Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2004 9:31 am Post subject: Mod Chip question
I am looking into getting a mod chip for my xbox. I've had my xbox since it first came out in 2001, I don't know whether that makes a difference or not. I was wondering which chip to use, I am looking for something that allows me to use xbox live, something that is solderless (adapter?), and once the game is burned to the hard drive I want to still be able to use HD and dolby digital 5.1 surround sound. I just thought of some more things, how big of a hard drive should I get and is it true that to get 5.1 sound you must have a digital output for the xbox? I have it hooked up right now to the receiver with the standard A/V cables but I am unsure whether or not I'm receiving 5.1. Can someone help this newbie?
TheModGod Xbox-Hq Legendary
Joined: Apr 18, 2004 Posts: 5303 Location: Greensburg PA
Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2004 3:38 pm Post subject:
If you are using the standard AV cables you are not getting 5:1 sound. The only way to get 5:1 sound is if you are connecting something to your digital 5:1 input, like an optical cable or digital coaxial cable (looks like a single rca plug). I have tried both connections and have stuck with the optical hookup, not that I could tell any difference.
Your Digital receiver should let you know if you are truly getting 5:1 dolby surround or not. For instance, I have the HD Connection pack that has the dolby digital optical out. When I am taking advantage of the dolby 5:1 sound, all five speaker indicators light up and it says "Dolby Digital" and my "Optical" LED also illumiates.
If I were to just use the standard AV pack that comes with it, all five speakers would still light up, but it wouldn't say Dolby Digital, it would say "Pro Logic II" and my system would simulate the 5:1 the best it could.
Now, all receivers are different and I don't know what options you have, but I do know the only way to get dolby digital 5:1 surround sound is to use the proper connection. A right and left (red and white) rca jack combo aint gonna do it.
Now, as far as playing xbox live with your modchip. You need to be aware that you have a possible chance of getting banned from Xbox Live if they catch you using a modchip. The Xenium has a way to assure you wont login with modchip on. First, you can simply just boot the MS Dashboard and bios by selecting the correct option. Second, the bios that I use with my chip automatically wipes out any xbox live updated dashboard files so each time you jump on live, you have to re-download the latest update and without the update it won't connect you to live.
I am not too hip with the solderless chips, so someone else will have to give you some ideas there. Most likely, if you find a solderless chip to suit your needs, you will have to install a separate on and off switch to turn modchip off prior to logging into Xbox Live.
The procedure would be, turn chip switch off, boot xbox, login to xbox live. Not real complex at all.
The fact that your machine is original back to 2001 does alarm me a little. Not that you can't mod it, that's not a big deal. There will be a chip for your version xbox no problem at all. My point is, you are about to spend about $150.00 between HD and Modchip. Put some serious time into the install and configuration of your mod. I would say the average lifespan of an xbox is about two to three years before you start to get the dreaded dirty disk errors. MS is notorious for having crappy hardware!
I would invest another $149 into a new Xbox and keep the old one for xbox live. Then, you don't have to worry about being banned. Additionally, if money isn't an object you can purchase your machine premodded and ready to roll. Plan on spending about $380.00 or so, but you will be totally hooked up in about four days! No nuking your machine, not worrying about what media you can burn your autoinstaller, or bios on. No installing your own dashboard, partitioning your new HD. You will get an xbox live capable modded machine. In some cases like the machine I bought, it automatically came with three emulators installed. The emulators included about 2600 games too!
Once your machine is modded, you will be able to store your games on the HD. I recommend at least a 120Gig HD, but with the prices today, getting a 250Gig is very cost effective. Just keep in mind, even if you get a huge HD and back up tons of games, you cannot play xbox live with games on your HD...you have to use the disks.
Good luck in whatever way you decide to go. Keep us posted and BTW, welcome to the community! Don't hesitate to ask any questions that you may have. _________________ Good Deals: Death@Hand, funkydopenloven, StaticMind, Slamscaper, PorscheXboxter
Bad Deals: None Yet
Pending Deals: Vanguard
midtownrock11 Xbox-HQ Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 21, 2004 Posts: 22
Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2004 11:06 pm Post subject:
Please explain to me what you mean by nuking my machine, media I can burn on my autoinstaller, bios on, and dashboard. Sorry I am new to all this, I didn't even know this kinda stuff was possible until 2 months ago.
So if I already have a premoded system I don't have to worry about turning off the mod chip/hard drive or getting kicked off xbox live?
forahobby Administrator
Joined: May 22, 2003 Posts: 23944 Location: NSW, Australia
Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2004 12:03 am Post subject:
Have a read around the sites tutorials...
Start here since your a newbie.. You need to learn so much mate.. Im not sure we would have the time to sit down and explain every for ya but we will do our best..
Best to start with Glossary of Terms for Newbies.. Just go through the tutorials section and print out the ones that interest you.. Then slowly read through them to get the idea behind xbox moddingl.
l8r mate and cant wait to see another xbox user with his modded machine.
Joined: Apr 18, 2004 Posts: 5303 Location: Greensburg PA
Posted: Sat Jul 24, 2004 2:06 am Post subject:
Nuking your machine is just a term for screwing it up...sorry to use slang so early in the game...
I am in the process of upgrading the Glossary of terms for Newbies. I have half done with it. It will be called the Official Xbox-HQ Xbox Dictionary, First Edition.
I hope to upload it tomorrow or Sunday.
A premodded system is cool for newbies because it takes out the guessing and install issues. Basically, a premodded system already has the new HD in most cases, and the modchip along with all the apps and programs/dashboards that you will need to back up games and have a blast with!
Most premodded systems that include all the software and at least a 120 gig HD usually run around 389.00. I know it sounds expensive, and to be honest probably costs about 90.00 more than just doing it yourself. But, it gets your foot in the door very quickly and saves money in the long run because you don't have to keep contributing to your cuss jar!!
Trust me, the install of the actual chip and HD are the easy parts. Getting the software, dashboard, and apps is the tough part. This is due to the fact that every xbox reacts differently to certain media types (types of disks) There are three different drives, Thompson (YUK), Phillips (cool), and Samsung (Whoopee)!! As you can tell, Samsung is the drive of choice.
A lot of people frown on premods cuz they say you don't get the satisfaction of knowing you did the mod yourself. I say phooie!! Screw pride, I go for convenience and total joy factor!!
It was nice to order a machine to the specs I wanted, and five days later when it came to the door I was able to plug it in and enjoy. Within a week I was installing emulators, apps, and doing all kinds of wild stuff I could have never thought of.
Whatever you decide, just be patient. You will understand a lot more once you actually get your machine up and running. Don't hesitate to ask any questions here, we don't care how silly you think they are.
Later man _________________ Good Deals: Death@Hand, funkydopenloven, StaticMind, Slamscaper, PorscheXboxter
Bad Deals: None Yet
Pending Deals: Vanguard
midtownrock11 Xbox-HQ Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 21, 2004 Posts: 22
Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2004 7:27 pm Post subject:
How do you figure out which drive is in your xbox? Also which system do you think would last longer, an xbox from when they first came out 2001, or one purchased today (2004 verison)? I think I'm going to have my friend do it cause he has done them before. Thanks diego
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