Xecuter 3 determine BIOS

[spicemuseum]

I've just become the owner of a v1.4 with an X3 fitted (although no front panel mounted switch unit ).

My intention is to move the X3 over to a v1.6 and TSOP flash the v1.4.

But I have a couple questions first:
- how can I determine what BIOS(es) it contains? I've checked with a Slayers disc, and also through XBMC - both report BIOS unknown.
- any gotchas if I simply move the chip across without any BIOS updates? ...it has FlashBIOS programmed into the bank accessed by switch on using power+eject simultaneously.

(Let me know if there are any threads covering this already, I searched but nothing seemed obvious.)

[Nextelhalo]

Hold donw the white button on the controller when the xbox boots and that will bring you up to it's built in OS. You should be able to go through the menu and looks at your bios banks and what's on them if they're named properly. Also check to make sure your running the X3_3294 OS for the chip, that will be in the top left hand corner of the screen I believe.

[keropi]

Nextelhalo is correct, booting with white pressed you get into the x3's "bios" , on the upper left corner it will display it's version

some more info: http://x3.bustedchain.com/x3configlive.html

also keep in mind that v1.6 xbox has a different x3 bios. So you need to flash it on the 1.4 on the 2nd bank or something or do that on the v1.6 via tha backup bios that if stock it's FLASHBIOS (power on with both power+eject pressed).
But ofcourse to be on the safe side it's better to flash it on the 1.4 beforehand...

I did the same thing on a 1.4 with an x3 yesterday: ran HeXen to "softmod" it, removed the x3, booted HeXen again and flashed the tsop. Worked great

[spicemuseum]

I did the same thing on a 1.4 with an x3 yesterday: ran HeXen to "softmod" it, removed the x3, booted HeXen again and flashed the tsop. Worked great

Exactly my plan! For my info, which HeXEn menu option did you use to install your softmod?

Regarding starting up with white button, works! thanks...

I've had a quick look through the menus, but not obvious how to work out what's on each of the banks. Either of you guys know? TIA.

[Nextelhalo]

I'll get into mine tonight and see if I can help.

[keropi]

Nice, that's the last X3 bios installed which is 1MB so there is either another bios on the rest 1MB or nothing.
For the 1st 1MB bank bios you either leave all switches to OFF (so it defaults to 1st 1MB bank) of put 1+2 to ON.
To select the 2nd 1MB bank just put switch2 to ON (and all others to OFF) , and see if the xbox boots. It will either have a 2nd BIOS (maybe the same X3 one) or it will boot to the backup bios that is flashbios if the previous user didn't change that.

To see what's in the banks just go to BIOS TOOLS -> BIOS BANK NAMING and see what it says there, if there is an option select "1MB BANK" , the first four banks should say "X3 3294" , see what the banks 5-8 have next to them

I just used the 1st softmod option. Remember that you NEED a "locked" HDD for softmods to work, so just lock the HDD if it's unlocked and then use the softmod option.

[spicemuseum]

You guys are great, thanks for all the support.

For the 1st 1MB bank bios you either leave all switches to OFF (so it defaults to 1st 1MB bank) of put 1+2 to ON.

Check my original post - it came without the front panel DIP switches . Is there another way to do this?

To see what's in the banks just go to BIOS TOOLS -> BIOS BANK NAMING and see what it says there.

Great, ta. It reports banks 1 to 8 as a list. Each row is shown as "[n] <unknown>".

I just used the 1st softmod option. Remember that you NEED a "locked" HDD for softmods to work, so just lock the HDD if it's unlocked and then use the softmod option.

Thanks for the advice - yes I'm aware of the HDD locking gotcha, ta (and, yes it's locked).

