FINALLY: I'm getting an XBOX..now what?
 

This XMAS i will finally get an XBOX, so probably V1.6.

PS2 has consumed my mod/backup life and now I want an XBOX.

I have done some research and the two best chips seem to be XBIT (now with an adapter that will allow it to work with V1.6) and the X3.

Are both no solder? I need a no solder chip solution becuase I had to get my PS2 done professionally and I'm looking for the best solution but also not too expensive.

The XBIT and adapter would run me about 50(us) from Divineo and the X3 about $60(us).

Once i decide on the chip solution, what should i use for my BIOS. I want to be able to play xbox online (for free, F Xbox Live), play backups, play divx, dvd, mp3, use it as a cpu, ftp into it to get game data and load backup games, and put as large a hd into it as possible (120 the max?? what company (seagate, WD, maxtor?).

I know it is a big post, but i think a large number of ppl will have the same questions this holiday season and I would just like these answers in one place. thanks to all who will help me out.

OOPS, one other thing I came across.

If i wish to save money could i get the Xecuter 2.6 Lite? would that do everything i need to as mentioned above.

I definitely want to be able to constantly update the bios when new ones come out and be able to run more than one if that is necessary.

I to this day still do not know of any 1.6 non solder solutions. Link me if you find one. 8)

Spiderchip has one. I don't know of anyone having this chip so I have no idea if it is good or not.

http://www.spiderchip.com/home.html

Whoa..
 

I wonder how how they pulled that one off..
Dang I wish that had pics showing the install and stuff.
And they must be brand new to not have a single retailer yet.

Thanks for the link Big Country..
I'm gonna follow that and see where it heads.

There are pictures at xbox-scene.com scroll to the bottom of the page. There are 2 pictures there and more by clicking links under the second picture.

if i have to go with a solder solution which chip do i chose?

and... the spider i am aware of, www.ps2ownz.com (at the bottom) they have links and pics.

can someone help answer the initial questions of this post please?

No Idea dude...
If you really want a solderless solution wait until those Spider chips are sold and pick one up.. Be one of the first Beta testers for em and let everyone on the forum know how they work since any new box is going to be a 1.6 (if they ever come out with a 1.7..

But if you want a regular solution youre gonna have to work a bit harder.. Rebuilding the LPC ports requires more soldering than soldering a regular chip. But if worse comes to worst thats what you're going to have to do.. Solder the pin header and solder wires to it for the LPC rebuild. At that point probably any decent chip would do the job.

Like the XBIT, Xecutor 2.3b, Xecutor 3.. I personally have the Xenium ICE in my 1.6 box and I dig it. Hasn't let me down yet.

Also chipping an Xbox is much easier than a ps2 by far. So you might be able to get a buddy who is familiar with a soldering iron to do it for you.. Could even take a shot at it yourself.. There's a novice method for rebuilding the LPC ports on the 1.6.. Uses bigger points to solder too.

But whatever the case.. Good luck!

Spedmetal (not to mention countless other great installers on FF) does a bang up job on PS2s and if he can do that well with those tiny vias an xbox mod should be cake. You can get a DuoX2 done by him for 60 bucks + shipping there.. return shipping is included in the price of the chip.
www.norcalmods.com

according to the makers of Xecutor 3 (Team Xecutor) they are about to release a NO Solder Solution adapter for the Xecutor3 called Adapt3r that will work with the 1.6.

would this be the best solution for me? better than the Spider? anyone have any further news on this?

I'd trust Team Xecutor over the Spider Chip, They definately have more history to backup their product. Spider is still new and iffy.

I agree. The spider chip is new and who knows if it's worth a damn. Xecutor has been around for awhile and they have had time to work out any bugs. I have the solderless Xenium Ice in my 1.3 and it is great when it works. Some days it works, some days it doesn't. I am having it soldered in after the holidays and a 200gb drive installed. Even if you don't move the Xbox around the solderless is still iffy (I so stold that word). I think it's worth the extra $30 to have it soldered in. Your best bet is to stick with a brand you know.

i think ill just go with an X3 and attempt the soldering myself. However, I have NEVER soldered before.

what tools do i need? where do i get them? how much will they cost? how hard is it?

