Xbox - Chips and HDD

[XBW]

Ok, i know this topic has been done to death and i've searched, but i still have a few questions.


What is the practicle difference between chips? Keeping it simple, what is the difference between Aladdin and Xenium , i know it has more feature, but in Eglish what can i do with one and not the other (apart from having the larger bios).

I think i will go for the Aladdin just because i want to keep it simple.

Also, i know many people get a new (bigger) hard drive when the chip their xbox. But what is the current size - I know it is 8gig but i read somewhere that it was formatted to 8g but it was actually 20g... maybe bullsh*t? Anyway, i was thinking for the price of a new HDD - about $150 - i could get a DVD burner and use that instead. I mean, 8gig is quite a lot for pictures and movies. And i could then play ROMs and music from dvd.

But if i was later to decide that i wanted a bigger HDD, is it as easy as unplugging one and plugging in another?

And finally, i was going to get it installed by xboxinsider, good choice?


Thanks :)

[1800-gumby]

k from the top.
Most ppl will never use the extra features of a xenium chip. And chances are if you need to ask if you need it or not then you dont cause because you probably dont want to do any of the things the extra bioses et you.
The size of the hdd depends on the model of xbox. Mine had a 10 but one of my mates had a 20. to make backup of a game on dvd isnt the easiest process. YOu have to ftp all the files from the disk to your computer. then turn them into an iso, then burn it. while copying to the hdd is just a mater of using a program on the xbox which is a hell of a lot quicker and easier.
installing a bigger hdd will take some effort. you need to partion it into eitherr 6 or 7 partions. (depending on weather or not its larger than 130 gig) you can do this through ftp commands or get a program which will auto instal it for you. ( i used slayers but alot of ppl have been bad mouthing it lately so im not sure if its still anygood) you SHOULD also lock your hdd using config magic.(no esential unless u ever want to use live on that xbox.
and i cant help on a mod installer the guys that did my install botched it up something chronic and ahve since gone bust.

[XBW]

Oh ok, thatnks.

I though that copying a game would have been a fairly easy process but i guess not. Can you explain it a little more? Do you mean i have to connect xbox to pc and then transfer the files, THEN convert them to an ISO? Just say i knew how to do it, ow long would it take?

Are most games above 4.7GB (size of single dvd)? So i could only fit 1 or 2 on the current HDD...

I'm still unsure about getting the HDD, the installer says he will install it for free and the prices are good, so i might just go with that.

Thanks for the help.

[robinsnest]

all is found here
http://www.xbox-scene.com/tutorials.php

[michaelhaynes11]

I would go with the upgraded harddrive. If you get the xenium there is a thing called "smart drive upgrade" where you attach the 80gig or whatever you are going to use to the ide cable as slave where the dvd drive is and use a power splitter to supply power to the extra harddrive. From here you just go into the xenium os (operating system) and it does it all for you. Takes about half and hour and you dont have to do a thing. If you are getting your chip professionally done they will be able to install chip and harddrive at the same time. If you are condsidering doing it yourself I would recommend the xenium as it is much easier to install (only 1 wire) (aladdin 2 minimum) and you can perform the harddrive upgrade without a computer. Also with the xeniums new os (2.0) it has an ftp feature. My view on the subject - pay the extra money for the xenium. :D