x-box - softmodding - Page 2

Anubis · 30 July 2008, 22:52

None of my friends has moded console. I've read somewhere that there is a way to move save state onto key with some software, once key has been formated in x-box.

I will have to check tonight if version of the game I have is good for soft-modding. I am not sure if it was just regular or 'game of the year' edition.

If not, I think I saw splinter cell in play 'n trade.

I will have more time over weekend, so I'm planing to try softmod on Friday or Saturday. (I might check if they hace any AR in the store as well)

I was thinking about bigger HD to have option to play some Sega CD games. Will emu load games from DVD as well? (like Dreamcast)

alexh · 30 July 2008, 23:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anubis

I've read somewhere that there is a way to move save state onto key with some software, once key has been formated in x-box.

Key?

X-box memory cards are regular USB memory sticks (albeit with a strange connector). You can make your own adapter to standard USB (effectively a homebrew AR)... or even use an X-box USB Joypad adapter cable. The official AR software can be used (or 3rd party) to prepare and access USB memory sticks formatted for the X-Box and is freely downloadable.

But surely it would be easier to send your memory stick to someone who has a modded box?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anubis

I was thinking about bigger HD to have option to play some Sega CD games. Will emu load games from DVD as well? (like Dreamcast)

Depends on the emulator... most do. Some have network file access so you can keep the games on your PC / NAS.

Zetr0 · 31 July 2008, 00:56

Neogenesis allows for network directory support as well as megaCD emu i think.

killergorilla · 31 July 2008, 01:43

All xport emus have network dir support I think.

OddbOd · 31 July 2008, 09:53

Yup all XPort emulators are built on top of a common framework, they all support SAMBA and Relax shares as well as loading from ISO9660 discs.

Definitely have to agree with alexh, softmod is the way to go. Even on my hardmodded XBOX I have a softmod installed as well to enable the use of Drive Image Utilities. The reason for this is because some games (namely NBA Live and V8 Supercars 3) cannot be run directly from harddisk as they use filenames that are too long for the FATX filesystem, by using a softmod and patched kernel it is possible to run games from an ISO image which avoids the problem.

Anubis · 31 July 2008, 14:27

Well, I have Platinum Hits version of the game, and according to resources, it can't be used for soft-modding. Over the weekend I'll check local game stores for AR and one of required games.

alexh · 31 July 2008, 15:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anubis

Well, I have Platinum Hits version of the game, and according to resources, it can't be used for soft-modding.

Which game?

Anubis · 31 July 2008, 15:21

Mechassault - front cover is the same as on this link.

seuden · 31 July 2008, 15:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by killergorilla

I have no idea what any of my keys are

I think they're talking about the HDD lock/unlock key/pasword which is stored in the eeprom iirc. You can back it up to c: on the xbox using the auto installer.

I have a softmodded xbox which I use for emulators mainly as my main pc rig is connected to my hdtv and my surround so no need to watch films via the xbox. Most of the emulators as KG has already stated above work brilliantly, I was surprised how well they do work.

I used the hot swap method to softmod mine and to upgrade my HDD to a 120GB. I had to use an old Pentium 2 machine from work to get the Linux distro to boot from cd tho as my main rig just wouldn't boot it for some reason.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anubis

Well, I have Platinum Hits version of the game, and according to resources, it can't be used for soft-modding. Over the weekend I'll check local game stores for AR and one of required games.

One of the games still works but I cant remember which one.

killergorilla · 31 July 2008, 15:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by seuden

I used the hot swap method to softmod mine and to upgrade my HDD to a 120GB. I had to use an old Pentium 2 machine from work to get the Linux distro to boot from cd tho as my main rig just wouldn't boot it for some reason.

I'd like to know how to do this actually... I could do with putting a new HDD in.

gklinger · 31 July 2008, 15:57

This thread is of particular interest to me because I don't really know anything about the XBOX other than that it's a game console that can run 3rd party software and that I bought one last month.

