Xbox Soft-Mod Guide
Everyone with an Xbox should modify it. It's amazing. You'll be able to emulate almost every home console from the N64 and playstation 1 on down. My favorite homebrew application is Xbox Media Center. You can use it as a Remote Media Player that will play anything from Xvid to mp3s over your home network.
Modifying your Xbox to run unsigned code without installing a modchip, can be accomplished in various ways. You can run unsigned code by using a hacked save file on an exploitable game. You can run unsigned code via bugs in the MS Dashboard (the green screen with the orb that your Xbox boots into if you start it without a game in the tray). We are going to use a combination of both, in order to modify your Xbox, so it will run unsigned code by default. It's actually very easy to do, so hit the jump for the full tutorial.
First, don't worry about horror stories you've heard. Those were in the beginning of Xbox modding. They've made a ton of progress, and you have nothing to fear about modifying your Xbox via this tutorial. This will work for all Xboxes as far as I'm aware.
The first thing you need to do is turn on your Xbox and remove the game from it, if there is one. This green screen is the MS Dashboard. Your MS Dashboard should have 4 tabs on it: Memory, Music, Xbox Live, Settings. If your dashboard does not have the Xbox Live Tab (you only have 3 tabs) you should put in a recent Xbox game and update the dashboard. This is usually in the extras or Xbox Live section of the game. If you don't have a game then don't worry we can still get you up and running.
Next it's time to go shopping.
You could rent one of the above games, but I suggest going to your local game store and buying a copy. If something happens to your soft-mod in the future, you'll need the game to fix your Xbox. Buying is actually cheaper than renting in this case, as these are all old games. I bought a copy of MechAssault and Splinter Cell for $3 each at EB Games. Your best bet is to find a copy of Splinter Cell (not Pandora Tomorrow or Chaos Theory, but the original Splinter Cell game).
The easiest to find solution is probably the Action Replay memory card. If you have the patience to order one online I'd suggest a Mega X-key. If you're impatient, buy an Action Replay; they're about 30 bucks. I know you might complain about this, but you also have to remember that the Xbox DVD adapter also costs 30 bucks. Soft-Modding your Xbox will allow you to play DVDs, so just suck it up and take the plunge.
Next you need to get the correct save file. If you know me then you probably already know where you can get the files. If you can't remember the password, just e-mail me. You'll also need to know the following method as well, in order to get other Xbox Homebrew Software, so keep paying attention.
If you don't know me, then you will need to use the Xbins FTP site to download the correct file. Go to #Xbins IRC channel on EFnet. Hint: download mIRC, download an FTP client like Filezilla. Install both. Open mIRC, select a nickname, select random EFNet Server. Click connect. Follow instructions in channel. Open FTP client, go to the correct site, then download the appropriate file.
You want to download "Krayzie_***_Ndure_Installer_v1.1.rar, where *** corresponds to the game you are going to use. MA = MechAssault, 007 = 007: Agent Under Fire, SC-NTSC = North American version of Splinter Cell (original Splinter Cell NOT Pandora Tomorrow or Chaos Theory), SC-PAL = Euro version of Splinter Cell.
Unpack the .rar file to a new directory. Take note of the UDATA.zip file in the save/save 1/2 folder (Splinter Cell has two seperate saves you'll need to transfer). If you are using an Action Replay keep the UDATA.zip zipped. If you are using another method go ahead and Unzip the UDATA Folder. Use the Action Replay Software to transfer the files to the Memory Card, if not using Action Replay then just get the save files on the Memory Card. If using another method you probably already know how to get the files where you need them. Please note that there is a possibility that the save file will be corrupt as the Action Replay has some trouble with large save files, but it doesn't happen often.
Plug in the Memory Card/Action Replay to the Xbox you want to soft-mod. Turn it on. Go to the memory tab and select the memory card. Select the individual save file/s you just transferred to the memory card, and copy them to the Hard Drive.
Remove the Memory Card and reboot the Xbox. Put in your exploitable game. Go to Start Game/Campaign. It will take you to Load profile/Load Game. Select the profile/game that says Linux/Run Linux. (For 007, enter in normal level, back to menu, load save game .)
Now on this new screen you'll want to back-up your eeprom first. It will load a program that will allow you to backup the eeprom. Then select return to main menu.
Once the eeprom is backed up you can save it to your Memory Card if you want. Now remember at the beginning when I asked that you update your Dashboard so you had an Xbox live tab? If you were able to do this or already had the Xbox Live tab then select Basic Install.
Follow the onscreen prompts. It will ask which Dash to install, I prefer UnleashX as it's more compatible with Filezilla and other file transfer methods on the Xbox.
If for some reason this fails (maybe due to not having an updated MS Dashboard) then we go to our next step.
If you did NOT have the Xbox Live Tab or the soft-mod install failed, then select minimal install. Again my personal suggestion is to use UnleashX as the Dashboard. Follow the onscreen prompts. The last step will prompt you to hit OK and it will turn off your Xbox.
Once the Xbox is off go ahead and remove the game. This will turn the machine back on and it will then do one last step. It sets up a shadow C:\ image.
When it's over ... Congratulations, you have a modified xbox.
Reboot the xbox when the modification process is done. (Connect your Xbox to your network) It will open up to UnleashX or the Evolution X dashboard (depending on which one you chose). Open up your FTP client. If you don't have an FTP client I suggest FileZilla. FTP into your Xbox (Note: Use the IP address listed on the dashboard page of the Xbox, default password and login are User: xbox Pass:xbox). Remember when you unpacked the Ndure Installer? Well Transfer the EXTRAS directory that you unpacked on your PC to E:\Apps\ on the Xbox. If E:\Apps doesn't exist then create it. Go to Applications on your Xbox and you should see Krayzie tools (or something along those lines). Open it and you will be taken to another screen where you can further modify your Xbox. (Note there is a password of keystrokes on the controller, the password is "AYBX".
You will need to remember this as this is the control panel you will be using to make further adjustments to your Xbox. Use this to Load new dashboards on your Xbox (the prompts will explain how to do this), or alter the boot options on the Xbox. If you had to use Minimal Install you will have fewer options (there won't be any multi-boot options).
Now that you can FTP to your Xbox you can install any of the homebrew applications available for the Xbox. Again, you can find most of them at the Xbins FTP site I mentioned earlier. To install just unpack whatever you downloaded and transfer to the appropriate directory on your Xbox (usually E:\Apps, E:\Emulators, E:\Games, ... etc). I highly suggest installing Xbox Media Center. If you know me you already know where to get it.
So you have a modded Xbox. DO NOT run a harddrive unlocking utility on your xbox (configmagic, Evo X unlocker, ... etc). Don't format or rebuild your hard drive. Don't touch the C:\ drive on the Xbox. Don't delete random stuff on the E:\ drive. It is possible to upgrade to a larger hard drive but I will write a tutorial on it later. If you want to do it now, you're on your own. As always, if you have issues or want to know more about Xbox Modding go to Xbox-Scene.
DO keep the hacked save file on your Xbox. DO have fun. What you should probably do next is burn a variety of CD-Rs, CD-RWs, DVD-Rs, and DVD+Rs with Xbox programs or games on them. You'll want to figure out which media works best.
Modifying your Xbox to run unsigned code without installing a modchip, can be accomplished in various ways. You can run unsigned code by using a hacked save file on an exploitable game. You can run unsigned code via bugs in the MS Dashboard (the green screen with the orb that your Xbox boots into if you start it without a game in the tray). We are going to use a combination of both, in order to modify your Xbox, so it will run unsigned code by default. It's actually very easy to do, so hit the jump for the full tutorial.
First, don't worry about horror stories you've heard. Those were in the beginning of Xbox modding. They've made a ton of progress, and you have nothing to fear about modifying your Xbox via this tutorial. This will work for all Xboxes as far as I'm aware.
