Will this work? (X3, v1.6b)

[theDeacon]

Problem:

My X3 didn't come pre flashed with v3.03 and now I need to find an alternate way to flash this chip. I do not know any one local that can help and devineo.com evidently doesn't return customer emails.

Possible solution?

I work at a major medical maufacturing plant that fabricates high end ultrasound equipment from start to finish including circuit board manufacturing, soldering, chip flashing etc. Needless to say I got a flawless soldering job done on my x3 install.

Evidently they have an eeprom (is that right?) flashing station with a programmer etc. Im a noob in this area but I asked the departmental manager if he would be able to flash my chip for me and he said that he cannot guarentee anything untill we try but he didn't forsee a problem. He just told me to bring the chip in tomorrow with the bios on cd/dvd and we can take it from there. He said it sounded promising because my X3 was socketed, I'm assuming he is referring to the pin header install.

Words of advice? Input? Think this will work? I was going to make a cd and dvd bios disk per:

http://www.teamxecuter.com/index.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=24789

 

[Martin C]

No, it won't work.

A socketed EEPROM is an entirely different thing. I think you can use the X2.6 programmer to get around this..

Martin

 

[theDeacon]

Thanks for the reply Martin.

Could ou please give me more info?

 

[Martin C]

Firstly , does your Xbox frag when you boot with the chip enabled?

It may be that you have a bad connection...

Martin

 

[theDeacon]

Firstly , does your Xbox frag when you boot with the chip enabled?

Nope, just black screen with the chip enabled and normal boot to M$ dashboard with the chip off. Mod chip front panel display lights up and the whole 9 yards.

I did notice however that after the xbox boots with the chip enabled, I do not get frag but after a few minutes the green turns to an orange color in addition to the screen staying black.

Install and soldering was performed at my work where we also fabricate ultrasound equipment and other medical electronic devices from start to finish including the circuit boards etc. The soldering trainer of the facility actually soldered everything in place for me so that is not a concern. She actually made non flattering comments from the pictures I printed from the install guide critiquing the soldering :lol: But I guess the laugh is on me since I cannot use my shiny new X3 yet :?

This is my problem:

Now if you look at the pictures below this is how FlashBIOS boots up if you have installed your mod successfully - we also show what happens if you have messed things up. If you get FRAG (Flashing Red And Green lights) on your Xbox then you have a bad solder joint on the LPC - check everything again (this shows your D0 point is correct as it is switching the Xbox to the LPC bus successfully - however by getting FRAG its showing that the LPC bus cannot read the bios from the mod). If you get a black video screen then you most probably have a new v1.6b Xbox (check to see if the system RAM is made by Hynix) and you have an older version of FlashBIOS. You will need to send it back to your installer to get it updated to FlashBIOS v3.03 or see if you can get a friend to do it for you. Remember FRAG = Faulty Install, Black Screen = New Xbox/Old Bios

 

[Martin C]

Although you may not see any video, you can try this.

Boot the Xbox with the chip enabled. After the eject light stops flashing, press the D-Pad down TWICE and press A. If you're lucky, the tray will eject. Put your 1MB X3 1959 BIOS CD in the drive and close it.

If you're VERY lucky, you'll be able to boot the 1MB Bank 1 and have video...

Martin

 

[theDeacon]

I will try the second I walk in the door from work and will report back. Thank you for your assistance broh, much appreciated.

Put your 1MB X3 1959 BIOS CD in the drive and close it.

I don't have that bios (1959) but I did make a bios (v3.03) dvd and cd per:

http://www.teamxecuter.com/index.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=24789

Is this acceptable?

 

[Martin C]

Well the 3.0.3 FlashBIOS will get you a FlashBIOS screen, but you'll still need an X3 BIOS to do anything good with the chip.

Martin

 

[theDeacon]

Well the 3.0.3 FlashBIOS will get you a FlashBIOS screen, but you'll still need an X3 BIOS to do anything good with the chip.

Well at this point any visible screen would be nice I can try with the cd I have already burned and if all goes well, after I pay you a bazillion dollars for tech support :wink: , I can install the bios of my choice... I will report back sir.. thanks again...

 

[theDeacon]

Although you may not see any video, you can try this.

Boot the Xbox with the chip enabled. After the eject light stops flashing, press the D-Pad down TWICE and press A. If you're lucky, the tray will eject. Put your 1MB X3 1959 BIOS CD in the drive and close it.

If you're VERY lucky, you'll be able to boot the 1MB Bank 1 and have video...

No go, same result.

No, it won't work.

A socketed EEPROM is an entirely different thing. I think you can use the X2.6 programmer to get around this..

You are wise beyond your years, did not work either. So where can I get one of these x2.6 programmers and you are sure it will let me flahs my x3 on my v1.6b without video?

 

[theDeacon]

I think you can use the X2.6 programmer to get around this..

It's a really inexpensive part so I hope this is true. Are you sure this can be used with an X3 chip?

product description:

Programming Xecuter chips the easy way.

