Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 11:20 am Post subject: New member with some simple ?'s
New member as well as new user of the xbox 360 and appreciative of all the information 360-hq provides but is a lot to absorb so I was hoping to ask a few simple questions and gain some answers around modding.
1. Firmware flashing allows you to play back up games from a disc Vs JTAG which allows you to play games from the HDD? Are both permanent?
2. Will either one or both get you banned from Xbox Live?
3. I've seen the tutorials on how to open the Xbox 360, remove the HDD, but still can not get my head around the actual steps of completing a firmware flash? Would that be just as simple as updating the HDD?
4. Are the Torx screwdrivers found at local hardware stores?
Thanks in advance for the info!
bomernee 360-HQ Genius
Joined: Apr 20, 2006 Posts: 1105 Location: UK XP: 60,078
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 2:15 pm Post subject:
1 - firmware flash is permanent unless you save an original copy of the dvd drive firmware then you can flash it back to stock. Jtag is a hardware mod so I'm "assuming" once it's done it's done there's no going back. Where as the firmware flash can be done to pretty much any xbox (is slim done yet??) jtag needs a specific xbox dashboard (ie one which hasnt been online for at least a few years!)
2 - Dvd firmware flash can get your xbox console banned from xbox live (not the gamertag) but some people I know have played online with flashed drives for years with no problem. But also there's been times when experienced flashers have been banned with no easy to see reason. Jtag on the other hand I've heard that these get banned really really quick usually within 48hours of going online.
3 - A Rough idea of flashing the dvd drive is as follows:
a- identify/remove dvd drive
b - connect to pc via sata
c - dump firmware to pc
d - flash lt+ firmware to drive
e - re-instal dvd drive to xbox
depending on your pc rig you may need additional parts like a sata card, and depending on your dvd drive you may need additional equipment general rule - older dvd drives = easier!
4 - you can get torx screwdrivers most places I've seen them in multi screw driver kits they are quite common and not hard to get a hold of, in tesco supermarket I bought some really cool screwdrivers which had a whole range of torx and they only cost like £5.
Hope this helps and welcome to the site.
AZGiovanni2000 360-HQ User
Joined: Feb 20, 2011 Posts: 10
XP: 2,028
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 2:50 pm Post subject:
Thanks bomernee
bomernee wrote:
1 - firmware flash is permanent unless you save an original copy of the dvd drive firmware then you can flash it back to stock
I take it there is a tutorial to save an original copy of the dvd drive firmware.
bomernee wrote:
3 - A Rough idea of flashing the dvd drive is as follows:
a- identify/remove dvd drive
b - connect to pc via sata
c - dump firmware to pc
d - flash lt+ firmware to drive
e - re-instal dvd drive to xbox
depending on your pc rig you may need additional parts like a sata card, and depending on your dvd drive you may need additional equipment general rule - older dvd drives = easier!
Once I open the console I should have a better understanding of the type dvd drive built with it. I purchased it about a month ago so I had concerns about running into any issues modding it since it is a newer console. My current PC has SATA so I believe I am good.
bomernee 360-HQ Genius
Joined: Apr 20, 2006 Posts: 1105 Location: UK XP: 60,078
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 3:40 pm Post subject:
I haven't done a flash myself, but a main part of getting it done is that you need to dump the firmware from your dvd drive, once you get a clean dump you can save a copy of it somewhere and there you have your back up, so you see you pretty much get a backup in the process of flashing the drive anyway. Just keep the data safe somewhere!
Good luck and hope you find all the information you need. If you don't...well theres a lot more in the vip section
forahobby Administrator
Joined: May 22, 2003 Posts: 23944 Location: NSW, Australia XP: 3,060,024
Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2011 7:24 am Post subject:
Hi AZGiovanni2000,
I was going to reply and answer some of your questions til i scrolled down and seen that bomernee has already hooked you up..
Hope you enjoy the sites and all the info we have to offer.. Feel free to get involved around the different areas and ask any questions you like in our forums.
Just to clearify alittle. A jtag can be returned to stock, simply by updating with a ms update, but chances are it will be flagged for banning. If you do go online with a jtag they will suspend your gamertag sometimes only for 2 or 3 weeks and sometimes till the year 9999. The last jtaggable dash board is 7371 and the concole has to have a build date before September 18ish 2009, if my memory serves correctly. A jtag can run any xex, including ones not signed by ms, which includes games off a hdd or any other homebrew games/programs/emulators where as a flashed DVD drive can only play complete 1:1 backups of legitament games. Hope that helps, good luck!
Oh and the new Lizard tool is just awesome!
AZGiovanni2000 360-HQ User
Joined: Feb 20, 2011 Posts: 10
XP: 2,028
Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 3:11 pm Post subject:
Thanks everyone for the info, taking it all in slowly.
Trying to make sure I have all my ducks in a row before I choose what path I will go. I did notice from bomernee's dvd comparison link that at first glance I have a BENQ which I believe is a little more difficult to work with from what I'm reading?
I do like what the 360 lizard has to offer not crazy about the cost but I'm sure is def worth it, but I would like to learn on my own and was trying to save the $ for other things with the caveat I didn't want to brick it
Anyone know a good place to purchase a T12 torx screwdriver or bit? I have the T6 & T7 as required to open the console, but all the hardware places around here do not carry a T12? (Ace, Home Depot, Lowes, Sears, Harbor Freight)
Thanks
itoktoeatfish 360-HQ Member
Joined: Sep 11, 2010 Posts: 77
XP: 13,970
Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 4:05 pm Post subject:
Actually the Benq is one of the easiest. As far as getting a 360 lizard I wouldnt buy one unless you plan on doing quite a few drives, it does make things easier but if you are only going to do 2 or 3 its not really worth the cost. You might want to look into the x360 pro I think its called, it sells for $60, it doesnt simplify things as much as the lizard but it does take out the pain of messing with the drivers of the via sata card.
Hope this isnt agaist the rules, but if your interested send me a pm and could set up a deal to flash your dvd drive for you.
@forahobby
Thanks for the PM!
forahobby Administrator
Joined: May 22, 2003 Posts: 23944 Location: NSW, Australia XP: 3,060,024
Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 4:49 pm Post subject:
itoktoeatfish wrote:
Hope this isnt agaist the rules, but if your interested send me a pm and could set up a deal to flash your dvd drive for you.
Nope it's not against the rules mate. Would be nice to see you get a little more settle first though. heheh
itoktoeatfish wrote:
@forahobby
Thanks for the PM!
Glad you got the pm, just wanted to make sure you knew what was going on with your avatar. hope you enjoy the site/community which i have been creating for many years.. We have loads of guys from around the globe who are all smart cookies, its just a matter of finding what time they cruise the site to meet them.
oh and most of us work fulltime or go to college/university so we are all over the place.
Joined: Feb 06, 2007 Posts: 2470 Location: Minnesota, USA XP: 58,502
Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2011 5:32 pm Post subject:
i can show you how to flash it via over the internet with teamviewer no need sending to someone else or anything it will stay with you the whole time.
Take the time and look at this picture to make sure it is a benq and you wont need any other tools. unless your computer does not have a sata connector. Then you will need to either get a via card or go with the Team Xecuter usb one which is cheaper then lizard even though i have not had no probs with maximus products.
If its benq would not need nothing but what i said _________________________________________________________ The one the only Scarface!!
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