This thread is a quick guide to useful Xbox links, including FAQ's, guides, and software.
Software Iso Tools: Qwix
Solid all around app. Uploads/Extracts/Creates X-Isos. Lightning fast, reasonably stable.
Guide:
How to Backup Xbox Games with Qwix and ImgBurn - XTREME-SOURCE Craxtion
Mainly for homebrew and compiling multi-game discs. Not recommended for creating game X-isos. Uses XDK (Xbox Development Kit). If you create an X-iso with Craxtion Microsoft will know when, where, and who created it. FTP/Extract/Create/X-isos
Guide:
How to Copy XBOX Games - XTREME-SOURCE CloneXB
Very underrated app. Creates extremly stable X-isos, highly recommended. Create/Extract/Burn/FTP X-isos.
Extract Xiso
Simple to use, effective app. Creates stable X-isos, also extracts and creates optimized X-isos. Extract/Create/Optimize X-isos.
FTP Apps: FlashFXP
Simple to use, effective. If you're new to FTPing, start here.
WS_FTP Professional
Very Stable, great interface, great control. This is the way to go once you get a feel for FTP.
SmartFTP
Popular, easy to use FTP client.
CuteFTP
Very popular, effective FTP client.
Links: Xbins Xbins Guide
Xbins is an FTP site which contains every app, dashboard, emulator, and piece of Xbox software imaginable. It's an amazing resource, one stop shopping for anything Xbox related. To access it, you'll need an IRC client like mIRC and a FTP client. Any of the ones listed in the previous section should work fine.
FlashFXP mIRC Where to Download Xbox Games: Ultimate List of BitTorrent Sites
BitTorrent is the easiest and most common way to download Xbox games. This link will get you started. Grab µtorrent to do it right.
µtorrent µtorrent Speed Guide µtorrent Tweak Guide Xbox Media Center Manual: Xbox Media Center Online Manual
Self explanatory, everything XBMC related you need to know.
UnleashX Manual UnleashX Manual
Manual for UnleashX dashboard, my personal favorite.
Avalaunch Manual Avalaunch Manual
Manual for Avalaunch Dashboard. Featureful dashboard, works great with Qwix.
EvoX Guides EvoX Guides
Guides for the popular EvoX dashboard. Very good dashboard for newbies to modding.
Softmod Guides Softmod FAQ Softmod Guide How to Softmod with SID (Softmod Installer Deluxe) 4.0 Softmodding Using Krayzie's Ndure Installer 1.1
Guides/FAQ's for softmodding your Xbox.
Changing Default Dashboard Changing Default Dash
How to change your default dash. Proceed with caution, particularly with a softmod.
Using Xbox Hard Drive Maker (XboxHDM) to create Xbox HD XboxHDM Guide
Used to create Xbox Hard Drive. Very powerful app, proceed with caution.
How to FTP Your Xbox Xbox FTP Guide Quick Guide to FTP your Xbox with a CAT5 Cable (Direct Connection)
1. Connect your Xbox to your PC with a CAT5 cable. It runs from an Ethernet port on your PC to the Ethernet Port on your Xbox
2. Set up Static IP on your PC.
Select your OS:
PortForward.com - Free Help Setting up Your Router or Firewall
3. Boot into your default dash. Go into your network settings and set up a static IP on your Xbox with this guide:
How to FTP...Made Easy!! - XTREME-SOURCE
Input the appropriate settings where necessary. Save your settings.
4. Reboot your Xbox
5. Download FlashFXP
XTREME-SOURCE
6. Install FlashFXP. Open FlashFXP. Hit F8 to bring up QuickConnect menu. Input your Xbox IP in the server or url field. Input your username and password into the appropriate fields. The default username and password is
xbox all lowercase. Click Connect. If everything is correct, you should see your Xbox in your FTP browser.
Xbox Version Guide Xbox Version Guide
Find out which version Xbox you have.
Xbox Linux Xbox Linux Guide
Guide to installing Linux on your Xbox.
