Items you will need:
Ixtreme Firmware V 1.5
Iprep (Newest version: Search google for iprep website)
A usb thumbdrive (make sure you can boot off usb in bios. If not get another comp)
2 new screw sets (available through Llama.com)
A multimeter (Optional)
A T9 and T10 Torx screwdriver (Can buy at Radioshack. I couldn't find a T9 at any hardware store...)
A mini flat head screw driver or case opening tool
A roll of electrical tape
A replacement fan (Optional)
One tube of Artic Silver (Optional)
You will need a sata controller compatible with the Xbox drive... Here's a compatibility list:
http://www.biline.ca/360_sata.htmPlease read through this tutorial completely before posting any questions as it is very in depth.
So basically what we're going to do is gut your Xbox 360, parade around with entrails, and then fornicate with it's lifeless corpse. TAKE THAT, MICROSOFT!
...Kidding.
Actually, what we're going to do is flash the disk drive to play burned games while fixing RROD problems before they start, several heating issues, burn some Xbox 360 disks, and finally fix any read issues you will have with your 360 playing burned media. I have done this all myself so it is proven and will not only fix inherant flaws Microsoft knew about (and will charge you for), but you'll be able to make backups of your precious disks. No more disk protection scams or buying games over and over again! While there is the abilty to pirate games, I cannot condone other users using this tutorial to do this, but can't stop you either.
To answer any questions, YES.
Any drive can be flashed. Took awhile, but the amazing modders out there finally found ways of modding every Xbox 360 drive available.
First things first check out these pics and determine which drive you have:
Then open your 360 following this guide:
http://team-xecuter.com/blaster360/360unlock.htmYou only need to get the outer case off so you can get to the CD drive at this point. After you get the case off set your 360 aside cause it's time to do the computer part.
I'm going to go through the Samsung drive because it is the easiest and that is the one I have.
Install Iprep and open it up. Plug your thumb drive in and empty it of any files you want to save cause it's going to get FORMATTED!
Load your Samsung iXtreme firmware, select your thumb drive from the drive list, click format/make bootable, make sure IDE mode is selected, then hit prepare destination. Viola, you now have a bootable drive.
Next, power your comp down, open the case, locate an available sata port, setup your 360 next to your comp, connect the 360 dvd drive to the comp's sata port, plug your bootable flash drive in and power your comp on.
Go into bios and set your flash drive to boot first. Also check to make sure your 360 drive is reading by powering the 360 on and seeing if it comes up as a device.
Save setting in bios and then wait for the drive to boot up.
This is pretty easy from here...
Make sure xbox is on.
Type dsam XXXXXXX XXXXX to read the Samsung drive key, where X's is your Xbox serial key found on the back of the Xbox.
RTFI. (Read the instructions)
Hit no on any drive that does not start with “TSST corp”.
If it stops and asks you if you want to resend MTK hit yes and power cycle the drive.
When propted for drive enter number corresponding to “TSST corp” drive.
THIS DOES NOT MEAN GO TO 6 BY DEFAULT. DEPENDING ON YOUR SETUP IT MAY BE A DIFFERENT NUMBER!
After selecting drive hit R for read.
Type samofw.bin
Key will be read and then drive key will be copied into a backup folder.
At this step I would suggest powering down, going back into windows and copying that backup in the backup folder on your flash drive. NEVER DELETE THIS BACKUP!
Once backup is saved to the comp go back into iPrep and type fsam XXXXXXX XXXXX for your serial number.
Hit any button.
Hit no on any other drives that hang.
Resend MTK and power cycle if need be.
Type in 360 drive port.
Type W for write.
Enter samcfw.bin.
Once your at C prompt your done. You now have a successfully flashed drive!
Alrighty, we now have a flashed drive that is ready to play a backup... so how do we burn games?
Well, this is where it becomes a pain in the butt. You could go through the trouble of getting an xbox drive setup in your comp dedicated just to read xbox games so that you can rip images from disks...
You could use a spare computer drive and with some finagling make it dump 360 data...
Or you could download a torrent...
These are the three options. Unfortunately, the torrent is the easiest way, however I do believe it is illegal even if you own the game already.
With some know how, though, the data dump method works and can be done pretty easily once set up.
Here is a link the guide by Clevermod:
http://www.clevermod.com/index.php?article=12I would suggest that method because torrents are limited, illegal, and take forever to download. Better to just borrow a game from a friend or rent, then make a copy of that. Also illegal, but more effective. Also, I can't condone that!
Once you have an .iso or .dvd file ready to be burned, your ready to go here:
http://www.imgburn.com/If your still using DVD Decrypter, download Imgburn because Imgburn is the new form of DVD Decrypter.
Alrighty. From here you open Imgburn, go to tools/settings/write and under Sectors in LO type in 1913760. This adds a layerbreak so your games will work right.
YAY! We have a layerbreak!
But... how do I burn a disk with Imgburn?!
Simple!
Go here, follow this guide, and revel in the pure joy that is Imgburn:
http://forum.imgburn.com/index.php?showtopic=61So, we now have new firmware capable of reading backups, a backup... hmm.
But I'm still having heating issues and the dreaded RROD!
Okay, it's time to fix the mess Microsoft has left us with... AGAIN.
But first, I'm going to gripe about Microsoft some!
Not only did Microsoft use piss poor electronics, a flawed design, and crappy manufacturing in making the Xbox 360 and also the Xbox, but they are CHARGING people to have their Xbox 360's fixed! When will the madness end, Microsoft?
No, seriously... I want to know when it's going to end.
So, onto the X-clamp fix, putting on some new artic silver, and taping up that horribly ineffective fan shroud.
DO NOT DO THE PENNY FIX OR ANY FIX LIKE IT! IT WILL BREAK YOUR XBOX IN THE LONGRUN! GUANENTEED!This guide has everything in one to fix pretty much everything Microsoft got wrong!
http://www.jamerican.net/?p=48 (Shroud mod)
OR
http://www.llamma.com/xbox360/repair/ring_of_light_x-clamp_fix.htm (X Clamp fix)
So... that being done, we've pretty much fixed everything on the Xbox and gotten it to a point where it's almost perfect.
WAIT! I'm having trouble with my disks! I have freezes in the middle of games, unreadable burned games I know should work, and general read problems!
HAHAHA! I have a solution.
Actually, this place does:
http://forums.llamma.com/viewtopic.php?t=111Or
http://www.llamma.com/xbox/Repairs/thompson_potentiometer.htmDepending on which pots you have.
Well, I hope this cleared up any questions you may have had. I have spent a headache and a half trying to find all these solutions and fixes. Please feel free to ask questions once you have read through this guide completely because I'm sure there are some things I didn't cover.
After getting so much help from the mod community and basking in the ingenuity of a great many people, I felt it was time to give back. I hope this tutorial can mesh together all the questions new and old modders alike have so that modding can be fun, quick, and painless like it should be.
A big shout out goes to all modders who write the code, make the hacks, help the noobs, answer the questions of many, and make the modding community a great.
I will be editing this post regularly to update this as best I can.
Sources:
http://www.se7ensins.com/forums/firmware-hack-tutorials/82441-flash-benq-xbox-360-a-7.htmlhttp://www.klutsh.com/page.php?5http://www.informit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=430626&seqNum=2http://team-xecuter.com/blaster360/360unlock.htmhttp://www.clevermod.com/index.php?article=12http://www.jamerican.net/?p=48http://www.llama.com
