Can I mod an XBOX for linux only (no xbox games) if the dvd drive is broken?

Discussion in 'Xbox - Hardware mods' started by JJiimm, Jun 30, 2006.

  1. JJiimm

    JJiimm Member

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    Here is the situation I have an old old Xbox Version 1.0 if I am reading the version correctly any way its dvd drive died and I bought a new xbox.

    Then the 360 came out and even the working xbox is not used anymore.

    Being a mad scientist sort I decided to see if I could take the broken one and install linux or mac os to use as a file server, mp3 streamer/whatever. I read several sites and all talk about using either the save game hack which I can't do because of the dvd drive being dead or a mod chip.

    Is there any way to use a regular computer dvd drive so that I could get Mechassault trick working? Perhaps a quick hack or a jumper or some other thing I am not aware of. I am assuming no but it's best to find out for sure.

    I tried to hook up a computer dvd with the power coming from a molex Y splitter from the molex that originally went to the hd and then into the HD and PCDVD with the xbox dvd using the weird extra wire power from the board. I switched teh ide cable from the xbox dvd to the pcdvd, pcdvd jumper was set to slave. It did not work and gave me the same disk read error the regular xbox drive gives me about not being able to read the disc and to check if it is dirty...it is not dirty etc. No discs work in the original or the piggybacked pcdvd.

    The sites I was reading up and followed along with are:

    How to Turn an Xbox Into a $150 Linux PC
    http://www.techbuilder.org/recipes/59201336

    Disassembly
    http://www.xbox-scene.com/articles/open4.php

    Files (that I cant use because of the dvd drive situation)
    http://www.xbox-linux.org/wiki/Download#Action_Replay_Saved_Game_ZIP_Files

    Says its the Hardware method (but I still need to use software...guess thats like Jumbo Shrimp)
    http://www.xbox-linux.org/wiki/Hardware_Method_HOWTO

    I got to the hardware page above from here
    http://www.xbox-linux.org/wiki/Getting_Started#17

    Mac Os on Xbox
    http://xbox.hackaday.com/entry/4733053428552506/


    I have a cable to use a usb drive with the xbox since I have a Mega X-Key (http://www.megaxkey.com/).

    I don't have access to anyone else modded xbox that I know of. I'm in Philadelphia PA if someone happens to have one that is close ;)

    Feel free to get technical I have been using and moding computers since the commodore 64 and I have an associates in electronics.

    If this is not possible what would be the best mod chip way to go about it. I don't care at all about running original or copied xbox games since I haven't played any Xbox games since getting a 360. All I wanna do is turn it into a computer via linux or mac os. I was going to follow the tutorial to completely wipe xbox stuff and have it be 100% linux.

    Oh btw the PCdvd I tied can be added to the xbox perminantly for linux use as it is my older dvd burner that was just resting in my parts box for a project like this.

    Also on a side note would it be possible to change the leds from green to blue? I have the blues but haven't experimented with them much, only opened the factory bag a few days ago. I know the use more power so I wouldn't wanna pull too much for something dumb liek a led hehe.

    Thanks Alot
    Jim
     
  2. theridges

    theridges Guest

    you can take the dvd drive out of your new xbox and put it in the old xbox softmod the old one and then put your old dvd drive back in...from there you can run apps and other homebrew you could even upgrade the hdd and never have to use the dvd drive again....
     
  3. JJiimm

    JJiimm Member

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    Man I feel dumb now...hehe thanks that didn't even occur to me. Guess I'm always lookin for the hard way out hehe.
     
  4. theridges

    theridges Guest

    its all good thats why you asked the questions here.....
     
  5. forgiste

    forgiste Member

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    Well, I have a very similar predicament, but I do not have an extra xbox to use the drive from. this drive tray was forced open with a knife, after the lens had been broken.

    Anyway, I just need to know a couple of things. Do I absolutely need a dashboard to boot linux, or can I just get a modchip and then boot a linux install cd, format my 40 gig harddrive completely, and install linux? Basically, do I need to install linux into the savegame partition, or can I just totally erase it, including the dashboard, and still be able to boot linux like a normal computer?

    also, must I start a new thread to get this question answered?

    Thank you in advance for your help.

    Forgiste
     
  6. theridges

    theridges Guest

    you might want to start a new thread,because i dont know much about linux on the xbox....
     

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