Week of September 8, 2002
Xpad is not dead!
>> From xpad.xbox-scene.com :
"l did discuss with the team a week or so ago about what we should do and well the options to re-create the driver from scratch was one option. As Lord Victorys source is good, but to many debugging problems. I have been in discussions with another programmer who has a greater knowledge of WDM programming.
And well l have sent the source to him to see what we can achieve. I really apreciate Slayer and ZeroX's help so far and by increasing the team we may achieve our goals faster. I know l've been busy with life stuff, but as l have one week off l will spend alot of time online and try to get somewhere with this.
I know all of you are getting pissed off with us and well again lm sorry. If anyone has any ideas or help in any area of WDM driver developing. Please email it to anyone in the programming team. I will update this page again when new information is available."
EvoX Skin Design v0.5
>> What's new?
"[x] Enable Edit of texts / choose from list and edit.
[x] Text remove button
[x] Text positioning with mouse, just click!
[x] Text Shadow effect (two texts)
[x] Bottom tv-cutoff"
Official website: here
Download: here
EvoX Skinner v1.1
>> Wildabeast.net released EvoX Skinner v1.1
What's new :
"* FTP upload - Make your skin, click upload and reboot
* Author credit
* New cleaner layout
* Cleaner skin.ini output
* Improved error checking
* Copies images to the working directory for easier distribution and/or external uploading
* Pressing cancel when picking a color no longer sets the color to "000000"/black
* Various bug fixes"
Official website: here
Download: here
Xbox-Linux installation CD
NVidia, MS Xbox squabble drags on
>> From theregister.co.uk :
"Nvidia tells us it has several business relationships with Microsoft which are warm and productive, but the one involving Xbox graphics chipsets is beginning to resemble a divorced couple squabbling over visitation rights.
Nvidia continues to supply The Beast with the graphics it needs for the games console, but the two can't agree on a price. The dispute went to arbitration in April and a final decision isn't expected before next summer. But Nvidia has to do the right thing, and account for this as deferred revenue."
Check the full article at theregister.co.uk
XBOX Soundtrack Editor v0.97 released
>> If you wonder what this program is :
"Now you can edit XBOX Soundtrack from your PC. Add/Remove/Rename soundtrack and music track with this program. If you want to listen to the MP3s in the XBOX, change the MP3 to WMA format using converting program like 'Advanced WMA Workshop'. (I recommend converting option Bitrate:128kbps, Samplerate:44100Hz, Channel:Stereo) Then add the converted WMA to your XBOX using 'Add Track' menu in this program."
What's new
"v0.97 # WMA playback time recognition problem is still present. - Added FTP username/password for evolutionX 1.8.2594 - Fixed bug when tracks were added same track appeared twice. - Fixed bug that XBOX Soundtrack Editor CFG file was created at a wrong position. - Fixed bug that XBOX Soundtrack Editor temporary file was not deleted."
Official website: here
Download: here
New & Updated tutorials
>> New tutorial :
* A full installation guide for the latest version (v1.8.2594) of the EvolutionX dashboard : here
Updated tutorials :
* Install a reset switch in the Xbox Game Controller (by Xboxmod08) : pdf
* Installing a New Hard Disk Drive to your Xbox with EvolutionX v1.8.458 (by MuPHuG) : here
* Xbox Media Player b6 Manual (by Shadow_Mx) : here
unofficial EvolutionX 2.5 Bios
>> Superfro released the EvolutionX 2.5 BIOS
From readme :
"Sure, EvolutionX 2.4 allows the reset on eject trick, but it doesnt leave the 0x80 byte in memory. This causes a problem, specifically with the recently released Px HDD Loader 1.0a. The maker of this program devised a tricky way to detect if your modchip allows the reset on eject trick, by reading its own "MediaType" flag and checking the upper byte for 0x80
Needless to say, EvoX 2.4 overwrites the full dword instead of just patching the lower 3 bytes of the "MediaType" flag like it should.
To the makers of EvoX rom, is it really that hard to use OR instead of MOV?"
The new BIOS has been released in pretty much each combination of these hacks :
"colormod = Xbox logo changed to red / orange
err = Error screen has been replaced with descriptions
noani = No startup animation (flubber blob)
nologo = No Xbox logo
ybox = boots to yboxdash.xbe instead of xboxdash.xbe
evox = boots to evoxdash.xbe, same concept as ybox."
