"1.  Will the HDD fit?" -> 1. Link 2. Link
"2.  Do you need to format it a certain way?" -> 1. Link 2. Link
"3.  Is there any reason not to save $100 if you have the technical know how to get down and dirty with the XBOX?" -> 1. Link 2. Link

"I would like to use the 360 as a media center and to rip games and movies too" that one made me ->
no movie or game "ripping" is possible on the Xbox 360! only if you "rip" a movie on your pc and enable Media Sharing will it work or if you burn the movie to disc or copy it on a DiskOnKey and lets not start on the game issue because that's another story!

PS: the only thing possible of ripping to the Xbox 360 is a music cd! WOOHOO!
PSS: Here is a link for a External USB HDD Mod (note: the USB storage devices cannot be used for Xbox live marketplace content)

Last edited by dragon-x (0712.22 16:43:27)

ok my post is a little misleading! and I apologize (i have to fix it!) but the link you posted is not really relevant why you ask! the link posted (http://www.xbox360-hacks.com/file/71) is for your drive - meaning dvd-drive not HDD, and the ebay one - well that's fine 'cause u'll need a case i guess!
there is in fact a way to get a certain way to use an HDD not certified by M$ to work on your Xbox 360 which will in fact save you a nice amount of money!
Here is a link to the article
And here is a link to the software needed

PS: there is also a way to use an external usb HDD here *note: USB storage devices cannot be used for Xbox live marketplace content

good luck!

Last edited by dragon-x (0712.22 16:45:03)

llcooljayce wrote:

I don't know if I completely trust your post. 

From what I understand, the HDD is the 360 is a common laptop HDD and can be mounted onto the box as long as you have the enclosure which is commonly sold on ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com/XBOX-360-HDD-20GB-C … dZViewItem)

Also it looks like you can prepare your HDD with some software from this website (http://www.xbox360-hacks.com/file/71) and use your key from your xbox in order to make it playable.

So I ask again ... is there any reason not to do this?

Your link to that file HERE is for swapping DVD drives, it has NOTHING to do with the HDD.  IT is not a "common" laptop drive, it is a specific series of Laptop drive.  You MUST use a BevS series laptop drive, and you must obtain the security sectors (not keys) from an original 20 or 120GB HDD in order to use the laptop BevS series.  You cannot go anything but 20GB or 120GB.   

The other link to the Xbox-Scene article is the correct tool to use for making the HDD.  That tool is here to, you just linked to the WRONG one...