heavily modded xbox, future project, whatcha think?

L

LadyJaqie

I Have No Title
Joined
Jun 9, 2002
Messages
1,422
My girlfriend and I are planning on buying a used non-working
XBOX console and modding it VERY heavily... here, let me explain...

we plan on gnabbing a nonworking (DVDROM drive failure) xbox with
nothing included from ebay or hardforum FS/FT threads...

modding it with the modchip most suited to our needs we can find...

then going ape. changing the 'controller plugs' to usb ports, putting it
into a slim micro ATX case I already have picked out from newegg,
adding in a 120GB hard drive, multi-OS booting with win2kpro, emulating
playstation/PSX2/genesis/etcetc for it... and running just about every
game on the planet on it along with using it as our home theatre unit.
Adding a good wireless usb keyboard / mouse / DVD remote to it, you
know, the works... whatcha all think of the idea?

**update!**
Here, this is the case I plan on modding it into.

minicase1.jpg


minicase2.jpg


We plan on modding a window into the top, adding a black faced
toshiba DVDROM drive into it, adding a blue CCFL for power light,
adding red LEDs for HD activity that will show out the top window...
I think I will try for smoked plexi... I am hoping we can also add
some PC parts, but have not bothered to check compatibility, that
part I am leaving up to her. I want to add a wireless remote for DVD /
DiVX playback, wired mouse and keyboard for halo 1 and 2 coop play,
and wireless keyboard and mouse for internet browsing and such. I
want to add a projector-screen to it someday, but that will be well after
the xbox 1 is antiquated and we probably have gone to a real PC for
our entertainment system and relegated this only to gaming.

The media / file server I mentioned can be seen here
​
 
LadyJaqie said:
My girlfriend and I are planning on buying a used non-working XBOX console and modding it VERY heavily... here, let me explain...

we plan on gnabbing a nonworking (DVDROM drive failure) xbox with nothing included from ebay or hardforum FS/FT threads...

modding it with the modchip most suited to our needs we can find...

then going ape. changing the 'controller plugs' to usb ports, putting it into a slim micro ATX case I already have picked out from newegg, adding in a 120GB hard drive, multi-OS booting with win2kpro, emulating playstation/PSX2/genesis/etcetc for it... and running just about every game on the planet on it along with using it as our home theatre unit. adding a good wireless usb keyboard / mouse / DVD remote to it, you know, the works... whatcha all think of the idea?

P.S. the movies will be stored on a P3-1Ghz server sitting back in the wiring closet
Click to expand...

:eek: HOLY ALL IN WONDER GAME SYSTEM BATMAN!!!

Sounds like one hell of an idea! You have my thumbs up!

Two things:

1) Get an eXcutor Mod chip (I THINK that's what it's called, can't remember). It has the pogo pins and requires NO soldering. I added one to my ex's and it worked flawlessly. Plus, it could be disabled via the eject button so it would work as a non-modded X-box on Live!.

2) You probably already know this but the yellow wire in the X-box line isn't used in USB connectors. The X-Box uses it to detect if a controller is plugged in. You may not be able to successfully change the ports to standard USB ports without the X-Box itself freaking out about not being able to detect a controller. I would personally leave them as they are for at least the first two controller ports.
 
Something I just thought of... you could get a couple of dead controllers and use the wires to "make" USB cables for other devices or make an adaptor for a standard USB port using the controller's origional cord and a USB extension cord.

With this, you wouldn't have to change the controller ports at all.
 
Sounds good, but do you know if it is possible to use Windows 2000 Pro. I know people have got Windows 98 working but I havent heard of any 98+s. I would say get a SmartXX, or the new Xecuter3 models. They both come with native LCD support, which works perfectly with XBMC. They also have massive BIOS banks, perfect for multi-boot systems, and they are all loaded with features and on board BIOS. I myself have a SmartXX and works nearly flawlessly. I would definitely reccomend it. The Xbox cannot emulate every game on the planet, Im sorry, but I imo its nearly impossible with the radically different architectures of the consoles. It cant even run Gamecube games at an acceptable FPS level, even for what is a superior console hardware wise.
If I am wrong please PM or Email me, and show me the articles/tutorials you have read.
1. Win2000Pro? Impossible?
2. Emulate every game? Impossible?
3. As far as I know the Xbox motherboard is not an mATX formfactor mobo, so It will not fit in a prebought case, unless you wish to mod it, and that is if it even fits. It will also have to have room to accomodate the Xbox powersupply.
It has been done before many times, so you should find quite a few tutorials just a google away ;)
Other than that seems as if its all good.
 
also as far as i'm aware Teh xbox is NOT compatible with windows in any form.

even chipped the xbox is pretty locked down for drive wise you will never be able to play Offical Xbox games on it. your 120GB Harddisk if your tihnking of booting to linux then your limited with the games avalible.

if your gonna stick with Xbox applications then it makes a Great media server, But the compliment of emulators (Although better than most consoles) don't play to well.

