Choosing a bios for soft modded Original XBox...

[MrBerzerk]

Can you install a custom bios on a soft modded xbox? If so, how do you know which one to use. Where do I get said bios. What tool do I use?
I already have the custom dashboard, but I want to install a 500GB HD, and I can't do that with a stock bios.
Thanks.

 

[FAST6191]

You can do it with stock. Not all drives will work but it can be done. https://xboxdrives.x-pec.com/?p=list is the usual list but if you have one sitting around then by all means try that as well.

If you move to a hardmod (modchip or in older revisions then TSOP) then you can replace the BIOS and run whatever drive you like.

 

[MrBerzerk]

Thank you, that was very helpful.
I have two of these original XBox.
One is a V1.6 Mother Board, the other is a V1.0.
I managed to put an ADATA 480GB SSD in the V1.6 with an adaptor I had several of. Since the newest build of the soft mod tools supports Partition tables, it was breeze, and now I have my whole library on the SSD.

I ran into ... uh ... problems on the V1.0 board though.
I tried the same setup, and the adaptors literally exploded with shrapenal when I turned the xbox on. Were the V1.0 XBox known for PSU over voltage failures? Because original drive still works, but it no likes my adaptors...

 

[SylverReZ]

I recommend Cerbios for your OG Xbox, also I wouldn't stick with those cheap IDE to SATA adapters. Get a Startech adapter as they are super reliable.

 

[MrBerzerk]

I recommend Cerbios for your OG Xbox, also I wouldn't stick with those cheap IDE to SATA adapters. Get a Startech adapter as they are super reliable.

I worry that since the caps exploded, it wasn't the adaptors, but the PSU.

 

[SylverReZ]

I worry that since the caps exploded, it wasn't the adaptors, but the PSU.

Do replace the capacitors if they're buldging, and most certainly always remove the clock cap if your mobo revision is a 1.0 up to 1.5.

 

[MrBerzerk]

Do replace the capacitors if they're buldging, and most certainly always remove the clock cap if your mobo revision is a 1.0 up to 1.5.

Aahhh, I never removed the clock cap.
What was the problem with that cap? What issues did it cause (besides burning out)

 

[SylverReZ]

Aahhh, I never removed the clock cap.
What was the problem with that cap? What issues did it cause (besides burning out)

That capacitor is prone to leaking acid all over the motherboard, damaging traces. Its been a common problem in most of the OG Xbox's lifespan.

 

[MrBerzerk]

Thanks for the warning about the clock cap.
Do I need to clean this off?

 

[SylverReZ]

Thanks for the warning about the clock cap.
Do I need to clean this off?

Yes, clean it off with a Q-Tip and plenty of isopropyl alcohol. That corrosion looks really bad too, do double check the traces ensuring that they have continuity.

 

[MrBerzerk]

Cleaned it all off. With how bad it was, I don't think it would have lasted much longer...

 

[SylverReZ]

Cleaned it all off. With how bad it was, I don't think it would have lasted much longer...

That looks pristine, now its a matter of soldering the points for the TSOP flashing process. Guide can be found here. https://consolemods.org/wiki/Xbox:TSOP_Flashing