I recently softmodded my xbox via ndure 1.1 (with help from y'all) and I thought I'd write it
up so others could benefit. My tutorial is attached as a text file (formatted in reStructuredText, but still
readable as text). I have a generated html version, but nowhere to host it.
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Xbox Softmod Tutorial
=====================
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21-Feb-2006
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:Authors:
  ShiftyGypsy
:Version: 1.0 of 21-feb-2006
**DISCLAIMER**
I'm not responsible for actions resulting from following this
tutorial. it might contain errors/typos/bad jokes. if you mod your
xbox into a paperweight, it's not my fault. please read and
understand the whole thing before attempting to mod your xbox. you
have been warned.
How to install the softmod
--------------------------
You Need:
* Original retail copy of either:
  - MechAssault
  - 007: Agent Under Fire
  - Splinter Cell (non-platinum)
 Since a softmod uses a game exploit to bootstrap itself onto the
 xbox, some versions of the above games might not work. However, no one
 seems to know what the vulnerable versions are, so you just have to
 try it and hope for the best. I have all three and all three of my
 copies are vulnerable (*ie*, can be used to install the exploit).
 While all three games can be used, some are easier than
 others. Mechassault (MA) is the easiest. 007 requires you to
 actually start the game, exit and then load a savegame before the
 exploit can work. Splinter Cell (SC) requires two copies from a
 memory card to your xbox. I recommend MA, if possible.
* Xbox memory card (Microsoft version *highly* recommended)
* USB memory card PC adapter
 I used `GameShark/GameSaves
 <http://www.madcatz.com/Default.asp?Page=154&CategoryImg=Xbox_Accessories>`_
 ($20 at BestBuy).
 Tip: you can borrow the memory card and adapter from someone, but i
 highly recommend purchasing them. If anything goes wrong down the
 road, and you have to re-mod your machine, you'll need them (trust
 me, I know).
* Krazie's ndure softmod installer
 Note: There are three versions of his installer, one for each of the
 vulnerable games above. get the one that corresponds to the game
 that you have (it'll have either 007, SC or MA in the filename). I
 used MA.
 I got my copy of the exploit from the files section of `Softmod
 Depot <
www.smdepot.net>`_, but I'm sure there are other
 places.
* Action Replay PC for xbox
Â
 This lets you copy data from PC to xbox memory card. Available `here
 <http://uk.codejunkies.com/downloads/XBOXAR_USsetup1_31.zip>`_.
Now that we have all the ingredients, let's begin...
(from this point on, i'm assuming that you're using the MA exploit)
0. Update your dashboard: Boot your xbox without a game and choose
  xbox live at the main menu. then choose "account recovery". this
  will update your dashboard to current (5960). Don't actually create
  an account, just exit out.
1. Install Action Replay on your PC, start it up and test that you can
  see your memory card (leave it running).
2. Extract MA ndure softmod rar archive to a dir on your PC.
3. In the extracted MA ndure directory, look for a file called
  "udata.zip" (it's in a directory called "MA save")
4. Drag-n-drop udata.zip to the memory card (AR will unzip it for
  you). the memory card should now contain an MA gamesave (complete
  with exploit [wink]).
5. Exit AR and remove your memory card from the USB adapter (there's
  no unload for the memory card that i know of -- just pull it out).
6. Plug the memory card into your xbox controller and power on your
  xbox (without a game).
7. Load the MA gamesave onto your xbox hdd (via Memory menu).
8. Put the MA disc in the xbox.
9. Choose "Campaign" at the MA main menu.
10. Choose "Run Linux" (here comes the cool part. watch your
  up-until-now-green power indicator on the front of your xbox).
11. You should be greeted with a softmod installation screen. If not,
  something went wrong. Maybe your copy of the game is patched.
  (at this point, you are running linux on your xbox. complete with
  an ftp daemon (user:xbox pass:xbox))
12. Your first step is to backup the eeprom. Choose this option (first
  one). It will lead you to another screen with "backup
  eeprom". Choose this. Once the eeprom is backed-up, return to main
  menu.
13. (Optional) Connect to the xbox via FTP and copy off your eeprom
  backup.
  Tip: use active ftp only; passive doesn't work.
14. After you backed-up the eeprom, choose "basic install" and follow
  the directions. Eventually, you'll reboot and see the evolutionx
  dashboard. At this point, your box is officially modded!
15. Before doing anything else, backup:
- the contents of C: partition
- the contents of E: partition (includes your eeprom backup)
Just ftp to the box, copy the dirs to your PC, AND BURN THEM
ON A DVD. my xbox had ~900MB on it when i modded it.
16. (Optional, but recommended) Install ndure 1.1 Extras: in the ndure
  directory on your PC, there's an "Extras" directory. FTP this dir
  to E:Apps on your xbox. Reboot xbox. "Krazie's Extras" should now
  appear under applications. this app is very useful. i used it to
  format the g: partition after i installed the bigger drive. saved
  me from removing the drive.
17. (optional) install `xbox media center <http://www.xboxmediacenter.com/>`_:
1. get the binary distribution (xbmc does not officially come
      in compiled form -- you have to find the binaries).
