Help With Buying An Xbox+modchip!!

[G-Styler]

Hi,

I posted b4 that i wanted to buy an xbox, with a Mod-chip and a 120gb HDD with Linux OS, i've seen a few places online that sell the mod chips (like kangamail.com) and i just need to know which one is the best coz i was looking at the new aladdin chip and wondering wether i should buy that or not.. so i was gonna buy a new xbox then chip it my self if i have to and get a hdd with linux...

what chip should i buy?
what version are the new xbox's at, 1.x?
where's the cheapest place to buy new xbox's? (cheaper than $249)
what kind of hdd do they take once chipped?

and if thers anyone that lives near the Goldcoast, QLD, Surfers Paradise that knows someone that will install the chip and all its other shit, that would be sweet... :dD

[1800-gumby]

Hey welcome to the forums and all and please try not to make multiple threads if you can avoid it just reuse the one. From my experiences with xbox modding the only thing I'd be getting your modchip installer to do is instal your chip and flash it with the latest bios. Anything after that it going to cost you a fair bit more than its worth. For your HDD any 120 gig drive will do alot of people recomend 5600 rpm drives but you'll never find one over 20 gig and i've never heard of anyone having problems with a hdd dieing. (if it does u've got warranty anyway). Provided you've got broadband all the neccisary programs shouldnt be a problem just use the #xbins channel on mirc. If you don't know how to use it PM me and I'll explain it to you.

Well i hope thats helped sorry about not being able to give you any advice on chips I cant really see the point in keeping up to date with the hardware side of things as you'll only ever need to do it once.

[sirraider007]

hi mate


if you can get a new box cheap like 249 bucks your lucky....i never seen new for under 340.......

also make sure you get a samsung dvd rom....!

i can only get samsung xbox 2nd hand for $245!
and i have to get them a week of longer

i am too far away in bundy to chip your box

maybe you should try givin it a go.....how's your fine soldering skills????
i charge 60 bucks or so to load a hard drive on a xbox
about the same for installin a chip ....alladdin...they cost me about 20-49 bucks dependin on who supplies me....
i also install a idc cable install for the chip for a added $15 bucks...

start lookin in the local trading post!
HINT HINT

::)) good luck!
phil

[G-Styler]

Hey welcome to the forums and all and please try not to make multiple threads if you can avoid it just reuse the one. From my experiences with xbox modding the only thing I'd be getting your modchip installer to do is instal your chip and flash it with the latest bios. Anything after that it going to cost you a fair bit more than its worth. For your HDD any 120 gig drive will do alot of people recomend 5600 rpm drives but you'll never find one over 20 gig and i've never heard of anyone having problems with a hdd dieing. (if it does u've got warranty anyway). Provided you've got broadband all the neccisary programs shouldnt be a problem just use the #xbins channel on mirc. If you don't know how to use it PM me and I'll explain it to you.

Well i hope thats helped sorry about not being able to give you any advice on chips I cant really see the point in keeping up to date with the hardware side of things as you'll only ever need to do it once.

Well i simply asked the following

what chip should i buy?
what version are the new xbox's at, 1.x?
where's the cheapest place to buy new xbox's? (cheaper than $249)
what kind of hdd do they take once chipped?

i'm not new to the forums its just a new user name, and i CBF replying on my own thread so i just started a new one.. and in my previous thread i had stated that i own a computer business and sell tonnes of hardware on a daily basis.. Now a 120gb HDD is bought very frequently, and infact the highest capacities in HDD is 250-300gb at 5400rpm or more but the latest chips only take a 160gb with the file capacity availability of 137gb, also at cost price most basic hdd at 7200rpm are around about $1 per GB so i could prolly get a 120gb for roughly around $130 so that wasn't the worry, but yeh if the xbox takes any hdd once chipped than that should be fine.. Now my real queries were the other things mentioned above mainly enphasizing on what chip is the best... also appreciated if anyone attempts to reply to this plz make sure u know what ur talking about...

[jokiin]

Well i simply asked the following

what chip should i buy?
what version are the new xbox's at, 1.x?
where's the cheapest place to buy new xbox's? (cheaper than $249)
what kind of hdd do they take once chipped?

if anyone attempts to reply to this plz make sure u know what ur talking about...

Not making out like I know what I'm talking about, just willing to share what I have found when researching this for myself. Which chip you buy is an open ended question, every installer says theirs is best for whatever reason. I've seen a few different ones installed and they all seem to be able to do close to the same job so I can't really offer anything insightful. I have an executer2 ?? who knows what it means anyway, but it seems to do everything right. Current bios I believe is 1.5 (only from what I have been told though) Xbox just had a price drop $249 is now the rrp, shop around you will find it cheaper than this in places like kmart. I have only used Seagate 120g drives, basically because they are cheap enough now days. I have heard of reliability issues with large multi platter drives due to the power supply not being capable, I don't know if there is any truth to this though. The one thing I can say that makes the most difference though is what dvd drive is in the machine, there is a massive difference in the speed that you can copy a game off the drive and onto the machine. Samsung drives are by far the quickest and the preferable one to get (they are still available, got one two weeks ago with a Samsung drive) Thompson are extremely slow and are picky about what discs they play, and the third on used is the Philips which is said to be better than the Thompson drive. If you can buy a player from somewhere that will power the box up for you before you purchase you can identify the drive by the tray (have a search through some of the xbox forums and you will find pics of the 3 tray types) basically the Thompson has a straight cut centre in the tray, the Philips has an enlarged centre cut in the tray and the Samsung has a hole (about 12mm dia. maybe) either side of the centre cut. Once you find some pics that will make a bit more sense.

