Week of August 4, 2002
Retail-to-debug
>> Some interesting news on xboxhacker.net :
"A developer has been able to modify the firmware to turn a retail xbox into a debug kit. It's release is planned, but no date has been set. More news is to come later."
Spread News:
PermaLink
| Add us on:
Twitter -
Facebook -
RSS
(Saturday 10 August 2002 01:23 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
X-ecuter review
>> We installed the X-ecuter modchip today in a PAL Xbox console.
Installation was easiest of all xbox modchips installed so far. If you are looking for the fastest , easiest & lowest-risk install , you need this modchip.
As most people aren't used to install modchips with those hole-pcbs here's a small tutorial we got from the guys at lik-sang about how you should 'solder' the 'holes' :
"(1) put some solder at the LPC port points at the Xbox mainboard.
(2) Place the X-ecuter on it, so that the holes match the points of the
port.
(3) Put some solder on your soldering iron. Stick your soldering iron in a
right angle into the holes - press.
(4) Pull the soldering iron back.
Also, always use enough flux, this is the most professional way."
Follow that for the 9 holes on the pcb and it should be a really easy job. Then there's just 1 normal wire left.
You can also install a switch to disable/enable x-ecuter easily. This is optional thought , if you don't need it , you don't have to install it.
Once installed (worked from first try) all advertised hacks worked. This is the only mod with ALL 3 hacks available at the same time : no-patch-hack (to play ALL backups) , HDD-swap (to install larger HD) & no-reset-eject (eject tray without resetting the xbox ... usefull for mediaplayer).
Downside :
-you can't easily reflash the x-ecuter BIOS (altho at this moment there is no reason you would need this).
-Modchip not very easy to remove without special tools
Here are a few pictures of the X-ecuter. (click image for high-res version)
4x X-ecuter
Xbox powered by X-ecuter
Left Enigmah , right X-ecuter
X-ecuter official website : here
Buy X-ecuter now : Lik-Sang $49 (Worldwide - IN STOCK - bulkorders : upto 38% off )
X-ecuter pictures : here
X-ecuter diagrams : here
Spread News:
PermaLink
| Add us on:
Twitter -
Facebook -
RSS
(Friday 09 August 2002 23:26 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
Xbox-Linux update
>> The first reported Linux kernel messages on Xbox !
read more about it on this thread of the xboxhacker.net BBS.
Keep up the good work guys!
More info about the Xbox-Linux here
Spread News:
PermaLink
| Add us on:
Twitter -
Facebook -
RSS
(Friday 09 August 2002 23:25 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
Frodo-X Beta1
>> Frodo-X: Commodore 64 Emulator for Xbox Beta 1 has just been released.
"TO-DO
------
- On-Screen Keyboard
- Splash Screen
- Clean up the Help Screen
- Zip support maybe?
- On-Screeen LED showing the status of the 1541 Drive
- Other things when they come to mind"
Spread News:
PermaLink
| Add us on:
Twitter -
Facebook -
RSS
(Friday 09 August 2002 04:50 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
Enigmah Contest Winners
>> Here are the winners of the Enigmah contest.
Sorry the results are so late , but due the server move I kinda forgot about this contest ;p
The 5 Winners are (forumnicks) :
DBG - deSnurf - Falcon - [-FREEZER-] - summertime
Thanks to enigmahmods.com for supplying the mods.
Winners will be contacted by e-mail within 12h.
Spread News:
PermaLink
| Add us on:
Twitter -
Facebook -
RSS
(Friday 09 August 2002 02:57 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
New & Updated tutorials
>> I've been working to update & add some tutorials :
Updated Tutorials :
*Burn ISOs with PrimoDVD : here
*Connect a normal PC DVD-drive on your Xbox : here
New Tutorials :
*How to make an Xbox iso file : here
*The "underground" guide to Setting up the Xbox XDK (by BenJeremy) : here
*Adding a blinking HDD-LED to the Xbox (by James) : here
*Full Xbox DVD replacement for Pioneer 500M (with xbox eject) (by CoverX) : here
Check the the full list of tutorials here
Thanks to BenJeremy & James for their great tutorial.