Multibios for use in homebrew mods
>> From the readme :
"This bios image is a compilation of the most useful features of the currently released bios out.. It is to be flashed onto the Main tsop
Now.. how to choose between the 4 Bio's
in the multibios.jpg included in this zip you see the A18 and A19 pads.. you can choose between the 4 bios by grounding these
A18 and A19 grounded loads Bios#1
A18 only grounded loads Bios#2
A19 only grounded loads Bios#3
leave A18 and A19 open (Not Grounded) to load Bios#4
BIG WARNING!! When Flashing the main Tsop Make sure A18 and A19 ARE NOT GROUNDED AT THE TIME OF THE FLASHING!"
Multibios1 contains:
-4034 retail Bios
-evox 2.4
-evox 2.4.err.ybox.nologos.noani
-evox 2.4.err.ybox.noani
Multibios2 contains:
-Complexs Debug Bios
-4034 retail Bios
-evox 2.4.err.ybox
You can ofcourse also make your own compilation , just use a 8mbit rom and use 256kbyte images.
EvoX Config Helper
>> Hyper Gaming Interactive (HyperG) released a nice tool that will help you to create an evox.ini file (for the latest version of the EvoX dashboard).
You can download the files (even the full sources :)) from the official website
EvoX Skin Designer v0.4 BETA
>> kAMikAZe released a new version of his EvoX Skin Designer
From readme:
"- A simple preview tab with logo (more to come)
- Text editor with color, opacity and other stuff
- Colored text in Text-preview
- Colored example for Menu/Select Bar
- Shows a estimated TV-Cutoff in textpreview
- Remove option for texts
- Copy/Text button in ColorMixer
- User comment"
Official website : here
Download : here
Install EvolutionX on Xbox without PC
>> Goldberg on digital-forums.com made a guide how to install the EvolutionX dashboard on your xbox HD without using a PC (FTP). (using boXplorer)
You can check out the thread here
Inside info on Xbox Live.
>> It has been confirmed that Xbox Live will only be supported in Noth America in the beginning. But our sources tell us that the only way they will know that you are in North America will be the Method of Payment (credit card info) which will tell them where you registered from.
So what you need :
Modded xbox (play import Xbox live Disk)
Registration with CC from the states
It's unknown if MS will really try to detect modchips with xbox live , but so far xbox live betatesters have reported that modchips aren't detected on xbox live.
Thanks to dino for the information
Px HDD Loader v1.0a
>> A new util release from the guys at ProjectX
"While playing XBOX games from your XBOX hard drive is not a new idea ... it has just become easy for the average user! We present to you our first application released for XBOX. This program will read any XBOX game disc you have to your XBOX hard drive, and it will display all the games you've installed and you can choose to Play, Delete or Install more!!
Features:
* Real time progress displayed on current file being copied, as well as the overall progress, even says the file name being copied. Constantly updates the amount of Free Space on your HDD while it copies.
* Checks the disc size before installing to let you know how big the game is, and if its too big, it will ask you to delete something.
* Support for Partition1 & Partition6 for users with larger HDD's.
* Auto patches games that are being installed for known protections.
* Lets you know if your modchip doesnt allow the eject trick!"
EvoX Skin Designer
>> kAMikAZe mailed us EvoX Skin v0.1beta
From readme:
"Here is your help for designing your own skin for EvoX,
Most features are here exept you can't specify your own
text's, I hope you can edit that yourselves ;) It will
come in a later version anyway..."
Official Website : here
Download : here
New tutorials
>> Several guys sent us some great new tutorials :
Xbox Media Player b6 Manual (by Shadow_Mx) : view here
Install a reset switch in the Xbox Game Controller (by Xboxmod08) : download pdf
Installing a New Hard Disk Drive to your Xbox (by MuPHuG) : view here
You can find a full list of all our tutorials here.
If you made a tutorial , or if you want to request a new tutorial , feel free to contact us
X-ecuter v1.1
>> Xbox-Scene exclusive news!
An updated version of the X-ecuter modchip will be released soon.
"Its a PCB update - makes it much much easier to install.
You don't have to poke the soldering iron thru the hole anymore and you can see where you are soldering so it eliminates dry joint issues and its easier to remove if you need to.
Its basically an improvement after lots of customer feedback
Kernel is the same"
More info/pictures soon.
err , noani , nologo & ybox
>> Superfro released a few new EvoX 2.4 BIOS hacks.
"err = Error screen has been replaced with descriptions, check errscr.jpg for a screenshot
noani = No startup animation (flubber blob)
nologo = No Xbox logo
ybox = boots to yboxdash.xbe instead of xboxdash.xbe, useful for turning off a mod and having the original xbox boot up (or LIVE detection or whatever i dont care)"
These hacks have been released :
Evx2.4.err.noani
Evx2.4.err.noani.nologo
Evx2.4.err.noani.nologo.ybox
Evx2.4.err.noani.ybox
All based on the new EvoX 2.4 bios ofcourse.
