Installing the X-Chip
I recently bought a refurbished xbox and installed an X-chip. The X-box I bought is version 1.0 (but I didn’t know what version it was until I opened it).
You can guesstimate the version of your X-box based on the serial number and manufacture date, referencing this page on Xbox-scene.com.
Version is important because for versions 1.0 – 1.5 the X-chip installation is solder-less. Version 1.6 requires soldering.
Why install an X-chip in your xbox?
- 4MB of Flash Memory for extended/alternate BIOS options
- Backup games and play them directly from the hard drive (I can now switch games without getting my lazy arse off the couch!)
- Unlocks the full capabilities of your XBOX
- Can convert your XBOX into a multimedia station, allowing you to play: DVD’s, VCD’s, CD’s, SVCD’s, DivX, MP3, Movies, and more!
- Can emulate other game consoles, such as GBA, GB, NES, SNES, ATARI, GENESIS, etc.
- Backup DVD’s and play them from the hard drive.
I purchased the following:
- Xchip combo (the combo includes the USB adapter needed to program the chip initially)
- 200 GB Hard Drive (You’ll want plenty of room to back up your games to the hard drive)
I used the following software utilities:
- X-Disk
- X-Control
I updated a few of the tools provided in Evo using Xbins on IRC:
- Evox BIOS, version 1.03 (for testing/lab purposes only, of course)
- boXplorer
- cpxtools
- dvd2xbox
The actual installation process is rather simple and well documented and illustrated so I won’t go over that here. Using the diagrams here, physically install the chip in the Xbox and boot to the chip to ensure the chip is working before you go flashing memory.
Now, using Xcontrol, flash-program your chip by first saving the default configuration to your PC, then arrange your BIOS images how you want, following the Xcontrol instructions. I removed the chip from the xbox to flash it but it isn’t necessary.
The configuration I ended up with looks like this. This setup gets me into the X-chip bios when I power on normally or the default Xbox BIOS if I power on using the eject button. I also still have plenty of memory for other BIOS if I need it.
After the chip is programmed, it’s time to remove the old hard drive and replace it with the new drive. You can also physically install the Xchip now (if you removed it to flash it).
Once you get the chip physically installed ensure that your Xbox still boots with the original drive. Test booting into Evo and the standard Xbox BIOS.
Once you’ve verified the chip is functioning, boot into the X-chip BIOS (Cromwell) and when prompted, hit “start” to enter setup, then:
- Select “system”
- Advanced BIOS features
- LBA Mode (change to F: and G:)
- Set in-game-reset (IGR) to “soft”
- Save and exit
Now boot into the X-Disk utility on a DVD to begin setting up your hard drive and install your apps. Select the “all in one format and install” then select “5.3 all dashboards and apps.” This will take some time.
Next lock the hard disk.
Now with X-Disk running, you have an FTP server on your Xbox. Connect to it and move evox.ini & evodash.xbe to the C: partition and rename evodash.xbe to evoxdash.xbe.
