Xbox Noobie

[stan1975]

Hi, I am making the switch from PS2 to Xbox, but would like some advice on what to buy, which chip to get etc and what software is needed. I want to be able to backup games to my pc if possible and play emulators and play online aswell. I am based in the UK if any one has any good recommendations on which sites to buy from aswell. So i need a complete list of bits and pieces that i will need.


Thx

[Quall999]

You can find a detailed chart here (along with retailers):
http://xbox-scene.com/modchips4_table.htm

Those are also the current popular chips which work on all xbox versions. I personally would recommend the x-ecuter 3 or x-ecuter 2.6b (for a basic chip). However, there are others here that would equally recommend the other chips.

If you had a ps2 chipped, there is a pretty big difference with the xbox. Mainly the chips functionality. Backup wise, all chips do the exact same thing. They all boot backups directly and can all be turned off for xbox live. However, some may require you to get a radioshack switch for external switches. The ones that do, can be set to be turned on/off with the eject/power button as an alternative to a switch.

The only difference with the chips are bios flash size and hardware addons. Some also have a custom OS. For legal reasons, chips do not come with any hacked bios, so you will need to flash them in order to boot backups.

[kosmiq]

Quall is right. You should go get Xecuter 3 or 2.6b if you have the knowledge so solder yourself or can have someone else to do it for you. They are very good modchips!
If you can't solder and still wants to do it yourself you can get Xenium S.P.ICE. These chips are solderfree (can be soldered too), has the same features as Xecuter 3. Only difference is that Xeceuter 3 is a little newer and better general repuation. The price is different too, making the Xenium chip cheaper.

Also do some reading on www.xbox-scene.com and you will get enough knowledge about what and how to do/get to your xbox.

Good luck!

[stan1975]

Thanks Guys, you've been a great help

[tonydead]

What about the Xecuter 3 with the Xapt3r for solderless? Anyone had success with that, worth the extra $23?

[Quall999]

That is a great chip, but most features are not needed. If you are an insane modder who is going to insert a TFT screen on your xbox, or plan on using debug bios and all the beta's, it is truly excessive featured chip.

[tonydead]

I'm nowhere near an insane modder. I dabble in PC, but am a full fledge noob to xbox modding. I have a Xecuter 3 commming..... so more dumb questions. I keep reading that X3 has it's own OS, is this true or can I/do I need to use EvoX????

[Neipas02]

Originally Posted by stan1975

Hi, I am making the switch from PS2 to Xbox, but would like some advice on what to buy, which chip to get etc and what software is needed. I want to be able to backup games to my pc if possible and play emulators and play online aswell. I am based in the UK if any one has any good recommendations on which sites to buy from aswell. So i need a complete list of bits and pieces that i will need.


Thx

You're going to need an EvoX Bios (or something else compatible with your chip).. Legally the chips can't be sold with bios that would enable playing backups.. You have to flash it with a bios that has the capability of running unsigned code (backed up games). It's not quite as difficult once you get your hands dirty. If you're into PC's than you should have fun with it.

The EvoX Dashboard, and EvoX Bios are two different things.. Bios is necessary and the dash sure as hell makes things easier.. You could use a different dash if you wanted.. Some people have different preferences but the common one seems to be EvoX

The built in OSs on most chips have cool little utilities you can use.. For instance my Xenium ICE has a network option, A utility to lock and unlock your hard drive, a utility to clone your old stock hard drive to a newer bigger one. Nice little tools that sometimes come in handy.

Quall will no doubt correct me if i'm wrong.

[tonydead]

Thanks a lot for all the info. I think I have everything I need gathered up, dashboard, v3108 bios......sorry for all the noob questions, one more:

Is it easier to do a HDD upgrade before or after the chip/EvoX install??

Thanks again

[kosmiq]

Get the chip in first, change hdd, use SlaYers install disc as it is really good and will do all the formatting and installing for you. Sure you can do it all by yourself but I prefer using SlaYers as I like it and it is real simple.

Without the chip you will not be able to switch hdd or use SlaYers disc. The disc also has an option for formatting drives larger than the original one.
A little note, if you do choose the X3 use any good X3 bios from teamxecuter. Otherwise if you go for any cheapmod chip (such as aladdin or DuoX2) use EvoX M8+ if you have an 1.6 xbox and the X2 4983 if you have any earlier version.

Good luck and happy modding.

[tonydead]

Thanks, gotcha, HDD later.... Ok I have SlaYer & XBOX-HQ Auto Installer & a damn good tutorial with EvoX+., whitch would you start off with when my X3 arrives.. This is my first xbox mod... Again thanks everyone!!