What You Will Learn
Conventions Used in This Book
I. THE XBOX DEMYSTIFIED.
1. Welcome to the Xbox Scene.
Getting the Xbox
Breaking into an Industry
Video Game Competition: The Other Side of the Coin
Learning Some Hard Lessons
Xbox Rumors Realized
Xbox Roots
Timing Is Everything
The Game Developer's Dream Machine
Bridging the PC/Console Gap
Promises, Promises...
Did Xbox Work Too Well?
What Can You Do with Your Xbox?
So What's the Spiel?
Summary
2. Disassembling Your Xbox.
Getting to Know the Xbox Hardware
The Case
The Motherboard
The Power Supply
The DVD-ROM Drive
The Hard Drive
The Central Processing Unit (CPU)
The Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
Front-Side Bus (FSB)
Media Control Processor (MCPX)
Removing the Cover
Removing the Rubber Feet
Removing the Six Case Screws
Lifting the Case
Examining the Main Deck
Removing the Hard Drive
Removing the Hard Drive Tray Screw
Removing the Cables
Lifting the Hard Drive Tray
Removing the DVD-ROM Drive
The DVD-ROM Screws
Removing the IDE and Power Cables
Pulling the DVD-ROM Drive
Removing the Motherboard
Removing the IDE Cable and DVD-ROM Power Connectors
Removing the Motherboard Power Supply Connector
Removing the Motherboard Screws
Unplugging the Controller Port Cables
Removing the Case Fan
Removing the Motherboard
Summary
3. Identifying Your Xbox Revision.
Revision Notes
1.0
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
Methods of Identification
Manufacturing Date
Hardware Serial Number
Video Chip Verification
Xbox BIOS Version Number
Special/Limited Edition Exceptions
Halo Special Edition
Limited Edition Crystal Pack
Additional Exceptions
Summary
II. MOD CHIPS.
4. Introduction to Xbox Modding.
What Is a Mod Chip?
How Does a Mod Chip Work?
Are Mod Chips Legal?
The Modded Xbox
Why the DMCA Does More Harm Than Good
What Can You Do with a Mod Chip?
Xbox Media Center (XBMC)
Homebrew Games
Overview of Available Mod Chips
Xenium
Xecuter
SmartXX
XBIT
Aladdin
X-Chip
Before You Install a Mod Chip...
Summary
5. Installing a Solderless Mod Chip.
Solderless Xenium Installation
Locating the LPC
Fixing a Pre-Soldered LPC
Locating the D0
Installing the Solderless Adapter
Installing the Mod Chip
Booting Up the Mod Chip
Summary
6. Installing a Soldered Mod Chip.
Removing the Motherboard
Installing a Pin Header (All Revisions)
Preparing to Solder
Locating the LPC
Removing Pin 4
Inserting the Pin Header
Soldering the Pins
Installing the D0 Wire
Xbox Revision 1.6 Mod Chip Installation
Double-Checking the Revision
Installing the Pin Header
Rebuilding the LPC
Installing the LFRAME Wire
Troubleshooting
Problem with the D0/LFRAME
Problem with the LPC
Other Problems
Summary
III. SOFTWARE MODS.
7. The Xenium Operating System.
Overview of the Xenium O/S
The Xenium O/S Main Menu
Launch
Disk Tools
EEprom Tools
Settings
Reboot
Recovery
Power Off
Summary
8. EvolutionX Dashboard.
What Is EvolutionX?
Installing the EvoX BIOS and Dash
Acquiring EvoX
Installing the EvoX Dashboard
Installing the EvoX BIOS
Creating a Custom BIOS
Using the EvoX Dash
Tweaking EvoX Dash
The EvoX Dash Interface
Creating Your Own EvoX Skins
Summary
9. Avalaunch Dashboard.
Installing Avalaunch
Customizing a BIOS for Avalaunch
Copying the Avalaunch Files to Your Xbox
Adding Avalaunch to the Xenium O/S Launch Menu
Running Avalaunch
Avalaunch Features
The Main Menu
XBox Media Player
Games
Applications
Emulators
File Manager
IRC Client
Telnet Client
Settings
Reboot
Shutdown
Summary
10. Xbox Media Center.
Overview of Xbox Media Center
Installing Xbox Media Center
Installing the XBMC Files
Installing a Hacked BIOS
Running Xbox Media Center
The Main Menu
My Programs
My Files
My Pictures
My Music
My Videos
Weather
Settings
Summary
IV. MAJOR HARDWARE MODS.
11. Replacing the Xbox Case.
Stock Cases
Tearing Down the Old Case
Replacing the DVD-ROM Tray Panel
Assembling the New Case
Aftermarket Cases
Assembling the Aftermarket Case
The System Jewel
Summary
12. Upgrading the Xbox Hard Drive.
Overview of the Swap
The Stock Xbox Hard Drive
The Replacement Hard Drive
Connecting Both Hard Drives
Master/Slave Settings
Connecting the IDE Cable
Connecting the Power Cables
The Hard Drive Upgrade Wizard
Running the Drive Upgrade Wizard
Formatting the New Drive and Transferring Data
Verifying the Upgrade Process
Summary
13. Lighting Up the Case.
Cosmetic Xbox Modifications
Cold Cathode Lighting
How About a Glowing Jewel?
Removing the Cold Cathode Bulb
Gluing the Light to the Case Cover
Custom Lighting with LEDs
Creating Your Own LED Light Show
Building the Main LED Wire Loom
Putting It All Together
Examining the Cold Cathode Light
The Custom LEDs
Summary
14. Cooling Down Your Xbox.
Software Cooling Solutions
Setting Fan Speed in BIOS
Setting Fan Speed in XBMC
Active Cooling for Your Xbox
Hard Drive Cooling
Finding Room in the Case
Installing a Hard Drive Cooling Fan
Summary
Appendix A. Xbox Resources.
Xbox Information Sites
Mod Chip Manufacturers
Xbox Hardware Sites
Xbox Software Sites
Index.