You won't beable to emulate anything PSX or above (Maybe a N64 but it won't be great).

As for the controllers. Well that pretty easy however if your switching to USB Keayboard and mouse then your will need a Linux Core. Which will neage allmost any emulators with the exception of a few (Which are not compiled for xbox linux), ALso for a media server it's not great there can be problems playing some AC3 encoded DIVX, and some Xvid files.

I Hate to be a downer but I've got a Gen-1 (Bought on release day) modded Xbox and knowing it's limits is essential
 
ShaolinDragon said:
Sounds good, but do you know if it is possible to use Windows 2000 Pro. I know people have got Windows 98 working but I havent heard of any 98+s. I would say get a SmartXX, or the new Xecuter3 models. They both come with native LCD support, which works perfectly with XBMC. They also have massive BIOS banks, perfect for multi-boot systems, and they are all loaded with features and on board BIOS. I myself have a SmartXX and works nearly flawlessly. I would definitely reccomend it. The Xbox cannot emulate every game on the planet, Im sorry, but I imo its nearly impossible with the radically different architectures of the consoles. It cant even run Gamecube games at an acceptable FPS level, even for what is a superior console hardware wise.
If I am wrong please PM or Email me, and show me the articles/tutorials you have read.
1. Win2000Pro? Impossible?
2. Emulate every game? Impossible?
3. As far as I know the Xbox motherboard is not an mATX formfactor mobo, so It will not fit in a prebought case, unless you wish to mod it, and that is if it even fits. It will also have to have room to accomodate the Xbox powersupply.
It has been done before many times, so you should find quite a few tutorials just a google away ;)
Other than that seems as if its all good.
Click to expand...


1.) Yes Pretty much impossible. The W98 modes ( That i saw) were part of running Windows under a linux core. (Kinda like WINE)
2.) Yes Also Infact Don't expect to beable to play Anything beyond a N64.Then then it will be sketchy at best.
3.)The Xbox Mainboard Is propritary and you will need to make your own specalised mainboard mounts.
4.) Remember the Xbox PSU is NOT ATX. Don't think of connecting a ATX PSU. you will blow up the mainboard.
 
I'm glad all my points were valid :)
The Xbox mainboard does not have the same dimensions as a mATX either does it. Sorry but Id prefer not to rip apart my Xbox just for the sake of measuring it.
 
And to think, my girl wasn't interested in the Xbox before I got here (I'm a console/PC geek)


And gamecube, are you sure you didnt mean rubix cube? get outta here with this gamecube non-sense (lol just playing) Nah, gamecube just doesnt fancy either of us on their games
 
I'm a long time overclocker and casemodder, I planned on ripping the holy [H]ell out of the case I bought to make it into an X box. Yeah, I know it's not an ATX PSU. I also know all about custom mobo mounts... you're talking to a girl who did watercooling before there were any kits for it ;)

Well I dont mind if it wont run windows and such. no problem. if it just runs halo then I'm fine. figured it would be worth a try anyways! if we get it fully working it'll rock tho huh? :cool:
 
Xecuter 3 chips are really nice, the xbox must be hooked to a xbox DVD-rom drive for it to boot, you can also get new/refurb drives from various places to replace a dead one.

The xbox can make for a pretty nice HTPC system, really... just stick to user made apps, dont try to run windows/linux on the thing as its very limiting, XBMC and such make for great HTPC like guis.

As far as mounting in a case, you will have to basically make your own case, or do custom mountings and back panel for an already existing case. There are mods to add USB ports without modifying the controller ports.

Ill PM you my aim name for some more infos. GL tho.
 
We play emulators and roms on our xbox pretty well. We play N64 w/o probs. We did a Mario Kart 64 run the other nite. Occasional lag, but nothing major. Thats as far as we've gone with it tho. No ps games and xbox has a fair amount of games available. I would mod the cable extension into usb rather than the ports themselves. And moving the insides to another case/enclsoure isnt that hard of a project. U could also mod a ps2 into the new enclosure and run something with both systems in one case.
I would prob customize and fabricate my own case tho, if i was gonna make a new one.
Just measure it out to the other case design if u want or think of something else.

Why would u wanna run windows on it? If u do more than wuts included with XBMC and gaming, u may wanna look at a small shuttle box or low end pc....

good idea, lets see how it goes
 
go with the smart xx 2.0 it can use a lcd and flash using the lan port.
but really this mod is not as big as you are making it out to be. sorry but ya.
 