A friend was selling it for peanuts so I grabbed it thinking it might be fun. My interest is in using it to run a bunch of emulators and there are a few XBOX games I'd like to play without having to deal with (read purchase) them on disc. I assumed I would have to install a mod chip but this soft modding has piqued my curiosity. I'm a little fuzzy on something. Is the soft mod method permanent or is this something you must do after each cold boot? I think I'd like to upgrade the HD as well. From what I gather I can prepare an HD on a PC and then put it in the XBOX and away I go?

I have a lot to learn.

seuden · 31 July 2008, 16:05

Soft mod is permanent.

Quote:

From what I gather I can prepare an HD on a PC and then put it in the XBOX and away I go?

Basically yes.

Anubis · 31 July 2008, 16:09

I'm learning the same as you are. I got my xBox not long ago, but I already have over 30 original games as they are very cheap. (Trade n' Play had some of the games for 3 bucks, most expensive I paid for Halo and Halo 2 (both new) - 10 bucks.

Same I paid for Ninja Gaiden, but it was used.

From what I gather, soft-mode is of course permanent, and it is the same as hard-modding the consoles, but without any soldering. You have to have either someone who has moded console or AR and one off needed games to install Linux and start with soft modding.

Important thing is to backup your key file, which you'll need if you plan to upgrade HD and do some other stuff.

I'm still a bit confused with all this locking thing, but I'm sure it will be much more clear once I start with this.

keropi · 31 July 2008, 16:17

so OK.... I have a softmoded xbox already with the stock HD.
what is the best method to put inside a 250GB spare HD I have?

gklinger · 31 July 2008, 16:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by seuden

Soft mod is permanent.

Excellent. This sounds like the path of least resistance and I'm all about doing as little as possible.

Quote:

Basically yes.

Then I'm with killergorilla in wanting to know more. Is there a document describing how one might go about doing this?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anubis

You have to have either someone who has moded console or AR and one off needed games to install Linux and start with soft modding.

I have a friend with a hardware modded XBOX so the first consideration shouldn't be a problem. What is "AR"? Also, why is an original game needed if this is being done on a PC?

I very much like the idea of preparing everything on my desk and then dropping the HD into the XBOX and having it go. That system worked very well for me when I was preparing a CF for my 1200.

Zetr0 · 31 July 2008, 16:29

@Keropi

Send it to me, with the board and mod chip (still looking for a good deal for you) and I will hack it with pics and prep the drive, stick all the EMU's on it and Mame + Files

etc etc.

keropi · 31 July 2008, 16:30

@Z:

thanks Z, I was just thinking if we can avoid the trouble (meaning YOUR trouble)

but since you will also put stuffz inside, you get my vote

seuden · 31 July 2008, 16:33

All the tutorials and links I used for soft modding and upgrading the hdd are on my home pc, I won't be home till around 8ish GMT, I'll post it all up when I get home.

gklinger · 31 July 2008, 16:46

Thank you very much, seuden. I've got a spare 200GB drive here so I'm eager to see if I can make this work. The XBOX versions of Outrun look really cool so I best start looking for somewhere to download them.

Anubis · 31 July 2008, 16:49

Alexh and rest of soft-mods, what dashboard replacement do you suggest? Which one works best?

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30 July 2008, 22:52	#21
Anubis Retro Gamer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Underworld Age: 51 Posts: 4,058	None of my friends has moded console. I've read somewhere that there is a way to move save state onto key with some software, once key has been formated in x-box. I will have to check tonight if version of the game I have is good for soft-modding. I am not sure if it was just regular or 'game of the year' edition. If not, I think I saw splinter cell in play 'n trade. I will have more time over weekend, so I'm planing to try softmod on Friday or Saturday. (I might check if they hace any AR in the store as well) I was thinking about bigger HD to have option to play some Sega CD games. Will emu load games from DVD as well? (like Dreamcast)

31 July 2008, 00:56	#23
Zetr0 Ya' like it Retr0? Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: United Kingdom Age: 49 Posts: 9,768	Neogenesis allows for network directory support as well as megaCD emu i think.

31 July 2008, 01:43	#24
killergorilla Lesser Talent Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: UK Age: 42 Posts: 7,957	All xport emus have network dir support I think.

