Flashbios on a 3.0.3 on a 1.6 / 1.6b

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Ok... I've searched through the forums... still need help...

I just cracked open my xbox - it has samsung ram = 1.6
(note: it was manufactured on 10-10-2004 and has a Toshiba DVD and a Western Digital HD - for those of you keeping track of stuff inside)

I don't know if flashbios 3.0.1 or 3.0.3 is on my Xecuter3 chip.

Do I need to be concerned? Since I'm in the clear of having a 1.6b- am I good to go with either 3.0.1 or 3.0.3 for my 1.6? I don't want to install the entire thing and find out it doesn't work.

Secondly - what's the EASIEST way to reflash an Xecuter3 chip if I ever need to change the flashbios version on it?

Thanks everyone!

 

[Martin C]

Both should work on your 1.6.

3.0.1 is more reliable and will boot every time - 3.0.3 takes a little more effort.

Your chip will have both on anyway.

As for flashing / reflashing in future, you can either boot to a spare FlashBIOS bank, boot to the backup BIOS or flash from X3CL in a vast number of ways!

Martin

 

[NowhereManX]

Ok... Thanks for the help... here's a few other questions I have...

You said that 3.0.3 on a 1.6 takes a little more work... what do you mean by that and what should I do if it doesn't come up right away?

Secondly, if 3.0.3 doesn't work...and I need to flash the flashbios back to 3.0.1 - can I do it without a second xbox or any additional equipment besides my PC

Lastly, is it recommended that I swap my chip first...then swap the hard drive AFTER I put a new BIOS on the chip... or can I do it all at once?

 

[Martin C]

Ok... Thanks for the help... here's a few other questions I have...

You said that 3.0.3 on a 1.6 takes a little more work... what do you mean by that and what should I do if it doesn't come up right away?

Secondly, if 3.0.3 doesn't work...and I need to flash the flashbios back to 3.0.1 - can I do it without a second xbox or any additional equipment besides my PC

Lastly, is it recommended that I swap my chip first...then swap the hard drive AFTER I put a new BIOS on the chip... or can I do it all at once?

3.0.3 on a 1.6 just involves pressing the eject button if you get a blank screen. The Eject light flashes green and you just repeat the process until it boots.

Your X3 will have 3.0.1 on one 1MB Bank and 3.0.3 on another. Therefore, by booting either Bank 1234 or 5678 you should see a flashbios screen.

I would install the chip and flash the X3 1959plus16 BIOS first. Get to know your way around the X3 ConfigLive. Backup your C and E drive to your PC (FTP) and then you can look into installing a larger HDD.

Martin

 

[NowhereManX]

Ok... so what you're saying is...

1) I'm should be ok either way - by choosing the dip switch config 1234 or 5678
2) If it doesn't boot - just hit the eject / power button until it comes up.

NOW... (sorry for so many questions)

I should only be concerned with flashbios coming up once... once it does I install X3 1959plus 16 --- then after that the system will load properly every time (provided 1959plus 16 was installed correctly)???

My initial concern should be just getting to the point where I flash the BIOS with a hacked bios, right? After I do that - I'm set to install a new dashboard / hard drive / etc.

 

[Martin C]

Ok... so what you're saying is...

1) I'm should be ok either way - by choosing the dip switch config 1234 or 5678
2) If it doesn't boot - just hit the eject / power button until it comes up.

NOW... (sorry for so many questions)

I should only be concerned with flashbios coming up once... once it does I install X3 1959plus 16 --- then after that the system will load properly every time (provided 1959plus 16 was installed correctly)???

My initial concern should be just getting to the point where I flash the BIOS with a hacked bios, right? After I do that - I'm set to install a new dashboard / hard drive / etc.

In a nutshell, yes.

IF you find you get a goof flashBIOS boot from banks 1234, then switch to 5678 and flash your X3 BIOS on these.

In other words, if you booted with switch settings on on off off and you get flashbios up, before you flash X3 1959plus 16 set the switches to off on off off. The concept is to preserve the good FlashBIOS banks!

Martin

 

[RoaZtedPuppy]

why is it that they are flashed to a 1MB bank when the flashbio is supposedly 256K?

