Flash BIOS on Xbox Mod chips
Glossary
The following explains some terms that you will encounter in the context of Xbox Bios flashing.
- BIOS - Basic Input Output System, software that controls the communication between your Xbox hardware.
- Flash Memory - Flash memory is the non-volatile memory that resides on the chip itself and is also the memory where the BIOS is stored.
- Unsigned code - Not Microsoft compliant.
Modchip BIOS
Modding an Xbox is no longer a new process, but its a process many
people are unaware of. Due to the recent number of emails received,
enquiring about BIOS flashing this article will attempt to explain the
general overview and methods involved in this process. After physically
installing the chip you will most likely want to flash an alternative
BIOS. This is due to the fact that most of the modchips today come with
a legal version of a BIOS, most likely the Cromwell Linux BIOS. Legal,
meaning the BIOS had been built using Microsoft compliant code and as a
result will not allow you to upgrade your HDD, play MP3/DivX, run game
emulators or make backups. If you intend on doing any of these things or
more you will need to flash an alternative BIOS.
Flashing an alternative BIOS
To flash a BIOS means to transfer the BIOS software onto your xbox modchip.
There are two major ways this can be achieved; through an external
programmer or using a CD-RW with the BIOS file burned to it.
BIOS Flashing with External Programmer
Flashing a BIOS via an external programmer involves connecting the mod
chip (already installed) to your computer via a special USB or Serial
cable. I guess the biggest advantage of this method over the CD-RW is
that it is much easier to recover your Xbox from a bad flash or a
corrupt BIOS. If you ever install a corrupt BIOS you will not be able to
use your Xbox unless you physically unplug the mod chip. As you are
connected directly to the mod chip itself using an external programmer,
you can just flash a new BIOS without accessing your Xbox (has to be
switched on though). Some modchip companies also provide custom support
software to help you in this process. The Xchip
for example, comes with a USB external programmer and support software
called X-Control.
BIOS Flashing using CD-RW or DVD
Most new modchips these days would come with an external programmer and
software, but older modchips will not have these feature available. For
the older modchips a BIOS will need to be flashed via a CD method. Most
modchips which do not have an external programmer would come pre-flashed
with a BIOS. Using the pre-flashed BIOS and just by inserting the CD
with the new BIOS would initiate the installation process. Nearly all of
the pre-flashed BIOSs would have a feature for flashing an alternative
BIOS.
Hopefully this article has given some insight of what is involved in
Flashing a BIOS. Please use the forum if you have
further questions.
| 