I've got a few of those controller to usb conversion cables if your interested. Pm me if you are.
 
i have already built my custom xbox, goto xbox-scene.com, they have lots of great tutorials, and look at pics of my painted case with every LED mod practically out there, including my rumble led mod

- o yah DO NOT get a solderless chip, if you do you will have to baby the damn thing or else you will find youself always going in to realing the d0


good luck,
BeeZaa
 
Xbox controller > USB cables are fecking easy.
Shopping list
1.Cheap controller (can be broken, as long as it still has the cable) Joytechs are ideal :)
2.Any USB cable with a female USB A socket.

Instructions
1. Splice open both of the cables, and make sure they are cut to the desired length.
2. Match, and solder the wires to their corresponding colours.
3. Thats it.

Alternatively you can crack open the Controller dongles, and solder the wires directly on, which is what I did. Looks better at the end of the day. I put mine on upside down though :)
 
Blasterboy460 said:
- o yah DO NOT get a solderless chip, if you do you will have to baby the damn thing or else you will find youself always going in to realing the d0
Click to expand...
I didn't plan on it. Ive worked in a TV/VCR repair shop. I know what I'm doing around electronic components. I planned on soldering in more RAM and getting down to the nitty gritty anyways. solderless c hips, ew.... not a good idea.
 
The_Mage18 said:
:eek: HOLY ALL IN WONDER GAME SYSTEM BATMAN!!!

Sounds like one hell of an idea! You have my thumbs up!

Two things:

1) Get an eXcutor Mod chip (I THINK that's what it's called, can't remember). It has the pogo pins and requires NO soldering. I added one to my ex's and it worked flawlessly. Plus, it could be disabled via the eject button so it would work as a non-modded X-box on Live!.

2) You probably already know this but the yellow wire in the X-box line isn't used in USB connectors. The X-Box uses it to detect if a controller is plugged in. You may not be able to successfully change the ports to standard USB ports without the X-Box itself freaking out about not being able to detect a controller. I would personally leave them as they are for at least the first two controller ports.
Click to expand...


Your wrong with the yellow wire, it is at this time only used for lightguns.
 
If you want to use an atx ps, you can use this converter thingie. I bought one and it works fine. I picked mine up

here.
 
Ballz2TheWallz said:
god i could explain it to all of u xbox modding n00bs but i will just point u to
Click to expand...
:rolleyes: ooh and what have we here? a pre pubescent (censored)?
You need to learn some manners kid, and how to type complete words.
yes there is a atx to xbox power convertor
xbox mobo will fit in a atx case
yes windows has been run on xbox before
Click to expand...
duh, duh, and DUH! I know this.

seriously did it sound like I was asking any of this? I was asking for opinions on what I was going to be doing. :rolleyes: noob indeed.
 
bubsie said:
If you want to use an atx ps, you can use this converter thingie. I bought one and it works fine.
Click to expand...
Thanks, no. I plan on soldering the original plug to the atx psu myself. :cool:
 
It amazes me the lengths some people will go to in order to avoid having to custom-spec something. An ATX to Xbox adaptor? C'mon. That's something that can be solved with like five minutes of research and fifteen minutes with a soldering iron. Some of the mods I've seen at Xbox-Scene are just stupifying. They buy a stack of light kits and no-solder modchip, put them in, and proclaim it the most revolutionary thing in modding and then lord it over people like they're an authority. How they manage to to feel any superiority over some of the people there who actually know their stuff is beyond me. If you're afraid to take a soldering iron to your equipment, you shouldn't even open the case.

/rant

To LadyJaqie: Well, I don't know if there's anything I can add that I'm sure you haven't already looked into. Just be careful about putting in the new RAM. Double check that the numbers are the same and make SURE all of your joints are good before you plug the thing in. I've seen a couple of machines die from bad RAM installs.
 
my friend has one heavily modded and yes most roms do work pretty well. It may take more than one emulator for a single system (ie different builds) because some roms don't like some emulators.

btw i wish i could find a chick willing to help mod stuff...lucky you.
 
how can a chick help you mod? I admit they are cute all yellow and fuzzy and they cheep all the time but seriously they just sit there and cheep and look all cute...

Anyways you didn't notice, I bet, I'm a girl too, huh?
Yes, I'm very lucky to have her, But it's more of a coraborative effort doing this.

She has experience with this but I know hwo to solder much better, and I have much more experience casemodding. Ive been in the OCing / casemodding scene for about 6 years solid now.

Also, Ive worked in a TV/VCR repair shop, no I'm not afraid one bit to get in there with my soldering iron and get to work. Thanks for the tips on double checking the numbers but Im good with soldering (as you now know :cool:.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top