2.6 CE on a 1.0 xbox - Erase Failed.

[Ascoe]

I followed the tutorial for bios flashing, flash protect off and all that sh*t. I made a 1024 kb bios.bin file with 256k flashbios 3.0.3, 256k flashbios 3.0.3, and 512k X2 bios 5032.

I flashed via http through the included flashbios 3.0.0 and got the message "Erase Failed."

Now when I boot to bank 1 I get double reboot and FRAG, bank 2 puts me right into flashbios 3.0.3 without a problem, apparently.

How do I recover from this and install the X2 5032 bios properly? Or any bios? Wtf did I not do in the tutorial? (http://www.teamxecuter.com/flashbios/http.htm)

Thanks

 

[robbdeman]

I to preffer and use HTTP with X2.6ce and X3ce. If you are going to do it over http, one thing I reccomend is Use X2bm 2.3, and make bank 1&2 5032 Bank 3&4 Flashbios 3.03 (a just incase precaution) save that file (which is now 1024k) and call it bios.bin, now remember where you saved it, start the xbox with the flashbios bank, http to your xbox, browse for your bios.bin flash, and you should be set, bank 1 5032, bank 2 FLash bios, everyone is happy

-EDIT-
The only thing I see is that maybe you didn't put the INI file on E:\ or F:\ but try it againd and see

 

[Ascoe]

I was flashing via HTTP, and I used X2 BM 2.3 to make the bios. so 1 and 2 should be 5032 and 3 and 4 should be flashbios? I'll try that.

erase failed again =\

 

[robbdeman]

yep 5032 then the 2 flashbios ...bioses

 

[Ascoe]

sweet now nothing works. both banks double reboot and frag.
What the **** went wrong?
Should I return the chip? Buy a Programmer? I'd love to spend more money on this.

 

[Ascoe]

What INI file?

Where would I put an INI file?

 

[robbdeman]

ok What type of Xbox do you have? 1.0 - 1.5 use 512K_V_old.bin 1.6 - 1.6b use 512k_V16.bin file, and for it fragging on both banks thats odd, I have had no problem and I use X2.6 ce and X3 ce in almost all my mods, unless customers want a specific chip (and even then I use X2 Bioses) if you have a friend with the same chip try booting your system up with his chip, swap em out and flash with your in Xbox

 

[Ascoe]

It's a 1.0, made in mexico. I used the 'old' bios.

I don't see why the bios file matters all that much though. The flashbios said erase failed and then it would not do anything. I'm guessing nothing was written which is odd because why would it frag when booted.

 

[mycol]

I'm having the same problem and I'm beginning to belive it's a bad chip. I did go out and buy a programmer and a multimeter, still no luck. Get a new chip while you can.

Mike

 

[Fantmx]

I know it is too late, but DO NOT FLASH WITH A 1 MEG FILE. It is not needed. That is why you are in this situation. If you flash with a 512k bios file, which 5032 is, only bank 1 will be erased. That way, if you have any problems, you will still have flashbios on the first bank.

Check to see if you have any pinched wires. If that is not the case, see if your seller will exchange the chip for you.

 

[Ascoe]

Well, that tutorial definitely needs to say that for the X2.6 a 1 mb file isn't needed. Lots of people have trouble using the flashbios tut with the 2.6 and I think thats why.

I just got a programmer overnighted. It'll be here tomorrow.

 

[Ascoe]

programmer fixed it. if anyone needs their x2.6 programmed and can get to orange county area, CA, feel free to drop me a line

 

[crashdogy]

Had same problem "erase failed" ordered programmer today!!!!!!

Ha! All had same problem here just ordered programmer if any one needs a programmer this site has good deal right now you must check this site out real good price.

Details Xecuter Programmer for 2.x, 2.6 CE(Super Sale!)
SKU: Xecuter26Programmer

Programming Xecuter chips has never been eaiser! Works on 2.x, 2.6, ect.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Market price: $12.95, save 80%
Our price: $2.50

http://www.themodchip.com/usa/home.php?cat=5

hope this works for me to.

