Problems with flash... powers on then off.

[Ohayden]

I know you've all heard it a thousand times (or more). I'm not a noob or boob, but treat me like one if you will. I soldered in a X3 CE into a v1.0 XBOX. It is indeed a v1.0 XBOX and I did solder in the X3 CE properly. I can flash 2914 either through HTTP or DVD and both work. The problem is that 2914 won't save any settings and either way I really want the 3294 BIOS. Yeah, I downloaded them from the proper source, #xbins. I'm trying to give as much info as I can so I won't get pounced on. If I missed something, please let me know. I read through MANY posts and I understand your frustrations with people like me in this scenario. Trust me that I'm just as frustrated. I know you're already going to tell me to check my solder. Let me say that I have and more over I know for a fact that the solder isn't the problem. I know that it tends to be pins 13 and 14 that have the problem that I seem to be experiencing. I re-soldered them so many times that I lost a few fingers or so it seems. Instead of doubting the solder I figured out via the many posts that pin 13 goes to pin 6 on the EEPROM and pin 14 goes to pin 5. I tested continuity and it has a good connection. I wiggled everything and tested continuity with every end point and all is well.

That said... I know it tends to be a bad solder job and I know it tends to be pins 13 and 14. I believe I've proved that it's not them, so what else could it be? I would love to test another X3 CE, but I don't have one nor do I know anyone with one. I'm about ready to send it back to the distributor, but I'd rather figure this out with your help. Do you have any other ideas? Am I crazy? Well, don't anwser that one.

Should I test anything else? I'm very experienced with electronics, yada, yada, yada... Please point me in the right direction.

 

[Ohayden]

Oh noes!! I forgot to mention that I tried using (on,on,off,off,off) for the 1MB bank as well as (off,on,off,off,off) for the other 1MB bank. I have the normal panel and not the pro. I even tried removing the panel so it would default to the primary 1MB bank.

 

[Poida^]

Are you able to flash any other bioses and do you have your hard drive plugged in?

Before your next reflash, try running X3_erase.xbe first.

 

[Ohayden]

I tried using x3_erase.xbe and x3_eeprom_erase.xbe. I even tried the ABXY on bootup trick and none of them seem to help. As I understand it, the erase clears all the settings and doesn't really "erase" the BIOS as one would imagine. Either way, it didn't help. To answer the HD question, yes I have both the CD and the HD hooked up. Should I try without them hooked up?

As for trying other BIOSes, I just got done doing so at your request and here are the results:

  1943 (GOLD) = Powers on but no video or sound
  1957 (REPACK) = Powers on but no video or sound
  1959 = Powers on but no video or sound
[ 2913 = Loads and works, but doesn't keep settings    ]
[ 2914 = Loads and works, but doesn't keep settings    ]
  3029 = Powers on then off with a beep
  3108 = Powers on then off with a beep
  3283 = Powers on then off with a beep
  3284 = Powers on then off with a beep
  3288 (LFRAME BETA) = Powers on then off with a beep
  3293 = Powers on then off with a beep
  3294 = Powers on then off with a beep

I tried all of the newer ones and they just power on and off with a beep. 1943-1959 powers on but no video. The only two I can get running are 2913 and 2914, but niether save the settings.

Any other ideas?

 

[analog-man]

I too am in this exact same position. I have a version 1.0 XBOX and used the pin header install method. I can flash 2914 with no problems. If I flash any of the 3000 series of bioses, it completes the flash and verifies fine and then shuts off. When I power back on it turns on and then off after about 1 second.

I checked my solder connections 4 times just to be sure, paying extra attention to pins 13 & 14. I even went so far as to wick up most of the solder points and then resolder, but it didn't make a difference.

I too have the problem that with 2914 I cannot save any of the settings, it always reverts to default when I reboot.

I tried flashing via HTTP as well as off of the hard drive with the same results.

I gathered from this forum that a small percentage of X3CE's are having this difficulty and a replacement solved the problems. I have contacted the place I bought mine from to see about an exchange but have not heard back from them yet.

 

[Poida^]

I think this was a problem with the old bios as this gets reported alot for that particular bios version.
You really need to get an updated version on. Check pin 9, 13+14.
Also try reseating the chip and make sure that all pins are getting the correct contact.

If all else fails, try obtaining another modchip and testing it out.