JTAG Questions to ensure the information I've read is accurate

[Cuban11182]

So I recently got an XBOX that has an RROD. I was able to get it booted and saw that it was a .5XXX series dashboard, and the unit was built in 2006. It's a Xenon motherboard, if that matters. I'm going to be ordering the Xecuter RROD Pro 2 Kit and then if everything turns out well then I will order the Nand-X kit. If it doesn't then I will have it reflowed.

I've been researching since I got it to learn as much as I could about the JTAG Exploit. I've searched and read so many things that my eyes are crossed. So here goes.

1. What are the major benefits (besides the ones listed) of the JTAG? I've found that you can change your region code, use any hard-drive that you want, and you can run games off the HDD.

2. How many different bootloaders are there? It seems that the FreeBOOT is the one I see most suggested.

3. It seems that if/when I proceed with the JTAG it would be in my best interest to protect the eFuses to ensure that in case of a goof, I don't accidentally screw up the JTAG-ability. Is there anything else I should concern myself with?

If there is anything else I need to or should read I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks in Advance.

 

[Martin C]

1. JTAG consoles can run unsigned code. That's the long and short of it. In other words, if a file can be edited to achieve something else, you can do it.

2. FreeBOOT is the only one out there for the newer dashboards. You won't want XBR in any case since a) it was unpredictable with certain games and b) it stopped at 2.0.8955.

3. Once you've done the eFuse protection (either by bridging the points or displacing R6T3) you're pretty much good to go.

 

[Cuban11182]

Thank you very much. I greatly appreciat it.

*EDIT*

Ok. I have some more questions after my recent research.

1. I've read I should read my nand to ensure that I can actually exploit this one. Do I solder the nand-x QCB's and wait until I confirm, before I solder the JTAG ones? Found that answer as well. In case anyone else needs it it is in the first post of the NAND-X Installation. Solder the NAND first, then the JTAG.

2. This unit does not have a HDD. Can I purchase any ol Sata drive and install it into a XBOX 360 housing to use it on the XBOX 360? (I've read you can read them on external drives, but was unsure as to if I would be able to use an internal one to load FreeBOOT and then put my backups on it.) Found the answer, and the DIY for up to a 1TB HDD.

Thanks in advance.