Newbie questions about a modded Xbox

[Weinberg]

People at the Xbox scene forums aren't helping me...I have the feeling they're such tech heads that they can't be bothered.

I've bought a Xenium modded crystal Xbox from premodded, with 80gb HD.

I've had a look around and on the main menu, I'm aware all those names 'avalaunch', 'evox', 'thc' and 'unleashx' are different dashboards. Now, do they just look different or is there something else about them?

I would also like to know, how to switch off the modchip as I will be on Xbox Live shortly and don't want to mess up my Xbox by getting banned. How do I switch the chip off, and on again? Apparently I do it in the menu as there's no external switch on a Xenium modded machine.

Also, how do I play US games? I think I launch a dashboard, go to apps, choose PAL/NTSC selector, right? Then I switch the Xbox off? (as I can't seem to reset). That says 'video mode' though so it won't help me choose a NTSC game...where do I choose an actual NTSC MODE rather than just NTSC video? (edit: found it in settings-so do I choose the mode if playing a US live game and then switch the modchip off?)

Is my Xbox multiregion so I can put in any game and it will automatically recognise it? And am I right in saying this is fine till I want to play a US game online...where I'd need to choose NTSC mode, switch the mod off and then play?

To play a US Live game, should I choose NTSC, switch the Xbox off, make sure the modchip's off and that's it? So will it still know even if the chip is off, that I'm in NTSC mode?

I always come across places where I can't go to the previous menu (i.e. when choose NTSC/PAL) so how do I reset? This is common when going into an application (I'm in Xbox media player now for example) and can't get out of it. Also when entering a dashboard, how do I go back to the very first menu where I can choose dashboards?

I will really appreciate it if you could help answer my questions. Thanks!

[nips]

I don't like XB-Scene either, I get the same feeling as you unfortuantely. However, some of the FAQs are very good! I also find their site takes too long to load on my connection

Tbh, I'm not experienced with XB mods and stuff, but my X2.1 has a switch on the front of it, on the bottom left. There are three switches, one for mod on and off, one for bios 1 and 2 and I forget the other.

I flick that it turn it off, obviously, but I'm not 100% sure if that's enough to protect you on live! (You lucky bast, I want live!). I remember reading in the Online Gaming forum something about HDD acknowledgemant patch in the XB. This means that Live! can tell if you have a larger HDD, than the proper one, possibly even if it is locked. I'm sure that someone else will be able to help you more.

I'm using Enigma Videomade Switch Disc to play between PAL and NTSC, it's easy, just select the one you want then press the triggers back and start together to reset the console and the games will work fine. I've found that I can leave the console in NTSC mode 90% of the time as well. I've got some US and some UK games on the HDD and on disc, and the only one that does not boot in the wrong mode is my UK version of Timesplitters 2 where picture isn't shown. The rest are all fine. Just stick the game in, if it doesn't work, change the region and it should be fine

I don't know which dashbord you are using (do you have the opportunity to choose which you boot into, becuase that would be cool), but evox has worked perfect for me. I'd imagine that there would be general similarities between the different operating systems.

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful, I can only talk out of experience. I can also say that when you decide to put more apps and stuff on the XB, I've found it so easy becuase the evox.ini for my console is great which means all I have to do is make a folder and stick the files in for 99% of things to work. It's really great! Such a stunning console

Who did the XB for you, just out of interest

[Weinberg]

Thanks for your help. I actually apparently have to switch the mod on/off by the software as Xenium doesn't use an external switch. Apparently I just have to boot to the normal microsoft dash to switch off the chip.

I don't get to choose which dash to boot into-I just get taken to a list when I switch it on.

BTW premodded.com did mine-I ordered it yesterday (crystal, and paid more for 80gb HD) and was astonished to get it today by parcel force. So definitely recommend them!! Came with all sorts of apps and dashboards installed too, and was brand new.