Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2006 5:12 pm Post subject: Softmod vs. Modchip
I'm just looking for a bit of opinion here. I have just gotten an XBox (I know I'm a little behind the times), and have successfully installed SID4, and it works perfectly, as far as I can tell. I understand that yohhu are able to upgrade to a larger HD using softmods, and I can play any of the backups and emus and apps.
So, I'm wondering what the advantage actually is to use a mod chip these days. I would figure it means that you have a little more control over things, but, if I'm not mistaken, you can even change the BIOS that the softmod boots if you want.
With my success with softmodding, I'm just wondering if it's still a good idea to go ahead and drop a chip in instead.
Thanks for the input.
dangermouse Moderator
Joined: Jun 24, 2005 Posts: 972 Location: Tucson
Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2006 5:56 pm Post subject:
With in development of SID4 softmod can almost rival chip installs. Before XBL wasn't an option for softmods because of the lack of a retail boot. SID4 solves that.
Modchips still have more features. You have the different bios choices and it's easier to manage hdd's. Also you don't have to worry about if a hdd is lockable or not. Many chips have the capabilities of adding a lcd screen for better system monitoring.
It all boils down to what you want to do with your system.
DM _________________ Xenium Ice 2.3.1 OS
200gb Seagate HDD
|HOTSWAP|Upgrade HDD|
nknave Xbox-HQ Freak
Joined: Jul 13, 2005 Posts: 866 Location: Kansas City MO
Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2006 8:51 pm Post subject:
Chips:
-easy hdd upgrade (pop in new hdd and use)
-many possible bios
-some have it's own O.S.
-turns off to go on live with retail games
Softmods:
-easy hdd upgrade (needs separate PC work)
-PBL allows you to load bioses, while nkpatcher patches kernel(recomended)
-optional with modern softmods that allow the use of Xbox Live! if you return patch code.
-softmods allow way more features than a chip in my opinion, you got so many hacks that represent the true nature of hacking and not by hardware.
Softmods will allow so many things like
-fuckMS
-bios loaders
-patchers
-security within software
-virtual mounts with nkpatcher (you can hide real hdd partitions with virtual mounts.
-so much more..........
It all really comes down to what you want to do with your xbox really, sometimes a chip is best or a softmod is best, your choice. _________________ Xbox v1.1
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Joined: Nov 17, 2004 Posts: 5222 Location: Tennessee, USA
Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2006 7:17 pm Post subject:
It's not even a choice, Xenium Ice or SPice, install and enjoy. Examine all the softmod threads with help, dead, what do I do now, then see how many there are with a Xenium.
It's a no brainer. _________________ http://twitter.com/HQ_Shark2th
cabbot Xbox-HQ Freak Xbox Version: 1.1 Modded: SID4.5
Joined: Dec 16, 2005 Posts: 748 Location: Ontario , Canada
Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2006 8:02 pm Post subject:
Shark2th wrote:
It's not even a choice, Xenium Ice or SPice, install and enjoy. Examine all the softmod threads with help, dead, what do I do now, then see how many there are with a Xenium.
It's a no brainer.
my xbox is running flawlessly with sid4....
yoshie1 V.I.P. Lifetime Xbox Version: Xbox V1.6 Modded: Xenium ICE White
Joined: Dec 26, 2004 Posts: 958 Location: Akron, Ohio
Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2006 8:51 pm Post subject:
I agree...install a xenium in there and you will always be good.....with softmods, yes they do work great now, they have come a looooong way...but pretty much what it comes down to is if your box ever screws up or actually you screw your xbox up by deleting something wrong then its easy to fix whereas with a softmod it takes some time or a modchip to get your box back working again....the way i look at it...i might as well spend the extra money on a chip now...i mean im already saving money...and that way if something happens down the road i will have a lot less headaches...but really the choice is yours....just think of it as softmods and chips can do about the same thing now but if something happens down the road and you want less headaches go with the chip....good luck with your choice...later. _________________ Xbox V1.6
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Shark2th Moderator
Joined: Nov 17, 2004 Posts: 5222 Location: Tennessee, USA
Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2006 8:59 pm Post subject:
cabbot wrote:
my xbox is running flawlessly with sid4....
That's awesome. My statement is examine all the softmod threads with help, dead, what do I do now, then see how many there are with a Xenium. _________________ http://twitter.com/HQ_Shark2th
jonadagi2 Xbox-HQ Enthusiast Xbox Version: Xbox V1.6 Modded: Xenium ICE White
Joined: Dec 12, 2005 Posts: 25 Location: Canada
Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 6:22 pm Post subject:
Softmodding is what brought me to this site.
Between DJB's AID 2.11 and Nknave's SID 3.0 I have softmodded a few of my friends Xboxes and they are more than happy with the results.
With that said my own xbox currently uses a mod-chip, As Shark2th mentioned "I softmodded and now my Xbox is dead what do I do now" threads, this is exactly what happened to me. My Hard Drive failed, I had no EEPROM Back-up, so I had no choice but to get a chip.
Don't get me wrong I am happy with it, but for me there is really no benefit over having a chip that would justify the additional expense. It really just boils down to what you want to do with your Xbox. I don't need anything fancy. XBMC, being able to play back-ups and the ability to ftp files is all I want. After my experience, and for a simple set-up(no fancy hardware mods), softmodding would still be my first choice.(Making sure from now on to save the EEPROM to PC backup on a cd!) I would still keep the chip route as a last resort. After all, with a softmod gone wrong you can still install a chip to recover if necessary, but if someone fries their board trying to install a chip...
Just my 2 cents as someone who has had the "Softmodded, dead, what do I do now?" experience.
Jon _________________ Xbox v1.0a
Chip: Duo-X2
HDD: 30GB Maxtor
Dash: XBMC
gus738 Xbox-HQ Newbie
Joined: Aug 10, 2005 Posts: 1 Location: USA California Watsonville
Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 6:30 pm Post subject:
as long as u make ur backups of evertying u can recover ur xbox on softmods regarding almost every issue .
i wouldnt think a sec about modchips as softmods are soo good but that is my ideal like dm said it all goes down on what u want 2 do w/ ur xbox
and shark2th has a point as well if u screw up then u need chip but like i said as long as u have ur nececary tools then ur good.. _________________ Xbox 360 Premium edition
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That's the reason I found this site. But true to my "tester" back gound I crossed over to a modchip. Alot of people cross over eventually.
Shark2th, remember the other night when you finally crossed over It was memorable for me
How'd the usb thing work out for you?
Most of my mods are softmods, but I feel there are so much more options with a chip. _________________ Xenium Ice 2.3.1 OS
200gb Seagate HDD
|HOTSWAP|Upgrade HDD|
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