PCSXbox Compatibility List PSXbox Compatiblity List
Compatibility list for PCSXbox, a PSX emulator for Xbox.
Surreal 64 Compatibility List Surreal 64 Compatibility List
Compatibility list for Surreal 64, a N64 emulator for Xbox.
Good Site for N64, GameBoy Advance ROMS Emuparadise
Good selection of N64 ROMS,
every GameBoy Advance ROM ever made. Emuparadise's servers are a bit slow, 30kB's/sec max, but the ROM selection is worthwhile.
General PCSXbox and Surreal64 Tips
1. Limit your use of Save States. Changing emulator settings and loading previous save states will often cause the emulator to crash/freeze. Be judicious when using save states.
2. If a game won't work with PCSXbox. Try turning old frameskip on, disabling/enabling frameskip/limit and tweaking the other fixes. Try changing the boot mode from bios file to HLE. These are all common fixes for games.
3. The compatibility lists are a blueprint, not absolute. If you see a game as not working on a compatibility list, don't fret. Try it anyway. Tweak settings, boot modes, etc.
4. For PCSXbox use bin/cue images. In theory it works with CloneCD (ccd images), but I've noticed compatibility issues. Bin/Cue Images seem to be the most stable. CDRWIN is the recommended app for creating bin/cue images. Get it here:
CDRWIN Quick Bin/Cue Guide
1. Open CDRWIN.
2. Click the third option in the program, extract discs/tracks/sectors to image files.
3. Your settings should look like this. Select your burner. Pick a name and destination for you bin/cue files.
3. Click Start.
4. FTP your bin and cue files to the psxcd directory in PCSXbox.
PCSXbox Tip
There's been a number of recent releases for PCSXbox, four in fact. In my experience, these new releases have massive compatibility problems. The new features, interchangeable cores, and plug ins drove me mad. My solution was to try PCSXbox v1. It doesn't have nearly as many features built in as the new releases, but the compatibility is much better in my opinion. If the recent releases of PCSXbox drive you batty, try v1.
Good Place to find PSX Isos Emuparadise Emuparadise BitTorrent Tracker
You have to vote for their site a couple times to get the PSX Iso's directly from emuparadise, your best bet is their bitTorrent tracker which houses some rare PSX games. You have to register, but it's free.
Xbox Tech Specs Xbox Box Tech Specs
Tech Specs for the Xbox. Like an old PC really.
What Modchips to Get
No link here, Xenium Ice and Xecutioner 2.6/3, period. Offer the most features, stability, and quality.
Where to Get your Xbox modded Team Modders
Did my PS2 and Xbox, honest, reliable service for 1,000's of satisified customers. Ship around the world, Check em out.
List of DVD-9 (Dual Layer) Games which can be rebuilt to DVD-5 (Single Layer) and How Xbox DVD-9 to DVD-5 List DVD-9 to DVD-5 List #2 Balugabutt Game Deletions - News Xbox File Ripping Infomation - No Deletables!?
Add ons: Tomb Raider Legend. This one is a bit tricky. Delete all the w.xmv files, these are widescreen movies and unecessary. Even after deleting these, the game will be DVD-9. Use Qwix to create an X-iso from the remaining files, making sure the automatically cross-link identical files box is checked. That will create an X-iso that is fully playable and small enough to fit on a DVD-5.
Myst IV: Revelations: This one is pretty simple, I just didn't see any guides for it when I resized. It's really easy, the iso is about 4.57GB's with a straight backup, just take out the excess language files to fit it on a single layer disc, they are plainly marked in folders like Spanish, German, etc. Just leave the English ones in and you're good to go.
Lists of DVD-9 games which can be shrunk to DVD-5.
ZSNEXbox FAQ ZSNEXbox FAQ Xport Emulation Xport
Home to Xport Emulation, hub for everything Xbox emulation related.
