[Help softmodding xbox NTSC-J]

Thanks, I was looking at it and just when I was ready to try I gave Xplorer360 a last chance. Just then I managed to connect it with Xplorer360 and moved in the softmod installer files. The trick was apparently to totally unplug the USB-IDE connector from the USB and then do quickly the swap... or at least so I think. what it matters is that I backed up the eeprom and I am ready to mod thank you for your help!

[Help softmodding xbox NTSC-J]

13 minutes ago, HDShadow said:

Softmodding using exploit/installer game saves has always been considered, and is IMHO, the easiest way of modding a Xbox. You do have to have a working DVD drive and, of course, an original copy of one of the exploitable games along with a softmod installer package of course.

Hot-swapping with its inherent danger to the hardware is difficult to do successfully. There is some 'questionable' advice out there about provoking a particular error message which will "unlock the HDD" but the best YT tutorials on hot-swapping make it clear getting the swap point/timing right is not that simple. If it was installing a softmod or fixing errors this way would be a far more popular solution.

I have done a successful hot-swap with Xplorer360 but I tried so many times before it worked I was about to give up. Nowadays you're best advised not to to use Xplorer360; if you do successfully unlock the HDD FATXplorer is thing to use.

Whilst I've not tried doing this myself my experience with FATXplorer is it is a far more reliable and better tool for getting stuff from PC to a FATX formatted Xbox HDD. Only minor downside is that It does have to be properly installed on the PC rather than, like Xplorer360, used as a 'portable' program. 

Thank you for your post. I was going to follow exactly that game save way. Only question is that NTSC-J are exploitable only with ASIAN version of the game. I had this passage unclear and in fact I purchased Splinter Cell (Japanese version) sure to be able to softmod that way. The Asian versions here go for around 70-150 USD and it is honestly a no-go (i found for a bit less than 200 a 2tb pre-worked console with even the 128mb ram upgraded lol). I will try FATXplorer but I cannot find much about how to use it. I am also confused because on the website it said it was a software for purchase (like 25USD)... Do you have any wiki or github of the exact version you mentioned?

 

EDIT Is because of this whole mess that I find myself looking for an alternative way to softmod... I wanted to know if it is possible (like I think it is) to use XBHDM 2.3 beta4 to backup data after hotswap and how to put the data of the softmod there... I was looking for some detailed insights on that matter, but again thank you!

[Help softmodding xbox NTSC-J]

1 hour ago, sweetdarkdestiny said:

In case you have a raspbarry pi on hand: https://github.com/grimdoomer/PiPROM

Video tutorial : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSe89adGfR0

Thanks.I watched all these video and loved them but I do not have raspberry pi.

I am left only with the hope that someone more expert than me can tell me how to install the ROCKY5 softmod through XBHDM on a stock console... worst scenario I can follow the exact route of the OP here and later upgrade to Rocky5. It is just that is my absolute first time with an XBOX. Here in Japan are quite expensive and pricey.

[Help softmodding xbox NTSC-J]

Hello there everyone!

I posted a little bit around but then I considered the many peculiarities of my situation and decided that it was better to open a new topic.

I am going a little bit out of my mind trying to softmod an Xbox 1.00 fw 4034 NTSC-J. I am aiming to play some titles in english and therefore softmod is a must. I am not totally inept with soldering iron but if I wold like not messing around with the motherboard.

I checked my options and it seemed that Hotswap was the best alternative. I found a couple of posts on reddit (here from Rocky5 and here).

The second post is interesting because essentially presents my same case and the OP resolved with a previous copy of XboxHDM 2.3 Beta 2 and ndure 3.0 but then in the comments another poster said you can just use the XBHDM utility of Rocky5softmod. This was a long route. I thought to start from the easiest way to edit files in the HDD through hotswap: Xplorer360.

I planned to use Xplorer360 with the error 12 unplugging the dvd drive but it gave instead the error 11. The error 11 was just the start, I tried other ways to unlock the drive but it still does not show up in Xplorer360 (despite it showed up in DISKUTIL many times).

Used other hotswap strategy. In-game technique seemed the one that produced the best effects since it came up in the DISKUTIL but still never on Xplorer360. I dropped Xplorer360. I upgraded to XboxHDM 2.3 Beta 4 I planned to do with the Rocky5 Build 1.1.8v/Installer Variants/XBHDM. I was able to connect it to the PC via ide-usb cable, check in DISKUTIL and check with XboxHDM 2.3 Beta 4 that the hd is "ATA secutity is: enabled, pw Level Max, not locked, not frozen [sec5]."

