Flash Protection not Disabling, faulty chip? (Not a noob)

[jbontke]

I have a v1.0 xbox with one of the first X3 chips. It worked for a while then suddenly crapped on me. It will only work in the backup BIOS (holding the power and eject switches), otherwise it boots the MS default dash with a push of the power button(external switch lights up red!?).

I have flash protection on the chip disabled and the flash protection on the external switch in the off position. I have even tried to flash the chip with the external switch removed which defaults to bank 1234 (basically same as on on off off off). I have also never noticed a red light emitting from the chip. Not even when it was new. I am flashing it via http:// and origionally did it with a CD which doesn't work either. No luck. I did look that the Flash BIOS tutorial and noticed the first screen will show if you have flash BIOS protection on.

If it is off it should say:
Flash Type: Xecuter3 (2048)
If flash protection is on it should say:
Flash Type: Read Only??? manf=0x09, dev=0x00
Mine says:
Flash Type: manf=0xFF, dev=0xFF

The Flash BIOS 3.0.0 screen doesn't say read only before that or Xecuter3 (2048), so WTF? I am beginning to think the chip is not functioning correctly. It is like the chip is not disabling flash protection. I have also put the chip on another Xbox and have the same problems. So any suggestions? Where do I make a faulty chip return?

 

[sb122606]

Firstly if u have one of the first x3 chips then there is no light on there to indicate the flash protection state..this was introduced on the newer X3CE chips.

What happens when u power up by pressing eject instead of power???

Also make sure u remove the external switches at the X3 chip and not from the switches themselves...that way u eliminate cable problems too.

So when u flash..what exactly happens ie does it start and not finish...does it finish reboot and u get no "rox my box"??? please explain

 

[jbontke]

For clarification: I did remove the external switch at the X3 chip, not outsidethe Xbox at the external switch.

When I flash it gives the "Halt! Unknown BIOS..." error (Not sure if that is the exact phrase, but similar). It does not flash as if the flash protection is on. I know how to flash the bios and have done it before multiple times on the CD and through the http://(local address).

The xbox boots normally with a single push of the switch (with chip connected) and I know the DO connection is good, I have checked it with an ohm meter. The only way to get to the flash bios 3.0.0 screen is by holding the power/eject button.

As for pushing the eject button instead of power, I will have to try that. Why would you ask this question? I am curious as to there this question leads.

Thanks

 

[sb122606]

pushing eject ensures that the xbox is switched on with x3 enabled. (rules out the need for a quick tap on power ...some people are all fingers and hold pwr for too long).

Have u tried flashing latest x3 bios (3029) to both 1M banks
ie boot flashbios from backup and set switches to
on,on,off,off,off or bank 2 off,on,off,off,off

 

[jbontke]

When the eject button is pressed it boots just as if the power button is pressed.

I have tried flashing both 1024 Banks with the newest BIOS, dip switches set just as you described. I have read throught many BIOS problem like mine and have tried many different suggestions, none have fixed my problem.

 

[jbontke]

Well, I went ahead and ordered another X3 chip. We'll see what happens.

 

[sb122606]

sorry for late reply i lost the thread.

Have to agree with u i think u have exhausted the possibilities ..hope the new chip gets u going again

 

[jbontke]

I got the X3CE, installed it on the existing setup, and flashed it with the 3029 BIOS. No problems with that one. Everthing works like it should. Now I need to contact Xecuter customer support and see what can be done with my old chip.