Handy UnleashX Tip
Ever try to FTP a ROM Set to your Xbox? Get frustrated with the 1,000's of files that exceed the 32 character Xbox HD limitation? Files on the Xbox HD cannot exceed 30 characters. ROM sets will often have a ton of files over this limit. UnleashX has you covered, thanks to the auto rename feature. In the newest version of UnleashX (v 0.39.0222A) go to System-->Settings-->System and set auto rename to yes. Save your settings. Now you'll never have to rename files again when FTPing, UnleashX will do it for you!
Quick Guide to Create Stable X-isos
1. Insert your original Xbox game in your Xbox.
2. Rip your original Xbox Game to your Xbox HD with DVD2Xbox.
3. FTP the game from your Xbox HD to your PC.
4. Create an X-iso with CloneXB or ExtractXiso.
5. Burn X-iso to quality media like Taiyo Yuden or Verbatim.
Xbox Hard Drive Compatibiility List Xbox HD Compatibility List Xbox Media Center Supported Media XBMC Supported Media
List of supported media file types for XBMC.
Making UnleashX the Default Dash Make UnleashX Default Dash Guide
How to Make UX your default dash. Proceed with caution, especially with a softmod.
Make Xbox Media Center Default Dash Make XBMC Default Dash
Make XMBC the main dash. Proceed with caution. Each XBMC release seems to have a load of bugs. It's great as an app, but I recommend UnleashX, Avalaunch, or EvoX as a main dash, much more stable.
Great Backup Tip
This tip saved my bacon once. Make a backup of your C and E drives. That way, in case anything goes horribly wrong, your Xbox can be restored to a working state, especially with a modchip that allows the user to FTP into the chip's OS. It doesn't take long to FTP your C and E drives. If time is a pressing issue, use Qwix, only takes a minute to create an iso of your C and E drives.
Where to Find Skins for Dashes, Emulators, XBMC Xbox-Skins.net AllXboxskins.com What Version Xbox DVD-ROM Drives Will Read What
Xbox DVD-Drive Media Compatibility List
Different Xbox DVD Drives work/don't work with certain types of media. This guide will tell you what your drive will read.
Modchip Install Diagrams Modchip Install Diagrams
Install Diagrams for Xenium, Xecutioner, and SmartXX chips.
How to Update Xbox Media Center with Qwix How to Update XBMC with Qwix
Allows you to update XBMC very fast. XBMC contains 1,000's of small files and can really bog down an FTP client. The whole process takes two minutes with Qwix. This guide is for XBMC as an app only, not as the main dash.
Connecting to Xbox Live Xbox Live Connection Guide
Connect to Xbox Live. If you have a modchip, you will need to disable it before connection, same goes with a softmod, you'll need to set up a dual boot to connect to XBL. If you have a modified console, make sure to take the proper steps before connecting to Xbox Live, otherwise you'll be banned
permanently.
Forwarding Ports for Xlink Kai Port Forwarding Guide for Xlink Kai
Xlink Kai is a free online service which allows users to connect to each other and play online capable games for free. Great for owners of modified consoles, no threat of being banned, plus it's free.
Xlink Kai Guides Xlink Kai Guides
The stickies in these forums cover a variety of topics on Xlink Kai, good place to start for general trouble shooting.
Xbox Connect Guides Xbox Connect Guides
Xbox Connect or XB Connect is another online service which allows users to connect to each other and play online capable games for free. Owners of modified consoles needn't worry about getting banned using XBC.
Transfer Files to Xbox without FTP Connection
I only recommend this if you have no FTP connection to your Xbox. It will require blank CD-R's/DVD-/+R's. Most Xbox DVD drives have trouble reading CD-R's, so a blank DVD is your best bet. There's a couple ways to go about this. You can use a program like DVD2Xbox,
if the files are in a format it can read. The best way to do this is to burn the files you want to transfer to DVD with the DVD-ROM (ISO) option in Nero. If the files show up as UDF 0MB's, then there's still hope. The file browser in UnleashX or Avalaunch should be able to read the data on the disc. Highlight your D drive in the file browser in either UnleashX or Avalaunch, pick the files you want to transfer in one side of the browser, the desired directory in the other, and initiate the transfer process. This method will work, however, as it requires blank DVD's, can get expensive in a hurry. It's a viable alternative for people without a FTP connection from their PC to their Xbox.
