n00b help desk.

[Torvald3]

Here's the deal I'm a n00b I figure I'll ask all my questions and list all my answers here so the next n00b has a head start. I know a lot of these questions have (and wil be ) asked many times some times finding the answer even with search is a feat in itself.

I've done my research downloaded my bios file and am ready to install my X3 and new front panel.

Chip Install:

1) DO I need to (or recomended to) clean the contact points for the header pin? I've seen everything from wipes to special fiberglass pens offered for cleaning the contact points.

2) Is the no solder option really no solder? How does the D0 lead stay put?

3) Any type/brad solder recomended?

Bios Flash:

I've elected to go the DVD install route as it seems the most stright forward.

1) the Team Xecuter guide (www.teamxecuter.com/flashbios/dvd.htm ) looks like I just put the bios and a filler file on a dvd, put dvd in xbox and away it goes.

The unofficial guide ( http://home.comcast.net/~x3guide/Old/index.html ) says the files have to be converted to XISO format before it can be put on a DVD and loaded. Which is correct process?

2) Is the orignal Xbox bios backed up or does it need to be? Since we have just by-passed the orignal and not removed it is it safe?


Dashboard:

1) Do I need a dashboard like EvoX?

2) This dashboard it allows gui access to the features and any sub programs correct?

3) How much free space is on a orignal xbox HDD. Not looking to copy Halo to the HDD but a few emulators and some bins might be nice.

4) The FAQ says you can trade scripts to automate this whole process are these located on Xbins or some place else? ( I could modify a script but don't fell comfortable creating one from scratch)

Links:

I'll post acceptable links here as they come in.

 

[Catalyst]

1) DO I need to (or recomended to) clean the contact points for the header pin? I've seen everything from wipes to special fiberglass pens offered for cleaning the contact points.

Not really. If you have a ver 1.0 xbox the place you attatch the X3 to the board might be full of solder.... other than that you don't need any of that cleaning stuff.

2) Is the no solder option really no solder? How does the D0 lead stay put?

I think that there is still some soldering to do... I just soldered the whole thing. It's more stable and it's pretty easy dispite what this forum makes you think

3) Any type/brad solder recomended?

Yep. Get a cheapo 15 watt soldering iron from Radio Shack... some really thin (0.032) resin core solder and a flux pen... if you can't find the pen go to my post about my install (just click my name and search my threads) and there's a link on how to get all that crap.

1) the Team Xecuter guide (www.teamxecuter.com/flashbios/dvd.htm ) looks like I just put the bios and a filler file on a dvd, put dvd in xbox and away it goes.

The unofficial guide ( http://home.comcast.net/~x3guide/Old/index.html ) says the files have to be converted to XISO format before it can be put on a DVD and loaded. Which is correct process?

That unofficial guide is unofficial for a reason . Xiso's are copies of xbox games... if you use the http:// way of flashing your bios it's pretty much fool proof! Very easy!!

2) Is the orignal Xbox bios backed up or does it need to be? Since we have just by-passed the orignal and not removed it is it safe?

You can't write to the origional BIOS... that's why you're installing a mod chip!!

You can't mess up the origonal BIOS...

There is a option that will boot your xbox into "disable" mode, your xbox will boot like you didn't do anything to it.

1) Do I need a dashboard like EvoX?

YES!! The dash is what allows you, through the new BIOS, to copy games to the harddrive, access video files and do all that other cool stuff. With out it... it's like having a PC with dos on it but no windows... understand?

2) This dashboard it allows gui access to the features and any sub programs correct?[/qoute]

More or less... it is just a GUI basically... but it allows you to load apps that will acess other apps and so on...

3) How much free space is on a orignal xbox HDD. Not looking to copy Halo to the HDD but a few emulators and some bins might be nice.

It's a 5 gig drive... it's really not worth modding if your not gonna throw in a new HDD....

4) The FAQ says you can trade scripts to automate this whole process are these located on Xbins or some place else? ( I could modify a script but don't fell comfortable creating one from scratch)

um... yes. yes there are scripts in #xbins... and other places... just go to #xbins... you'll do fine.

 

[Torvald3]

Ok, got a larger drive and am ready to proceed..

let me run throgh this step by step just to make sure I know what I'm doing

1) install mod chip. will try to solder it.

2) flash bios with current X3 bios.

3) back up current xbox hdd. Possible to ftp with bios or do I need a dash first?

4) install new hdd

5) run "SlaYers_EvoX_Auto-Installer_v2.6_FINAL.exe" to set new drive up to work in xbox. (not sure this is correct)

6) ftp backed up files back to xbox

7) enjoy!

Is this correct, the prefered method?

is there a better way to do this?

 

[boomraider]

The solderless adapter is completely solderless. There are other optional wires that have to be soldered, If you want your LAN and HDD lights on your control panel to work.

You can ftp into and out of your box with just the bios. And you could just ftp the bios into your box.

I haven't used the install disc for evo-x, but if you got it and know how to use it, go ahead and do it. I personally ftp'd everything into my box.

Also you will have unlock your stock hard drive to get into it, and then re-lock it to use the original dash and XBL.

 

[boomraider]

Oh and about the solderless adapter, the D0 wire sticks into the top of the board, it is pretty secure. Note: you cannot use it in a 1.6 xbox

 

[Torvald3]

I 'm haveing a problem, Ver1.0 wire install (long story) and with the reset/eject adapter pluged in it powers on as soon as it's pluged in and won't turn off. using the xbox (yellow) plug it work normaly. So I would think my adapter is some how bad. any ideas?

Also don't know if this is inportant. but my lan light is on when it's not hooked up and off when it is. Seems the same for the HDD light as well.

 

[Torvald3]

Ok chip installed.. I guess you need to be able to see to solder. hosed the mobo and had to replace it. Now everything works.

Used slayers evo load and it worked well. Everything seems to work.

One suggestion is a compleate manual for the X3 install and the bios settings. took me a while to figure out how to load in to the dash directly.


Also how old is the slayer load? do the apps need to be updated?

 

[ureterral]

Just thought i should make this post by Catalyst a bit more clear.

That unofficial guide is unofficial for a reason . Xiso's are copies of xbox games... if you use the http:// way of flashing your bios it's pretty much fool proof! Very easy!!

The XISO format isnt just copies of xbox games. Its an Xbox ISO format that you burn to in order to boot an xbe (xbox executable).

You can't write to the origional BIOS

Umm yes you can. Its called a TSOP Flash. But theyre risky and dont provide all the bells and whistles of great modchips like the X3.

It's a 5 gig drive...

Stock XBOX HDDs come in 8GB and 10GB (you need to format an F:\ to get the extra 2GB partition)

 

[ureterral]

One suggestion is a compleate manual for the X3 install and the bios settings. took me a while to figure out how to load in to the dash directly.
Also how old is the slayer load? do the apps need to be updated?

There are alot of manuals around for X3 install and Config Live explinations.
I made one of several, available at www.iltb.cjb.net (ConfigLive manual).
Just use the nifty search button to find the rest

The 2.6 versions of slayers evox auto installer is a bit old by now. Almost all of the apps have been updated. Its best to install all the apps yourself, that way you can learn more about the processes involved to get it all working.

 

[Floppy Mohawk]

Hey,


This is why it's important to read the README files or in this case the PDF files that come with programs.
If you would actually read it you would see that it clearly states to

Use option (2) "save BIOS / EEPROM" To make a backup of your BIOS and EEPROM on the C: of your XBOX Then FTP into the xbox, retrieve these files and put them in a safe place (even burn them to a CD for safe keeping)

RTFM

Floppy