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Tutorial How to Softmod the original Xbox [Rocky5] - 2022

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How to Softmod the original Xbox

I'm writing this for a few reasons. There are newer tools than anything listed on the site that work better than what I had previously used and I want Se7enSins to remain the archive repository of modding and modding tools. The other reason, I've seen people coming back to the original (og) Xbox in recent years either for nostalgia or to dust off their Xbox to give it a purpose. And I'm old school, I like to read my tutorials as opposed to watching them as some people can either move too fast or move/talk too slow.

Requirements
  • An exploitable game (Original games work, some Platinum Hits with specific serials work)
    • Splinter Cell (All versions of this game works, including PH)
    • MechAssault (If PH, get serial MS02301L)
    • 007: Agent Under Fire (If PH, get serial 1448517)
    • Tony Hawk Pro Skater 4 *New Exploit* (All versions of this game works, including PH)
  • [Click here to view this link]
  • MS dashboard 5960 - more info if you aren't on it
  • WinRAR - install this before we get started
  • [Click here to view this link]
  • DVD Burner
  • Blank DVD-R or DVD+R (I'll try to find the compatibility list as I think there is one, some Xbox's like the + some like the -.
Pick a method to deliver the files to your Xbox
  • Action Replay - This has become tough to come by in recent years. If you don't have this, there are other methods (and they are cheaper than buying a $60 used action replay!)
    • I'll be covering the Flash drive method as I'm going to assume most people will end up using this in 2019-2020+. If you are going to use the AR, you will want to follow the steps in the SID 5.11 tutorial for transferring over the files to your memory card (but you'll be using Rocky5's files).
  • Flash drive - For this method, you will need some hardware and software tools
    • [Hardware Option 1] Female USB to original Xbox adapter [Ali Express ~$2 | Amazon ~$10] - This is probably the cheapest and "quickest" way (Ali will probably take a month or longer, Amazon a couple days).
    • [Hardware Option 2]Modify a component that hooks into your Xbox.
    • Buy a compatible flash drive - Some people have kept this a secret but one Youtuber said this one works: SanDisk Cruzer Blade 4GB ~$10
    • This method will cost between $12-20 and you will have more space than the 8mb memory card that comes with the AR.
    • [Click here to view this link] - You will need this program to transfer the files over to your flash drive.


Preparing to softmod
  1. Turn on your Xbox
  2. Plug your flash drive into your USB to Xbox adapter.
  3. Go to Memory. If all went well and the flash drive is compatible, it will be formatted to be used in the Xbox and you should see this:
    ueZWeko.png

  4. Remove the flash drive and plug it into your computer. You'll be asked to format it, click cancel.
  5. Unzip the Rocky5's Softmodding Tool you downloaded.
  6. In the unzipped folder, you will see a list of files and folders:
    7ev7zEd.png

  7. Double click Build Softmod zip.bat. Command Prompt and WinRAR will pop up for a short period while it creates the zip: Xbox Softmodding Tool.zip. While you are here, double click Build XISO.bat to build your softmod DVD that will contain more applications to install.
  8. Right click the zip file and selected Extract To Xbox Softmodding Tool\
  9. Go to Xbox Softmodding Tool > Softmod Package. You should see all the softmod files. Double click [your game].zip, WinRAR will popup and you will see a UDATA folder. Double click that. You will see a folder (i.e. 5553000c), drag this to your desktop. Do the same with the Softmod Save.zip.
  10. Open Xplorer360. Go to Open > Harddrive or Memcard...
    wh0Ee6t.jpg
  11. You will see Partition 0 in the left window, make sure you click it once to select it. Now drag and drop your 2 softmod file folders into the window on the right.
    NkzEnOo.png

  12. You can now close Xplorer360, remove the flash drive, and plug it into your Xbox USB adapter.

Xbox Softmodding Tool Extras Disc
We'll start this now so while you execute the softmod exploit in the next section, you can be burning to a disc and waste no time.
  1. Launch ImgBurn and select Write image file to disc
  2. Insert your blank DVD-R or DVD+R into your DVD burner
  3. Click the browse button and navigate to your Xbox-Softmodding-Tool-master folder to locate the ISO file you created through the .bat file in step 7 above. Select it and click Open.
  4. Click this button to begin burning the disc
    ui1V1xl.png

