I know that there are A LOT of different RGH tuts out there, and to be when I did my builds I used a combination of several of them. So I’m certainly not going to take any credit for anything I say as being specifically original. The Team-Xecuter site has been invaluable to me and I wanted to try to do something to help others who are in the same position as me. I found that most of the tutorials available were “noob-friendly”, but written by experienced modders. So a few times I got a little lost in terminology or certain steps that were obvious to anybody that actually knew what they were doing. Problem being, I didn’t know what I was doing. I therefore HIGHLY recommend that you do a lot of reading before you start your project, try to understand every step before you start. The results are definitely worth it. My explanation will only involve phat models, because that’s all I’ve worked with. I used ccNick’s guide for the hardware install(http://team-xecuter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75945&highlight=hard+drive) but J-Runner is the best option for the software side of it.
1. Research.
Your first step ids to do your homework. Martin C’s roadmap is your first stop http://team-xecuter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=78885
( CR is CoolRunner in case you were wondering)
Also, if you have little or no experience soldering, either start practicing now (there are plenty of tutorials i.e.: http://team-xecuter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74166 ), or do yourself a favor and just buy an RGH box (there’s a for sale section in the forum http://team-xecuter.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=12)
2. Prep.
The next step is to get all the crap you’re going to need together.
1. Compatible XBOX 360 – Note: The first few boxes I did, didn’t have DVD drives. This wasn’t a problem until I wanted to update the dashboard. There is a workaround for this, but if you’re a noob like me, you can either get the dvd drive before you start, or live with no avatars(the little caricature associated with your xbox live account)
2. TX CoolRunner Rev B – purchase from a reputable source: http://team-xecuter.com/where-to-buy/ - I use X Consoles ( You’ll need 1 for each console you RGH)
3. QSB’s. - I think QSB’s (Quick Solder Boards) are the easiest way to go. You can solder the wires directly to the board or use the pin headers, but in the event you decide you want to remove the CoolRunner, you’ll be happy you used the QSB’s.
4. Xecuter NAND X - You’ll also need a device to read your nand. I recommend the Xecuter NAND X. You only need 1 of these, you’ll just be connecting it to the board to read and write the nand and to program your coolrunner. NOTE: The NAND X comes with a set of QSB’s DO NOT USE THEM. You need to buy a set of CoolRunner QSB(mentioned in step 3) Yes I know you can work around thgis but remember you’re a noob, just keep it simple.
5. NAND X to CoolRunner cable
6. Soldering Iron- You’ll obviously need a soldering iron, and a cheap-o $5 bargain basement deal isn’t going to cut it. I used one of these: http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3086619 I know it seems like a lot for a soldering iron. But if you’re willing to tackle a project like this, you’ll find other uses for it. At the very least, make sure it comes with a fine tip, and get the very thin solder.
7. Hard Drive - Should have mentioned this before, but you’ll obviously need a hard drive for your Xbox. Being that one of the main advantages to this mod is to store your games on it, you’ll want a large drive the bigger the better. Here’s a tut for swapping out hard drives: http://team-xecuter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56165&highlight=upgrade+hard+drive – If you’re feeling really ambitious you can try this: http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?showtopic=699024
8. Software – This was possibly the most confusing part for me and it helps if you consider everything you’ll need to do.
a. J-Runner – for reading and flashing the nand and programming your CoolRunner
b. XEX menu – this program will be installed on the Xbox and will allow you to run Freestyle Dash
c. Dashlaunch – make sure the version you download is compatible with the Dash you put on your xbox, i.e. Dashlaunch v2.29 doesn’t work with the 14719 dash
d. Freestyle dash (aka FSD)– this is the interface you will be using to access all of your games etc. It’s similar to the standard Microsoft dash (aka NXE) but optimized for homebrew (GOD’s, emulators, etc)
e. ISO2GOD- ISO is the image file that you would read from your original game. So let’s say you LEGALLY make a backup of one of your games using your choice of software- you would take that file and convert to what’s called a GOD (Game On Demand) container so that you can put it on your 360’s hard drive and play it from there.
f. USBXTAFGUI v44– You’ll need this to view files on a drive formatted by your 360. You’ll be using it when you put XEX menu on the 360.
9. Plenty of patience. If you run into problems, don’t freak out! Search for answers first! It’s unlikely that you’re the first person ever to make whatever mistake you made so search, read and only start a new thread about it after your other options are exhausted. Again the Team Xecuter Forums are an invaluable resource, they however are not here to spoon feed you.
Now you’re ready to start soldering!
Being that there are a ridiculous number of photos and video’s I’m not going to add to the clutter, simple use this one to install your QSB’s: http://team-xecuter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74857
NOTE: I looked at the pictures probably 20 times before I saw where the ground was being run to. (picture is of install without QSB’s but ground location is the same)
Now make sure the CoolRunner is set to “PRG”, plug it all into you NAND X and your just about ready to start flashing.
