[How To] Softmod Your Xbox in 10 Mins. (If you are good that is)
Revisions:
3-8-08: Initial release
10-10-08: Added tutorial links below:
http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/578329
http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/536595#3246424
6-28-09: Added my Youtube video below:
1-15-10: Youtube video removed until I upload new version.
In efforts to get more Xbox tutorials on here, I have decided to just copy and paste an excellent guide before. I take no credit for it, and I do want to say that it works because I have done it on my own Xbox. If you get stuck on the way, I can help you out definitely. – Versatile1
Source
Xbox modification has come a long way in the past couple years. With the introduction of the TSOP mod, potential modders no longer had to shell out money for a modchip; rather just bridge two points on the Xbox motherboard. Now one doesn’t even have to open up his Xbox. Welcome to the world of soft modding. Using code exploits in certain games, a user is able to load a phony gamesave that will boot into a Linux based operating system and allow a user to mod his Xbox… in under ten minutes.
Before I go on, soft modding voids your warranty. It is not illegal, but if something goes wrong, you can’t return your console to Microsoft and expect them to send you a new one.
WARNING! PLEASE READ – If you have successfully modded your Xbox, DO NOT attempt to connect to Xbox Live. If you do, Microsoft will ban your account. Modded Xboxes are not allowed on Live. Expect a complete FAQ (I’ve received lots of emails) to come out Monday, Sept 12th
You’re going to need the following things before we get started:
b. The original version of 007: Agent Under Fire or the Platinum Hits AUF with the Serial #: 1448517 (NOT 1448527)
c. Mech Assault with the Serial #: MS02301L on the inner ring of the game CD
First thing you need to do is acquire an All-in-One exploit package. Where do you get this? Launch your IRC client of choice, and type: /server irc.efnet.net
Once connected to EFNet, type /j #xbins and then type /msg xbins !list
You will receive a private message from Xbins who will give you the location and login to the FTP.
Once connected to the FTP, navigate to /XBOX/exploits/_Packages/Softmod Installer Deluxe/ and download the Softmod.Installer.Deluxe.v2.0.Xbox-Hq.rar file.
For this tutorial, we’ll be using the Splinter Cell exploit. All exploits are pretty much the same.
Extract the two .zip files (SID.Splinter.Cell.v2.0.Xbox-Hq.zip and SID.Splinter.Cell.v2.0.NTSC.Xbox-Hq.zip) from the RAR archive.
If you’re using Action Replay, drag both zip files to your memory card. Then copy both gamesaves from the memory card to your unmodded Xbox.
If you have access to a modified Xbox, you can extract both .zip files and FTP them over to the modified Xbox console, then using the MS Dash, copy both the Linux Installer and Splinter Cell gamesaves to the memory card, switch consoles and copy the gamesaves from the memory card to the unmodded Xbox.
There should be two gamesaves. One should be 4 blocks (a linker file), the other 489 (the installer file).
Start up Splinter Cell, select Start Game and press A.
If you have never played Splinter Cell before, there should only be one available gamesave: Linux. Select it and press A.
On the next screen, select Check Points (selecting Levels (in my experience) will cause the Xbox to freeze).
The screen should turn black and approximately 10 seconds later, you will be greeted with an UnleashX intro screen and then an UnleashX control panel.
Select the option, Create MS Backup, which will backup the entire contents of your C:\ to E:\backup\MS
Now select the option, Create Mod Backup, which will backup your EEPROM.
If you do not backup your c:\ and your EEPROM, recovering your console if something does go awry will be incredibly hard or impossible.
Once you have backed up both the C:\ and EEPROM, select Install Softmod. This will mod your system. DO NOT TURN OFF YOUR SYSTEM. Let the mod install, when it finishes you’ll notice that the installation prompt and status bar have disappeared.
Because of the limited capacities of standard Microsoft memory cards, only the Evolution X and Unleash X dashboards have been included in this package. I prefer Evolution X, so select Install Evox and let Evolution X install.
Once you have installed Evolution X, power off your Xbox and turn it back on. Make sure to eject your Splinter Cell game.
If everything went correctly, your Xbox should be successfully modded and you will be greeted with an Evolution X (or Unleash X) dashboard.
Posted on March 8, 2008, in Sexy Saturday and tagged Backup, EvolutionX, How to Softmod Your Xbox, Softmodding, Unleash, Xbox. Bookmark the permalink. 199 Comments.
Also, how do I make Zsnes work on here? Its a exe file not the ini like the Nintendo Emulator FCE. I changed the extension to ini but that didnt help. Any hints?
What you need is a SNES emulator written for the XBOX platform. However, I have only played with NES emulator so far on my xbox. If you are adventurous, please go here and learn up and try all the other homebrew apps at your ridiculous disposal: http://www.xboxscene.com/software/software.php?page=emulators
http://worldofstuart.excellentcontent.com/xemus/xbox/xemus.htm
Sorry, its actually a XBE extension, not a EXE
Quick update: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/14773/snes.rar
Use that, its the SNES version for Xbox. Enjoy and good luck. I am going to go reformat my PC for the next hour or so.
Update: Watch this video of mine:
I think I may have figured something out, tell me if Im right…..
I put my nes emulator and snes emulator in the same folder…does this cause an issue? That might be my big problem….I have downloaded Snes9x X which I believe is the correct emulator….Will try now to see if thats it…..
