Joined: Sep 24, 2004 Posts: 4 Location: California
Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2004 9:51 pm Post subject: Don't buy from xbox-modchips.com
Hi!
Please be aware!
xbox-modchips.com incompitent, will not help with your problems, rude overall.
Manuals on their site - pure joke, wrong and incomplete!
TheModGod Xbox-Hq Legendary
Joined: Apr 18, 2004 Posts: 5303 Location: Greensburg PA
Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2004 10:58 pm Post subject:
While we appreciate any and all opinions about vendors...try to be a little more specific about your problem and the vendors 'incompetence" This way, we can get a better understanding of what happened.
Let us know what your issue was, how they handled it, and the current status of the issue.
Just like you mentioned about their guides being a joke...you said they were incomplete. What is incomplete about them..in what area? Stuff like that.
Thanks for your comments, and we appreciate your opinion... It's reviews like this that help others avoid problems with vendors. At the same time, please share any good experiences you have with other vendors. I try to mention something good whenever I can, and certainly warn peopel when I run into vendors that are a joke.
Later man
realmccloy
-------------------------
http://www.xbox-hq.com http://www.themodgod.com _________________ Good Deals: Death@Hand, funkydopenloven, StaticMind, Slamscaper, PorscheXboxter
Bad Deals: None Yet
Pending Deals: Vanguard
DJB Administrator
Joined: May 23, 2003 Posts: 4031 Location: NSW, Australia
Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2004 11:06 pm Post subject:
Yes...
We need more information, as specific as possible. Maybe the chip is fine but you've done something wrong, it's hard to say unless we know more facts. Now, after we have learnt more about this problem, we can say if it is their fault or not, and in that case they should do an replacement on the chip (if they are honest).
Just please be more controlled unless you back up your case with a bit more than just 3 lines of text. I'm not going off at you, it's just that it's hard for us to work out the problem with next to no information.
Please reply with some more details about the problem, what the manuals miss, and ofcourse what happens when you try and use it with your xbox.
Thanks
DJB
genadyl Xbox-HQ Newbie
Joined: Sep 24, 2004 Posts: 4 Location: California
Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2004 10:49 pm Post subject:
Ok, here is the story:
On a positive side - chip works fine, so nothing wrong with hardware itself.
On a negative side
1. Didn't get confirmation after ordering, had to contact customer service, this is also quite a problem, no phones only something similar to forums system, you post and wait if they will answer.
2. Product description for Aladdin Live chip I bought, says - easiest way to mod XBOX, works on all versions, plays backups and so on. Fact is I got chip looked at diagram posted on this site and my motherboard looked nothing like the one they give as V1.0-V1.1. When asked for help got answer something like: "Why didn't you buy more expensive chip like XENIUM or XBIT you could find better instructions and support for them" After spending hours on internet finally found instructions that worked for me.
3. Soldered chip, instead of picture on TV set got diagonal lines of gibberish. Asked for help again, answer:” something wrong with installation, soldering isn't ok" re-soldered 3 times, same thing. Again after hours on internet found that if chip comes with Cromwell bios on it - its screws video signal if you use anything but basic XBOX connection. And I have this advanced A/V adapter for XBOX so I could not see anything.
4. Connected it through simple connector, ok now I see my XBOX boots up, let's run some back-ups , not so fast nothing really runs, why?
Asking again for help and at this point they say:” You need to reflash bios on the chip" now you say it? (I repeat it product description it's says "runs everything no software required")
Asking for help with flashing bios, answer: "Read the fucking manual"
Nice, I am reading what it says on flashing on this site and it's easy: burn disk, insert, you done. Does it work? NO!!!
I got chip with older Cromwell and it won't flash this way.
Again hours on Internet and I find some guy says - you need to download some Linux software, run it and it will give you to flash bios
5. Finally everything works, but this fairly simple installation costs me great amount of time and anger and why? It's all really straight forward, just put 5 minutes of your time in creating normal instructions for your customers. Instead they would spend 10 times more time trying to prove that I am an idiot and can't understand their manuals.
That is the end of story, so decide for your self if I am right about those guys.
DJB Administrator
Joined: May 23, 2003 Posts: 4031 Location: NSW, Australia
Posted: Sat Oct 09, 2004 12:05 am Post subject:
Hm,
I can see why you're a bit pissed off at them, anyone that uses the old RTFM (Read the fucking manual) phrase is very rude. Here we will say to maybe check for other forums posts, or tutorials etc. but we're not rude about it, plus if we know the EXACT location of the tutorial of forum we would actually put it in our posts. But then again, I could say welcome to the world of Xbox. I don't think there is one person on this site (who has participated elsewhere) that hasn't got the good old RTFM said to them atleast once. You have to remember in these cases that the people saying this might have to get through a lot of responses (and they're just being lazy+harsh), or they are being plain rude. It's hard to say...