I would like to make a backup and I want to move the rocky5 files now. I moved the XBHDM build from the "installer variants" folder in Build 1.1.8. load the XBHDM for the drive.  When I load the xbrowser in XboxHDM and press f2 for menu it gives me a "Cannot open file /usr/local/share/mc/mc.menu". f4 (edit) blanks the page with "C" [Read only] line 1 of 1 --100%-- which factually makes the XBHDM crash (no way to go back). IN A NUTSHELL: from here I am lost... what should I do? I run everything as administrator but no luck. Should I first unlock the drive and disable ? no Disable? i am really confused...

I dont have the eeprom reader so i cannot extract it in that way. I order solder ink pen but it will take time but worst scenario I think I might TSOP, but does that too need a softmod first?

Anyway I think that I must be close... any suggestions on how to proceed ?

 

Sorry for the long post and thank you for reading!

[First time modder - where to start/what method?]

1 hour ago, SS_Dave said:

Error 12 should be Ok as well as the hard drive should be unlocked by the time that message is displayed.

The last NTSC-j Xbox I did I held a mod chip that had Xblast on it on the board to get it booted , Then I was able to change the region to Pal so it would work with my copy of splinter cell, Then using that I was able to re-flash the onboard bios.

The hard drive is still 100% stock Japanese and still locked to that Xbox. 

 

Cheers

SS Dave

Soft modding is like masturbating, It gets the job done but it's nothing like the real thing.

 

Thanks, I am going crazy here. The error 11 was just the start, I tried other ways to unlock the drive but it still does not show up in Xplorer360.

I dont have the eeprom reader so I am trying with the hot-swap since I do not feel confident with a solder for a tsop (I order solder ink pen but it will take time) anyway I think that I must be close... I was able to connect it to the PC via ide-usb cable and to check with XboxHDM 2.3 Beta 4 that the hd is "ATA secutity is: enabled, pw Level Max, not locked, not frozen [sec5]." I would like to make a backup and I want to move the rocky5 files now. I moved the XBHDM build from the "installer variants" folder in Build 1.1.8. load the XBHDM for the drive.  When I load the xbrowser in XboxHDM and press f2 for menu it gives me a "Cannot open file /usr/local/share/mc/mc.menu". f4 (edit) blanks the page with "C" [Read only] line 1 of 1 --100%-- which factually makes the XBHDM crash (no way to go back)...

 

Any idea how to proceed ? (I am also noob so I think I am out of the messages I can post for today lol).

[xbox hdm2 23 usb (sata help)]

On 3/14/2021 at 12:25 PM, KaosEngineer said:

I'd suggest obtaining XboxHDM23 Beta 4 - an updated release by @Rapper_skull.  It has a SAFE mode.  When enabled, it allows you to access any hard drive connected to your PC, not just via a USB-to-HDD interface adapter. 

Make sure you are working with the correct hard drive before you prepare it - wiping it and adding content for the Xbox.

Download: XboxHDM23 Beta 4

Beta 4 contains no content in it's HDD_files/C or HDD_files/E folders.  If you are preparing a hard drive as XboxHDM23USB Beta 3 does, you need to download the Xbox Softmodding Tool's Build v1.1.8 / Installer Variants / XBHDM Build.zip archive. Extract its content and add it to the HDD_files/C folder of XboxHDM23 Beta 4. 

Note: A reminder on a softmodded console the hard drive has to be locked after preparing it before it will work in the console to boot the no-original-game-disc-required softmod installer installed from the XBHDM Build.zip file.

Or, if you simply want to build a new hard drive for a hard modded Xbox that contains the stock MS dashboard files, download, extracct and add to the HDD_files/C folder the content of Clean_C_and_E_files_for_Xbox.7z archive.  The E drive content contains only two (2) empty folders - UDATA and TDATA.

Sorry to resurrect this post. I have a NTSC-J 1.00 fw 4034 that is driving me crazy. I am trying Hotswap. I used XBHDM23 beta4 and it tells me "ATA secutity is: enabled, pw Level Max, not locked, not frozen [sec5]" How can I proceed now to install the rocky5 mod? I am a bit lost sorry for this message like this.