Not exactly the info you were after but it might be a bit of help anyway, if you do a google search for xbox modchip you will get plenty of extra info.

[redbears]

Hi,

I posted b4 that i wanted to buy an xbox, with a Mod-chip and a 120gb HDD with Linux OS, i've seen a few places online that sell the mod chips (like kangamail.com) and i just need to know which one is the best coz i was looking at the new aladdin chip and wondering wether i should buy that or not.. so i was gonna buy a new xbox then chip it my self if i have to and get a hdd with linux...

what chip should i buy?
what version are the new xbox's at, 1.x?
where's the cheapest place to buy new xbox's? (cheaper than $249)
what kind of hdd do they take once chipped?

and if thers anyone that lives near the Goldcoast, QLD, Surfers Paradise that knows someone that will install the chip and all its other sh*t, that would be sweet... :dD

Like the others said, chip types are much of a muchness. Just get one that offers what you want. I have an executer in mine, like jok11n.

Harddrives wise, I think 120Gb is the largest the Xbox can recognise. Spin speed shouldn't matter 7200rpm should be ok, I use mine for hours on end and it has an unreliable old IBM 45Gb in it, which is fine, no overheating issues.

FYI, here are the drives, you can easily identify which one you have. If you have a PC you can tranfer stuff to the Xbox at 100Mbs anyway (even though it was touted as only being a 10Mbs port)

Glad you edited your original post, the people here like to help out, not generally p*ss in your pocket like some other forums, so if you are nice, patient and pleasant, people will be helpful ;)

[gaucho_22]

Hi G-styler in accordance to your question what chip should ya get i'd recommend the Xecuter 2 Pro and anything above that, You have other options out their like the Matrix and the Xenium And so on, i wouldnt go any lower than a 3rd generation xbox chip and i certainly wouldnt go for the cheapest cos i'm sure you dont plan on it having problems in the future from what i've heard the cheapest aint the best. Its all up to you tho check out mod chip sellers and look for the one that best suits you, i'd stay away from alladin 64 i have only heard horrid stories about that chip :confused: ,Alladins 512k of bios versus 1mg :cool: of xecuter tells you which is the most superior. All the best happy mod hunting!!! :dD

[G-Styler]

Okay thanx alot for all ur help guys, it is greatly appreciated... :)

I think i might buy this chip that's called 'XALX2+' it's made by a company called 'Blade Electronics' (located in Brisbane) and they say it has been put under strenuous testing and in comparison to the Xecutor 2 and chips below it (which were put under the same tests), there is no comparison apparently..... It does cost $159 as a DIY Kit though (do it yourself kit), or if u want them to do it, it cost's $229 and comes with a 3yr warrenty...

And they did say the Xecutor 2 is the second best chip... so yeh...

Anyway here's the direct link for it:
http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~gamers/PRODUCT%20PAGES/Xbox%20Modchips%20Comparison.htm

[jokiin]

Okay thanx alot for all ur help guys, it is greatly appreciated... :)

I think i might buy this chip that's called 'XALX2+' it's made by a company called 'Blade Electronics' (located in Brisbane) and they say it has been put under strenuous testing and in comparison to the Xecutor 2 and chips below it (which were put under the same tests), there is no comparison apparently..... It does cost $159 as a DIY Kit though (do it yourself kit), or if u want them to do it, it cost's $229 and comes with a 3yr warrenty...

And they did say the Xecutor 2 is the second best chip... so yeh...

Anyway here's the direct link for it:
http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~gamers/PRODUCT%20PAGES/Xbox%20Modchips%20Comparison.htm

They are expensive that's for sure, my executer2 was $50 fitted (it took about 10 mins)

[wolfman_oz]

If you get the Trading Post up htere have a look there for guys doing the chipping...there's quite a bit of competition so prices stay low.
BEWARE...there's a mod that flashes the bios on the Box.... not a good idea if it goes south cause you can get a chip replaced,,but you can't replace the Box's bios !

[reni10]

They are expensive that's for sure, my executer2 was $50 fitted (it took about 10 mins)

Where in Sydney did you get it fitted for $50?

PM me the details if you want?

[G-Styler]

Well i'm in QLD, Goldcoast...

where abouts can i get the Executor 2 chip, i don't really care about the fitting of it, coz i can do that my self pretty easily, just wondering if theres a website that you can pay cash on delivery for the chip, or if there's a place in QLD that sell them, coz i can get the 120gb, i have the Linux OS, so all i need is the Executor 2 chip... :rolling:

[G-Styler]

Actually, I read that the Executor 2 chips come with switches for changing the modes, of original bios, modded bios etc.. and i have to say that kind of put me off it, but i did have a thorough look at the features of the latest Aladdin chip, the Aladdin Advance Plus it basically has all the features of the Executor 2 but with just one difference, no switches!!.

To change between the normal boot original xbox bios, the non-write-protected chipped bios, or the write-protected chipped bios, you just hold the power button down for different durations, it is as easy as that, no switches...

-One chip for ALL current existing XBox versions. Works on v1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 & 1.5.
-Very easy to disable modchip for XBox Live! or boot in Write Protect Mode!
-Plays Original Imports
-Plays all Homebrew software
-Plays All Backups of Originals and Imports
-Macrovision Off
-Can boot between original and modchip bios
-Plays unsigned code - Run Debug Executables
-Boot with no AV cable
-No-patch hack 1 and 2
-Plays Original and Backup DVD Movies
-Eject trick hack
-DVD Reset
-In Game Reset (IGR)
-EvoX hard disk patch, install a bigger hard disk (not bigger than 137 GB).
-Auto detect EvoX Dashboard
-Flash Upgradeable

Tell me what you think of this chip, or if you know anything about it, as in some hard facts on wether it is good quality and worth buying over the Executor 2...

[cdbrown]

1. I would recommend the Xecuter 2.3b Lite + which is solderless and has multi-bios. Can be found for just under $100 in Aus
2. Xbox version 1.5 seems to be the latest - the chip above works fine on it
3. just look around - big w, kmart, game stores, etc.
4. the size of the hard drive is dependant on the bios of the chip. Originally 120GB was the limit, but with a small change in the bios 137GB became the limit. Now there is availability to have up to 2 TB in size using the latest xecutor bios which ends in .67 (ie 4981.67). These bioses usually don't come with the chip and need to be flashed to it to enable the large hdd support.

Multi-bios is good to have just in case the flash of a bios goes bad or is corrupted. You have other bioses to fall back on. Having a switch IMHO would be better than relying on holding the power button for certain periods. Much easier just to switch the chip off and play xbox live without fear of being banned.

[m.z]

1. Best I've found is the DuoX chip. Boot to M$ BIOS using eject (for Xbox LIVE), boot to chip BIOS using Power button. 1MB Upgradeable BIOS makes it future proof. Available for < $50. No external switches. Personally, I'd steer clear of solderless options.

2. New versions are 1.4 and 1.5 - you could get either. Only important difference is LPC on 1.5 has no power (so it requires two more wires).

3. DSE is cheapest ($238 but very low stock, oddly), Big W is $244.

4. Any 3.5" IDE ATA. My favourites are the WD 120GB/160GB 8MB cache.

[HotModz]

I have some premodified xboxes with 120gigHDD for sale that are compatible with linux

[sirraider007]

i reccommend...not takin it to ""blade""
so there is a warning first up!

secondly....i think its a great idea to open the box first
and place some secret marks on a few items...

so they dont get exchanged...etc.....

i live in bundaberg area

and that may be a bit far to send the unit!
maybe not...

really a aladdin chip.....a good quality dvd rom and your laughing!
yes a reinstalled drive...that been updated
always always keep the original drive never over write it!
drive space is cheap these days....

chips are like 30-40 depends
installs 50-75 depends if you opt for a header unit install or a direct!
load on a drive $$40-65
cost od a new 40 gig $80-100

then you have a brilliant xbox...
total 280 the lot...

if you have the wrong dvd rom drive... and you need a samsung
i exchange your for one ..for $120

thats it simple...
no hidden fees...
::))

contact crazy phil

pklsay@in.com.au

[dvdude]

Bugger the 40GB drive, get a 120 or 160!

I have 80GB in mine, and it's not enough :eek:
I'm going to be upgrading to a 160GB soonish....

I didn't bother changing my dvd-rom drive though - even though it's a suck-ass Thompson drive... :(

I have a DX Modchip (I think it's an Aussie one), it's over 12 months old, with the original BIOS as supplied etc. Still works a treat. Still plays all my games, and any movie I throw at it. Also has the little switch on the back to turn the chip off if I want to go XBOX Live. Was cheaper than the whiz-bang Xecuters etc etc at the time, and seems to work just as well (for my games and movies, I don't tinker with much else on the XBOX).

I reckon get a halfway decent chip, but no need to go overboard and spend $100 on a chip that gets outdated within a few months......that would be like spending a couple of grand on a new whiz-bang PC with all the latest kit on it......oh...errr...damn! :dD

[ozemail_021]

hey did you find a place that sells xboxs for less than $249?

[ozemail_021]

Hey If Youre After A Xbox I Can Give You One, Its Brand New With 12months Wrty On The Hdd And Work On Console, Comes With A 120gb Hard Drive, Samsung Dvd Drive, And An Aladdin Advance Or Execter2 Chip Installed, All With Wrty On Work, All Brand New, Make An Offer If You Like