You’ll need to plug the Xbox in but DO NOT TURN IT ON. Once plugged in, if you have everything wired right, a red light on the CoolRunner will come on.
Like I said before, this tutorial from ccNick: (http://team-xecuter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75945&highlight=hard+drive) works perfectly, we’re just using J-Runner instead of J-Tag Tool.
Here’s a video of J-Runner, it’s super easy and straight forward.
http://team-xecuter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=82416
We’ll assume that everything went great through the above steps and now you’re ready to get FSD installed. This was the annoying part for me.
1. attach an empty thumb drive to your Xbox and in the settings menu, format the device for storage
2. remove the thumb drive and attach to your computer
3. open USBXTAFGUI v44
4. open the usb drive in xtaf
5. Put the xexmenu “CODE999” folder on the usb drive. IF YOU DON’T HAVE THE FOLDERS SET UP RIGHT, IT WON’T WORK. Here’s a tut for it: http://www.se7ensins.com/forums/threads/jtag-how-to-run-xexmenu-with-only-a-usb-drive.210373/
Again: it’s going to be: Content>0000000000000000>CODE999>00080000>……..
Pay attention to how you unzip the folder i.e. Content>0000000000000000>CODE999>CODE999>00080000>…….. won’t work
6. Now you should be able to plug it back into your console and see xexmenu in your games library. It wouldn’t ne a bad idea to move it over to your hard drive.
No you’ll need a fat32 formatted usb drive (can be the same one, it you re-format it for fat32), you’ll need the folder with FSD in it (named Freestyle) and another folder (named installer) with dashlaunch (default.xex) and your launch.ini
Insert the usb drive into your console “play” xexmenu and a blank screen will come up. Hit RB on your controller and it should display the contents of your usb drive. You’ll now copy each of those folders to your hard drive. (hit the back button to show the controls for xexmenu)
Now you’ll need to switch over to the hard drive directory and in the installer folder open the default.xex. It will give a few prompts, press A and you should be good. Here’s the tut just in case: http://www.teamfsd.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=42
If everything went well, your system should reboot and open to FSD!
Last step is putting games on. Honestly, Team FSD explains it better than I ever could, so read this: http://www.teamfsd.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=44
And now there should be nothing left to do other than have fun with your freshly RGH’ed system.
Again I’m not taking credit for saying anything that hasn’t been stated and/or explained before. More than anything, I just thought it would be nice to have links for all the tutorials I used compiled in one post. I hope it helps. I’ve done 4 so far and no major problems yet. Biggest thing in my opinion is don’t panic if something doesn’t work immediately, you probably didn’t bork it, you’re just retarded, don’t follow instructions, can’t read, and missed something LOL. Or maybe it’s just me. Any questions or suggestions for improvement of this tutorial are welcome.:biggrin:
1. Research.
Your first step ids to do your homework. Martin C’s roadmap is your first stop http://team-xecuter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=78885
( CR is CoolRunner in case you were wondering)
Also, if you have little or no experience soldering, either start practicing now (there are plenty of tutorials i.e.: http://team-xecuter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74166 ), or do yourself a favor and just buy an RGH box (there’s a for sale section in the forum http://team-xecuter.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=12)
2. Prep.
The next step is to get all the crap you’re going to need together.
1. Compatible XBOX 360 – Note: The first few boxes I did, didn’t have DVD drives. This wasn’t a problem until I wanted to update the dashboard. There is a workaround for this, but if you’re a noob like me, you can either get the dvd drive before you start, or live with no avatars(the little caricature associated with your xbox live account)
2. TX CoolRunner Rev B – purchase from a reputable source: http://team-xecuter.com/where-to-buy/ - I use X Consoles ( You’ll need 1 for each console you RGH)
3. QSB’s. - I think QSB’s (Quick Solder Boards) are the easiest way to go. You can solder the wires directly to the board or use the pin headers, but in the event you decide you want to remove the CoolRunner, you’ll be happy you used the QSB’s.
4. Xecuter NAND X - You’ll also need a device to read your nand. I recommend the Xecuter NAND X. You only need 1 of these, you’ll just be connecting it to the board to read and write the nand and to program your coolrunner. NOTE: The NAND X comes with a set of QSB’s DO NOT USE THEM. You need to buy a set of CoolRunner QSB(mentioned in step 3) Yes I know you can work around thgis but remember you’re a noob, just keep it simple.
5. NAND X to CoolRunner cable
6. Soldering Iron- You’ll obviously need a soldering iron, and a cheap-o $5 bargain basement deal isn’t going to cut it. I used one of these: http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3086619 I know it seems like a lot for a soldering iron. But if you’re willing to tackle a project like this, you’ll find other uses for it. At the very least, make sure it comes with a fine tip, and get the very thin solder.