2. unrar the distro and copy the XBMC dir to E:Apps (via
      ftp). reboot your xbox. xbmc should appear under
      applications.
How to replace your stock hdd
-----------------------------
** WARNING WARNING **
This is a very rewarding mod with high payoff
(bigger hdd to store games, movies, etc), BUT requires care and
attention to detail. If you're unsure at any point, seek help. Also,
this will VOID YOUR XBOX WARRANTY.
(You need three types of torx screwdrivers: #10, #15 and #20)
1. Acquire a replacement ide hdd. caveats:
- must be >8G (stock drive is 8G)
- must be "lockable" (see `xbox hdd compatibility chart
     <http://xboxdrives.x-pec.com/>`_)
2. Get current version of `xboxhdm
  <http://www.eurasia.nu/modules.php?name=Downloads&d_op=viewdownloaddetails&lid=1191&ttitle=xboxhdm_v1.9>`_
  utility (requires registration to download) and extract it to a dir
  on your PC.
3. Under xboxhdm/linux, you'll see a handful of dirs. Copy your
  backed-up C: contents to the C dir; your backed-up E: contents to
  the E dir and your eeprom.bin file to the eeprom dir.
4. From xboxhdm dir, run 'make-iso-win.bat'. It will create a burnable
  iso image using the linux dir.
5. Burn the iso to a dvd.
6. Power-down your pc and remove all harddrives. Set your
  soon-to-be-xbox hdd to cable-select and attach it to primary master
  bus. Boot pc with xboxhdm disc in drive (make sure your pc can boot
  dvds).
7. The pc should boot linux from the disc and present you with a few
  options. Choose the first one ("boot vga console with xbox-drive
  utilities").
8. Once you get a command prompt, type 'xboxhd' and eventually choose
  "build xbox drive from scratch". Be sure to agree to copy over C:
  and E:.
9. Once it's finished creating the xbox drive, reboot (i think there's
  a reboot command) and let the dvd boot again.
10. This time, choose "boot linux with locking/unlocking utilities".
11. Once at a command prompt, type 'lockhd -a'. This will lock your
  hard drive using a key from your eeprom (very important step).
12. If everything went well (and it'll tell you), shut-down your pc
  and remove your new xbox hdd.
13. Open your xbox:
a. Ground yourself with a wrist-strap.
b. There are six (6) #20 torx screws one the bottom of the
  xbox. Four under the rubber feet and two under stickers
  (`look here for illustrations
  <http://www.xbox-scene.com/articles/open1.php>`_). remove
  all six screws.
c. Carefully flip xbox over and carefully remove top cover (it
  covers the top and sides).
d. You should now see the dvd reader and hdd.
e. Remove the ide and power cables from the stock hdd.
f. Remove the #10 screw holding the plastic hdd enclosure
  (it's under the ide cable on the power-connector side of
  the hdd).
g. Free the hdd power cable from the hdd enclosure (you won't
  be able to remove the enclosure otherwise).
h. Lift the hdd enclosure out of the xbox.
i. Still grounded?
j. Remove the four #15 screws holding the hdd in the
  enclosure. Place stock hdd in anti-static bag and label it.
k. Attach new hdd to the enclosure using the four #15 screws.
l. Reverse stock hdd removal steps.
     (At this point, I left the cover off in case I needed to
     replace the stock drive)
m. Attach to tv and power xbox on.
      Here's where one of (at least) three things will happen. A)
      your machine will boot just like it did before you powered
      it down (and present the modded dashboard). B) your machine
      will boot stock m$ dashboard. or C) your machine will
      produce some kind of error. my xbox did B. if yours does A,
      great. If it does c, retrace your steps and seek help if
      necessary. If it does B, read on.)
n. If your xbox boots into the modded dashboard, you're done!
      If it boots into m$ dashboard, you need to reinstall the
      softmod. Unfortunately, you can't use the gamesave that's
      already on your hdd. You have to delete the one on the hdd
      and copy over a fresh one (same steps you originally
      took). Go through the same steps you used initially and the
      result will be your modded xbox with a new drive.
  Tip: If the replacement hdd is >137G, you need to enable
      the G: partition and format it (otherwise, all space >137G
      will be inaccessible). You enable the G: partition under
      dashboard settings and format it with Krazie's Extras tool.
Step 3: Copying retail games to your xbox hdd
---------------------------------------------
(This step assumes that you replaced your stock hdd -- Xbox games are
~4G each (eg, Halo 2 = 4.5G))
1. Get current version of `dvd2xbox
  <http://www.eurasia.nu/modules.php?name=Downloads&d_op=viewdownloaddetails&lid=2923&ttitle=dvd2xbox_v0.7.4>`_
  utility (as of this date, current version is 0.7.4).
2. Extract rar distro to your pc and ftp dir to E:Apps on your xbox.
3. Reboot xbox. You should now see dvd2xbox in applications.
4. Start dvd2xbox.
5. Put game disc in drive (try halo2, it's fun!).
6. Choose "copy dvd to hdd".
7. Pick location with adequate space.
8. Start copy. Come back in ~15min.
9. Exit dvd2xbox. If all went well, your game should show up under
  "games on hd".
Spellchecked by:
-Dr Fweega
-shiftygypsy