 

[Big_Whoopin]

Be warned, unless things have changed you won't be getting the newest X2 programmer, misleading because that's what they have pictured. Note the comment about the 9v battery. What you will likely get is an older rev of the programmer, same one that is in the pictures in the tutorial linked to from the front page. (http://www.teamxecuter.com/x2prog/) It does work absolutely fine, I've used the one I got from TheModchip on both X2.6CE chips and an older X2.3b. It's just not as "pretty" and compact as the latest unit. More versatile if you think about it, as you can use it on a PC that does not have any USB ports... not that many of these exist today. TheModchip has some sketchy reviews over at X-S, but they were top notch for the order I placed. I think it's $6 for shipping the programmer in the US, still $8.50 total is a hell of a deal.

Other general programming notes-

• The included red wires are for providing power to the few X2 chips that did not get power directly through the LPC. If the chip you have does not need any special power attachment for installation in 1.0-1.5 Xboxes then you don't need these.
• I don't know about the newer programmer, but the one pictured in the tutorial only has 12 pins. Even though the X2.6 series chips have a socket for 16 pins, you only need the 12 that are on the programmer. The extra four holes of the socket should be hanging off the pinheader on the DC power plug side.
• There is the note regarding cutting a trace for programming X2.3(a) chips. I have seen this elsewhere, but I do not know where directions exist regarding what needs to be done.
• While you can use a DB25 extension cable to use the programmer further from your PC, you are more likely to receive errors. Best results are found when attaching the programmer directly to the LPT port. You will probably need to remove the cable anchor nuts from the programmer connector. When I did this I used a bit of super glue to hold the metal frame in place so it would not slide out of place or get lost.
• From what I recall, programming is SLOW. Like you can see in the tutorial, expect programming to take over 10 minutes. Go get a sandwich or something.
• In X2BM the option to online update the MD5 checkums does not work, or at least not the last time I checked. It looks like the web page this reads from no longer exists. You can probably find checksums for most BIOSes around the forums, or create your own. There are a number of free utilities around that can do this, the one I use is md5deep (http://md5deep.sourceforge.net/) and runs from the command line. (I'm 30+ years old. I know how to use DOS. I'm fine with that.)
• On X2.6 series chips you *MUST* have the switches connected. I believe all earlier chips you can program without. Going way back you have to make sure you have your jumpers set correctly.

-Whoopin'

 

[crashdogy]

Try this frist did need programmer after all!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All right got it to flash. I pluged the “wires/pins” back it to the chip you know on a wire install. Then toke a pair of small thin needle nose pliers and gently pushed in each “wirer/pins” on the side that plugs it to the chip. Mad shore they where all the way in to the chip and presto it flashed. “Unbelievable”

 

[crashdogy]

Pin Header install

I’m all so sure if you do a Pin Header install and you don't make sure the pins all stay the same "height" when you are sodering them and that they go all the way in the chip this could happen to. Because the xbox and chip still run you think the Pin Headers pins or wire/pins are all the way in but there not and that causes errors.

 

[Fantmx]

Easiest way to prevent this is to cut a small chunk of cardboard that is covers all the pins. Then, when you tape the pinheader in for soldering, put the cardboard over the pins. It will keep them in line.

 

[Big_Whoopin]

Fantmx, good tip.

The pins are sliding around when soldering on a pinheader this probably means you've melted or at least softened up the plastic that holds the pinheader together. Generally a sign that you are applying too much heat to the parts. Remember that you want to have the tip of the soldering iron touching both the pin and the soldering ring so that both are heated evenly. You probably don't want to have the iron on the parts for any more than 15 seconds tops at a shot. If you can get some soldering flux (rosin) it will greatly help the process as well.

-Whoopin'