7. Hard Drive - Should have mentioned this before, but you’ll obviously need a hard drive for your Xbox. Being that one of the main advantages to this mod is to store your games on it, you’ll want a large drive the bigger the better. Here’s a tut for swapping out hard drives: http://team-xecuter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56165&highlight=upgrade+hard+drive – If you’re feeling really ambitious you can try this: http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?showtopic=699024
8. Software – This was possibly the most confusing part for me and it helps if you consider everything you’ll need to do.
a. J-Runner – for reading and flashing the nand and programming your CoolRunner
b. XEX menu – this program will be installed on the Xbox and will allow you to run Freestyle Dash
c. Dashlaunch – make sure the version you download is compatible with the Dash you put on your xbox, i.e. Dashlaunch v2.29 doesn’t work with the 14719 dash
d. Freestyle dash (aka FSD)– this is the interface you will be using to access all of your games etc. It’s similar to the standard Microsoft dash (aka NXE) but optimized for homebrew (GOD’s, emulators, etc)
e. ISO2GOD- ISO is the image file that you would read from your original game. So let’s say you LEGALLY make a backup of one of your games using your choice of software- you would take that file and convert to what’s called a GOD (Game On Demand) container so that you can put it on your 360’s hard drive and play it from there.
f. USBXTAFGUI v44– You’ll need this to view files on a drive formatted by your 360. You’ll be using it when you put XEX menu on the 360.
9. Plenty of patience. If you run into problems, don’t freak out! Search for answers first! It’s unlikely that you’re the first person ever to make whatever mistake you made so search, read and only start a new thread about it after your other options are exhausted. Again the Team Xecuter Forums are an invaluable resource, they however are not here to spoon feed you.
Now you’re ready to start soldering!
Being that there are a ridiculous number of photos and video’s I’m not going to add to the clutter, simple use this one to install your QSB’s: http://team-xecuter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74857
NOTE: I looked at the pictures probably 20 times before I saw where the ground was being run to. (picture is of install without QSB’s but ground location is the same)
Now make sure the CoolRunner is set to “PRG”, plug it all into you NAND X and your just about ready to start flashing.
You’ll need to plug the Xbox in but DO NOT TURN IT ON. Once plugged in, if you have everything wired right, a red light on the CoolRunner will come on.
Like I said before, this tutorial from ccNick: (http://team-xecuter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75945&highlight=hard+drive) works perfectly, we’re just using J-Runner instead of J-Tag Tool.
Here’s a video of J-Runner, it’s super easy and straight forward.
http://team-xecuter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=82416
We’ll assume that everything went great through the above steps and now you’re ready to get FSD installed. This was the annoying part for me.
1. attach an empty thumb drive to your Xbox and in the settings menu, format the device for storage
2. remove the thumb drive and attach to your computer
3. open USBXTAFGUI v44
4. open the usb drive in xtaf
5. Put the xexmenu “CODE999” folder on the usb drive. IF YOU DON’T HAVE THE FOLDERS SET UP RIGHT, IT WON’T WORK. Here’s a tut for it: http://www.se7ensins.com/forums/threads/jtag-how-to-run-xexmenu-with-only-a-usb-drive.210373/
Again: it’s going to be: Content>0000000000000000>CODE999>00080000>……..
Pay attention to how you unzip the folder i.e. Content>0000000000000000>CODE999>CODE999>00080000>…….. won’t work
6. Now you should be able to plug it back into your console and see xexmenu in your games library. It wouldn’t ne a bad idea to move it over to your hard drive.
No you’ll need a fat32 formatted usb drive (can be the same one, it you re-format it for fat32), you’ll need the folder with FSD in it (named Freestyle) and another folder (named installer) with dashlaunch (default.xex) and your launch.ini
Insert the usb drive into your console “play” xexmenu and a blank screen will come up. Hit RB on your controller and it should display the contents of your usb drive. You’ll now copy each of those folders to your hard drive. (hit the back button to show the controls for xexmenu)
Now you’ll need to switch over to the hard drive directory and in the installer folder open the default.xex. It will give a few prompts, press A and you should be good. Here’s the tut just in case: http://www.teamfsd.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=42
If everything went well, your system should reboot and open to FSD!
Last step is putting games on. Honestly, Team FSD explains it better than I ever could, so read this: http://www.teamfsd.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=44
And now there should be nothing left to do other than have fun with your freshly RGH’ed system.
Again I’m not taking credit for saying anything that hasn’t been stated and/or explained before. More than anything, I just thought it would be nice to have links for all the tutorials I used compiled in one post. I hope it helps. I’ve done 4 so far and no major problems yet. Biggest thing in my opinion is don’t panic if something doesn’t work immediately, you probably didn’t bork it, you’re just retarded, don’t follow instructions, can’t read, and missed something LOL. Or maybe it’s just me. Any questions or suggestions for improvement of this tutorial are welcome.:biggrin: