Xbox Modding (Part 1) - What You Need to Know

BIOS & Operating System Installation

After a successful installation of your desired upgrades, you are ready to get into the FUN. First thing's first, one must install one or more special underlying BIOSes in order to proceed with the installation of operating systems. Newer mod chips allow multiple BIOSes to be installed onboard, but maximum built-in storage for the BIOSes is limited to 1MB. Respecting this boundary, we have installed two 512K BIOSes: One BIOS is able to boot backed-up games and is capable of running a modified Xbox dashboard, and the second is a Linux BIOS capable of booting modified Linux distributions (respectively Xecutor and Cromwell). The BIOS installation can be followed through with a simple burn to a DVD-RW/DVD-R/CD-RW, followed by a painless installation with the Xbox.

We have discussed dual-booting on the Xbox, similar to a PC, yet have failed to properly explain this concept thus far. To begin with, instead of booting up your machine and waiting for a multi-selection menu, you actually are able to select your desired OS to boot before you even switch on your Xbox (mod chip permitting). On the front side of the Xbox is a three-toggle board, wired to the internal mod chip, which controls which BIOS/OS you wish to boot through. Once chosen, your Xbox's loaded screen will vary upon your selection, as well as available features and options.

The most successful BIOS and OS relationship available today is the same one enabling one to play their backed-up games (as well as manipulate them in various ways) is the infamous Team Xecutor and Evolution-X team-up. Evolution-X is a frequently-updated operating system specifically designed to take full advantage of game management and third party software support for the Xbox console system. This OS completely replaces the default Microsoft dashboard, as illustrated in the pictures below.

Above, is a picture of a third party software, entitled Px HDD Loader, which allows one to rip their bought Xbox games to the hard drive, and later play them. Below is Evolution-X's settings/system info page, outlining your specific Xbox.

Let's take a closer look now with some screenshots. Continue on!