More updates & tutorials will be added soon. If you made a tutorial , feel free to mail it to us , we are always looking for new great tutorials :)
Spread News:
PermaLink
| Add us on:
Twitter -
Facebook -
RSS
(Thursday 08 August 2002 21:36 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
Xbox Live + Modchip = OK
>> There is a very interesting part in this CNet article :
"A Microsoft representative said Xbox Live would not include specific diagnostics to detect mod chips but would employ "military-grade security" to prevent hacking and other threats. The representative declined to specify any action Microsoft was taking against mod chip makers but said the company would vigorously protect its intellectual property."
MICROSOFT is confirming that MODCHIPS will work on xbox live ... OMG what's wrong with MS ?
Spread News:
PermaLink
| Add us on:
Twitter -
Facebook -
RSS
(Thursday 08 August 2002 16:28 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
PC-BioXX review
>> We installed the PC-BioXX alias OpenXbox 'flashtool' a few days ago.
Installation was pretty easy : 10 wires most of them on top of the xboxboard (on those 'big' LPC points) except 2 wires placed on the bottom.
Wire #10 doesn't have to be linked , but without the wire you can't switch between retail & extern bios by using the reset/power button.
Once the modchip is installed you can just power on the console and connect the flashtool with the printerport of your PC.
With the PC-BioXX-flashersoftware you can easily flash the PC-BioXX bios with a new image. I flashed it with a the EvoX2.2 bios. It takes about 10secs to flash the bios.
PC-bioXX is a full bios replacement , so ofcourse all features of the used bios will work correctly.
Not a single problem occurred during installtion.
Downside : there's no 'all-in' (HDD-patch , reset-patch , no-patch-hack) bios image released to public yet.
Also note that the PC-BioXX is sold WITHOUT bios (this keeps the tool 100% legal) , so be sure you have a bios image before you buy this mod.
PC-BioXX/OpenXbox official website : here & here
Buy PC-BioXX/OpenXbox now : Easybuy2000 $49 (USA/CAN reseller) - Lik-Sang $59 (Worldwide)
PC-BioXX/OpenXbox pictures : here
PC-BioXX/OpenXbox diagrams : here
Next review : X-ecuter
Spread News:
PermaLink
| Add us on:
Twitter -
Facebook -
RSS
(Wednesday 07 August 2002 21:02 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
trapflags bios v1
>> Released a few hours ago :
"Original bios by EvolutionX team
mods by trapflag
Same features as EvoX 2.2 with....
No ms logo, speeds boot time a bit.
Next version should have the xbox logo off as well, after that..."
Spread News:
PermaLink
| Add us on:
Twitter -
Facebook -
RSS
(Wednesday 07 August 2002 13:08 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
X-ecuter released *updated*
>> After a short delay the X-ecuter modchip has finally arrived. All official resellers around the world received the chips today and will ship out in the next few days to their customers.
We also received a few samples today and we'll take a few pictures of them tomorrow. (it's too dark right now ;) )
We will test one ASAP.
You can order a X-ecuter modchip here for $49. (In Stock - WorldWide Shipping - bulkorders upto 38.78% off)
Spread News:
PermaLink
| Add us on:
Twitter -
Facebook -
RSS
(Wednesday 07 August 2002 04:47 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
Messiah-X review
>> We installed the Messiah-X modchip a few days ago.
Installation was pretty easy.
No ic-legs and only 11 solderpoints on the Xboxboard. (on the backside of the xboxboard). It's pretty much like an enigmah install , but just with 11wires instead of 29 and no bios-jumper (auto).
The modchip worked perfectly as advertised. The "No-Patch" hack seems to be working correctly , all utils/games we tried worked. We also tried an import version of DOA3 , it worked without any problem.
The Messiah-X has a very professional design & look and is shipping now for $49. (buy here (worldwide shipping - IN STOCK!))
Downside is that reset-trick-patch & HDD-swap-patch aren't implemented. China-Messiah told us they will probably upgrade their BIOS version soon thought.
Messiah-X official website : China-Messiah
Buy Messiah-X now : Lik-Sang (worldwide shipping - IN STOCK!)
Messiah-X pictures : here
Messiah-X diagrams : here
Expect a PC-BioXX/OpenXbox review in a few days. We'll do a X-ecuter review as soon as we get one.
Spread News:
PermaLink
| Add us on:
Twitter -
Facebook -
RSS
(Tuesday 06 August 2002 03:29 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
X-ecuter Mod-disable Switch
>> x-ecutermods released the diagram to disable/enable the X-ecuter modchip.