[First time modder - where to start/what method?]

On 11/8/2021 at 2:32 AM, MadMartigan said:

If you have an IDE to usb connector, the 4-5 second window should no longer a factor. Connect everything as normal, except for your disc drive’s power cable(yellow). Then reboot the console and see if it throws up an error 12. If it does, you’re good to go on the “hot swap” however you actually won’t need to do any swapping. Try this and report back with what you get.

This will get you soft modded with little effort. From there you can upgrade to a HDD of your preference, also, with minimal effort. 

Hi there, thank you for you comment. I was trying to follow this method since I cannot use the game-save softmod because I am running a NTSC-J 1.00. Anyway anytime I unplug the DVD power I have a error 11 (not 12)... I tried changing power cables of the console with no effects... Do you have any suggestion?  I tried also the unlock method on the dashboard with no success thanks

[Suggestion for Noob (modded xbox 128mb ram, 2tb, fanless heatsink ??? **softmodded**??)]

Thanks @jeffl it is interesting... but I know that conductive paint tends to lose connectivity after few months. I am not familiar with TSOP, once you installed the bios is it ok to remove the bridges?

 

[Suggestion for Noob (modded xbox 128mb ram, 2tb, fanless heatsink ??? **softmodded**??)]

Thank you all for the suggestions.
I will definitely pass on the idea of buying a pre-modded unit. No need for emulation machine. It is also more satisfying to diy.

@coldasijsthank you for your insights. I have several perfectly good HDDs laying around so I am planning on use one that is compatible according to the list.

I honestly plan to use the console only for Xbox because I have all the other consoles I am into so I play directly there or use pc for emulation.  After @Geeba suggestions I was looking already into noctua fan but damn those are expensive. I will definitely consider the no-DVD setting but I don't how much it really change when you just do not use it. For the moment I am still waiting on components from here and there so I will keep posting on the forum.

Again thank you all you got me thinking.

[Suggestion for Noob (modded xbox 128mb ram, 2tb, fanless heatsink ??? **softmodded**??)]

12 minutes ago, Mu. said:

Using a softmod with 128MB of memory sounds a little unusual to me. I was under the impression that a custom bios was required. Perhaps their softmod solution loads some kind of compatible BFM bios as part of its startup routine.

Probable but I cannot help with more info. He did told me that he use a different bios.

 

9 minutes ago, Geeba said:

Welcome

You could try - Tutorial - How to softmod the original Xbox in 2021 (Rocky5) | Se7enSins Gaming Community

I've not softmodded in many years but that looks pretty straight forward.

thanks!

 

[Suggestion for Noob (modded xbox 128mb ram, 2tb, fanless heatsink ??? **softmodded**??)]

Greetings from Japan, wonderful people of this wonderful forum!

I have been a long time lurker and and even longer time dreamer (to have a OG Xbox).

As you might know here in Japan Original Xboxes are rare and come pretty expensive (50 to 120usd depending on the conditions). Anyway I recently bit the bullet and for 4500jpy(40usd) got my hands on a semitransparent black limited edition with controllers HD converters and original cables, all in very good conditions (externally). DVD is finicky but after few shots works. MB should be a 1.0 according to serial number. The seal is still intact which makes me believe nobody has been in there.

I got a copy of splinter cell, ordered usb port and ide-to-sata interface, ide cables. I am studying now right usb stick while I was looking my chances for a softmod and maybe an HDD upgrade (I have many laying around).

I read discussions in which members say "chip or death" but I am noob with solder -  I fix almost everything all the time so I do not know if it is a bit of a complex, Japanese humility or just I am still a noob for real. Let's just say I am not confident enough to try TSOP or modchips on this beauty while just remove the clock capacitor is something I would feel totally ok doing.

Looking around for component I stumbled upon this seller online that offers what stated in the title: a modded xbox 128mb ram, 2tb, fanless heatsink, softmodded for 200usd. I mean just the components are about 150usd. The guy clearly loves xbox.

The fan-less heat-sink and the lack of a modchip are the only two things that really make me go like "nani?" especially the heat sink so I decided to ask here... I know that later models did not have one but is it safe? also how it is the price? should I just drop it and buy this one or should I softmod it by myself? In case can I swap the "shell" with the one I have or depends on  the MB series?

Thank you for reading this huge thing.

 

 

edit: also can you suggest me a reliable and noob friendly step by step guide to softmod?