Well when it comes to soldering I hear a soldering iron works pretty well.. Or so i'm told.. And solder is also rumored to work well with the iron, who knew?

Anyway I think a smaller tip would be good.. The guys will tell you what size to get.. I really don't remember the gauge.

http://www.aaroncake.net/electronics/solder.htm
There's a link that goes over the basics.. Also I suggest you practice quite a bit before you go at your box. Even if the xbox isn't as difficult as the ps2 it still isn't a cakewalk to a virgin solderer.. You may get frustrated easily if you don't get a feel for it.. Get some scrap wire strip the end and practice coating it with solder.. and make it look as pretty as you can..

Wait for the other guys to throw in their two cents. I'm sure they can give you plenty of tips.

Oh and sorry about the sarcasm.. just got off work.. and I realized I hate my life :D

hahha, we all hate something....

i hope some people give me some more ideas, I love fidling around and would really like to do the xbox myself.


im more concerned with getting the proper materials, gauge, wattage, an iron that ppl use and recommend, all that important info.


cant wait to hear responses, im gettin excited haha.


also, still no confirmation on chip? X3?? X-Bit??

Welp.. If you're limiting your choices to those two i'd go with the X3.. A lot of guys on here waited for its release to mod their boxes..

This is a quote from an installer from this site
http://www.copying-xbox-games.com/tu...ialid=00000027

I recommend 30 watts at the absolute maximum. Most people use low wattage irons in the 15 to 20 watt range. I have always used 30 watt irons, and while the iron may be just a bit too hot, it seems to work great for me. Also, you want to make sure that your soldering iron has a fine tip point. I think the finer the tip the better. My low watt, fine-tip, soldering iron was about $10. As for solder, I use .022 diameter radio shack solder. It is silver bearing solder, with a Rosin core (62/36/2). You can buy a 1.5 oz spool for about $2 at Radio shack

Hope that helps.. Doesn't really specify the tip but I think if it looks too big it probably is.. Keep in mind that you're working with small solder points.

Sorry for the double post but this is a much better link than the previous one.

http://www.chipzone.com/installation/soldertips.cfm

This guy has specifics on everything including prep.

A few of those like the thicker strander wire apply to PS2 chips.

15 watt soldering iron with fine tip
0.10 mm solder tip (this is very small)
30 or 35 awg kynar or similar wire
Thicker stranded wire for 3.3v, 5v and GROUND: 22 awg or similar
flux paste to help soldering
De-solder braid
A safety razor blade & Blue Tack to hold the blade in place
toothbrush

Read the page for more info, hope that helps

MAYBE i should just go SolderLESS and use the new XAdapt3r from TeamXecuter when it finally gets sold at Divineo. Then I can just snap it all into place, my xbox wont be gettin moved around anyway and they say they have a win win solution for all versions of XBOX including v1.6 for their X3 to make it solderLESS.

www.teamxecuter.com

think that will be ok? (the cost of the adapter will prolly be the same cost of getting flux, iron, de-solder.....)

Bahahah now you're starting to second guess your steady hand skills eh.
Whatever floats your boat dude, I would never TELL someone to get something just suggest. Hopefully 1.6 solderless adapters are reliable. No one knows yet. But if you're a little unsure about your soldering skillz wait for the solderless. All personal preference bud.

im relatively confident, its just I would have to spend 20 or so to get the materials, that 20 can go to the adapter. plus i screw up the xbox there goes 150 bux.


what is the likelihood of completely ruining the xbox anyway.?

This is true.. Considering it'd be your first go at it, it's possible.. it's my belief that screwing a PS2 is far more likely. With the xbox I guess a good way to kill it would be the result of carelessness or nervousness.. if you let the iron sit on the board too long it could heat up and blow a part.. and if you read the directions wrong you could do some damage by wiring wrong.. there's a spot on the LPC that isn't supposed to have a pin installed... So you have to remove it from the pin header.. With an adapter I would assume they'd have taken care of that for you.

All in all i'd say you made a good choice.. Just make sure everything is secure when you slap the chip on. If you have any loose connections you'll get a FRAG and have to check your setup.. This is more of a point of importance with wiring and soldering since obviously there is more room for error.. And the solderless install is supposed to take away that headache.

Yeah, i just dont know if that adapter is available for purchase yet


does anyone know?