View Full Version : Idiot-proof mod chip for Xbox
norkusa
11-14-2004, 03:54 PM
Just got the December issue of XBN the other day and in it there was a small article about a new solder-free modchip for Xbox called Xenium. Unlike other modchips out there, the Xenium actually comes with the software needed to run it *legally* installed already. It has a bunch of cool features on it including one that allows you to switch your Xbox between NTSC and PAL video output and ability to change DVD region codes.
This chip sounds like the perfect solution for people like me who don't have the capabilities or know-how to install & flash the chip themselves. Just wondering if any of the Xbox moders here know anything about it. Is it a good chip? I'm only interested in running classic emulators on my Xbox though, so if I installed this, all I'd need is a disc of emulators/games to put into my Xbox and I'd be ready to play, right?
Awesome!
Thats really weird becaue I was just wondering yesterday if there was anything out there that i could use to do that stuff...with out all of that messy soldering stuff. LOL
If this thing is legit, where can I get it?
norkusa
11-14-2004, 04:01 PM
If this thing is legit, where can I get it?
Here's a link. Only $51. I think I'm going to order one:
http://www.xbox-modchips.com/xenium-solderless.htm
jonjandran
11-14-2004, 04:06 PM
Just be aware that the solderless chips can be jarred loose if you bump, jostle, or move your xbox around a lot.
I personally put mine in and then taped it down and I haven't had a problem with it. But if you move your Xbox around a lot you might.
So are these solderless chips hard to put in? Ive never really opened my xbox up before...is the place where you attach the chip clearly visible or what?
jonjandran
11-14-2004, 04:12 PM
You have to remove the harddrive and Dvd-Rom . Then you install the chip right under the dvd-rom.
It's pretty simple to find the spot to put it, but you do have to make sure the chip is seated properly.
norkusa
11-14-2004, 04:14 PM
So are these solderless chips hard to put in? Ive never really opened my xbox up before...is the place where you attach the chip clearly visible or what?
I just downloaded the PDF install guide and it doesn't look too hard...just unscrew your Xbox, remove the HD, and screw in the chip.
Jorpho
11-14-2004, 04:41 PM
I gather Microsoft has pretty much given up on trying to stop these things?
SoulBlazer
11-14-2004, 05:44 PM
It still kinda sounds complicated and easy to mess up -- is'nt is possible for a mod chip to come out for the XBox like with the PlayStation, that you just plug in and that's it? :/
norkusa
11-14-2004, 06:26 PM
It still kinda sounds complicated and easy to mess up -- is'nt is possible for a mod chip to come out for the XBox like with the PlayStation, that you just plug in and that's it? :/
Well this chip essentially plugs-in in to the Xbox like that, you just gotta remove the bottom of your system to do it. It actually looks pretty easy too. Take a look at the manual.
There isn't any kind of external port on the Xbox like the Playstation has, so I doubt there will ever be a simple "plug-in & play" chip built for it.
SoulBlazer
11-14-2004, 06:32 PM
Well, I AM interested in this. Please post the results of your instaling and using it on here when you get it. :D
davidleeroth
11-14-2004, 06:52 PM
I doubt it can be installed into 1.6 without soldering though.
norkusa
11-14-2004, 07:01 PM
I doubt it can be installed into 1.6 without soldering though.
Wah?
davidleeroth
11-14-2004, 07:07 PM
You know, if you have a 1.6 motherboard, the newest version at the moment.
Ikari Warrior
11-14-2004, 11:42 PM
I've actually had this chip for a few months, and it is really great. I have mine in a version 1.0 launch Xbox, and using the guide it took about 15 minutes to put in, and if I had to do it again it'd be even less. Make sure you folow the guide exactly, I actually put the actual chip inbackwards and thought I fried the thing but just turned it around and evrything was fine. The actual spot where you connect the wire is tiny, waaay smaller than it seems from the guide, but if you go slow everything should be fine. I'm not sure about installing on a higher version, the 1.0 is easiest because the holes are already filled with solder and you just lay the pin connector right on top and screw it in. The onboard software is really good (and there is already an update that's even better) with a HD copy wizard and options to change the region coding, etc.
The hardest part for me has been installing the dashboards, bios, a new HD and all the emulators I wanted to run. I bought the thing mainly to run emulators (esp. MameoX) and for the media center, not to download Xbox games, which I refuse to do. I've been working on the thing for months, and it's still not fully done. It's really confusing, and really tough to get everything working together. Xbox-scene.com was helpful, but the sheer amount of variables and things that could mess you up make it difficult. I installed a 160gb HD and it took a month just to get it to recognize the F: drive, now I'm having issues with the bios. There's so many different dashboards and applications you can use, it'll take you a while to figure it all out. Installing the chip is nothing, getting the most out of it will take time. There's amazing stuff you can do with it, and I've only began to see what it's capable of and I've had it since July.
