UDPATED 2/26/07

What I did to sofmod an Xbox:
I also chose to Flash the onboard TSOP

#1 - USE AT YOUR OWN RISK

A failed softmod that results in an ERROR code 5, 6, 13, 16, or 21 on boot, will
usually mean you need to CHIP the box. 

http://home.comcast.net/~admiral_powers … rrors.html

Any hardware errors are coincidental, unless you opened it up and forgot
to put something back. A softmod will not cause a hardware arror or
failure.

TURN OFF the auto sign-in to Xbox Live!

UNPLUG the Network Cable from the Xbox if you are on an active Internet
connection.   Do not plug it back in till the softmod is working. 

You need an Action Replay game save system, or other way to get game
saves to the Xbox, from your PC.

Check the MSDASH version, it must be 5960 or better.  You can check
this in xbox in the settings, system information.  The install package WILL
NOT have the MSDASH on it, it would ever fit on a MEM pak.

DO NOT Unlock the HDD when the softmod is installed, you will have to
chip it.  This is what causes Error 5.

My Method:
1. AR System & software (Xbox to USB adapter for Xbox Memory Paks)
2. Splinter Cell Game (Not a Platinum hit - to be safe).
3. [LINUX] Game Save Profile.
4. SID 4 Installer

You can download the software from www.codejunkies.com - which has
the Xfer program and drivers for the Adapter. 

Both the LINUX and SID-4 fit on one 8MB pak.  If they do not, then
something is wrong with the SID 4 package (too big - and may not be what
you want to use).

I was able to aquire BOTH the SID 4, and Linux profile from the AR Community
saves, using their program that allows you to Drag-n-Drop from them to your
PC or MEM PAK.  You can go down to SPLINTER CELL, and there may be
a "Install LINUX" profile, use that.  Look around for the SID 4 installer. IF
you cannot get it there, you have to LOOK for it elsewhere, I cannot point
you to it.  The only reason I tell you that AR may have it, is because, well
they are a LEGAL service, and some people just put ILLEGAL stuff on it.

Once you have everything:
1. Boot Xbox.
2. Remove, or backup & remove all other splinter cell game saves.
3. Xfer SID 4 & Game Save to Xbox (they go where they need to).
4. Boot Splinter Cell.
5. Choose LINUX profile.
6. Press "A" at choose a level (nothing is displayed anyway)
7. SID 4 MENU SHOULD POP UP.

If SID 4 does not come up, then; you do not have a valid LINUX profile or
SID 4 installer.

I was able to do this WITHOUT reading the README. TXT as the menu
is pretty self explanitory.  BACKUP everything first!  SID 4 should not allow
you to install the softmod without the BACKUPS.  This was how EASY it
was for me, it may not be for you.

Do NOT ever power off the system unless it tells you to.  There may be a
point where it LOOKS as though it has locked up, it did not.  If the SID 4
would happen to lock up, then you have a problem with your Xbox.

READ the instructions for the SID 4 installer package.  The game save is
stored as a ZIP file under the install drive\Program Files\Datel\Saves.
There is a readme.txt in there.  Do NOT add anything to the ZIP file, the
game save will become INVALID, it did for me.

There are three install options for the softmod, which includes two
dual boot options.  With the dual boot option; powering on with the
eject button boots back to the SID 4 MENU or other to M$ Dashboard.
With the dual boot options; PxHDD Loader says the Eject Trick hack is
not detected, and will not work.  You must use DVD2XBOX if you
are going to put games on the HDD. 

Once you are all done, the Xbox will boot to EvoX and the eject light will
be RED.  RED indicates Softmod is on, GREEN is softmod OFF.  You can
boot with an ORIGINAL game disc in, to bypass softmod for live play.


IF FLASHING TSOP:
EvoX is booted from E Drive.  If you want to FLASH your TSOP, make sure
it is write enabled.  Make a DIR in E Drive "Bios" then transfer the BIOS you want
to use into that DIR.  Use EvoX to FLASH BIOS (system menu).

IF you have a specific Winbond chip, you need Raincoat to flash it, if
EvoX hangs on the ERASE stage (mine did).  Eurasia has the V1.3 Bios
Flash Disc kit, use it, and follow the instructions.  That is what I had to do
to flash the Winbond chip in my V1.3 as EvoX hung at ERASING.

Last edited by Powerslave (0702.26 13:59:22)