  5. Move on to the next step and ImgBurn will let you know when the disc is done.

Let's softmod your Xbox
  1. Start up your Xbox and make sure your flash drive is connected. Make sure you are using composite cables, not component.
  2. Transfer the files onto your hard drive (hdd). To do this, go to the "Memory" screen from the main standard MS Dashboard. When you get into the memory menu, click on the memory card (by pressing left on the D-Pad) and select it by pressing A. When you get into your memory card and find the files, you might have to press the right button on your D-Pad to select the file and then choose copy. Do this for BOTH files or else the installation will not work/start.
  3. Put your game in and load up the Linux "checkpoint".
  4. Once it is loaded up, it will ask you to press A to proceed with the softmod installation. Press A.
  5. You will have a couple prompts that you can read, otherwise just click "I understand". It will continue installing necessary files, apps, and dashboard. Do NOT turn off your Xbox. Just let it go through the process.
    *** Once it launches to the new dashboard, you can switch back to component video cables. ***
  6. You've just softmodded your Xbox!

Xbox Softmodding Tools Extras Disc
  1. Your disc should now be done burning. Remove it from your PC and place it in your Xbox.
  2. Launch DVD
  3. Right now, your dashboard doesn't have any audio. To fix this, you'll need to go to Install Dashboards > MS Dashboards > Stock MS Dash 5960 > Install, select Yes and then Ok
  4. When it asks about installing the audio files, select Yes
  5. Restart your Xbox. When you scroll through the dashboard options, you should now have sound!
  6. You can now Launch DVD again and go through the Install options to install emulators, game mods, applications, and other dashboards.
  7. Now, go through the rest of our Xbox Tutorials and Xbox Applications sections. You most likely will want access to Xbins to see all the goodies the Xbox Scene has to offer.
  8. You also have the ability to FTP to your Xbox. Be sure to follow our FTP Tutorial: How to FTP to your Xbox
  9. Other cools things you can do is adjust the fan speed for performance or quietness. It's suggested to change it to 2.5. This softmod also comes with multiple skins so be sure to scroll through and pick the one that you enjoy the most.
  10. I'm not sure if XBMC is on the disc, if it isn't, I highly recommend picking it up and installing it!

Installing a larger harddrive
Rocky5 has updated Chimp to automatically format with the correct cluster sizes making the process of upgrading to a bigger harddrive extremely easy!

Requirements
Steps
  1. Make sure your new hdd's jumper notch is set to slave before you proceed!
  2. Open your Xbox
  3. Use the Molex power splitter and attach it to the one that is currently powering your Xbox hdd
  4. Make sure you are using the composite cables to connect your Xbox video to your TV, otherwise Chimp will not boot.
  5. Boot up your Xbox
  6. Put Chimp in your E:/apps
  7. Before running Chimp, you will remove the IDE cable from your DVD drive and place it on the hdd you are installing (while the Xbox is running, it won't boot if the DVD drive is not connected).
  8. Once that is connected, launch Chimp.
  9. Press A on first menu (it should be selecting an image that looks like a chip that says Fatx)
  10. Let it run through its processes until you reach a menu that looks like this:
    BFXlKDZ.png

  11. Press A on option 1 to check the status of your hdd's, making sure to check the model of the new hdd and that it says it is set to slave and unlocked.
  12. Then select option 2 > Selective (Select Partitions). If upgrading from a stock Xbox hdd, you'll select Option 1 for C & E. If you are replacing a drive, pick the option accordingly.
  13. You'll then get this menu, you will have to determine which option is best for you and the size of harddrive you are installing:
    LzYaaly.png

  14. Once you select the option above, it will ask if you would like to format, click Yes. This will automatically detect your harddrive size and format the cluster size accordingly!
  15. Once it is done cloning, you'll be asked if you would like to lock the slave hdd. Select Yes. You should get a confirmation if it was successful. If you would like to double check, you can select option 1 on the main menu to see that it is locked.
    • Note: If it doesn't lock, you most likely don't have a compatible harddrive, which then (I believe) you would need to TSOP or have a modchip.
  16. You can now power down by either using the power button or going to Other Options > Shutdown.
  17. Now you can remove the old harddrive and place the new harddrive into the Xbox, put the screws back in, close up the Xbox, and boot up your newly expanded softmodded Xbox!