If you have any questions or need any help, files, or advice let me know. My months of work could make thing go much quicker for you, so you don't have to go through the same long process as me.
norkusa
11-15-2004, 12:30 AM
The hardest part for me has been installing the dashboards, bios, a new HD and all the emulators I wanted to run.
That sounds like a big hassle. The reason I wanted this particular chip was so I didn't have to do anything else after installing it. I was planning on getting this just so I could play the emulators and I really don't want a new HD for my Xbox. Are you saying that there is more that must be done after that? I thought with this chip installed, I could just insert a emulator disc into the system and be ready to play.
BTW, I thought the bios was pre-installed on this chip?
sirgeoph
11-15-2004, 01:16 AM
You'll have to wait alooong time if you want a chip that comes with a BIOS on it that allows playback of backed-up XBOX games or would allow unsigned code (ie, emulators and dashboards) to be run. The reason? The BIOSes that do this are hacked evrsions of the original Microsoft BIOS, and are therefore, illegal.
The software is also illegal because it was compiled with an illegally acquired XBOX Development Kit that's floating around the web. There is a homebrew dev kit, the OpenXDK that contains no Microsoft code, but it doesn't support everything (they just added sound support) and still requires a hacked BIOS.
The only thing that's a pain is finding the software, which is isn't hard at all. Modding your XBOX is easy, if you have the slightest bit of computer knowledge. I prefer solder-chips, but if you have to go solder-free, this one's not too bad.
Xbox-scene.com is a good resource of information, but everyone on the forums is an ass, so stick to the tutorials section and hit the forums in extreme cases.
Oki dok here....I was looking at my xbox and I cant find those screws to take off the casing? LOL
Anyone care to help me out?
jonjandran
11-15-2004, 07:20 AM
Oki dok here....I was looking at my xbox and I cant find those screws to take off the casing? LOL
Anyone care to help me out?
4 are under the rubber feet , and 2 of them are under the silver stickers.
Griking
11-15-2004, 09:26 AM
Just got the December issue of XBN the other day and in it there was a small article about a new solder-free modchip for Xbox called Xenium.
I'm surprised that they put an article into XBN that gives you instructions on how to hack your Xbox. I would thik that Microsoft would be all over them for that.
sirgeoph
11-15-2004, 09:27 AM
It's all freely available on the web. I guess they figured most people already know.
TheSmirk
11-15-2004, 09:58 AM
Just got the December issue of XBN the other day and in it there was a small article about a new solder-free modchip for Xbox called Xenium.
I'm surprised that they put an article into XBN that gives you instructions on how to hack your Xbox. I would thik that Microsoft would be all over them for that.
I was thinking the same thing...next, Entertainment Weekly will have DVD ripping software reviews I guess LOL
NE146
11-15-2004, 01:47 PM
It's all freely available on the web. I guess they figured most people already know.
Kinda funny.. I think I posted here about 3 or 4 years ago all excited and hyped up about modding the xbox for emulators (in comparison to the Dreamcast for example), to which several people shot me down saying how the average joe would not ever think about modding their xbox.. let alone even know how to. So it would never come close to being a mainstream practice for the mainstream consumer, and that Dreamcast was the way to go..
I guess 3 years makes a lot of difference LOL
norkusa
11-15-2004, 05:15 PM
Just got the December issue of XBN the other day and in it there was a small article about a new solder-free modchip for Xbox called Xenium.
I'm surprised that they put an article into XBN that gives you instructions on how to hack your Xbox. I would thik that Microsoft would be all over them for that.
Yeah, I was kind of surprised at that too but in the article, they were emphasising how the Xenium's software was legit (unlike other chips) and being able to do stuff like unlock dvd region codes, play import games, and even FTP and web server functionality. Didn't say anything about playing copies or ripping games to your HD though.
slip81
11-15-2004, 05:21 PM
Can you use Xbox Live with this chip? I was reading over at xbox-scene that live is cracking down on modders and banning them from the service.
Anexanhume
11-15-2004, 05:47 PM
You need to be able to turn your mod chip off to use xbox live.
Ikari Warrior
11-15-2004, 05:54 PM
"Yeah, I was kind of surprised at that too but in the article, they were emphasising how the Xenium's software was legit (unlike other chips) and being able to do stuff like unlock dvd region codes, play import games, and even FTP and web server functionality. Didn't say anything about playing copies or ripping games to your HD though."
