This article explains how to modify an original Xbox, the first version of Microsoft's console that was produced, to allow any type of software to run. It should be noted that the procedure to follow to modify an Xbox is different from that to modify an Xbox 360.
Steps
Part 1 of 5: Initial Steps
Step 1. Make sure you have an original Xbox
The steps described in this article are for editing an Xbox only. If you need to modify an Xbox 360, you must follow the procedure described in this article. To edit an Xbox One, you need to use yet another method.
The first Xbox was released on the market in March of 2002
Step 2. Verify that you have access to a computer with a Windows operating system
Since the files needed to create the installation USB device can only be used on a Windows system, you cannot use a Mac to perform this procedure.
Step 3. Download the software to make the change
Access! GVkGmKIY! PMsjphysgCWpgk0JCFKqlIbBkTxrxrzVZi2ElH7i9wA this website using your computer browser, then click on the red button Download. The program that will allow you to perform the Xbox software modification will be downloaded to your computer in ZIP format.
- You may need to click on the button Allow appeared in the browser window before you could download the file to your computer.
- Depending on your internet browser settings, you may need to select the destination folder and press the button Download, OK or Save before the file in question is actually saved locally on the computer.
Step 4. Purchase a compatible USB stick
Modern USB sticks are not compatible with the hardware inside the Xbox. To fix this, you can buy an old USB 2.0 stick with a capacity of 2GB to install on the Xbox.
You can review the list of USB devices compatible with the console by visiting this site
Step 5. Purchase an adapter that allows you to connect the USB stick to the Xbox
This is a cable that allows you to connect the USB stick to one of the ports on the console that the controller normally connects to.
This type of adapter is available on the Amazon and eBay sites, but you may also be able to find it in some shop dedicated to console and computer modding
Step 6. Get a copy of the Splinter Cell video game
The first Splinter Cell video game that was developed can be used to access the files to be edited directly from the console dashboard. Again, you should be able to purchase a copy of the Splinter Cell video game on Amazon or eBay, although some game stores may still have a copy.
- You can use the various editions of the Splinter Cell game that have been released over the years (for example the "Platinum" edition or the "Classic version), but you cannot use the brand titles that were released later, such as Splinter Cell Pandora Tomorrow o '' Splinter Cell Chaos Theory, as they don't allow editing.
- There are other video games that allow you to perform the software modification of the Xbox and they are the original edition of MechAssault and that of 007 Agent Under Fire. However, the procedure to follow in these cases will be different from that of using Splinter Cell.
Part 2 of 5: Format the USB stick
Step 1. Connect the USB adapter to the Xbox
One of the two ends of the cable that acts as an adapter should fit perfectly inside one of the ports intended for connecting the controllers visible on the front of the console.
Step 2. Turn on the Xbox and the controller
In order to format the USB stick, you will need to use the console dashboard menus.
Step 3. Select the Memory option
It is displayed at the top of the menu.
Step 4. Plug the USB stick into the free end of the adapter you plugged into the console in the previous step
After a few seconds an error message should appear on the screen.
Step 5. Confirm the action described in the error message
This way the USB drive will be formatted to be used as an external storage for the Xbox.
- If the error message is similar to the following "The memory drive you connected is not working, it may be damaged", it means that the USB stick is not compatible with the Xbox. Purchase one of the USB memory drives listed in the list of those compatible with the console to solve this problem.
- If after connecting the USB stick to the Xbox the screen starts flashing, it means that the device is not compatible with the console.
Step 6. Locate the USB memory drive
Within the "Devices" panel, the USB drive should be identified as a peripheral (for example Controller 1). If so, it means that the USB stick has been formatted correctly.
Step 7. Unplug the USB stick from the console
You can now disconnect the memory unit from the adapter. Now that the USB stick has been formatted to be used by the Xbox you can transfer the files for editing.
Part 3 of 5: Transfer Files to USB Flash Drive
Step 1. Connect the USB memory drive to your computer
You can plug it directly into one of the free USB ports on your computer.
Step 2. Click the Cancel button if you need to format the USB stick
Since you have already formatted the USB drive to be used by the Xbox there is no need to format it a second time.
Step 3. Extract the contents of the program's ZIP file to make the modification inside the USB stick
Follow these instructions:
- Open the file in ZIP format;
- Click on the tab Extract displayed at the top of the window;
- Click on the button Extract everything placed on the toolbar;
- Click on the button Extract visible inside the pop-up window that appeared.
Step 4. Extract all necessary folders
Navigate to the "Softmod Deluxe" folder to view the list of compressed folders needed to perform the installation, then follow these instructions:
- Click on the folder SID511. Loader. SplinterCell. NTSC to select it, click on the tab Extract, then on the button Extract everything and finally on the button Extract. At this point, close the window that opened at the end of the data decompression procedure.
- Click on the folder SID512. Installer. USB to select it, click on the tab Extract, click on the button Extract everything, then click the button Extract. At this point, close the window that opened at the end of the data decompression procedure.
- Click on the folder Xplorer360.beta6 to select it, click on the tab Extract, click on the button Extract everything, then click the button Extract. At this point, close the window that opened at the end of the data decompression procedure.
Step 5. Move the "Xplorer 360" file inside the root folder
Access the folder Xplorer360.beta6 you have just unzipped, select the EXE file inside, press the key combination Ctrl + C, click on the "Back to" button characterized by an arrow and press the Ctrl + V button to paste the EXE file in the current directory.
