Spiderchip/Modding Confusion

[DownwardSpyral]

I'll give you fair warning, I'm a noob and I'm looking to mod my xbox. I've modded a number of ps2 units, but apparently the xbox is a little different.

I'm looking for a no-solder option. My eye is set on the spiderchip v1.1 To my understanding, you need to reflash the chip with a different bios to get it to run backed up games... or does it come that way from the factory?

Also, i read the install tutorial on the spiderchip site, and it references soldering a few wires to the main board. this confuses me, since i thought it was solderless. The tutorial says nothing about solderless, so i am confused. I heard i could just cut the wires if i didnt want to solder them. but what other way are they going to connect the points? I guess there is a lack of information on this kind of thing, and I cant wrap my mind around what ive found so far.

[Quall999]

I believe an older version of the chip may require a solder fix. That is why some chips need soldering and others do not. Official distributers have the fixed chip (usually listed on the official site).

However, I have heard nothing but bad news from this chip. If you can solder, then I suggest you get a different chip. The wires seem to pop out of place a lot. It is a very good cheapmod if you plan on soldering though (non-solderless cheapmods sell for less though).

And you will most likely have to flash any xbox modchip (applex may not). They include a free Cromwell bios to stay away from some legality issues, they do not provide any MS code (the hacked bios).

[DownwardSpyral]

ok. The only 2 solderless mods ive seen are the spiderchip and Xbit. Do you recommend XBIT? If not, are there any solderless mods that are any good?

How many wires are involved in soldering a good xbox modchip? And while we are on the topic, what is a good solder chip?

And I guess a quick search on google will turn up the right bios ill need.

[seaneyb2003]

Dude!!!! if you can chip a ps2 you will easily!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! chip a xbox its childs play!

Decent cheap chip i reccomend is DuoX2
High range chip X3 More wires to solder tho

For a xbox your looking around 9 wires 8 of which can be done by pin header so ull be fine

any problems send it to an installer cheaper and less hassle than a solderless one believe me

[DownwardSpyral]

ok. does the duox2 come with a pin header, or is it entirely solder?

and i guess ill have to flash the chip so itll play backups. I guess thats my main concern. I dont want to change the dashboard in any way. i want everything to look the same, just play backups.

[seaneyb2003]

the duox2 comes with pin header and have the bios pre flashed. Its the easyist chip 2 use!

[tonydead]

The Xecuter 3 has a solderless adapter available Xpter. But really besides the pin header there are only 3 wires. Just mask off the connection with tape first. Piece of cake. Follow the flashing tutorial off thier web sight. Piece of cake. Then just use the MS dash.

[DownwardSpyral]

hmm. i wont need to touch the bios on the xbox whatsoever with either chip?

[Quall999]

Unfortunately, no. They come with open source bios that make it much easier for you to install a hacked version of the MS bios. If you plan on backing up games, then you will have to create an connection between your xbox and PC. These open source bios allow you to flash the hacked bios through similar connection. It really isn't hard at all.

The reason why they do not come equipped with the bios you need is due to legal reasons. The xbox bios are property of Microsoft. It is illegal to sell and distribute this code.

[Jailer]

If you can chip a PS2 than you should have no problem at all modding an Xbox. Piece of cake.

I'm a big fan of the Xenium ice. It's more money than a cheap mod, but for the extra features you get it's well worth it. It's very noob friendly and a breeze to set up. And why would you want to stick with the MS dash? I know it's your preference, but one of the things I like the best about a modded Xbox is all the options you have available once your up and running. Check out some of the available dashes and programs out there and you'll see what I mean.

Just call me the Xenium fanboy