As far as the instructions go, it obviously said it the instructions were for a v1.0 - v1.1 Xbox. Now, from memory I think the documents that actually come with the chip when the buyers purchase them, so it's not them actually writing the documentation, more than likely they could just be copying the piece of paper that comes with it on their website.
Flashing the BIOS can be fun for anyone, I've never had to worry about it becuase I got my Xbox pre-modded while I was waiting for it (it was a Christmas present last year). Is was sort of misleading I will agree that they say "runs everything no software required" though, especially if you're a newbie and don't know any different.
Overall, I must admiit for your first Xbox experience you've had it pretty tough. I wouldn't call you an idiot as such, but a novice (or newbie). I think it's just the attitude of some people in the world, where they probably look at quantity service rather than quality service. This place you got the chip from could be sending out 1000's of chips and replying to 100's of emails and forum posts a day, therefore maybe being a bit slacker than they should and just say "RTFM"
So you'd basically could say if you're a newbie, just buy the chip from them, and come to us for help instead. You will still more than likely have to do some reading on stuff, but everyone has to in order to learn.
This is my opinion on the situation here. I can't speak for the rest of the crew here, but I think they'll share similar opinions to mine.
One last requst, please go to "Edit your Profile" on this site, and make a signature that describes your Xbox (like the version number of the xbox, modchip, bios, hdd size, dashboard etc.). This will make it easier for our members to quickly identify your setup and maybe be able to give more precise answers in cases which could be a little more tricky.
Have fun here at Xbox-Hq
DJB
TheModGod Xbox-Hq Legendary
Joined: Apr 18, 2004 Posts: 5303 Location: Greensburg PA
Posted: Sat Oct 09, 2004 7:53 am Post subject:
See..that's why I always buy Xeniums...sorry to say that...not trying to rub your nose into it, but you truly get what you pay for. In the long run, you got a working chip..that's a good thing. But, for support and less headaches, the Xenium, Xecuter, and SmartXX chips have a lot of good resources..
I tell you what though, the Aladdin chip has sold shit loads man! I know it's because of price, but one thing that we will all get out of this is the knowledge of how well these chips will perform in the long run.
The Xenium chip has always been an easy install. With the OS they install on those things....man, are they a powerful chip. Before, you couldn't FTP into your machine easily unless you had Evox installed. But, the Xenium OS allows you to FTP, format HD, swap HD, Lock and Unlock HD, backup and restore Eeprom, and so much more.
That is truly why you pay more for the Xenium, X3, and SmartXX is because of those types of features. You gotta love a chip that allows you to just FTP the bios.bin file to the HD and flash from there, or just flash from the DVD Drive if you feel like making and burning an .iso file. The cheaper mods typicaly have a few more hoops to jump through, but like I said...in the long run the all give you the same gaming features.
later man _________________ Good Deals: Death@Hand, funkydopenloven, StaticMind, Slamscaper, PorscheXboxter
Bad Deals: None Yet
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genadyl Xbox-HQ Newbie
Joined: Sep 24, 2004 Posts: 4 Location: California
Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2004 5:17 am Post subject:
Hi realmccloy,
this is exactly what I am talking about, now after coming through all this crap I know what I had to buy. But the problem is that I am as a newbie look at the description of product on the seller site and it is literally says: "The most simple and easy" for Aladdin, just "Plug and Play". This is what I hate - it's a lie.
Those extra 20$ for Xenium not an issue for me, I bought Aladdin because of misleading advertisement.
About documentation, it is their own. At the end I found right one on the Aladdin Live website, so they could not even copy it from there correctly.
TheModGod Xbox-Hq Legendary
Joined: Apr 18, 2004 Posts: 5303 Location: Greensburg PA
Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 12:45 am Post subject:
I feel for ya, and totally understand what you mean. I am going through an issue with a vendor as well right now. I ordered some case modding products and paid extra for expedited shipping... I am sure they will actually go ahead and ship it two day like I paid for, but unfortunately....they are taking over a week to ship. So, when something says expedited shipping.... I guess that doesn't mean they put it out fast too...it just means when they feel like getting around to my order then they'll ship it via the method I paid for.
Very very frustrating.
later man
realmccloy
---------------------
http://www.xbox-hq.com http://www.themodgod.com _________________ Good Deals: Death@Hand, funkydopenloven, StaticMind, Slamscaper, PorscheXboxter
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PorscheXboxster V.I.P. Member
Joined: Apr 21, 2004 Posts: 1067 Location: Virginia, USA
Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 9:16 pm Post subject:
realmccloy wrote:
So, when something says expedited shipping.... I guess that doesn't mean they put it out fast too...it just means when they feel like getting around to my order then they'll ship it via the method I paid for.
Man! I know what you mean! I've gotten to the point that I figure expedited shipping won't make much difference because many of the modding sites don't expedite the picking/packing process.