Step 6. Change the compatibility settings of the "Xplorer 360" program
Since Windows 10 is unable to run the Xplorer 360 application correctly, you will need to run it in "Windows XP Service Pack 3" mode. Follow these instructions:
- Select the file Xplorer360.exe with the right mouse button;
- Click on the item Property;
- Click on the tab Compatibility;
- Select the checkbox "Run this program in compatibility mode for:";
- Select the option Windows XP (Service Pack 3) from the "Compatibility mode" drop-down menu;
- Click on the button OK.
Step 7. Start the Xplorer 360 program
Double-click the file icon Xplorer360.exe, then click the button Yup if it is necessary to authorize the execution of the program.
Step 8. Select the USB stick
You will need to use the drop-down menu Drive:
- Click on the item Drive displayed in the upper left corner of the window;
- Select the option Open;
- Click on the item Harddrive or Memory Card ….
Step 9. Import the "UDATA" folder of the Splinter Cell video game into the Xplorer 360 program
Unfortunately, Windows 10 makes this step a little more complicated than normal. To fix this, you'll need to manually import the folder SID511. Loader. SplinterCell. NTSC within the program. Follow these instructions:
- Navigate to the folder that says "Splinter Cell" in its name, then open the directory AUDATA;
- Select the folder inside the directory AUDATA with the right mouse button, click on the item Rename, then press the key combination Ctrl + C to copy its name;
- Select an empty spot in the right pane of the Xplorer 360 program window with the right mouse button, then click on the item Add New Folder;
- Select the new folder with the right mouse button, click on the option Rename and press the key combination Ctrl + V to paste the name you copied earlier;
- Access the folder 5553000c displayed both in the "File Explorer" window and in the Xplorer 360 program window;
- Select an empty spot in the right pane of the Xplorer 360 program window with the right mouse button, then click on the option Insert File …;
- Access the folder 5553000c displayed in the pop-up window that appeared, then select one of the files and click on the button Open. Repeat this step for the second file in the directory as well;
- Also import the folder 8D5BCE250B35 and its content following the same process.
Step 10. Add the installation files
Repeat the import procedure you performed with the "Splinter Cell" folder but using the directory SID512. Installer. USB.
- Make sure you treat ZIP folders as if they were "Items" and not folders. Instead the folders extracted from the ZIP files can be treated as normal directories.
- You will have to manually import more than 60 items between files and directories, so this step will take a great deal of time.
Step 11. Eject the USB stick
Now that all the necessary files have been inserted into the USB memory drive, you can transfer them to the Xbox and perform the modification.
Part 4 of 5: Transfer Files to Xbox
Step 1. Make sure there is no disc inside the console's optical drive
In order to continue, the Xbox DVD player must be empty.
Step 2. Plug the USB stick you just configured into the Xbox
To complete this step use the adapter you have already used to format the USB stick directly from the console dashboard.
Step 3. Select the Memory option
It is displayed at the top of the Xbox main menu.
Step 4. Select the USB stick
It is connected to one of the controller ports, so it will be indicated by the corresponding name (for example Controller 1) and will be visible in one of the corners of the screen.
Step 5. Select the SID5 Splinter Cell PAL option
It is displayed at the bottom of the screen.
Step 6. Select the Copy option
This will display the list of locations where you can copy the chosen file.
Step 7. Select the console hard drive
When prompted, press the button TO of the controller.
Step 8. Select the installation file
It should be characterized by the wording SID 5.11 USB Installer.
Step 9. Select the Copy option, then choose the console hard drive
The modification program installation file will be copied to the Xbox hard drive. Once the data copy process is complete, you will finally be able to perform the console modification.
Part 5 of 5: Editing the Xbox
Step 1. Insert the Splinter Cell video game disc into the Xbox DVD player
Make sure the printed side of the disc is facing up.
Step 2. Wait for the Splinter Cell main menu to load
When the latter appears on the screen, you can proceed.
Step 3. Select the Start Game item
It is displayed at the top of the screen.
Step 4. Select the Linux profile
This option will appear on the left side of the screen.
Step 5. Select the Checkpoint item
It is displayed in the upper left corner of the menu. At this point the TV screen should flash randomly and after a few seconds the menu should appear from which you can perform the software change of the console.
Step 6. Back up the Xbox firmware
Before you can make the console change, you will need to back up the Eeprom memory and the console operating system. Follow these instructions:
- Select the item Backup / Restore Features;
- Choose the option Create Eeprom Backup;
- Select the item Eeprom backup;
- Scroll down the menu that appeared to be able to select the option Back to Main Menu;
- Select the item again Backup / Restore Features;
- Choose the option Create MS Backup;
- Select the item Yes when required;
- Choose the option OK when required.
Step 7. Return to the main menu
Push the button B. of the controller.
Step 8. Now choose the Install Single Boot Softmod option
It is displayed at the top of the screen.
Step 9. Select the Standard option
It is located at the top of the appeared menu.
If you connected the Xbox to your TV using the high definition cable, you will need to select the option Standard for HD.
Step 10. Select a dashboard
The dashboard version will not affect the editing process and it simply depends on your personal tastes.
If you don't have a specific preference, select the item Install UnleashX Dashboard.
Step 11. Select the Yes option twice when prompted
The program will check for the presence of the backup file and if so, it will install the mod (remember that if you have not backed up your Xbox data you will not be able to continue).
Step 12. Wait for the mod installation to complete
The execution of the Xbox software change will begin as soon as you select the option Yes for the second time. Remember that this step takes a long time to complete.
Step 13. Select Yes when prompted
The Xbox will be shut down immediately.
Step 14. Press the "Eject" button
This will eject the Splinter Cell video game DVD from the player and the Xbox will start. At this point, the new dashboard and its main menu should appear on the screen. Good fun!
