Dual Harddrive Xbox

[CitizenWhite]

I'll try to keep it short.

My friend has a software modded Xbox, with a new drive in it. He still has the original drive with the standard Xbox system on it. Since Halo 2, he wants to be able to play on live. What he wants to do is make a mod so he can switch between the drives without opening the case. External, internal, that doesn't matter. The problem he's running into is the power and IDE cables. We couldn't find any IDE switches or IDE cables with 3 jacks instead of two, and the Xbox doesn't have an unlimited amount of power so itd have to switch power from one drive to the other.

If any of you guys know a way to accomplish this or if it's been done before, he'd appreciate it.

[Ed Oscuro]

If it's possible, it'll probably be spendy since most case solutions are built with the idea that you'll be using both hard drives simultaneously. You could always hack together some sort of switch I suppose...though that'd be a LOT of splicing to do.

Interesting idea, I hope somebody can help you out.

[Vectorman0]

If he was to string them on the same IDE cable, he would only be able to route power to one of the HD's at a time. His best bet would be to make his own IDE cable, if he doesn't wan't to manually switch between the two.

By software mod, do you mean he isn't using a physical modchip? Because unless the modification/exploit only is on the HD, the modified BIOS would still be detected by live, unless there was a way to switch it to the default setting.

[rbudrick]

I suppose you could rig a crapload or 2 position switches to each lead. :angel: LOL

-Rob

[Vectorman0]

Because the grounds dont need to be switched, you can manage with a DPDT switch for the 5V and 12V leads.

[CitizenWhite]

If he was to string them on the same IDE cable, he would only be able to route power to one of the HD's at a time. His best bet would be to make his own IDE cable, if he doesn't wan't to manually switch between the two.

By software mod, do you mean he isn't using a physical modchip? Because unless the modification/exploit only is on the HD, the modified BIOS would still be detected by live, unless there was a way to switch it to the default setting.

The modification is only on the HD. I've got a friend that's playing on live right now, but he opens the case every time to change it out.

I guess a custom switch is the only way to go, unless someone who hasn't posted something yet knows.

[Richter]

these might help

http://www.xbox-scene.com/articles/multicon-ide.php
http://208.34.209.68/411gb/
http://www.xbox-scene.com/articles/multi-drive.php
http://www.xbox-scene.com/articles/2hdd-doudou40.php
http://www.xbox-scene.com/articles/3ide-2dvd-1hdd.php

[Gemini-Phoenix]

Here's an idea - Just buy a second Xbox specifically fr playing on Live... Surely that's got to be cost effective and less hassle? They are cheap enough now - And a pre-owned one can't be too much...

[CitizenWhite]

these might help

http://www.xbox-scene.com/articles/multicon-ide.php
http://208.34.209.68/411gb/
http://www.xbox-scene.com/articles/multi-drive.php
http://www.xbox-scene.com/articles/2hdd-doudou40.php
http://www.xbox-scene.com/articles/3ide-2dvd-1hdd.php

Thanks, a few of those might work. I got a link from one of them showing how to rewire the cable to go outside the xbox (don't know why i didn't think of that), and that could be an option.

And as far as buying a new one, that's what I told him too. However, his parents are both artists (nothing against them) and they don't have a ton of money floating around for extra things.

[Sylentwulf]

Actually, another thing you might want to do is search out Tivo websites (including my walkthrough) since it deals with the same cable, cooling, and most importantly, power supply issues you mentioned.

Don't remember the name of it, but theres a neat little device that will start one hard drive spinning, THEN start the other one spinning a couple second later, since they take lmost no power to KEEP going, just start up, you could have both HD's getting power at the same time no problem.