Pimped XBMC Tracker Pimped XBMC Tracker
BitTorrent Tracker for Pimped XBMC releases. I find Pimped releases to be the nicest and most reliable releases of XBMC. This is their personal tracker. You can also find some other nice Xbox related apps. You have to register, but it's free.
How to Take Apart Your Xbox How to Take Apart Your Xbox
Easy to follow guide with pics for dissambling the Xbox.
Using Qwix to Upload X-isos to the Xbox HD Using Qwix to Upload Games to Your Xbox
Very simple guide for using Qwix to transfer X-isos from PC to Xbox.
Restoring Soft Modded Xbox without an Eeprom How to Restore a Soft Modded Xbox without the Eeprom.bin file
Guide for restoring a softmodded Xbox without an eeprom.bin file.
FTP while Watching a Movie
If you use XBMC as an app, setup your network settings so you're able to FTP it. Then, you can FTP files while watching a movie, video file, etc. This is a great tip for people who like to maximize their efficiency. FTPing large groups of files can be tedious. With this method, you can watch your favorite movie and make it go alot faster.
Copy Files from Xbox to Xbox with Avalaunch Copying Files from Xbox to Xbox wih Avalaunch
This guide will allow for files to be transferred between two networked Xbox's using the Avalaunch dash.
Move ROM Packs, PSX Isos to the F Drive
The xml of most dashes is setup so that emulators and roms can be loaded off the F partition. I.E. you can load emulators through the dash menu if they're located in the E-->Emulators or F-->Emulators directory. Typically the F drive is the main parition, and has the most available space. ROM packs and PSX isos can take up a ton of space, transfer the emulators, ROM packs, and PSX isos to the F drive. This will keep your E drive tidy, and allow you to store more ROMS and isos on your Xbox HD.
Common Fix for Games Freezing off the Hard Drive
If a game freezes off the HD, make sure the time is set correctly in the official Microsoft Dash and your E-->Cache is empty. This is found in the root directory of the E drive, in a folder called CACHE. Delete these files only if you a game freezes or you have issues with games on the HD.
BackGround Music in UnleashX
Use the settings in this picture to setup UnleashX to play background music from a specified folder in the background while in UnleashX. Set your music path folder, FTP your MP3's, other than that, use the pic to set UX properly. (Thanks to Punqewe)
Destroy All Humans
The original Destroy All Humans is an interesting game. It
will not boot in some Xbox's. It seems to have nothing to do with a modchip, softmod, DVD Media, a particular version Xbox, bios, dash, or anything else. This goes for an original copy of Destroy All Humans or a backup off disc or the HD. Some people have no problems with it, others
cannot get it to boot at all. Some people claim that switching video mode in Enigmah Video Mode Switchdisc a couple times alleviates the problem. For others that has no effect. I could not get it to work in my Xbox after trying many different things. After reading around, a lot of other people can't either, with no clearcut cause. So if this game is driving you nuts, don't go crazy reformatting your Xbox HD, updating bios, changing dashes, etc. It most likely won't make any difference. If anything, try fiddling with the video mode in your dash, enigmah, and see if that helps. If not, let it go, not worth the stress.
Recommened Emulators
These are some recommended emulators, based on firsthand and secondhand experience. It's simply a matter of opinion, if other emulators work for you, then stick with em.
NES: FCE Ultra: Very stable, easy to use emulator for NES games.
SNES: Snes9x, Zsnexbox: Both ports of fantastic SNES emus for PC, offer great stability, compatibility, and ease of use. I personally prefer Zsnexbox, because it's still updated.
Genesis: NeoGenesis, Xenesis: Both offer terrific all around functionality and compatibility. NeoGenesis works with Genesis/SegaCD/32x games as well.
Gameboy: Xboy Advance: Excellent Gameboy/Color/GBA emulator.