Spread News:
PermaLink
| Add us on:
Twitter -
Facebook -
RSS
(Monday 05 August 2002 21:40 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
X-ecuter official diagrams
>> Team X-ecuter released the diagrams for the X-ecuter installation.
You can check it out here
Spread News:
PermaLink
| Add us on:
Twitter -
Facebook -
RSS
(Monday 05 August 2002 17:56 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
Moving to new server
>> We're moving to a new server , so strange things *might* happen in the next 72h.
(Welcome on the NEW server!)
Spread News:
PermaLink
| Add us on:
Twitter -
Facebook -
RSS
(Monday 05 August 2002 05:11 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
XzizorMod update
>> From xzizormod.tk :
"New Look. More Professional Looking. We had someone leak info on Xzizor before it was even ready; we apologize for that. The picture that he posted was indeed a fake picture; the real product is not finished yet. We changed our old host as he did not allow us to do this on his server. Expect a video & Pictures of the finished Product soon."
maybe it's just me ... but as far as I can see the host is still x-boxworld.net
Spread News:
PermaLink
| Add us on:
Twitter -
Facebook -
RSS
(Monday 05 August 2002 02:39 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
xSnes9x Beta 4
>> A new version of the Xbox SNES emulator has been released :
"xSnes9x Beta 4 - 08/03/2002
---------------------------
Whats New in this release :
- Fixed memory leak which was causing Mario Kart, Lemmings 2 and selected other roms to lock on exit. Big thanks to The Joker for his assistance and advice.
- Added SDD-1 Rom support for Street Fighter Alpha 2 and Star Ocean. You'll need the Graphic's Packs from www.dejap.com to run Street Fighter Alpha 2 and Star Ocean. Unpack the SFA2 graphics packs to the FreezeFile/SFA2SDD1 directory and Star Ocean graphics packs to FreezeFile/socnsdd1 direcotory.
- Added screen resizing and movement with both analog sticks while in game. Left Stick controls x,y movement, Right Stick controls stretching/scaling. Upon exiting a game your screen settings will be saved at the last set position.
- Proper NTSC/PAL/PAL60 support implemented.
- Fixed bug where some games would never create a valid SRAM save file. (Super Mario All Stars & World)
- Added Turbo Button - default is XBOX_WHITE . This is useful for speeding up intro scenes and large text passages in RPG's. The Turbo button can be mapped via the .ini file and is only active while the button is held down. Once a button is released default emulation will continue.
- Fixed a sorting bug with the rom list. For example if your list contained Mario.ZIP and Mario Kart.ZIP it would sometimes load the incorrect ROM.
- Added RomPath= in the .ini file where pathname is the directory to scan for ROMS. E.
RomPath=ROMS
RomPath=SnesRoms
etc
are valid paths. You cannot use absolute paths (RomPath=D:\ROMS is invalid)
The RomPath MUST exist as a subfolder under the main xSnes9x directory.
- Added *experimental* HDTV support. To enable this set one of 480p, 720p or 1080i to 1 in the .ini file. Since i have no way of testing this please provide feedback/screenshots of the output.
- DPAD Up and Down enabled in the rom list for more accurate selection."
You can check out the official xSnes9x website here.
Spread News:
PermaLink
| Add us on:
Twitter -
Facebook -
RSS
(Monday 05 August 2002 01:08 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
Xbox Watch v3
>> Another new version of Xbox Watch :
"4 - Aug - 2002 Version 0.03 released
Add Ip Configuration, for Time Server.
Now Supporting Windows NT/2000/XP.Net Time Servers
Added Button to Reboot the DvdDrive
ps: since most of you are already developing on a win2k or xp.net server,
i would advice you to install the daytime server on that pc!
it's Kinda easy, just enable the windows component " simple networking " :)
That's at " Contral Pannel-> add remove programs" -> windows components -> Networking Services -> Simple/Tcp/Ip services :)"
Check out the official website here.
Spread News:
PermaLink
| Add us on:
Twitter -
Facebook -
RSS
(Monday 05 August 2002 01:07 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
Xzizormod fake ?
>> I found this interesting post (by Arakon) on the xboxhacker BBS :
"rotfl. look at the bottom right. between the screws.
it says "AC".
new feature?