 

[Martin C]

why is it that they are flashed to a 1MB bank when the flashbio is supposedly 256K?

It's just quicker to boot them as a 1MB BIOS.

With the exception of purpose-made 1MB BIOSes, most (including the original 1MB Xbox BIOS) are just 4x256k BIOSes.

So if you boot 1MB 1234, they all must be the same BIOS - they're actually 1+2+3+4 or 256k+256k+256k+256k.

Martin

 

[NowhereManX]

Whoa... Now I'm confused again. This is my first mod... and believe me I've read things over and over and over...

(when I'm done with this - I have to come out with the ultimate NOOB manual for this).

Anyway... Tell me if this sounds right.

1) Install mod chip
2) Ensure dip switches are set to ON ON OFF OFF and power up xbox
3) Ensure Flashbios 3.0.x comes up
4) Flip dip switches to OFF ON OFF OFF
5) Select flashbios from disc - insert dvd w/ X3 1959plus16 BIOS on it.
6) Do I need to install EVOX bios at this point or is the X3 Bios good enough to run everything?
7) Install Avalaunch (new dashboard)
8) Play games.

Any other suggestions would greatly be appreciated. Thanks much.

 

[Martin C]

Whoa... Now I'm confused again. This is my first mod... and believe me I've read things over and over and over...

(when I'm done with this - I have to come out with the ultimate NOOB manual for this).

Anyway... Tell me if this sounds right.

1) Install mod chip
2) Ensure dip switches are set to ON ON OFF OFF and power up xbox
3) Ensure Flashbios 3.0.x comes up
4) Flip dip switches to OFF ON OFF OFF
5) Select flashbios from disc - insert dvd w/ X3 1959plus16 BIOS on it.
6) Do I need to install EVOX bios at this point or is the X3 Bios good enough to run everything?
7) Install Avalaunch (new dashboard)
8) Play games.

Any other suggestions would greatly be appreciated. Thanks much.

omit #6 and you're there. The X3 BIOS will do it all for you.

I gave the switch positions as an example - if you find that bank 5678 boots flashbios better, then obviously flash banks 1234. But yes, you've got the basics.

Finally, you do not need another dashboard if all you want to do is play games from discs.

Martin

 

[NowhereManX]

Do I need another dashboard if I want to backup my games to the hard drive and play without discs?

If so - which dashboard would you suggest?

I've been told that avalaunch is a good one.

 

[Martin C]

Do I need another dashboard if I want to backup my games to the hard drive and play without discs?

If so - which dashboard would you suggest?

I've been told that avalaunch is a good one.

Yes you would - Avalaunch is a very good choice. It's what I use anyway!

Martin

 

[nemesys2002]

Martin,

Should I use XBMC if I want to use my xbox to play divx/xvid, mp3's, xbox games copied to hdd, emulators.. etc.?

Thanks for your help

 

[Martin C]

Martin,

Should I use XBMC if I want to use my xbox to play divx/xvid, mp3's, xbox games copied to hdd, emulators.. etc.?

Thanks for your help

XBMC can be used as an App as well as a dash. Nothing stops you from loading it from Avalaunch. You can even add it to your quicklaunch within X3CL.

Martin

 

[nemesys2002]

Hey Martin,

Thanks for the quick reply. I have yet to get my X3 functionning. Wrong bios on it, so I ordered a new one with correct bios and gonna sell the 3.0.1 flashed x3 to my friend whch has an 1.6.

It should be in today or tomorrow, I can't wait

Sorry NowhereManX for hyjacking your thread!

 

[NowhereManX]

Ok... so after I install the X3 bios:

1) Install avalaunch.

But do I need any other software? Shouldn't a new bios and avalaunch do the rest for me?

If not:

1) What other programs should I install
2) How do I install them (can I do it from DVD - or do I have to FTP?)

Thanks!

 

[Martin C]

A dashboard is merely a means to run games / applications from a front screen.

Go with the dashboard for the time being.

Asking what apps you need for your Xbox is a little like asking 'what programs should I install on my PC'.

To install them, you only need to copy the app / game folder to the specified subfolder. You'll get the gist once it's all up and running.

Martin