Extras Disc
The advanced apps that are on the Rocky5 Extras disc:
  • Chimp 261812
  • XBP Table Writer
  • XBPartitioner
  • ConfigMagic v1.6.1
 
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Harry johnson

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What directory should I put backups and emulators in to get them in their proper places in the menu?
 
AzzidReign

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What directory should I put backups and emulators in to get them in their proper places in the menu?
Which dash? For backups, do you mean roms? I think you put emus in e:\emulators. Does Rocky5s extra disc not install them?
 
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Harry johnson

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Which dash? For backups, do you mean roms? I think you put emus in e:\emulators. Does Rocky5s extra disc not install them?
Thanks for your response. I'm referring to the dashboard this tutorial has you install. No emulators on the extras disc that I'm aware of and by backups I means iso dumps of Xbox games. Everything I put on ends up in apps section of dashboard
 
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Thanks for your response. I'm referring to the dashboard this tutorial has you install. No emulators on the extras disc that I'm aware of and by backups I means iso dumps of Xbox games. Everything I put on ends up in apps section of dashboard
There should be an ini file for you to edit with the settings and locations. You can edit those with your locations.
 
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Harry johnson

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There should be an ini file for you to edit with the settings and locations. You can edit those with your locations.
Thanks I found the XML and it told me all I needed to know. By default emulators should go in E:/Emulators and games go in E:/Games. I had to create the folders. Also I checked and there are no emulators on the extras disc.
 
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I get an error when trying to install homebrew games from the extras disk. Did I do something wrong how can I troubleshoot....
 
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I get an error when trying to install homebrew games from the extras disk. Did I do something wrong how can I troubleshoot....
What error? Does the disc boot? Which games? I haven't tried installing games from the disc so I would have to look a little closer.
 
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BaconWizard17

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I'm having some trouble with this softmod, particularly in relation to file transfer. Currently, my issue is that I am unable to copy a game I saved to my HDD to a flash drive that I have connected. First off, the XBOX isn't properly recognizing the flash drive's size, saying it's about 1 GB when in reality it's 8 GB. I tried copying one file instead of everything, and as soon as the file transfer begins, the dashboard crashes, the screen goes black, and then the dashboard relaunches. I'm using a USB dongle that plugs into a controller port, and connecting the flash drive to that.

When I had originally softmodded my XBOX (a few days ago), I had had a problem with the flash drive I was using. It would periodically lose connection to the XBOX, making transferring files very difficult. I hadn't realized this was a problem until after I had installed the softmod, but it had also occurred when I was transferring the softmod files to the console to install them. The softmod file transfer eventually did work, and it seems like everything installed fine, but I'm not sure if something was missed during my initial file transfer with that glitchy USB.

The USB I'm using to get the files off the XBOX is not the glitchy one, but a different one. It worked fine to get files onto the XBOX, but I've been experiencing the above errors trying to get files off the XBOX to mod them. I'm not sure what the problem could be. Could it be possible that I need to re-install the softmod? Is this even possible?

I believe I correctly followed the tutorial, aside from the fact that I didn't install the extras disc, since I don't have a DVD burner

Edit: I have tried every flash drive that I own, and none of them have worked. They all display the wrong size for the remaining space on the flash drive (983 MB, even on my empty 128 GB flash drive), and it doesn't work to transfer to them.

Edit 2: I'm not sure if my cables are composite or component. My XBOX has an adapter in it that goes from the back of the console and connects to AV cables, which is how it's connected to the TV. I believe it's a stock adapter. It says "XBOX Advanced AV Pack" on it.
 
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I get an error when trying to install homebrew games from the extras disk. Did I do something wrong how can I troubleshoot....

Don’t use the source files, download the prebuilt stuff from the readme.md file on github. It’s a google drive link. (Source is for advanced users only)


I'm having some trouble with this softmod, particularly in relation to file transfer. Currently, my issue is that I am unable to copy a game I saved to my HDD to a flash drive that I have connected. First off, the XBOX isn't properly recognizing the flash drive's size, saying it's about 1 GB when in reality it's 8 GB. I tried copying one file instead of everything, and as soon as the file transfer begins, the dashboard crashes, the screen goes black, and then the dashboard relaunches. I'm using a USB dongle that plugs into a controller port, and connecting the flash drive to that.

