo,
given that my prospects for a full 500GB drive are unpromising, I think I'll just order a Western Digital 320GB HDD (the 500GB can go to my other PS2
). It looks like they are pretty affordable right now.
...and if THAT doesn't work, I'll go back to square 1.
I just tried my other spare HDD, and when I tried to lock it, Xboxhdm tells me that it "does not support ATA security spec".
Also, it showed a different Maxtor model than I see on the label; shows "5A250J0" instead of the "D33019" I thought it was (could be a refurb as I did buy it used). According to the list I linked, it is definitely NOT lockable, so that sucks.
Might have to try the other programs you mentioned (although, I can't seethe eeprom being the culprit). Or I do have one other HDD, show the same model "D33019", so if it comes to it, I may just shuffle files again and try that, after confirming the actual model, of course. It is a lot quieter than the other one, so it might actually be it.
It's not a huge deal, as they are not Drives that I use a whole lot, but it IS inconvenient.
Not sure how unmodding it would help (seems like to many unnecessary steps back to go back, but I understand the advice), so that would definitely be a last resort.
Thanks, ... I'll keep you posted.
--Update--
Okay, so my other HDD is the same exact model. I did not delete anything off of it this time, I just looked at what my bios identified it as.
Sooooo,
given that my prospects for a full 500GB drive are unpromising, I think I'll just order a Western Digital 320GB HDD (the 500GB can go to my other PS2
). It looks like they are pretty affordable right now....and if THAT doesn't work, I'll go back to square 1.
...just another lost soul...
Re: Softmodded oXbox HD upgrade (so damn close)
Okay, I did it
I now have a Western Digital Caviar drive, 320GB, and I introduced it to my Xbox. They are now madly in love and very happy together.
Thanks for the advice about the 320GB limit, as that lead me to a working option.
I do wonder if you can format an additional partition though, as after the G drive, my file manager shows an "HH" drive; I have no way of knowing if it would actually format.
Guess I'll never know.
I also wonder if my 500GB Seagate drive would work in a later model Xbox (some have had success with that model HDD). Again, mine is a v1.0, as it has the old power supply (single row connection) and USB daughterboard.
In the future, I need to learn how to change the eeprom info so that if my system ever dies, I can easily transplant the thing. (I actually had a system that had a cap blow up, forever scarring the motherboard with a black crater).
I now have a Western Digital Caviar drive, 320GB, and I introduced it to my Xbox. They are now madly in love and very happy together.
Thanks for the advice about the 320GB limit, as that lead me to a working option.
I do wonder if you can format an additional partition though, as after the G drive, my file manager shows an "HH" drive; I have no way of knowing if it would actually format.
Guess I'll never know.
I also wonder if my 500GB Seagate drive would work in a later model Xbox (some have had success with that model HDD). Again, mine is a v1.0, as it has the old power supply (single row connection) and USB daughterboard.
In the future, I need to learn how to change the eeprom info so that if my system ever dies, I can easily transplant the thing. (I actually had a system that had a cap blow up, forever scarring the motherboard with a black crater).
...just another lost soul...
Re: Softmodded oXbox HD upgrade (so damn close)
Excellent! I assume you can take it from here, but I'll give you a 1up:
I'm currently helping seed a MAMEoXtras torrent @ Piratebay. Finding the right set is more difficult than most and it includes the previous update.
The 320 limit is beyond my knowledge, but as far as replacing EEPROM goes, I'll tell you that having done the whole Team Xecuter best-of-the-best hard-mod with USB uploading of bioses to the chips resulting in 4 swappable eeproms and all the other upgrades - it's not worth it. It was a huge undertaking - I had the system under a microscope with wires running everywhere, and flowing solder from mounted chips to horribly placed locations for at least 7 hours to get it all running and after trying all the front-mounted dip switch options all I got it to do was make it run as good as a soft-modded system. I never did get VGA, Linux, or anything but a different colored flubber loadup screen running. It was horrible - worst hardest mod I ever tried. I do have a hard-drive activity light now tho.
