Original JTAG console, initial setup help

[Myski]

I just bought myself a previously jtagged phat 360, real oldskool, xenon mobo. Took it apart and had a look on the inside, neat JTAG wiring (at least to my standards), 12v fan mod, falcon gpu heatsink installed and new thermal paste etc, looks like this unit has had a loving owner and so I'd like to ask a few things related to using a jtagged console so that I won't ruin it. I have not even booted it yet.

- This is original phat xenon 360, with JTAG mod, 16mb nand, some (obviously modded?) 15xxx or 16xxx kernel image with some launcher software preinstalled to console according to seller
- It has 20gb hdd with unknown content

So it came with a 20gb hdd with contents unknown. I have been lurking all the JTAG info I've been able to the last few days but I'd really appreciate answers to following questions that were left unclear.

- Is it safe to boot the console for the first time with that mystery HDD with unknown content? The seller said he had been using that very hdd with the console but I can't be sure about that. Is it even needed to have hdd plugged in with 16mb nand model or is everything needed for the boot installed in the nand? (I read some horror stories of HDD plugged in from other newer dash console updating the jtag console without warning thus ruining the exploit)
- Is there any way any other hardware or software could update the console without explicit consent, thus ruining the jtag? (So is it really important to do the R6T3 or U6T1 precautions not done by the previous owner, or is common sense enough if I'm the only user of this console?)
- Is it still possible as of 2014 and 15xxx/16xxx dash image to read, write and update nand contents with the LPT cable method or has it been made obsolete by some update, provided I have all the materials and soldering skills needed for the LPT cable? (I would of course use the faster usb reader method, your JR programmer or something if I could get one but I absolutely can't at the moment because of reasons (one being even the JR v2 seems to be sold out everywhere...))

Thank you in advance.

 

[chase]

1. It is safe to boot the console with the hdd.. the console will still boot without the hdd but Will go to original dash

2. Removing R6T3 is still a good idea to prevent accidental updates

LPT nand R/W is still possible but its slow and may cause problems.. not recommended

 

[Taijigamer2]

Same as what Chase said ^^^. Also It will only attempt to update console (when live is blocked) if u attach an external HDD with a $systemupdate folder from a newer dash on the root or if a game has a dashboard update. Even then it should ask if you want to update. The best way to avoid it is to keep your Jtag dash up to date. The current Freeboot nand to date is 16747.

If you have a working RGH/Jtag, u will not need to use any hardware to read/write the nand. If you want a copy of your nand and fusesets for backup reasons just download them over network using xell. If your want to update the freeboot dash just update over network using dshlaunch and jrunners UPDSERV function (jrunner pdf), simple and very safe.

One more thing, if you rebuild your nand and reduce your fan thresholds it will make the fans kick in at lower temps and remove the need for that annoying 12v fan mod, essential for xenon mobos. Good luck.