31 July 2008, 09:53	#25
OddbOd Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Australia Age: 46 Posts: 666	Yup all XPort emulators are built on top of a common framework, they all support SAMBA and Relax shares as well as loading from ISO9660 discs. Definitely have to agree with alexh, softmod is the way to go. Even on my hardmodded XBOX I have a softmod installed as well to enable the use of Drive Image Utilities. The reason for this is because some games (namely NBA Live and V8 Supercars 3) cannot be run directly from harddisk as they use filenames that are too long for the FATX filesystem, by using a softmod and patched kernel it is possible to run games from an ISO image which avoids the problem.

31 July 2008, 14:27	#26
Anubis Retro Gamer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Underworld Age: 51 Posts: 4,058	Well, I have Platinum Hits version of the game, and according to resources, it can't be used for soft-modding. Over the weekend I'll check local game stores for AR and one of required games.

31 July 2008, 15:21	#28
Anubis Retro Gamer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Underworld Age: 51 Posts: 4,058	Mechassault - front cover is the same as on this link.

31 July 2008, 15:57	#31
gklinger Vegetable Lasagna Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toronto, CANADA Age: 54 Posts: 711	This thread is of particular interest to me because I don't really know anything about the XBOX other than that it's a game console that can run 3rd party software and that I bought one last month. A friend was selling it for peanuts so I grabbed it thinking it might be fun. My interest is in using it to run a bunch of emulators and there are a few XBOX games I'd like to play without having to deal with (read purchase) them on disc. I assumed I would have to install a mod chip but this soft modding has piqued my curiosity. I'm a little fuzzy on something. Is the soft mod method permanent or is this something you must do after each cold boot? I think I'd like to upgrade the HD as well. From what I gather I can prepare an HD on a PC and then put it in the XBOX and away I go? I have a lot to learn.

31 July 2008, 16:09	#33
Anubis Retro Gamer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Underworld Age: 51 Posts: 4,058	I'm learning the same as you are. I got my xBox not long ago, but I already have over 30 original games as they are very cheap. (Trade n' Play had some of the games for 3 bucks, most expensive I paid for Halo and Halo 2 (both new) - 10 bucks. Same I paid for Ninja Gaiden, but it was used. From what I gather, soft-mode is of course permanent, and it is the same as hard-modding the consoles, but without any soldering. You have to have either someone who has moded console or AR and one off needed games to install Linux and start with soft modding. Important thing is to backup your key file, which you'll need if you plan to upgrade HD and do some other stuff. I'm still a bit confused with all this locking thing, but I'm sure it will be much more clear once I start with this.

31 July 2008, 16:17	#34
keropi . Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Ioannina/Greece Posts: 5,040	so OK.... I have a softmoded xbox already with the stock HD. what is the best method to put inside a 250GB spare HD I have?

31 July 2008, 16:29	#36
Zetr0 Ya' like it Retr0? Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: United Kingdom Age: 49 Posts: 9,768	@Keropi Send it to me, with the board and mod chip (still looking for a good deal for you) and I will hack it with pics and prep the drive, stick all the EMU's on it and Mame + Files etc etc.

31 July 2008, 16:30	#37
keropi . Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Ioannina/Greece Posts: 5,040	@Z: thanks Z, I was just thinking if we can avoid the trouble (meaning YOUR trouble) but since you will also put stuffz inside, you get my vote

31 July 2008, 16:33	#38
seuden uber cool demi god Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent/England Posts: 2,073	All the tutorials and links I used for soft modding and upgrading the hdd are on my home pc, I won't be home till around 8ish GMT, I'll post it all up when I get home.

31 July 2008, 16:46	#39
gklinger Vegetable Lasagna Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toronto, CANADA Age: 54 Posts: 711	Thank you very much, seuden. I've got a spare 200GB drive here so I'm eager to see if I can make this work. The XBOX versions of Outrun look really cool so I best start looking for somewhere to download them.

31 July 2008, 16:49	#40
Anubis Retro Gamer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Underworld Age: 51 Posts: 4,058	Alexh and rest of soft-mods, what dashboard replacement do you suggest? Which one works best?

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