The first thing you need to do is turn on your Xbox and remove the game from it, if there is one. This green screen is the MS Dashboard. Your MS Dashboard should have 4 tabs on it: Memory, Music, Xbox Live, Settings. If your dashboard does not have the Xbox Live Tab (you only have 3 tabs) you should put in a recent Xbox game and update the dashboard. This is usually in the extras or Xbox Live section of the game. If you don't have a game then don't worry we can still get you up and running.
Next it's time to go shopping.
Exploitable Games
- MechAssault: First run games only. This means that the platinum edition will NOT work.
- Splinter Cell (original): ALL editions including the platinum edition should work. This is probably your safest bet.
- 007: Agent Under Fire: First run and some platinum editions should work.
You could rent one of the above games, but I suggest going to your local game store and buying a copy. If something happens to your soft-mod in the future, you'll need the game to fix your Xbox. Buying is actually cheaper than renting in this case, as these are all old games. I bought a copy of MechAssault and Splinter Cell for $3 each at EB Games. Your best bet is to find a copy of Splinter Cell (not Pandora Tomorrow or Chaos Theory, but the original Splinter Cell game).
Getting the Modified Saves to Your Xbox
- Get a friend with a modified Xbox to transfer the hacked saves to a memory card for you.
- Buy a PC connectable Xbox Memory Card like the Action Replay, or Mega X-Key.
- Splice a USB cable end into the controller wire of your Xbox. (not covered here, check google if you want to give it a shot)
- Remove the Xbox Hard Drive and use some custom PC Tools to patch the hard drive with the exploit (not covered here and is a little more involved than what I will cover. However if you want a larger hard drive in you Xbox and don't want to solder in a Modchip I would suggest looking it up, as you will eventually have to go through this process if you want a larger hard drive.)
The easiest to find solution is probably the Action Replay memory card. If you have the patience to order one online I'd suggest a Mega X-key. If you're impatient, buy an Action Replay; they're about 30 bucks. I know you might complain about this, but you also have to remember that the Xbox DVD adapter also costs 30 bucks. Soft-Modding your Xbox will allow you to play DVDs, so just suck it up and take the plunge.
Next you need to get the correct save file. If you know me then you probably already know where you can get the files. If you can't remember the password, just e-mail me. You'll also need to know the following method as well, in order to get other Xbox Homebrew Software, so keep paying attention.
If you don't know me, then you will need to use the Xbins FTP site to download the correct file. Go to #Xbins IRC channel on EFnet. Hint: download mIRC, download an FTP client like Filezilla. Install both. Open mIRC, select a nickname, select random EFNet Server. Click connect. Follow instructions in channel. Open FTP client, go to the correct site, then download the appropriate file.
You want to download "Krayzie_***_Ndure_Installer_v1.1.rar, where *** corresponds to the game you are going to use. MA = MechAssault, 007 = 007: Agent Under Fire, SC-NTSC = North American version of Splinter Cell (original Splinter Cell NOT Pandora Tomorrow or Chaos Theory), SC-PAL = Euro version of Splinter Cell.
Unpack the .rar file to a new directory. Take note of the UDATA.zip file in the save/save 1/2 folder (Splinter Cell has two seperate saves you'll need to transfer). If you are using an Action Replay keep the UDATA.zip zipped. If you are using another method go ahead and Unzip the UDATA Folder. Use the Action Replay Software to transfer the files to the Memory Card, if not using Action Replay then just get the save files on the Memory Card. If using another method you probably already know how to get the files where you need them. Please note that there is a possibility that the save file will be corrupt as the Action Replay has some trouble with large save files, but it doesn't happen often.
Plug in the Memory Card/Action Replay to the Xbox you want to soft-mod. Turn it on. Go to the memory tab and select the memory card. Select the individual save file/s you just transferred to the memory card, and copy them to the Hard Drive.
