View Full Version : I searched, and found nothing. XBOX modders, please enter
I am considering buying an XBOX to make into a file server. I mean, for the price, it's a da** good deal (I guess one could get a computer for the same price, but the XBOX is so small and unobtrusive). . .
Anyway, while I'm at it, if I can, I want to mod the thing . . .
I know the processor is soldered onto the board. But if the solder can be melted and removed, as solder tends to do when heated, then the processor can technically be upgraded, right? I imagine that's how that company that's selling 1.4GHz XBOXs is doing it. Anybody done it? If not, anybody got pointers (besides posting back on how to do it if I succeed . . .)? What's the fastest processor that I can put in there? I'm thinking 1.4 PIII . . . Is that right? Is it worth it?
The other question I have is more for Linux people. Can Linux do a software RAID array? I don't think I'll need RAID 0, since it's only for my home, and I won't be moving things from it to other computers simultaneously . . . But I'd be worried about my data going down the can if the hard drive fails . . . I know I can put another hard drive in there, but I know nothing of Linux's RAID abilities.
This is mostly for the entertainment of a new project. I know I can get a PC and probably have it work out better with MUCH less effort, but this is a whole lot more fun, and nobody would ever guess that's what it was . . .
Thanks
Z
linux can do RAID arrays, go to www.linux.org and start hunting.
Removing a CPU from a motherboard is risky without the correct tools. You will probably end up trashing the old CPU, the M/B or the new CPU when you solder it back in.
Risky but your call
\dev\goat
10-20-03, 05:49 AM
The guys over at FT (making the 1.4ghz xboxes..) are simply desoldering the PIII and popping the 1.4ghz celery in. Xbox is based off of the socket 370 platform so the fastest processor you can use is a 1.4ghz celeron. you might want to think about a slower albeit more efficient and sexier pentium3, though. 1.4ghz p3 is $205, 1.2ghz p3 is $82.
http://3btech.net/inpe31fctupr.html
check pricewatch a lot before you decide. also realize that when you modify the xbox you can no longer play xbox live stuff, but you can still play xbconnect stuff. i am not sure how much storage xbox's ide controller can support, or how many drives, definately check before you buy. Keep us updated :)
Thanks for the info . . .
The processor in your link has only 256k cache . . . Isn't that how much the "Celeron" in the XBOX has? If so, would that really be any better than a 1.4GHz Celeron? I know the difference between the P3 and the Celeron (8-way associative cache vs. 4-way) and I know that the XBOX's processor is a P3 (8-way cache) with half the cache disabled/not present. If the above processor has the same amount of cache, then the only reason it's better is because of the higher clock speed, correct?
I imagine I'm very likely to trash it as well, which is why I was asking. Do you think it's because of heat damage, or because I'll bend/break something off that I shouldn't, or because I'll damage traces, or what?
What about soldering on more RAM? Anyone done it? How does one do it? I looked and didn't find anything about it.
I think it can address up to 137GB of storage space, but I think I can pop two 120GB drives in there and have it recognize all of it.
Thanks again
Z
\dev\goat
10-20-03, 09:48 AM
p3 is more efficient, meaning it gets more work done per clock cycle (the exact same way amd does vs. intel)
a rough example would be on my 900mhz celeron it took 14 hours to complete a seti WU, and on my moms 866mhz p3 it took 6 hours
the only thing i see you breaking is maybe solder dripping off the tip or scratching a trace, just make sure you have a steady hand or have it done professionally (tv repair shop, etc.)
you can add more ram too, gotta get the chips from a broken xbox, or from a Geforce 2 GTS
http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?act=ST&f=41&t=98909
take pics of all the mods you do lol :)
Shade00
10-20-03, 04:29 PM
Do you either of you guys have a link to the fellows who do the chip replacement?
If you're referring to the people that are selling 1.4GHz XBOXes, I don't have a link, but I don't think they're for sale. All I've seen is a few stories saying that it exists . . . It won't help in games, though, so if that's why you're considering it, reconsider.
I realize that I'm very likely to scratch traces, burn the board, melt something, etc., which is why this would only be attempted if the 733 isn't fast enough for my needs . . . The same goes for the RAM upgrade. I don't have the skills to do either of these, but for a 100 dollar machine (when the price drops, it's rumored), it's not that expensive of a mistake, either . . .
Z
Shade00
10-20-03, 07:58 PM
It really doesn't help? My Xbox gets a little laggy in 4 person split-screen games. I would think a little more processing punch would help things out.
\dev\goat
10-21-03, 01:54 AM
The new x2 bios that is coming out is rumored to make games use the full 128mb and 1.4ghz :D
Games are coded to use a 733MHz Pentium/Celeron. They shouldn't need any more than that and I don't think they can use it properly, if at all. The games are coded specifically for the XBOX specs, so it would be outright dumb to make one that needed more power to run right . . . They have the advantage of knowing the exact hardware they're going to have to run it on. They take advantage of everything it has. I think doing this will increase the speed of game play. I guess I can be wrong, but that's what I've read about so far.
Z
Mr. Chambers
10-22-03, 07:44 AM
i've been looking into doing just about the same thing as you zach, especially if/when the price drops on them. we should make an xbox modding thread with all the links and whatnot - would definately help out the curious (aka: me) :D
I actually don't think that making any links would be a good idea, except perhaps to the XBOX Linux site. All the others I've seen have dealt with highly questionable/illegal material, and thus cannot be linked to.
But when the price drops, I'm gonna' be all over it, methinks
Z
Mr. Chambers
10-22-03, 12:34 PM
Originally posted by zachj
I actually don't think that making any links would be a good idea, except perhaps to the XBOX Linux site. All the others I've seen have dealt with highly questionable/illegal material, and thus cannot be linked to.
But when the price drops, I'm gonna' be all over it, methinks
Z
doh! stupid me i forgot :p that probably wouldnt be a very good idea...
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