alot of newbie questions

[Canuck77]

Couple things:

1) You don't have the 'new' Xecuter chip. You have the old Xecuter chip. The new chip (Xecuter 2) doesn't ship for another couple of days.

2) Yes - you need a modchip to install the custom dashboard that you need to ftp games. Yes, your old X1 chip wil work.

3) Your Xbox gets a DHCP address from your router - be it cable, DSL, whatever. If it's not getting an IP, that's outside the scope of your modchip, backing up, whatever. It should always get an IP. Check with your Internet provider to see. As far as a range goes, that's up to the provider (if he's assigning your IPs), or you (if you configured your own router).

You do need to read the tutorials before you start arbitrarily trying things, though. There's a definite, relatively easy chance of making some SERIOUS mistakes with your Xbox that would require some serious repair at this point, and your questions honestly (I'm not making fun of you) show that you're not at a point yet that you should be trying this. If you install a dashboard incorrectly, you'll mess up your Xbox and need a complete HD reload (not easy).

Read those tutorials Qual gave you. Go to xbox-scene and look through their entire list of tutorials, actually - and read 'em all, even if you don't think they apply. Then, go to their forums and read the FAQ section. Then, if something's not clear, (and you've honestly read the tutorials), ask before trying something. It's always easier to fix a misconception before it turns into a catastrophe.