Joined: Sep 13, 2010 Posts: 2644 Location: Kamloops BC Canada
Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2011 2:16 am Post subject: XBOX Softmodding FAQ
Heres a FAQ that should answer most questions about softmodding, I will periodicaly add to it. If you have anything to add please feel free.
Q: I heard only up to 4920 can be softmodded
A: Not true. At one time this was the case but NK Patcher which has been around for some time has changed this. It is now actualy recomended you have 5960 dash installed
Q: I dont have 5960 dash does this mean I cant use SID or Ndure?
A: No simply through in any XBOX Live enabled game (Halo2 era or newer) and in its menu click on connect to XBOX Live. The game will instal 5960 before attempting to connect.
Q: I dont have any of the games for modding does this mean I cant mod my XBOX?
A: No it just means you have to use Kingroach Ndure, SID5 Pimped or another PC based install. And hotswap
Q: Can I just stick a bigger hard drive in my XBOX?
A: No you need at the very least to format the drive in FATX, build the partition table, load on a C drive and lock it with the proper EEPROM.
Q: Whats this EEPROM I keep hearing about?
A: Its a specific key unique to each XBOX that is stored on a chip on the XBOX motherboard and used to lock and unlock the hard drive. Just one of the security features employed by M$ on the XBOX
Q: Do the Platinum/Greatest Hits versions work for softmodding?
A: Ive personaly used Platinum Splinter Cell, and Platinum 007 Agent Under Fire and can confirm they work. Only the original Mech Assault works. And it appears no Greatest Hits editions work.
Q: I downloaded AID but cant get it to extract
A: Chances are you are either trying to extract the wrong archive(must be part 1 of the set or will be labeled RAR while the rest are numbered) or one of the archives was corrupted during download. It sucks but it happens.
Q: If I mod my XBOX can I still play my games?
A: Yes when done right and with the right program, cough cough SID5, it can do everything an off the shelf XBOX can plus so much more it will make your head spin
Q: If I mod my XBOX can I play 360 games on it?
A: No. Laugh all you want but at least 1 in 4 people I mod XBOXs for ask that question.
Q: If I decide to sell can I remove the mod?
A: Yes. All good softmods allow for a complete return to stock. You may need to manualy delete some files/folders before removal, but when its all done noone will ever know.
Q: Can I only use IDE hard drives or can I use SATA as well?
A: Some members have had success using SATA drives with an adapter. You can also use a laptop IDE drives with an adapter.
Q: Ive got the games, the memory card but I dont have the files, where do I get them?
A: Right here on XBOX-Hq. Not only do we have the files for download, but also the programs needed to transfer the saves, tutorials, and a bunch of nice people to help you through it. Please note you may need a VIP account to access the most up to date installers.
Q: I dont have an AMD/IDE based PC can I still upgrade my hard drive?
A: Yes you can. You have the option of using CHIMP or if you have a laptop thats AMD/IDE based you use a laptop drive for the upgrade.
Q: Why does the PC need to be AMD/IDE based?
A: Because Intel based PCs choke when it comes time to lock the hard drive, and XBOXHDM only detects drives connected to the Primary Master IDE channel.
Q: Is XBOXHDM the only PC program for hard drive upgrading?
A: No you can use Xplorer 360 but you have to hotswap since it cant unlock/lock drives. Also it is quite a bit slower/buggier than XBOXHDM.
Q: Whats the best dashboard?
A: It all comes down to personal preference. They all have plus and minus. Avalaunch has excellent FTP but hasnt been updated in years. Evox is great for flashing and can back up your EEPROM but again hasnt been upgraded in years also it doesnt have a file manager. UnleashX has the most recent updates of the big three but doesnt have EEPROM back up or as good of FTP as Avalaunch, but has more features than either and is my personal favourite. Then the blackhorse in all of this is XBMC which can do most of what UnleashX can (it lacks a game disc ripper and drive format function) but is a sick media player and has the most recent updates of them all, and is still receiving updates.
Q: Can SID install XBMC as my dash?
A: No due to the size of XBMC its just not feaseable to fit it on an 8MB memory stick. But once the initial mod is done you can pop in XBMCID and in two shakes have XBMC as your dash.
Q: How do I know if my drive is lockable?