This type of stuff you CAN do with the Xenium right out of the box, but to do any applications (like emulators, homebrew games, etc.) you need a bios and a dashboard, as well as the appropriate files. The onboard software is very good and easy to use, but it is limited to exactly the things you mentioned (ie region codes, imports, and ftp).
sideswipe
11-15-2004, 09:27 PM
The Xenium chip is a very nice chip I would recommend it. If you want to spend a few more dollars, the SmartX chip is very nice as well. Both have built in OS's that enable you do a few things simply but niether is ready to go outta the box. All chips can be sold with a Linux Bios on them for the simple reason that they are legal to sell that way, but to use them properly on the Xbox, they need to be flashed with a hacked Bios. About the only really worthwhile features of the Xenium or SmartX and even the X3 are that the Xbox will boot up to something other than the Flash Bios screen when left unflashed and no switches are needed to disable the chip for XB Live play. You can also backup the eeprom right to the modchip as more or less a failsafe way to not lose the HD if the motherboard dies or enabeling it to boot up even if the onboard eeprom on the motherboard goes bad (which does happen)
For the features of them, the HD cloning is pretty cool but still not the best way to do it as there are too many limitations. Partitioning of the drives on the HD is possible with both as well which is nice but again you are limited. You also need to be able to FTP into the Xbox in order to flash the Bios thru FTP. If not, you will need to make a Bios disc or flash the Bios from a HD that is set up with a hacked Bios on it. Also it is a good idea to have an understanding of XML or ini files as they do need to be edited when installing dashboards so they function correctly. You can leave them unedited but to fine tune them, you need to edit. Which leads to being able to FTP in and add or remove files.
As for solderless adapters, I say thumbs down. While they do ok most of the time, they can still become unseated which means tear the XB apart, reseat, reassemble. Nothing can beat a soldered connection for reliability.
Overall it's a fairly straight foward deal to mod an XB. I have done more than I care to think about and occasionally I run into some problems still but after so much experimenting and knowledge after all this time, I could probably do it with my eyes closed. Stick to Xbox-scene, read the forums. Any possible question you may have has been brought up on there many times. Just do your research and go from there :)
ps.....Yes all chips can be used on XB Live and yes they are cracking down on them hard!! If you have been on Live within the past 3 months and are deciding to mod you XB now, chances are you will be banned (which only means the XB you are using will be banned, not your XB Live service/gamertag). Nobody is 100% sure as to what is being checked, but HD serial numbers seem to be what is causing all of the recent bans.
TheJuggala
11-23-2004, 12:04 AM
I'm not up on the whole modchip scene as of late, but i'm going to need one. When downloading the Xbox live update for my xbox to play Halo 2 online, them BAM Flashing green/red lights, and error 21 on the screen.
Of course it would have to be that one, and not one of the others. So my question is i just want to get my xbox so i can boot up the main screen again. I can play games fine, but can't do anything else I.E changing setting etc.
Will this mod-chip allow me to fix this problem?
LiquidX01
11-23-2004, 02:58 AM
I'm not up on the whole modchip scene as of late, but i'm going to need one. When downloading the Xbox live update for my xbox to play Halo 2 online, them BAM Flashing green/red lights, and error 21 on the screen.
Of course it would have to be that one, and not one of the others. So my question is i just want to get my xbox so i can boot up the main screen again. I can play games fine, but can't do anything else I.E changing setting etc.
Will this mod-chip allow me to fix this problem?
Perhaps this may help?
http://www.xbox-scene.com/articles/error21.php
petewhitley
11-23-2004, 02:59 AM
I'm surprised that they put an article into XBN that gives you instructions on how to hack your Xbox. I would thik that Microsoft would be all over them for that.
It's strange, but XBN has an ongoing column regarding Xbox hacking and modification. It's been going for at least the 5 or 6 months I've had a free subscription.
sideswipe
11-23-2004, 06:18 PM
I'm not up on the whole modchip scene as of late, but i'm going to need one. When downloading the Xbox live update for my xbox to play Halo 2 online, them BAM Flashing green/red lights, and error 21 on the screen.
Of course it would have to be that one, and not one of the others. So my question is i just want to get my xbox so i can boot up the main screen again. I can play games fine, but can't do anything else I.E changing setting etc.
Will this mod-chip allow me to fix this problem?
Any modchip would fix this problem. Some default Xbox dash files have corrupted most likely. If you plan on modding it anyways, then just get a chip but if not, PM me, I can fix it for you for less than what a modchip would cost you :)