I have set out to make this guide, not only in an effort to fill out my shiny new website, but also to compile some info that is scattered across the web - mostly for my own use.
Before you go any further, you must note that on ALL Xbox models, there is a critical flaw in the design of the clock capacitor requiring it to be removed - or in the case of the 1.6, replaced. This can be done by either properly desoldering with solder braid or a desoldering gun, or just by wiggling it until it comes off. In the event that you don't do this, or the damage is already done, the cap can leak and corrode the whole board.
The original Xbox has been through several revisions since its first release in 2002 (2001 in America), numbered 1.0 through 1.6, excluding 1.5 - its existance is disputed - all with different pros and cons. Identifying your model is the first step to successfully modifying your Xbox.
Certain reports have suggested the appearance of a rare 1.5 model Xbox, which is claimed to be a 1.4 with a certain LPC pin missing, however there have been no verified cases of this console actually existing. Although there is no 1.5, the 1.6 was named when it was still believed that one existed, hence the unusal gap.
In this section, I'll cover all the ways you might be able to mod your Xbox, including Softmods, TSOPs, and modchips. I will cover all of these in depth later in the guide. I recommend you read all of these descriptions, price them out, and see which is best for you. The first, and by far the easiest technique is softmodding. This can be done by booting one of several exploited games, and loading a save file from a USB stick. You will need:
The second, and slightly more difficult method is TSOP flashing. This works by opening the TSOP chip to writing by bridging two points on the motherboard (these vary by revision). Keep in mind that not only can this NOT be done on a 1.6, and that you also need an already softmodded console. You will need:
The last, but certainly not least, is a good old modchip. I may not go into great detail on these, as there have been hundereds made over the last 21 years, and there will certainly be more to come. But in general you will need the same as above, with the inclusion of the modchip itself and some good quality 30AWG wire.
For a successful softmod, we will need several things. You will need a black label copy of any of the following:
For my own system, I decided to get Pro Skater, purely because it's the only game there that I'd actually play after, but any will do. Next you will need a USB adapter for the controller port. Some guides will tell you to get a specific kind, but I found that anything off eBay or Amazon will do.
As for the USB device, it is suggested that you get one under 1GB for ideal compatibility, but up to 4GB can work. If you don't have one, a PSP in USB mode or a rooted Android device running DriveDroid can work.
First, plug the USB device into the Xbox, and navigate to the storage menu. Select the option labeled 'MEMORY UNIT' or similar. You should get a message saying it was erased.
Next, download the files and extract the correct zip file to a good temporary location. You now want to extract the numbered folders inside the UDATA folder to another safe location. Do the same for SoftmodSave.zip. Next, download FatXplorer and open it. You can now copy the numbered folders to your drive and eject.
Plug the drive back into your Xbox and navigate to the storage menu. You should see a save for your desired game, and 'Xbox Softmodding Tool'. Copy these to the Hard Drive. After that, just launch your game, load the hacked save, and the softmod tool should guide you through the rest.
coming soon...