Glad you got everything running tikkety-boo. PM me if you want some links.
The best thing you could do now is PM Wimpy @ emuxtras. A fully-loaded UI for your games is awesome!
I'm currently helping seed a MAMEoXtras torrent @ Piratebay. Finding the right set is more difficult than most and it includes the previous update.
The 320 limit is beyond my knowledge, but as far as replacing EEPROM goes, I'll tell you that having done the whole Team Xecuter best-of-the-best hard-mod with USB uploading of bioses to the chips resulting in 4 swappable eeproms and all the other upgrades - it's not worth it. It was a huge undertaking - I had the system under a microscope with wires running everywhere, and flowing solder from mounted chips to horribly placed locations for at least 7 hours to get it all running and after trying all the front-mounted dip switch options all I got it to do was make it run as good as a soft-modded system. I never did get VGA, Linux, or anything but a different colored flubber loadup screen running. It was horrible - worst hardest mod I ever tried. I do have a hard-drive activity light now tho.
Glad you got everything running tikkety-boo. PM me if you want some links.
The best thing you could do now is PM Wimpy @ emuxtras. A fully-loaded UI for your games is awesome!
Re: Softmodded oXbox HD upgrade (so damn close)
I'm a "function over fashion" kind of guy, so a fancy UI doesn't appeal to me all that much. I'd rather leave well enough alone (at least until I have a damn good reason to mess with it some more 
).
Regarding the eeprom, I was more refering to changing the info on the Hard Drive itself, not the system. I think it's just a matter of rebuilding the C drive with a boot CD tailored to a different Xbox. Or maybe one of the options on Xboxhdm lets you change just the eeprom and HDD password. Anyways, I'll attempt crossing that bridge if I ever need to.
I actually HAVE done a physical eeprom replacement before. I used a broken Xbox, which I thought just had a bad DVD drive. So I soldered the eeprom from my assploded Xbox onto the non-blackened one and moved the corresponding HDD to that system as well.
It works... sometimes... when it feels like it. For some reason, it just refuses to boot most of the time (no screen, no error screen, no video, no sound, no error lights, no nothing, just has the normal green light, and yes, power is getting to the hard drive too). If I have it unplugged for a bit, it usually boots fine the first time, but if I have to reboot, nothing. I thought it might be the power supply; but I can hear power getting to the HDD just fine (maybe it's on the 12V rail?, but power seems to be getting there too?) Also, I have no problems for that 1st boot. Games load up, plays fine, I can transfer files, etc. It just can't seem to turn on again until it has a nap (away from any power connection).
...Weird...
I thought my soldering was decent enough, so I don't know what's wrong.
).Regarding the eeprom, I was more refering to changing the info on the Hard Drive itself, not the system. I think it's just a matter of rebuilding the C drive with a boot CD tailored to a different Xbox. Or maybe one of the options on Xboxhdm lets you change just the eeprom and HDD password. Anyways, I'll attempt crossing that bridge if I ever need to.
I actually HAVE done a physical eeprom replacement before. I used a broken Xbox, which I thought just had a bad DVD drive. So I soldered the eeprom from my assploded Xbox onto the non-blackened one and moved the corresponding HDD to that system as well.
It works... sometimes... when it feels like it. For some reason, it just refuses to boot most of the time (no screen, no error screen, no video, no sound, no error lights, no nothing, just has the normal green light, and yes, power is getting to the hard drive too). If I have it unplugged for a bit, it usually boots fine the first time, but if I have to reboot, nothing. I thought it might be the power supply; but I can hear power getting to the HDD just fine (maybe it's on the 12V rail?, but power seems to be getting there too?) Also, I have no problems for that 1st boot. Games load up, plays fine, I can transfer files, etc. It just can't seem to turn on again until it has a nap (away from any power connection).
...Weird...
I thought my soldering was decent enough, so I don't know what's wrong.
...just another lost soul...