I remember back in the good ole days, the 80s, if I ordered something from MacWarehouse by midnight, it was delivered the following day. I'm still not sure how they did it! One night, I placed an order for a part just before the midnight deadline and I TRIPPED OVER THE BOX HEADING OUT THE DOOR THE NEXT MORNING! Try to get service like that today! _________________ The World's Most Awesome Xbox 360 Room
[X X X X X X . . . .]% complete
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Xbox 360 x 2
V1.0???
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Xbox v1.4 Halo
X2.3Blite
4981.06
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Xbox v1.4 Non-Halo
X2.3B
4983.06
TheModGod Xbox-Hq Legendary
Joined: Apr 18, 2004 Posts: 5303 Location: Greensburg PA
Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 9:43 pm Post subject:
Yeah...it's quite a shame how it's hard to find good service anymore. If I had the money to buy hundreds of chips at a time, I could make a killing in good service alone... I would even pay a 20% premium if I knew my order would be shipped next, or same day.
BMmods is the closest thing though!! If I order early enough my stuff goes out the SAME day. And, it's always guaranteed to go out next business day if I don't. I pay 8.00 for two day UPS Express Shipping for up to 10 chips!! So, whether I order one or more I know that I have my chip two days later!! Three worst case scenerio. I have placed overnight orders at 3PM and have had them the very next day!!
later man
realmccloy
--------------------------
http://www.xbox-hq.com http://www.themodgod.com _________________ Good Deals: Death@Hand, funkydopenloven, StaticMind, Slamscaper, PorscheXboxter
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NVousMotorSports V.I.P. Lifetime
Joined: Jun 21, 2004 Posts: 111 Location: San Francisco California
Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2004 7:34 am Post subject:
see this is why my tutorial for the aladdin is even more important for me to get right. Cause the darn lack of support that is out there right now. I still use them and man I have no problems (except for that weekend rumble with 1.6 triplets) haha Other than that I'd say they should be just as easy as any other chip out there. Where I get my chips, they are ready to be installed with the latest flash and all. So I guess in the long run its where you get it from also. Not just what your getting. Correct?
But as for the instructions, I agree. Every maker who is gonna spend that amount of time building a chip to run on a xbox, should at least spend a good day or so writing up a manual on how to install and troubleshoot the damn thing. You dont see sony putting in a single sheet of paper that says plug up your tv and your done. Noooo they give you a huge book on how to hook up to cable box, vcr, sat, etc and if no picture troubleshooting guide in the back. = )
TheModGod Xbox-Hq Legendary
Joined: Apr 18, 2004 Posts: 5303 Location: Greensburg PA
Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2004 1:17 pm Post subject:
Xenium has killer manuals. There is so much support for the Xenium blue, and the Xenium Ice Mod Chips it's absolutely incredible.
They even came out with a 1.6 resurrection guide to combat the growing problem of 1.6 machines not powering up after modding....and that doesn't even have anything to do with the chip! They are a great team! I'm really curious to see what the next generation of Mod Chips will be able to accomplish. Personally, I couldn't think of anything more you need in a modchip.
later all
realmccloy
----------------------
http://www.xbox-hq.com http://www.themodgod.com _________________ Good Deals: Death@Hand, funkydopenloven, StaticMind, Slamscaper, PorscheXboxter
Bad Deals: None Yet
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custom-xmodz Xbox-HQ Freak
Joined: Aug 28, 2004 Posts: 796 Location: Wales, UK
Posted: Sun Oct 31, 2004 12:19 am Post subject:
I have also had a problem with a few vendors in the past, like me ordering an aladdin live and getting an advance 32 etc, and then have them saying (they do the same thing, go away).
I had a few probs with aladdins over the months but nothing that could not be resolved, I use Duox2's now tho and I have to say I much rather them to aladdins, if you need a tutorial for duox2's setup just lemme know.
DJH
jtilt Xbox-HQ Newbie
Joined: Nov 01, 2004 Posts: 6
Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2004 8:28 pm Post subject:
I too have a bone to pick with this reseller. They sold me a programer for my aladdin XT and it does not have any support for aladdin XT. I am just as angry at the Aladin team and team XENO for this problem because the support is nonexistant and there is no one to email that will reply. I basically just wasted 50 bucks and 3 weeks of my time. Now I have to spend another 50 bucks and purchase another chip and learn how it works, etc.
Thanks xbox-modchips...and Aladdin (crappy support from both!)
OshySpot Guest
Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2004 3:21 pm Post subject: Trouble with newly installed mod
I have installed an Aladdin Live mod chip. When I turn on the box, the chip has a blue light that goes on. I tried following the instructions of holding the power button in for a couple seconds (sometimes up to 30 seconds) to see if the Linux screen would come up. The Power light remained green, and the XBox started normally...nothing at all different. Please help.
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After spending hours on internet finally found instructions that worked for me.
, not so fast nothing really runs, why?