Yeah I have that same SNES emulator but it wont come up on the screen. It has the xbe extension. This is only the 2nd emulator I have put on my Xbox. I just did the FCE NES last night with no problems. Worked great. But this SNES is not the INI extension and doesnt seem to want to work…..DAMN IT! LOL.
Just did the Genesis rom and it had a XBE and INI file in it, worked perfectly.
.XBE files is what xbox uses to run. Please keep all emulators in their own folders.
Well that SNES emulator certainly isnt working!
Try a different one then.
I need a way to mod my xbox just with the coslol
No idea what you want to do here. Please explain.
I’m having trouble getting the all in one exploit package from xbins. I get to the part where i type in,”/msg xbins !list”, then i never get a private message from xbins. Somebody please help this very frustrating!
Check again. He always answers back to me.
Ok, I’ve been at this for days. I’m using the USB Flash drive method and using Xplorer 360 to put the files on the flash drive. No problem them. From the flash drive (wired/soldered inside the controller) to the xbox HDD, no problems. When I click checkpoints, the game just freezes and the music keeps playing. Same for levels. I have the correct disc # and additionally it is not PH. I’d love any help you could give.
I don’t understand your method. Did you successfully mod the Xbox or not?
In addition, the dashboard is the correct version as well.
No i did not. The method is not the problem (I think). It freezes as I try and push “A” on checkpoints.
You using the splinter cell game with the linux save game file?
Yes, I thought that was implied since that was what your article used…
Just double checking. You never know based upon the intelligence of our readers. I get funny questions asked that are 100% covered in the tutorial.
I do not understand why your game freezes at the checkpoints. Doesn’t make much sense at all. You can explore further by visiting the xbox forums at xbox-scene.com or afterdawn.com
Back in my day we didnt have any soft mods!!! Had to solder!
So I softmodded my xbox using the 007 save and all.
It was working fine until I turned it on the other morning and it boots straight into the xbox live screen and you cant back out of it.
I have tried reloading the hacked save on 007 again but my system just retarts..HELP!!
Why would it boot into the xbox live screen for?
Let it sit unpowered for 4 hours and then turn it back on.
I have the same problem! Did you find a solution? I’m stuck on this screen and I can not do anything! Help!
Do,
Try unplugging ethernet, hard resetting or as suggested, let it sit for a couple days.
Hard Resetting: http://tinyurl.com/37vrygm
or
http://preview.tinyurl.com/xboxhardreset
Does this work for xbox 360?
no… it is ORIGINAL xbox only…
Xbox 360 is a different method. Go to jungleflasher.net
should i get a 16mb or 64mb mem. card?? and also, the softmod downloader from xbins is 17mb so wouldnt i need the 64?? anyway, look forward to your response, thanks.
We are just talking about the save game file. I have a AR MAX 8MB and that was enough for me.
Type this into ebay he will supply the game saves you need and instructions and after care for a tener.
Xbox XBMC save transfer kit, USB adapter+memstick+help!
Or this into ebay-150593005409
or click link if it works-
http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_trksid=m570&_nkw=Xbox+XBMC+save+transfer+kit%2C+USB+adapter%2Bmemstick%2Bhelp!
Hi i have a problem,
when i type /msg xbins !list on IRC nothing replies.. can someone help?
or just give me the ftp username and pass? thanks
Watch the iRC video I have on xbox. It should reply.
Mate, can you help me out on the “connecting your xbox to your PC” part? Mine is modified, so I just want to connect so I can use KlinkKai. 🙂
Cheers.
Use a crossover cable. Watch the gamedexterity xbox video too!
hi, i have a problem: i create a usb cable, i have copied savegames in a sd card 512mb and xplorer360 recognized it as “partition 0” after xbox formatted in fatx.
I copied folder “5553000c” and “21585554” on the root of the sdcard though xplorer360.
Now, i want to copy the savegame and sid installer 5.10 on xbox hdd for begin modding, but the only option shown to the savegames in card controller is “delete”. i can’t show any copy command.
Where i wrong?
I didn’t do this method?
Easy soft mod here
No action replay need
magicalmodcard.webs.com
EASY SOFT MOD WITHOUT ACTION REPLAY AND ALSO XBMC DOWNLOAD
Where can I find the linux installer file?
What linux file are you referring to?
“If you have access to a modified Xbox, you can extract both .zip files and FTP them over to the modified Xbox console, then using the MS Dash, copy both the Linux Installer and Splinter Cell gamesaves to the memory card, switch consoles and copy the gamesaves from the memory card to the unmodded Xbox.”
The Linux installer that was mentioned in the paragraph above
Nevermind, I realized that one the Splinter Cell Files was indeed the Linux Installer file
i did the mod like 20 times now and after turning the xbox off and unplugging it for a few hrs the original dash loads up what can i do it just will not stick i have emulators and games loaded that. an be seen when i ftp the box and after redoing the soft mod i can access them but theres just no other way for me to get to the evox or unleash dash and yes i have tried power and eject to turn on single boot and all others as well as setting up to not jump to ms dash what next i just want to be able to play the games without needing to take 8 min to softmod every time please help
ok so i figured it out i looked everywhere and found nothing anywhere that says this is a step but i stumbled on it myself you have to start up a xbox game in the drive then push eject to gain access to the modded dash then it boots right up
I am not sure why you are having so much trouble with your softmod, but good to know!
Softmod your original Xbox with the Xbox Softmod Kit – its easy, simple and secure http://xbmcxbox.blogspot.com/2013/05/original-xbox-softmod-kit.html