No downloads here (copyrighted code) , try irc/usenet.
EvolutionX 1.8.2594 FAQ
>> If you have problems setting up the new EvolutionX dashboard , or if you are unsure what all those new options are , you can check this nice FAQ on the EvolutionX forums.
Installing doesn't really defer from the first version (menu.ini just became evox.ini) , so you can also check our EvoX tutorials here
EvoX 2.4 No Ani
>> Sonic-iso released a modded EvoX 2.4 BIOS with begin animation skipped.
No download here , try irc.
EvolutionX Build 1.8.2594 & EvoX 2.4 Bios
>> It's here! The new EvoX !!
EvolutionX Team proudly presents EvolutionX Beta Build 1.8.2594 (Yes it's still Beta)
"EvolutionX main feature list:
- FTP Server; connect with a standard ftp client from your PC, and copy files to / from your XBOX as you like.
- Copy games and applications directly to the XBOX Harddisk and run them from there.
- Create backups of all your original games.
- Integrated configurable menu system, to launch all your favorite games and applications on HD
- Flash the BIOS on the XBOX console, for easy bios upgrades.
- Replace the original M$ dashbord, or run from a cd/dvd
- Easy network setup, set static IP for your XBOX or use DHCP server.
- Upgrade your harddisk, format/partition easily from EvolutionX, and take advantage of cheap 80G+ harddisks instead of the original 8G
EvolutionX will run on all modded boxes, but in order to use all features the EvolutionX BIOS have to be used.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
EvolutionX bug fixes:
- FTP - File time
- FTP - Port error causing ftp transfers to hang
- Games Crash if Ethernet cable plug in.
- Better ini file checking
EvolutionX new features:
- Support for some of M$ RD Tools
- M$ Tool - send file
- M$ Tool - set time
- FTP - Password protected
- FTP - 4 users
- Flash support for more devices
- Ability to correct time / get time from internet (SNTP)
- Redirect Dashboard launch to M$ Dashboard or other application if (Music / DVD )
- Easier Harddisk Installation
- DNS Setup
- BIOS Detection MD5
- New look :)
- Skin Selection
- CD Status
- Sort auto scan items
- Safe mode (cd-rom open)
- Quick Scroll in menu's (hold left trigger)
- Backup Critical data (Serial EEPROM, Onboard BIOS, HDD Password, HDD Config Sector)
- Up to 8 Memory Cards supported Maps to H: I: J: K: L: M: N: O:
- Scripting supported for easier installation on multiple boxes etc.
EvolutionX BIOS 2.4 new features:
- No Patch Hack
- Eject/Reset Fix
- Macrovision Off
- Run Debug/Retail .XBE"
Official website: here
Download: n/a (build with MS SDK)
RelaX V0.4 Xstream Server
>> "* Totally replaced the file selectors now it’s a nifty windows look-alike explorer
* Support for drag and dropping multiple directories and files!
* Fixed bug with to large divx's (now the bug lies with xbmp6 i guess)
* Real-time converting .SUB subtitle files to .SRT format!
* Subtitle cleaning (XBMP6 only show's 2 lines and some srt/sub subtitle files have 3 lines of subtitles.. I try to change this to 2 lines!
* When xbmp stops requesting file chunks i used to go into endless waiting loop. Now I still do the same.. But I’m pinging the Xbox.. Checking to see if the Xbox was turned off.. if so relax stops waiting and terminates the connection.
* putted this document trough a spelling/grammar checker.
* online/real-time FAQ support
* online/real-time Developers log."
Official website: here
Download: here
OFFTOPIC : Playstation 3
>> From CNet News.com :
"While Sony basks in the success of its PlayStation 2 in the $30 billion-plus-a-year video game market, expectations are rising that its successor will be out by 2005, in an entirely different form."
"Sony said it had not decided how to integrate the Cell processor into its next game console, but the general idea is to use the chip in Internet servers and home electronics to divide computing tasks among networked machines.
This would give the devices as much processing power as a supercomputer, such as IBM's Deep Blue machine that defeated Gary Kasparov at chess, and enable them to handle everything from games to video recording to downloading data from the Internet."
Thanks to zed for mailing me this info
SuSE Linux 8 on Xbox tutorial updated
>> "SuSE Linux 8 on Xbox tutorial updated. You can now run X Window (with kdm/xdm) right out of the box!"
Check the updated tutorial here