Comes with both parallel and usb connection. (usb is purely for power)

Requires a 9-volt battery (not included, and only necessary if usb is not used)

Works on:
Xecuter 2
Xecuter 2.1
Xecuter 2.2
Xecuter 2 Lite Plus
Xecuter 2.3a Lite Plus (trace cut required
Xecuter 2.3a Lite (trace cut required)
Xecuter 2.3b Lite
Xecuter 2.6
Xecuter Lite Plus 2.2 Lite Plus

The programmer is designed to allow you to flash or re-flash your mod chip with ease it comes with USB power supply, Parallel Connection plug this plugs directly into the LPT port on your computer or use a LPT cable (Cable Sold Separately).

 

[Martin C]

I think you can use the X2.6 programmer to get around this..

It's a really inexpensive part so I hope this is true. Are you sure this can be used with an X3 chip?

product description:

Programming Xecuter chips the easy way.

Comes with both parallel and usb connection. (usb is purely for power)

Requires a 9-volt battery (not included, and only necessary if usb is not used)

Works on:
Xecuter 2
Xecuter 2.1
Xecuter 2.2
Xecuter 2 Lite Plus
Xecuter 2.3a Lite Plus (trace cut required
Xecuter 2.3a Lite (trace cut required)
Xecuter 2.3b Lite
Xecuter 2.6
Xecuter Lite Plus 2.2 Lite Plus

The programmer is designed to allow you to flash or re-flash your mod chip with ease it comes with USB power supply, Parallel Connection plug this plugs directly into the LPT port on your computer or use a LPT cable (Cable Sold Separately).

This is the problem - I'm not sure!

The Programming lines will be the same, it's just that maybe a new program would need to be written to implement this.

A real problem at the moment is that I don't own an X3 nor a 2.6 Programmer. I would be able to troubleshoot a lot easier with these....

Martin

 

[theDeacon]

Yeah the programmer is only like $15 and I think it would almost be worth just ordering it and giving it a go but when I looked at a picture of the product online it looks to me that the pin header configuration is a little different on the programmer vs the X3 chip.

Sigh.... lol......

I might just order another x3 chip and only order from a retailer that will actually return emails and verify with me ahead of time the X3 is pre-flashed with v3.03. What to do what to do..... :roll: :?

 

[Martin C]

Yeah the programmer is only like $15 and I think it would almost be worth just ordering it and giving it a go but when I looked at a picture of the product online it looks to me that the pin header configuration is a little different on the programmer vs the X3 chip.

Sigh.... lol......

I might just order another x3 chip and only order from a retailer that will actually return emails and verify with me ahead of time the X3 is pre-flashed with v3.03. What to do what to do..... :roll: :?

The pins and pinheader should match 100% BTW if you use the 2.6 Programmer.

You can always find someone nearby with a 1.0-1.5 Xbox and an X3 who would flash it for you....

Martin

 

[theDeacon]

The pins and pinheader should match 100% BTW if you use the 2.6 Programmer.

I will order it and give it a shot and report back here. Only $15 bucks. On this topic wouldn't it be a great idea for Team Executer to make a X3 programer? That could save alot of us with an X3, v1.6b alot of headaches and get us on track and be able to use this glorious X3 chip....

You can always find someone nearby with a 1.0-1.5 Xbox and an X3 who would flash it for you....

I wish! That was the first recommendation I was given. If only I knew someone locally in that regard. I have posted a few places looking for someone locally but no go. If there were somone willing and reputable I could pay to flash my chip I would. I'm able to ship FedEx overnight for cheap :wink:

 

[Xecuter]

just find a buddy with an xbox and hot swap to flash.

 

[huntermark]

I'm in the same boat as theDeacon, with brand new 1.6b box and older version BIOS, and no "buddy" to flash it for me. Doesn't that sound like an unreasonable "fix" ? I mean, how many people are gonna know someone with an xbox who also has the X3 modchip installed ? C'mon guys, we need a little help here! Or are all future owners of the same box and same X3 doomed to the same fate ?

I'd pay for the service of flashing to 3.0.3 and am pretty sure theDeacon would too (he's ready to buy a 2.6 programmer for $15 - $20).
Surely there is a reseller or user willing to supply this service for some fee ? :?:

 

[Martin C]

I'm in the same boat as theDeacon, with brand new 1.6b box and older version BIOS, and no "buddy" to flash it for me. Doesn't that sound like an unreasonable "fix" ? I mean, how many people are gonna know someone with an xbox who also has the X3 modchip installed ? C'mon guys, we need a little help here! Or are all future owners of the same box and same X3 doomed to the same fate ?

I'd pay for the service of flashing to 3.0.3 and am pretty sure theDeacon would too (he's ready to buy a 2.6 programmer for $15 - $20).
Surely there is a reseller or user willing to supply this service for some fee ? :?:

Have you contacted your chip seller and explained the situation? Most will flash it for you!

Martin

 

[ratedr]

so i need to have flashbios3.0.3 to flash on a v1.6b?

 

[Martin C]

so i need to have flashbios3.0.3 to flash on a v1.6b?

What happens at the moment when you boot your chip?

Do you get a blank screen and a red Eject LED?

Martin