Remove the Memory Card and reboot the Xbox. Put in your exploitable game. Go to Start Game/Campaign. It will take you to Load profile/Load Game. Select the profile/game that says Linux/Run Linux. (For 007, enter in normal level, back to menu, load save game .)
Now on this new screen you'll want to back-up your eeprom first. It will load a program that will allow you to backup the eeprom. Then select return to main menu.
Once the eeprom is backed up you can save it to your Memory Card if you want. Now remember at the beginning when I asked that you update your Dashboard so you had an Xbox live tab? If you were able to do this or already had the Xbox Live tab then select Basic Install.
Follow the onscreen prompts. It will ask which Dash to install, I prefer UnleashX as it's more compatible with Filezilla and other file transfer methods on the Xbox.
If for some reason this fails (maybe due to not having an updated MS Dashboard) then we go to our next step.
If you did NOT have the Xbox Live Tab or the soft-mod install failed, then select minimal install. Again my personal suggestion is to use UnleashX as the Dashboard. Follow the onscreen prompts. The last step will prompt you to hit OK and it will turn off your Xbox.
Once the Xbox is off go ahead and remove the game. This will turn the machine back on and it will then do one last step. It sets up a shadow C:\ image.
When it's over ... Congratulations, you have a modified xbox.
Reboot the xbox when the modification process is done. (Connect your Xbox to your network) It will open up to UnleashX or the Evolution X dashboard (depending on which one you chose). Open up your FTP client. If you don't have an FTP client I suggest FileZilla. FTP into your Xbox (Note: Use the IP address listed on the dashboard page of the Xbox, default password and login are User: xbox Pass:xbox). Remember when you unpacked the Ndure Installer? Well Transfer the EXTRAS directory that you unpacked on your PC to E:\Apps\ on the Xbox. If E:\Apps doesn't exist then create it. Go to Applications on your Xbox and you should see Krayzie tools (or something along those lines). Open it and you will be taken to another screen where you can further modify your Xbox. (Note there is a password of keystrokes on the controller, the password is "AYBX".
You will need to remember this as this is the control panel you will be using to make further adjustments to your Xbox. Use this to Load new dashboards on your Xbox (the prompts will explain how to do this), or alter the boot options on the Xbox. If you had to use Minimal Install you will have fewer options (there won't be any multi-boot options).
Now that you can FTP to your Xbox you can install any of the homebrew applications available for the Xbox. Again, you can find most of them at the Xbins FTP site I mentioned earlier. To install just unpack whatever you downloaded and transfer to the appropriate directory on your Xbox (usually E:\Apps, E:\Emulators, E:\Games, ... etc). I highly suggest installing Xbox Media Center. If you know me you already know where to get it.
What NOT to do
So you have a modded Xbox. DO NOT run a harddrive unlocking utility on your xbox (configmagic, Evo X unlocker, ... etc). Don't format or rebuild your hard drive. Don't touch the C:\ drive on the Xbox. Don't delete random stuff on the E:\ drive. It is possible to upgrade to a larger hard drive but I will write a tutorial on it later. If you want to do it now, you're on your own. As always, if you have issues or want to know more about Xbox Modding go to Xbox-Scene.
DO keep the hacked save file on your Xbox. DO have fun. What you should probably do next is burn a variety of CD-Rs, CD-RWs, DVD-Rs, and DVD+Rs with Xbox programs or games on them. You'll want to figure out which media works best.
"get a friend with a modified xbox to transfer the hacked saves to a memory card for you"
ReplyDeleteI have a friend with a hacked xbox, but don't understand this first step. How do you do that?
The "Krayzie_***_Ndure_Installer_v1.1.rar" file contains an Xbox save. Your friend will need to FTP to his hacked Xbox and transfer the save file to the E drive UDATA/TDATA folders. After the save is on his machine you'll need to boot to the regular MS dash and copy the save file to the memory card, then you'll be able to transfer the Hacked save file to any Xbox of your choosing.
ReplyDelete