Replace HDD (without external tools or DVDs)

[peterpop]

Quick question:
Is it possible to just pop in a random HDD and format it on a hardmodded console?

I have read that the Project Stellar chip have tools for it. Does cerbios (ChatGPT says so, but I have a hard time finding any information that verifies it)? Any other BIOS? Or does it require a modchip to have those kinds of capabilites?

It's simply to avoid the hassle of using FATxplorer in a virtual machine and avoiding stress on the DVD drive.

[MadMartigan]

Absolutely this is possible. As long as the Xbox is modded, you can pop in an installer disc to format the HDD. PrometheOS can now do this for you. 

[trencherfield]

9 hours ago, peterpop said:

Quick question:
Is it possible to just pop in a random HDD and format it on a hardmodded console?

I have read that the Project Stellar chip have tools for it. Does cerbios (ChatGPT says so, but I have a hard time finding any information that verifies it)? Any other BIOS? Or does it require a modchip to have those kinds of capabilites?

It's simply to avoid the hassle of using FATxplorer in a virtual machine and avoiding stress on the DVD drive.

Quote

Replace HDD (without external tools or DVDs)

Without any external tools or DVD's? If that includes usb softmod exploit as well, then you must install a modchip.

Openxenium or any Xenium based modchip has limited format tools within the original XeniumOS. See disk tools section. It's not ideal though and has various format limitations.

Xenium-OS V2.0 User Manual.pdf

See disk tools section.
Prometheus may have improved this, don't know, never used it.

Stellar will have a better system. Never bought/used one. Can't comment further.

The files to setup the hard drive have to come from somewhere. Whether you use an installer dvd disk, build it on a PC, usb installer/softmod or FTP them to the hard drive, there's no getting away from that.
Often used is Xboxpartioner 1.3 for better hard drive formatting.
If you have an already setup (unlocked) xbox hard drive of any size, then you can just use a duplicator to clone it quickly and install it into a chipped Xbox also.

Lots of ways, but there are a few chips with apps that can format a drive yes. You still need to install all the dash files etc though.

Your least amount of tools (without using the DVD drive) then would be, install a hard chip with an onboard OS. Format the hard drive. (May still need to be initialised in a PC if new YMMV). Then connect via LAN cable to PC and simply FTP your dash files over to the Xbox hard drive to get you setup. You can go from there.

Some chips with OS and FTP;

Xecuter 3
Openxenium or Original Xenium + variants
SmartXX
Stellar
 

[peterpop]

I have both a couple of openxenium and a stellar under way, so I get to try it I guess.

About usb softmod - I currently use the endgame exploit to softmod and then back up the disks. Using it puts the softmod on the harddrive. Is there a "live boot" like thing that boots the xbox into a tools menu instead where XBpartitioner can be run from, like a linux live cd that doesn't alter the harddrive?

[nikeymikey]

An Xecuter 3 chip can format a HDD form X3 Config Live. It will only format up to a 2tb HDD using the old lba48 formatting. If you want to use a modern bios such as Cerbios and larger (2tb+) HDD's then you will need to use FatXplorer on a PC and use your HDD key from your consoles if you wish to lock the HDD.  If you have a modchip then there is no need to lock the HDD. 

[MadMartigan]

Yeah, I glossed right over the DVD part. If it’s any consolation, you can install said disc onto your Xbox for future use without the need of inserting it. As mentioned by everyone so far, installing the mod chip will allow this without a disc or any other tool. You still need to have the proper setup. I have formatted drives directly from the PrometheOS menu and everything was fine. Once you get those Xeniums installed, you’ll be all set.