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

[ajmi982]

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

[Neipas02]

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

[ajmi982]

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?

[Neipas02]

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

[Big Country]

Originally Posted by Neipas02

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.

[ajmi982]

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?

[Neipas02]

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