[rms2001]

With BIOS

The X-ecuter v1.0 XBox modchip and the X-ecuter 2 LITE modchips both ship with a BIOS pre-installed on the modchips. This means that when you receive either of these chips, you won’t have to worry about flashing either of these modchips with a BIOS such as the X-ecuter BIOS or EvolutionX BIOS (not to be confused with the EvolutionX dashboard discussed here). You can just install these modchips, and your XBox will be modded.

The X-ecuter v1.0 mod chip is older and will only modify an XBox 1.0 version XBox. The X-ecuter 2 LITE will modify all XBox versions to date. The X-ecuter 2 LITE is also flash upgradeable, where the X-ecuter v1.0 is not. Also, both the X-ecuter v1.0 and the X-ecuter 2 LITE can be connected to the xbox by simple soldering. However, if you don’t want to solder there is an optional pogo pin adapter for the X-ecuter 2 LITE.

Without BIOS

The two types of XBox modchip available without BIOS are the Matrix and the X-ecuter 2 PRO. These mod chips require a BIOS be to flashed to the chip before the modchips will function. To most XBox modders, these chips are actually preferable because there is increased support for upgrades. There are currently two major XBox BIOS developers: X-ecuter and Evolution-X. A BIOS from one of these developers must be flashed to your Matrix or X-ecuter 2 PRO modchip before your mod chip will function properly.

The Matrix modchip is flash upgradeable. However, it only supports a maximum of 256k. There is a strong possibility that within coming months, the XBox BIOS will actually be larger than 256k, and thus a Matrix modchip will be useless. To compensate for this, the Matrix manufacturer (Xodus) has created an add-on called the “Chameleon”. This is a 1-meg adapter to the Matrix modchip. The Chameleon can be used as an add on to the Matrix or as a stand-o-lone modchip. The Matrix modchip is easy to install since it uses pogo pins. However, it is much more difficult to install on an xbox Ver1.1 than a Ver1.0 due to the LPC ports not having solder in them. Also, some modders actually prefer to solder their chips into place, and the Matrix modchip does not support this option with an easy way of doing it. Perhaps the biggest problem with the Matrix is its only authorized distributor, Easybuy2000. This company has received quite a bit of bad publicity in the XBox scene for being unable to supply the promised Matrix chips to customers. Additionally, Easybuy2000 was recently busted by the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) for selling DirecTV hacking equipment. This has caused quite a few problems for the Xodus Team, and the future is uncertain. Some modchip experts speculate that Easybuy2000 actually funded the Matrix modchip project, and when Easybuy2000 goes down, so goes the product. This rumor is unconfirmed.

The X-ecuter 2 PRO is the latest and greatest XBox mod chip to hit the scene (Released Feb. 2003). It is fully flash upgradeable and supports 1 meg memory (as opposed to only 256k on the Matrix). The X-ecuter 2 PRO has a wire adapter than can be soldered onto the XBox or installed with an optional pogo pin adapter that requires no soldering just as the X-ecutor 2 LITE. This is a cool option because those who prefer to solder can do so, and modders who prefer not to solder are not required to. Another cool feature of the X-ecuter 2 PRO is that it comes with an external on/off switch. This is perfect for using XBox Live. Perhaps the biggest advantage of the X-ecuter 2 PRO is that its developer Team X-ecuter also codes its own proprietary software. This means that you can mod your XBox console with an X-ecutor chip and a BIOS developed by the same company, whereas with the Matrix, you would have to use a BIOS developed by a 3rd party (such as Evolution-X). Also, the X-ecuter distribution model is much better, since all resellers purchase their chips directly from the manufacturer.

Conclusion / Recommendations

Both the Matrix and X-ecutor 2 modchips have the capability to successfully modify your XBox. However, I recommend the X-ecuter 2 PRO. The X-ecuter 2 PRO is the chip with the most support, and it is the chip that is most likely to withstand future modchip deterrence features by Microsoft since team X-ecuter not only engineered the modchip, but it also writes the software that the mo chip uses. This mod chip offers two installation options (solder/no solder) and an external on/off switch for built in xbox live compatibility. The X-ecuter 2 PRO is also easier to purchase on the internet since there are more resellers.

Networking Xbox to PC

Introduction

In order to connect to your XBox you must create a simple network connection between your computer and your XBox. There are three easy ways to do this. You can use a hub/switch, a router, or a crossover cable. This tutorial will show you how to configure the hardware. Remember though, You will not actually be able to login to your xbox until you have installed and configured the EvolutionX dashboard.

Xbox Network Connection using Hub

This is the most common network configuration and is also the easiest to setup.
Step #1: Take an RJ-45 cable and run it from one of the ports of the hub, directly to the Network Interface Card (NIC) installed in your computer.
Step #2: Take another RJ-45 cable and run it from a different port of your hub directly to your XBox.
**NOTE** A switch may be used in place of a hub with the same basic setup.**

That's it! No other network changes should be needed for this configuration. Your XBox is now on the same network as your PC.

Xbox Network Connection using Router

This is another common network configuration.
Step #1: Take an RJ-45 cable and run it from one of the ports of the router, directly to the Network Interface Card (NIC) installed in your computer.
Step #2: Take another RJ-45 cable and run it from a different port of your router directly to your XBox.

That's it! Your Xbox is now on the same network as your PC

Xbox Network Connection using Crossover Cable

This is the last network configuration. For this setup you need at least one NIC card.
Take an RJ-45 cable and run it from an installed NIC card on your PC, directly to the XBox. Thats it, easy as that. but you must make sure its a crossover cable. You can pick on up at your local computer store for about $15.