When I had originally softmodded my XBOX (a few days ago), I had had a problem with the flash drive I was using. It would periodically lose connection to the XBOX, making transferring files very difficult. I hadn't realized this was a problem until after I had installed the softmod, but it had also occurred when I was transferring the softmod files to the console to install them. The softmod file transfer eventually did work, and it seems like everything installed fine, but I'm not sure if something was missed during my initial file transfer with that glitchy USB.

The USB I'm using to get the files off the XBOX is not the glitchy one, but a different one. It worked fine to get files onto the XBOX, but I've been experiencing the above errors trying to get files off the XBOX to mod them. I'm not sure what the problem could be. Could it be possible that I need to re-install the softmod? Is this even possible?

I believe I correctly followed the tutorial, aside from the fact that I didn't install the extras disc, since I don't have a DVD burner

Edit: I have tried every flash drive that I own, and none of them have worked. They all display the wrong size for the remaining space on the flash drive (983 MB, even on my empty 128 GB flash drive), and it doesn't work to transfer to them.

Edit 2: I'm not sure if my cables are composite or component. My XBOX has an adapter in it that goes from the back of the console and connects to AV cables, which is how it's connected to the TV. I believe it's a stock adapter. It says "XBOX Advanced AV Pack" on it.

use FTP, flash drives are hit or miss on Xbox as they need to be USB1.0 compliant. So just use FTP.


So again, do not build the source, use the link to download the prebuilt versions.
 
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Gotcha. So the problem is more likely the flash drive, not the softmod itself?
 
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BaconWizard17

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Is it possible to get the contents of the extras disc to the XBOX without burning it to a disc? Or is that the only way to do it?
 
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Is it possible to get the contents of the extras disc to the XBOX without burning it to a disc? Or is that the only way to do it?
[Click here to view this link]

You should be able to download the ones you want from there. I haven't done it so I'm not sure if that will work but worth a shot. Get back to me to let me know if that works for you.
 
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Where should I copy these files? And how would I go about manually installing them?
 
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Where should I copy these files? And how would I go about manually installing them?
It's been quite a while since I've done anything with apps, but I believe it would go in the E:/ "drive", you would need to create a folder called "apps" (so it would look like E:/apps/[program]).
 
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I see. So like E:\Apps\FlashSM, E:\Apps\Hardmod, etc? And then the loose files in the "Extras Disc" folder (default.xbe, flashsm.xml, etc) would all just go in E:\Apps?

And then what about installing them? Or once I copy them on there, will that essentially install them?
 
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I see. So like E:\Apps\FlashSM, E:\Apps\Hardmod, etc? And then the loose files in the "Extras Disc" folder (default.xbe, flashsm.xml, etc) would all just go in E:\Apps?

And then what about installing them? Or once I copy them on there, will that essentially install them?
If you look in each of those folders, they have separate apps so extract the ones that you want, don't just blindly put them in. If you don't have a hardmod, you don't need anything from the hardmod folder. Like I said, it's been a while since I put any apps on an Xbox. I think without the installer, you will have to edit one of the ini files. Look around the forum tutorials and see if you can find one on installing Xbox apps. I'll take a look right now to see if I can find one for you.
 
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Oh, I see. So I need to get the stuff from the Applications folder in the Softmod folder?

It seems like these are all zip files. Should I extract them? (Also is there any place that explains all these, or is it better to skip any that I don't know what they do?)
 
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Oh, I see. So I need to get the stuff from the Applications folder in the Softmod folder?

It seems like these are all zip files. Should I extract them? (Also is there any place that explains all these, or is it better to skip any that I don't know what they do?)
Yeah, you will extract them. Again, I've not done it that way since about 2005-06. After that, started using the discs. So you're unable to burn the Extras disc? I'd definitely recommend doing it. I'm not sure if this guide will help but found a video tutorial on installing emulators which should be similar to everything else.
 
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Yeah, I don't have a disc burner unfortunately. If it's that worth it to do so, maybe I'll invest in one, but if the only upside to the extras disc is just emulators and other dashboards then I'm not sure if it's currently worth the cost
 
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