TSOP Recovery help.

[ogxbox]

Hi everyone. Long time reader, first time poster.

So I decided to flash my TSOP so that I could use a bios that would support a larger hard drive since all my data got corrupted. I was using the HeXEn disk to flash the suggested bios, ind-bios 5003. I was able to successfully flash to iND-BiOS.5003.06 but I realized I wanted the .67 version. During the second flash the power went out just before the flashing. Now it doesn't turn on, it just lights up then turns off.

I've found some solutions that involved making some sort of switch on xbox-scene. This seems to be beyond my skill set. The other option is to buy a chip to fix the TSOP.

I was wondering if anyone had any advice on how I should proceed. I have a xbox v1.2. I prefer a free solution, but I am willing to buy a cheap chip (preferably solderless). Thank you for your help.

-Manuel

[nidge]

Just did something similar myself, I flashed the wrong BIOS on my TSOPed machine
There is something called the "3 wire trick" I`ve read about, that might enable the xbox to boot again? I am hoping to try this soon, I will let you know how it goes

[ogxbox]

I think the 3 wire trick is only for v1.0 or 1.1. I have a v1.2, so I don't think that will work for me. Good luck with your fix.

[professor_jonny]

29 wire mod chip comes to mind here.

Ther was one breed of mod chip you could boot from it and flash the tsop from it there was a tutioral on xboxscene i think it was a matrix or something.

but with a run of the mill chip you are buggered you cant flash the tsop from it you can only flash the bank you boot from.
stick in a chip and be done with it i say you dont have to do an lcp rebuild which makes it easier.

[ogxbox]

but with a run of the mill chip you are buggered you cant flash the tsop from it you can only flash the bank you boot from.
stick in a chip and be done with it i say you dont have to do an lcp rebuild which makes it easier.

Thank you for your reply. Could you explain what you mean with the above statement? I don't quite understand what you're saying.

I have been googling the 29 wire method you mentioned. From what I understand, it requires one of the older generation chips, is this correct? All I can find online are DuoX 3, Xecuter 2.6, and Aladdin XT chips. Would it be possible to reflash the TSOP with these new chips?

These chips are kind of pricey, they cost more than the used pair of shoes I traded for my xbox. I know I could just use the bios off the modchip, but I would like to reuse the modchip to fix future xboxes I might purchase.

[MrMajst3r]

I have been googling the 29 wire method you mentioned. From what I understand, it requires one of the older generation chips, is this correct?

Yes.
Here are diagrams:
http://www.xbox-scene.com/modchips/ownmod_diagrams.html
Motherboard with 29-wire modchip installed:

Tutorial how to re-flash TSOP with 1gen modchip:
http://xbox-scene.com/articles/tsop.php

All I can find online are DuoX 3, Xecuter 2.6, and Aladdin XT chips. Would it be possible to reflash the TSOP with these new chips?

No.

In my opinion, the best solution for you is just to buy Alladin XT2+ (actually the cheapest and easiest to buy) and install it with "always enabled" option.

[ogxbox]

Yea I saw that scary picture when I was searching for a fix. I was really hoping someone had found an easier method for fixing a TSOP. I wish I had the skill to save my xbox because of the sentimental value . I guess it's going to collect dust for awhile. Well, thank you for confirming what I was thinking all along.

[AZImmortal]

Even without a 29-wire modchip, you can still save your Xbox if you install a cheap modchip, and someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the cheapest ones available in the US (if that's where you are) can be had for less than $6 shipped.

[bigkidoz]

I believe you can boot with a chip and then once in the flash menu (hdd or disc) then you un-socket the chip and continue the flash, i know i have read that somewhere. If your soldering skills are good you could remove the tsop chip and replace it.

[professor_jonny]

only a 29 wire mod chip is able to flash the tsop you cant use an lcp mod chip and remove it and flash the tsop.

there is two exceptions:

the 1.0 version xbox you can remove the chip and flash the tsop but protection measures were added in later versions of xboxes.
i believe the read and write lines are disconnected from the tsop when the d0 is grounded and booted from thats why you get a flash code of FFFF as the tsop chip is un dectable if you try to flash.

the other is the matrix chips below:

http://www.xbox-scene.com/articles/evox-tsop-matrix.php

i dont know if you do the wiring mods in this tutioral it will work with a normal lcp mod chip you could give it a try but you need to trade a pair of shoes again to get a mod chip to try it and you might as well leave it in.

[ogxbox]

Even without a 29-wire modchip, you can still save your Xbox if you install a cheap modchip, and someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the cheapest ones available in the US (if that's where you are) can be had for less than $6 shipped.

I don't think I am up to the task for doing a 29 wire modchip. I don't think I have all the necessary skills or parts.


Could you pm a link for a $6 chip? I have only found chips for $20-$30 range. The last time I've bought any sort of modchip was with lik-sang. Thanks.

[AZImmortal]

Hmm, Dealextreme.com had some Aladdin chips but they appear to no longer be in stock. Maybe someone else can direct you to some cheap options.