2009-10-04, 00:08
My buddy showed me his Xbox which has XBMC installed on it and he showed me some of the features it can do. I was impressed.
I went out and purchased a used Xbox to get one set up for my use at my house. I have never modded a gaming machine. Never had the need or want but this I want. I am very good with computers so I shouldn't have an issue.
My goal:
1. Hardmod a modchip in Xbox
2. Install a new HD
3. Install XBMC
4. Cooling
I have been reading the forums on this website among many others as well as various websites to get as much info on these topics as I can before I do this so I do it right on the first attempt.
ModChips
I have been unable to find a website that will compare modchips available for the Xbox. I have seen plenty of website that want to sell them but I cannot tell differences between them. What are primary differences between ModChips? What is the best one to get without worrying about price. If you all can show me the way and/or give me pros and cons to different Modchips, it would be very helpful. I believe my Xbox is a v1.3 but I have not opened the case up yet to confirm. I know that it is not a v1.6 though. I would prefer solderless as I do not have solder materials at my house. I have experience solder repairing laptops but am not even close to being an expert at it.
Hard Drive
From what I have been reading there is a limit to Hard Drive size and it has something to do with the number 137. I am guessing that it is the max for a particular partition that the Xbox accesses normally and you need a ModChip and/or just a new partition created to get full use of the drive. I want to install a 1TB drive in it if possible. I just need to know what the limitations on HD size is and what the restrictions of partitions are. Is a specific ModChips needed to access certain size HD's? Should HD be locked or unlocked.
XBMC
This shouldn't be hard at all and should go plain and simple. It is just a matter of getting the Xbox ready for the install.
Cooling
Like with most electronic devices heat is always an issue. What is the typical lifespan of a Xbox. Once I have it open I am gonna clean it up nice and good to get rid of dust, potential hotspots, and will probably rethermal what is needed. If kept clean will any additional cooling ever been needed? Fans or Watercooling. I am making this something that I plan to keep for a very long time and do not want to see it go dead after 1 or 2 years.
On a side note which I have not done any research on, is it possible to turn on/off the old Xbox wirelessly like the 360? If it is a hardmod just point me in the direction.
Sorry for the length of this post but just wanted to get all of the info in one thread.
I went out and purchased a used Xbox to get one set up for my use at my house. I have never modded a gaming machine. Never had the need or want but this I want. I am very good with computers so I shouldn't have an issue.
My goal:
1. Hardmod a modchip in Xbox
2. Install a new HD
3. Install XBMC
4. Cooling
I have been reading the forums on this website among many others as well as various websites to get as much info on these topics as I can before I do this so I do it right on the first attempt.
ModChips
I have been unable to find a website that will compare modchips available for the Xbox. I have seen plenty of website that want to sell them but I cannot tell differences between them. What are primary differences between ModChips? What is the best one to get without worrying about price. If you all can show me the way and/or give me pros and cons to different Modchips, it would be very helpful. I believe my Xbox is a v1.3 but I have not opened the case up yet to confirm. I know that it is not a v1.6 though. I would prefer solderless as I do not have solder materials at my house. I have experience solder repairing laptops but am not even close to being an expert at it.
Hard Drive
From what I have been reading there is a limit to Hard Drive size and it has something to do with the number 137. I am guessing that it is the max for a particular partition that the Xbox accesses normally and you need a ModChip and/or just a new partition created to get full use of the drive. I want to install a 1TB drive in it if possible. I just need to know what the limitations on HD size is and what the restrictions of partitions are. Is a specific ModChips needed to access certain size HD's? Should HD be locked or unlocked.
XBMC
This shouldn't be hard at all and should go plain and simple. It is just a matter of getting the Xbox ready for the install.
Cooling
Like with most electronic devices heat is always an issue. What is the typical lifespan of a Xbox. Once I have it open I am gonna clean it up nice and good to get rid of dust, potential hotspots, and will probably rethermal what is needed. If kept clean will any additional cooling ever been needed? Fans or Watercooling. I am making this something that I plan to keep for a very long time and do not want to see it go dead after 1 or 2 years.
On a side note which I have not done any research on, is it possible to turn on/off the old Xbox wirelessly like the 360? If it is a hardmod just point me in the direction.
Sorry for the length of this post but just wanted to get all of the info in one thread.