"The only modchip powered by 110V for high performance!"
not to mention theres a relay on the left (no mod ever needs a relay), and if you consider the size of that PLCC chip compared to the wire size shown, these wires are HUGE, as in, AC power wire huge. where do those connect in the xbox, 15 pins at once each?
it's a scam, period."
He's talking about this picture (posted on xzizormod.tk) :
actual demensions 3",4"
Spread News:
PermaLink
| Add us on:
Twitter -
Facebook -
RSS
(Sunday 04 August 2002 17:56 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
OFFTOPIC: PCSXDC released!
>> PCSX (Playstaion Emulator) has just been released for Sega Dreamcast (yeah , homebrew development isn't dead on DC :) ).
You can download the alpha release from pcsx.net (you can also find a win32 & linux version there).
For more information about the homebrew development on DC , check boob.co.uk
Spread News:
PermaLink
| Add us on:
Twitter -
Facebook -
RSS
(Sunday 04 August 2002 17:37 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
Boot discs that didn't boot before
>> We received information that adding this line
Item "DVDROM Launch","d:\default.xbe"
to the EvoX menu.ini file will make it possible to boot media that didn't boot before on Xbox.
This sounds pretty weird ... all it does is telling the Xbox to launch default.xbe on the disc ... but several people say that more media will work on Xbox if you launch a util/game this way. (through evox menu)
If it makes any difference on your xbox , let me know!
Spread News:
PermaLink
| Add us on:
Twitter -
Facebook -
RSS
(Sunday 04 August 2002 17:23 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
xboxwatch 0.2
>> xboxwatch 0.2 has just been released.
No readme/nfo included.
Spread News:
PermaLink
| Add us on:
Twitter -
Facebook -
RSS
(Sunday 04 August 2002 17:01 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
New Xzizor modchip ?
>> We have no idea if this announce is real or just some lame joke , but anyway , here's the news :
"Estimated Launch Date: August 26,02
-Runs unsigned code
-Boots Backups
-100% undetecable with Xbox live
-100% Compatible with Xbox Live
-Abailty to Switch between Xzizor and original MS bios
-Only 4 Solder points
-Extreamly Easy to install
-No patch hack
-Macrovision off
-All DVD Region Compatible
-Reset Trick Enabled, which other mods seem to have trouble with
-Abilty to swap Harddrives while remaining undetectable to Xbox Live"
Beta of the chip- actual demensions 3",4"(will be greatly reduced in final version)
Official Xzizor webpage here. (seems to be hosted by x-boxworld.net)
Spread News:
PermaLink
| Add us on:
Twitter -
Facebook -
RSS
(Sunday 04 August 2002 15:29 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
boXplorer v0.95
>> boXplorer v0.95 has been released today :
"v0.95 BETA - Major update
- Introduction of file operations making boXplorer a real file manager :
Copy multiple files/folders.
Move multiple files/folders.
Delete multiple files/folders.
Rename single file or folder.
Create new folder.
- Main Menu with file operations and other features (activate with WHITE button)
- Mark files for file operations (press X)
- "Mark All", "Clear Marks" and "Inverse Marks" in main menu to bulk-mark files.
- Panel A and Panel B - used like in Norton Commander or Windows Commander to select
source and destination for file operations (toggle with left thumb button or trigger buttons).
- Select Drive function now shows free and total space on each drive.
- Button layout changed slightly to make room for new features."
Spread News:
PermaLink
| Add us on:
Twitter -
Facebook -
RSS
(Sunday 04 August 2002 15:19 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
Announced Utils
>> Here are some announced programs and updates. News coming from xboxhacker.net :
XCommander :
A file manager from Xbox.
You can download it here.
XB Media Player B6
New Mediaplayer build with added support for DivX5.0 & MsMpeg4v2. Will be released soon.
xSNES9x Beta 4
"it will have Progressive Scan support, fixed PAL60/PAL/NTSC timing, fixed Mario Kart crash on exit bug, Ability to define Rom directory in .ini file, turbo button to speed up emulation, SDD1 support (Star Ocean and SFA2)"
Release : soon.
Spread News:
PermaLink
| Add us on:
Twitter -
Facebook -
RSS
(Sunday 04 August 2002 15:13 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