My plan is this:
- whilst chip is still fitted to v1.4, apply Krayzie softmod using HeXEn one-click install option.
- whilst chip is still fitted to v1.4, replace 'main' BIOS (which I think is "X3 3294") with "X3 3294 v16plus.bin"
- whilst chip is still fitted to v1.4, replace 'backup' BIOS (Flashbios 3.0.3) with Flashbios 3.0.1
- move chip to the knackered v1.6 I was given (see http://www.xbmc4xbox.org.uk/forum/viewt ... =12&t=2061 in which Heimdall gave me the bad news that I need to open it to repair).
- TSOP flash the v1.4 (probably with Evox M8 like all the other TSOPs I've done - seems fastest to boot up)
- put both boxes back together
- enjoy the fruits of my work.

Anyone spot any holes?

[keropi]

ah, now I understand that you don't have any kind of switches for the x3... you are now "locked" to 1MB BIOS on the 1st bank, that's what the chip defaults without the switches (not that bad, x3 bios is 1MB so you can work with it)

The fact that the bios rows report "unknown" is not that important, maybe someone did not update the naming... but as-is you don't really care what's on the 2nd bank since you can't use it easily...

Your plan seems fine, but why would you downgrade the backup bios with flashbios 3.0.1 when you have 3.0.3 on it?

If you plan to tsop flash the 1.4 then consider IND-5003 bios, it has all the needed features infact consider doing that so you don't ever have to worry about HDD corruption/damage etc

[professor_jonny]

You can go into the x3 bios and select a different bank and reboot with that bank enabled i believe so you don't need the external pro switch or x3cp to boot another bank as long as the first 1mb bank has the x3 bios on it to get into config live.

I have not messed with the banks for ages but thats how i remember it.

If you power then press the eject before it flashes the led i believe you get flash bios 3.03 as a recovery incase you muck something up.

[RoyalX]

Yo spicemuseum,

Have you already opened the xbox?
If you are lucky, the external bank selector could be inside the xbox.
I know some people don't want it on the front panel and put it inside xbox for any reason whatsoever!!

[spicemuseum]

If you power then press the eject before it flashes the led i believe you get flash bios 3.03 as a recovery incase you muck something up.

Yes, that's right. And thanks for your other info.

Keropi, along with your great advice (thanks!), you wondered why would I want to 'downgrade' back to FlashBIOS 3.0.1 ....? It's because I read that 3.0.3 doesn't work with v1.6 boxes and that 3.0.1 is the correct version for a v1.6. Is that wrong?

[spicemuseum]

Yo spicemuseum,

Yo X!

Have you already opened the xbox?
If you are lucky, the external bank selector could be inside the xbox.
I know some people don't want it on the front panel and put it inside xbox for any reason whatsoever!!

No such luck I'm afraid old chap; the switch panel was clearly attached at some point in the box's past life, but was disconnected and removed - flying leads left dangling out of the holes at the bottom of the front panel and a dirty great gob of sticky glue stuff where the switch panel used to be.

Never mind. Stiff upper lip, Keep Calm and Carry On, another pint of Nut Brown please my dear, etc etc...

[keropi]

you are right, did not remember this one...

d. FlashBIOS v3.03 may not work on v1.6 in some cases (works great on v1.6b) - at time of press this is being investigated and we
recommend you use v3.01 for v1.6 - this tutorial is exactly the same for that version.

http://team-xecuter.com/flashbios

gonna check what version is mine now

edit: I also can't find flashbios_v301.rar anywhere to download...

edit2: It seems that there is a fixed 3.0.3 version out there , if you go to eurasia and search for "flashbios" you get:

Xecuter FlashBIOS v3.03-1
Description: Xecuter FlashBIOS v3.03 (256k) based on Cromwell. Tested working on v1.0 v1.1 v1.2 v1.3 v1.4 v1.5 v1.6 v1.6b. Some users reported sometimes slow boot on v1.6 but perfect on all others inc v1.6b. For v1.6b detection RAM is usually Hynix and v1.6 RAM is usually Samsung. With v1.6 models you need to use standard AV cables or you wont get any video.
Author: Team Xecuter Version: 3.03-1 Filesize: 242300 bytes
Uploaded on: 2004-11-14 @ 03:51 GMT Downloads: 1346
HomePage | Rate Resource | Report Broken | Details (link me)
Category: Dumps/XBOX