A: You can check the database on site and buy one that has been confirmed lockable or just try and see. As of yet Im unaware of any program that can tell you if a drive will work with an XBOX
Q: I dont have a memory card can I still do a gamesave mod?
A: Yes. Quite a few SD cards with an adapter or USB drives work, we have quite a few listed here on site. You will need to either make your Action Replay adapter accordingly or wire a USB port into your XBOX.
Q: Is Action Replay the only program I can use?
A: No. You can also use Mega X Key or Gameshark or Xplorer360 or a modded XBOX to transfer the saves.
Q: Why does everyone say to FTP the EEPROM to my PC after modding my XBOX?
A: Because this will allow you to access your hard drive with XBOXHDM and fix it if something should happen.
Q: What is FTP?
A: It stands for file transfer protocol and is just as the name suggests a protocol for transfering files
wraithbobbyb Xbox-HQ Newbie Xbox Version: V1.6b Modded: Babylon3 GS
just today softmodded my box, using the sid5 installer and splinter cell,at first the LED was orange, but no SID menu. deleted files and tried again, this time got a flashing RED and GREEN LED along with error code 21.
What do i do next?
SPPV V.I.P. Lifetime
Joined: Sep 13, 2010 Posts: 2644 Location: Kamloops BC Canada
If you have the EEPROM youre laughing if not you gotta hotswap
wraithbobbyb Xbox-HQ Newbie Xbox Version: V1.6b Modded: Babylon3 GS
Joined: Jul 06, 2011 Posts: 3
Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2011 7:54 am Post subject:
i never got as far as even seeing the SID5 menu!
SPPV V.I.P. Lifetime
Joined: Sep 13, 2010 Posts: 2644 Location: Kamloops BC Canada
Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2011 2:47 pm Post subject:
Then you gotta hotswap to unlock/lock the drive. I'll warn you right now hotswapping sucks hard and can get very annoying. Unplug the power and IDE from your DVD (in the XBOX) remove the HDD tray and take out the screws holding the HDD to the tray. Get your XBOX right beside your PC and turn it on, get your ear right by the HDD youl get an error screen then hear a faint click from the HDD its now unlocked. unhook the IDE from the XBOX HDD but leave the power (and dont turn off the XBOX) and plug the master channel IDE from your PC into the HDD. Turn on the PC with Pimped in the dvd drive once it boots follow the tut linked above for doing the rebuild. When youre done turn off the PC unplug the IDE from the HDD and plug it back into the XBOX and turn it off. You should now have a rebuilt fully modded and Pimped HDD thats been locked by the XBOX. Once you boot up your XBOX run the softmod menu backup the eeprom and FTP it to your PC that way you never have to go through this hotswap bullshit again.
wraithbobbyb Xbox-HQ Newbie Xbox Version: V1.6b Modded: Babylon3 GS
Joined: Jul 06, 2011 Posts: 3
Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2011 4:58 pm Post subject:
and if it wasnt my pc?im boned!
LegendaryFire Moderator
Joined: Jul 20, 2009 Posts: 840 Location: Canada
Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2011 7:28 pm Post subject:
SPPV is right, although I can give you a few tips for hotswapping to make it a bit more easy! Right when you see your BIOS, press the Pause/Break key. It is usually located above the Page Up button on a desktop keyboard. What this does is pauses the loading procedure of the BIOS.
Once you press the Break or Pause key, perform your hotswap, when your xbox hard drive has been swapped, press the button again to resume the loading of your BIOS. There should be a bunch of tutorials on hotswapping in the tutorial section of the site! _________________
You can contact me at: LegendaryFire -at- 360-HQ.com
Wasur Xbox-HQ Newbie Xbox Version: V1.6b Modded: Babylon3 GS
Joined: May 21, 2018 Posts: 2
Posted: Sat May 26, 2018 6:25 pm Post subject: Great Info
Thank you greatly for this very informative FAQ.
tumnahi232 Xbox-HQ Newbie Xbox Version: V1.6b Modded: Babylon3 GS
Joined: Nov 20, 2022 Posts: 1
Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2022 6:44 am Post subject: XBOX Softmodding FAQ
I never used a disc when I softmodded my 1.6 console. I used xboxhdm19, NDure3 and a PC with IDE ports. That was ages ago though, but I'm sure it can still be done.
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