How to Build a Pin Header: How to build a Pin Header [XBOX] - XTREME-SOURCE
How to Build a Pin Header for modchip flashing purposes.
How to Add LED's to Your Controller Ports: Adding LED's to your controller ports - XTREME-SOURCE Hot Swapping FAQ/Guide:
What is HotSwapping?
Quote:
Hot swapping is the act of allowing the xbox to unlock the hard drive, so that you can gain access to it, by connecting it to a PC or Another Xbox. It involves removing the IDE ribbon from the Drive, while it is power on.
Guide:
The Art Of Hotswapping - Xbox-Scene Online Web Community Transferring Save States from One Emulator to Another:
Transferring save states from one emulator to another will obviously only work for another version of the same emulator or an emulator which emulates the same system, and for the same game. The main reason to do this is if you're playing through a game and you upgrade to a newer version of the same emulator or try a out a different emulator that emulates the same system. There is no set way to do it, as different emus have different save paths, and information required for each game. What you want to do is locate the save path of the emulator in question. This will often be found in the E-->SAVES directory or whichever partition contains your SAVES directory. In this directory, you should see the emulator name in all caps which contains the save state files you want. I.E. E-->SAVES-->NEOGENESIS-->Phantasy Star II. Sometimes the save game files will be located in the same folder as the emulator itself. Navigate to the folder you want which contains the save state files you want to transfer. In this case, the Phantasy Star II folder should contain files like Phantasy Star II.st1, Phantasy Star.st2, Phantasy II.brm, Phantasy Star II.key, etc. For different emulators, the files will have different extensions. It's not important what each individual extension stands for, what is important is that you locate the folder which contains the save data for the game in question. In this case, say you upgraded to a new version of NeoGenesis and want to get it to recognize your save states from the previous version. Backup your old save files. You can do this by temporarily storing them on your PC or another partition on your Xbox. Make note of where you copy the Phantasy Star II (or whatever game you're playing) folder. Then delete the NEOGENSIS directory in your E-->SAVES folder. After the newer version of Neogenesis is installed and working on your Xbox, copy the old saves folder into the new NEOGENSIS directory in your E-->saves folder. If this folder isn't created upon installation of the new emulator, save a state in any game and it should be created automatically. Once the new NEOGENESIS folder is created copy the Phantasy Star II folder there. Next time you boot into NEOGENSIS, your old save states should be recongized and be able to be loaded. Reboot the Xbox if the emulator won't recognize your old save states.
Notes:
1. This may not work with every emulator, use at your own risk! I've successfully done this with ZSNEXbox and Neogensis.
2. If you can avoid it, try to play through an entire game with the current version of the emulator you're using. Only update to a new version if there's compatibility issues/bugs with the current version of the emu.
3. Backup the current build of your emulator and save files before attempting to transfer save states. That way if anything goes wrong, you can always restore the old version of the emulator and still have all your saves available. The best way to do this is to FTP the current build of the emulator along with the save data to a folder on your PC, remember to keep the files exactly as they are on your Xbox, don't mix the folders together. I.E In this example, keep the Neogensis folder and the Phantasy Star II folder seperate.
4. Don't bother with Surreal64 or PCSXbox. These two emus have a ton of probs with save states as is, who knows what kinda problems you may run into transferring save states.
5. Make sure it's the same
version of the game. With older ROMS in particular, there are several different versions available, you need to make sure you are transferring save states for use with the same ROM, or the exact same version. The latter is a bit difficult to verify, so just use the same ROM when transferring save states.
Getting Started in Xbox Media Center Getting Started in Xbox Media Center (XBMC) - XTREME-SOURCE
Guide for Basic commands, functions of XBMC. Useful for just starting out or after updating to a newer version.
X3 Config Live X3 BIOS X3 Config Live Screen - Xecuter X3 Modchip: BIOS User's Manual
Explanation of the Xecuter 3 bios menu.
XBMC Guides
This thread has links to
anything XBMC related, invaluable list.
Important Threads And Topics! Read! - Scenyx Entertainment Community 
Xbox Quick Links
Linear Mode
