Network specific help for BIOS flashing

[f0rca]

Hi, I really try not to post too often but I am at my witts end, I must ask for help from you geniuses. I've been trying to figure this out for the past week and have had no success.

I have finally mastered (I believe) understanding how to install the X3CE chip using the pinheader installation, due to extensive reading, it's the "flashing the bios" topic that is confusing.

I want to do the http method because it is supposedly the least technical, to do this I will have to set up a network between my xbox and pc. Okay, the problem is, I've read all the tutorials I could find on this subject and still can't grasp what has to be done.

If possible I would like to connect my xbox to the pc directly using a crossover cable(system link cable). Is the ethernet slot(used to connect to the internet) on the computer what is meant by a "NIC"? I just assumed that you plug one end of the cable to the pc's ethernet slot and the other end to the xbox's ethernet slot, but I really doubt it's that simple.

Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks.

 

[xX dArKsKaTa Xx]

All you do is plug in the cable from your computer to your xbox, and find out your IP from the FlashBIOS screen, type it in in Intenet Explorer with the user name and pass as x3, and select the correct bios from your computers HDD and click upload and flash.

 

[f0rca]

thanks for the fast reply Darkskata, you've cleared up the process of flashing via http for me, however I'm still unclear on what cable to hook up where. If I plug the cross over cable into the ethernet slot on my pc I can no longer connect to the internet, as that slot is used by a cable from the modem. I'm sorry if this sounds really ignorant on my part.

 

[vincentn2k2]

I won't go into details on the flashing bit but can go a long way into networking your xbox. Here are your options:

1. Using a cross-over cable. Pls note that this cable is NOT your typical network cable which is a straight-through config. You'll have to ask the supplier for a cross over cable. Using this cable, simply connect the two ends between your PC and your xbox and boot them up.
2. Using a simple $20 4 ports switch/hub. Eg of vendors are NetGear, DLink etc. Any cheap multi ports switch is adequate. Using this option, you can use a normal standard straight-through cables. Connect your PC, your cable modem and your xbox into this switch using of course 3 separate physical cable.

Option 2 I think is the simplest of all and it also allow your PC to connect to the Internet at the same time. Your normal standard home cable modem should act as a DHCP server hence it should automatically assign IP addresses to your PC and the xbox. If you choose to do this option, you should find that your xbox might be able to access the Internet at the same time as your PC. If you do option 1, you would probably find that you'll have to manually assign your PC a static IP address which in itself, could be another in another post (pretty long and winding process).

Again, I CANNOT guarantee you that using option 2 will work 100% but I can say to you that it's working 100% for ME in my environment at the moment (using the same setup) simply because ...... I'm a network engineer by trade and this sort of stuff has become a natural part part for me. Post if you need more help.

 

[f0rca]

Thanks Vincent! I am leaning more towards your option 2 right now. So I'll have to buy a hub I guess. So using a hub would allow me to use the net at the same time, making the http method of flashing the BIOS possible right without much worries right? Thank you very much for the advice, wow, what luck a network specialist helping me out!

 

[vincentn2k2]

Option 2 in my opinion would be your best bet. Take special note:

1. With single Ethernet port cable modem, the ISP authentication is usually done by installing a carrier's provided software on your PC. This way, the carrier is basically restricted you to have only 1 PC connected to the Internet. If you want to have more than 1 device to access the Internet, instead of buying the switch, you can buy a router instead. For instance you can buy a cheap NetGear router. Hang on, have to go to a meeting but will provide more info later. Don't go and buy the switch/hub yet.

 

[vincentn2k2]

You have two choice really, either wired or wireless. Since you have a PC and an xbox I'd recommend wired one. An example of a wired router that you can buy is http://www.netgear.com/products/details/RP614.php . This router provides 4 inside Ethernet port and 1 outside Ethernet port. You'll plug the outside port into the Ethernet port of your cable modem. The inside ports are for your PC, xbox and anything else that you desire.

You must remember to do the followings:
1. Configure the router to authenticate with the ISP (carrier). This is done via accessing the router using your PC via Internet Explorer (IE). Simpyl follow the instruction included with the router.
2. Uninstall the ISP software that was installed on your PC (if any). You no longer need this since you've already have the router to authenticate on your behalf.

BTW, the 4 inside ports on the router is equivalent to a 4 ports switch/hub so you don't need to buy a hub/switch. Ask me more if you have any question.

 

[f0rca]

Thanks ALOT Vincent for all that info. I get what you're saying about the router, but I think I'll go with the hub so I don't have to deal with ports/port fowarding. I was wondering, if any sort of hub would do. I have a hub I bought a while ago in this pack called "LAN party" to get LAN halo games going. It basically includes a square you plug into the wall with 4 ethernet ports, and 4 ethernet cables. Would this be a sufficient hub for my pc-xbox-modem network? Thanks again for all the help!

 

[vincentn2k2]

by the cound of things, i think that this box of yours should be enough. Just keep in mind that by not using a router as i mentioned, you will haveto go through the process of setting static IP addresses.

Cheer and good luck.

 

[f0rca]

Got it, thanks again for all the help Vincent, it's greatly appreciated.