Xecuter FlashBIOS v3.03
Description: Xecuter FlashBIOS v3.03 (256k) based on Cromwell. Tested working fine on all versions of Xbox including v1.6b. With v1.6 models you need to use standard AV cables or you wont get any video. This version have "small" bug, don't use.
Author: Team Xecuter Version: 3.03 Filesize: 242091 bytes
Uploaded on: 2004-11-12 @ 17:28 GMT Downloads: 359
HomePage | Rate Resource | Report Broken | Details (link me)
Category: Dumps/XBOX

[Nextelhalo]

I've got 3.03 sitting my hard drive if you need it.

[spicemuseum]

I've got 3.03 sitting my hard drive if you need it.

Thanks. 3.03 is already programmed, it's 3.01 I need to get hold of. I'm sure I'll find it in 'the usual places'.

*Edit* Just seen Keropi's update viz v3.03-1 on Eurasia. I'll try that.

[keropi]

please report if the 3.0.3-1 version works, just checked my x3 and it has 3.0.1 in it's backup flash, not sure how I can save it to a file though.... if the .3-1 version works then there is no need to mess with mine and I'll just update it

[spicemuseum]

please report if the 3.0.3-1 version works...

Okay, I have v3.01. Looked in "the usual places" but couldn't find a download for 3.03-1, so please take my apologies, I can't try that out for you.

Progress update:
- got the kids fed, into bed and asleep (courtesy of Room on the Broom and a chapter of Beast Quest).
- softmodded v1.4 whilst chip was attached.
- got hold of x3.3294.v16plus.bin
- blew my new BIOS into into chip.
- soldered TSOP write points.
- de-soldered and removed modchip v1.4.
...and it continues. But I have a problem - my X3 has a 2-pin socket (rather than a single bent over pin) for the v1.6 5v connection. I haven't got the plug which goes with it, so need to hard solder to into my v1.6, but which is the 5v and what is the second pin for?
Edit...
Buzzing out wsith multi-meter confirms the pins are in fact connected together so I'll just solder onto one, other or both. Meanwhile:
- clock cap removed from v1.4 (was actually fine, no leakage from it).
- v1.4 re-assembled.
- HeXEn used to flash Evox M8 to the Winbond TSOP using Winbond flash option.
- Hard disc rebuild in progress with a massive disc.
...now on to the v1.6.
Edit...
- Soldered pin header, LPC re-build mod-wires, alt. 5V and the three X3 connections on the underside of the v1.6 and mounted the X3.
- re-assembled.

All works! Huzzah!

[keropi]

3.0.3-1 is available on Eurasia... you want me to mirror it to mediafire or something or are you done testing?
also, can you upload 3.0.1 somewhere? I couldn't find it and it could be handy

[spicemuseum]

3.0.3-1 is available on Eurasia... you want me to mirror it to mediafire or something or are you done testing?
also, can you upload 3.0.1 somewhere? I couldn't find it and it could be handy

It seems I was mistaken. I don't understand at all but v3.01 was in the backup BIOS after all, so I never needed to downgrade from v3.03. I'll have a look around for you.
*Edit*
Here, I found this in the usual places, yours to do with what you choose, I don't need it and haven't tried it:
http://www.mediafire.com/download/xtz89 ... orized.rar

Moderator - I believe this is open source software built with an open source compiler without any copyright infringement implications and no licence/distribution limitations. if my understanding is incorrect, go ahead and remove the link.

[scroeffie]

i cant acces the bios i press white button start the xbox i see the blue x logo turns blue on the front panel than light is orange but nothing on my tv ?
xbox works fine microsoft dashb in memmory i can see games xbmc etc etc dvd2xbox enigma etc etc

maybe because iam using wireless controller i cant acces the bios
i think its already flashed but dont no on witch bank ?