What's
in the
easybuy2000
package:
-The Modchip
-The Programmer
-a Washer
What
you need
to install
it:
-a v1
Xbox (build
prior
August
2002)
-a BIOS/Kernel
-a TORX
10
-a TORX
20
-a 9V
battery
-milk
(flashsofware
for win32
and linux)
-the xodus
installation
guide
: here
-good
illumination
in the
room
-concentration
;)
First
let's
check
what they
advertise
:
*No Wires
: true
*No Solder
: true
*No technical
experience
needed
at all
: true
*Flash
upgradeable
(with
programmer
- included)
: true
*All bios
features
currently
available
on competing
"mods"
(can use
any bios)
: true
, no bios
is included
in the
package
thought.
(but this
is a good
thing
'cause
it keeps
the Xodus/Matrix
legal)
1. Flash
the Modchip:
I got
no problems
at all
with this
step.
I connected
the modchip
with the
programmer
and the
programmer
with my
PC (via
LTP port).
Downloaded
milk (available
for win32
&
linux)
and got
a 256k
bios/kernel
image.
I ran
"wmilk
-c -a
ffc00000
-v -p
mybios.bin"
... and
it flashed
the chip
first
, then
it did
an error-checking.
Flashing
the modchip
is slower
then with
openxbox/pc-bioxx
... it
takes
about
2mins.
(for 256k)
You can
only flash
256k-images
, but
all 'normal'
bios/kernel
releases
(all evox
, x-ecuter
, enigmah
, xtender
, ...)
are 256k
so it's
not a
problem
for normal
users.
If the
bios you
got is
1MB ,
don't
worry
... it's
4x the
same bios.
Just split
it in
4 parts
and use
the last
part to
flash.
Only those
who need
a devbox
bios/kernel
(512k)
will need
to find
another
modchip.
The modchip
is also
flashable
via Xbox
software
, but
the software
isn't
released
yet ,
so at
this moment
you have
to flash
it with
the Programmer
connected
to a PC.
Also important
is that
the modchip
has a
"Xbox-flashing
protection"
, only
in "Writing
mode"
(mode4)
it will
be possible
to flash
the modchip
via xbox.
2.Install
the Modchip:
Opened
my xbox
and removed
the dvd
so I could
easily
access
the LPC
points.
To be
honnest
: I had
to try
several
times
till I
got a
green
led after
fixing
the screw
, but
once you
get used
to it
you can
install
it in
10secs.
The risk
while
installating
it is
very low
, all
you have
to take
care of
is to
ground
yourself
before
the installation
(duh)
&
not to
scratch
the motherboard
while
moving
the chip.
Remove
the screw
near the
LPC and
put the
washer
on it.
Then put
the Xodus
on the
motherboard
and put
the screw
back.
Screw
till about
50% and
make sure
the 3
holes
match
the 3
points
showed
in the
installation
guide.
It's easier
to see
if you
point
a small
light
between
the modchip
&
motherboard.
Power
on your
xbox and
press
on the
pogo pins
, if the
led shows
red ,
move it
very(!)
slighty
till you
get a
green
light.
Keep the
modchip
into position
and slowly
screw
till it's
fixed.
Don't
overtighten
the screw
, there's
no need
to anyway
, once
it "feels
harder
to screw"
the modchip
is firmly
fixed
into position.
3.Testing:
Put modchip
into position2.
Xbox booted
fine ,
flashed
bios/kernel
was active.
I tried
to shake
the xbox
... the
modchip
was still
working
fine afterwards.
I managed
to de-align
the modchip
by pushing
with my
fingers
on one
of the
sides
of the
modchip.
But once
again
... there
is no
risk this
would
ever happen
in 'reallife'
... the
DVD-drive
is on
top of
the modchip
, so there's
no way
something
or someone
would
push against
the modchip.
The pins
are gold
plated
, so there
should
be no
corrosion.
POSITIVE:
+ Easiest
Xbox modchip
installation
+ No soldering
, everyone
can install
this mod
+ Low
risk installation
+ Legal
(the tool
itself
atleast)
+ Flashable
+ Xbox-flashing
protection
+ No need
to take
the xbox
motherboard
out of
the case
+ Very
easy to
remove
NEGATIVE:
- Only
256k BIOS/Kernel
(not a
problem
for normal
users)
- Price
($59 is
the most
expensive
xbox modchip
, but
you get
a quality
modchip
&
Programmer
... compared
to some
PS2 modchips
it's still
very reasonable)
(- Stability
in the
long term?
- no problems
whatsoever
encountered
, only
the future
will show
how stable
these
spring
pins connections
are compared
to normal
soldered
points)
XanTium
02 oct 2002