X-Chip Xbox Mod Chip Review

Review provided by "Probefan".

I have recently successfully installed an X-chip in my Xbox and thought I'd share my experience on xbreporter.com.

Installing and using the X-Chip

New mod chips are being developed regularly, which makes selecting the right mod chip for your system quite a confusing process. These fairly powerful pieces of hardware allow you to explore the full capabilities of your Xbox console and have proven to be very popular amongst the Xbox fans. Not only can you to play backup and imported games, can you also use the Xbox's PC architecture to run Linux, DivX players, play MP3s and other unsigned code.

One mod chip that I have come across lately is the X-Chip. This mod chip has been released in mid 2004 and is a completely solder-less solution. The chip comes with enough flash memory to store any of the existing BIOSs. Also included is a USB programmer and flashing software called X-Control to make BIOS flashing very simple indeed.

X-Chip - compatible with all Xbox versions

The X-Chip is compatible with all the current Xbox versions ranging from the 1.0-1.6. The solder-less adapter however is only compatible with the console versions prior to 1.6. If you own a 1.6 version of the Xbox some minor soldering will be required. The xchip is also compatible with both NTSC & PAL country regions.

The X-Chip comes with a vast 4MB of flash memory, which can store a single 4MB flash or a mix of 1MB, 512k and 256k BIOS files.

The X-Chip can be purchased by itself or as a part of a package. The package includes the solder-less adapter, rivets, a USB programmer, linker wire to connect the XChip to the USB and a screw to hold down the adapter to the motherboard.

X-Chip - easy to install

I guess easy installation is what most modders look for and the X-Chip certainly qualifies with a simple four step process which does not include any soldering. I'm fairly new to Xbox modding and I found the installation quite simple, it took ten(10) minutes tops to install. It took me longer to dismantle the Xbox console and find the right screwdriver, which by the way is a torx.

I followed the installation guide that was quite detailed and easy to follow. There is a section when installing the solder-less chip that suggests to use pliers to bend the wire enough so it can reach the D0 hole. As this is quite a fragile wire I placed the wire into the D0 hole first and then gently stretched the wire to sit the solder-less adapter over the rivets. Put the screw in to hold the adapter in place and the most challenging part is done.

TIP: If the chip doesn't work straight away, push the X-Chip down gently and restart the Xbox a couple of times. You will know when the X-Chip isn't working because there is a red LED that lights up if the xchip is functioning correctly.

• X-Chip Solder-less Adapter Guide

X-Chip - USB & X-Control software for easy BIOS flashing

The X-Chip comes pre-flashed with the Cromwell v1.0 BIOS which can easily be upgraded to a more modern BIOS using a CD or the USB, that comes with the X-Chip. It was the actual X-Control software and the USB programmer that saved my chip. I initially flashed a BIOS (not sure which one) from a CD-R which didn't quite go to plan. Once the BIOS loaded the Xbox started fragging and I was looking at a blank screen. T he LED that illuminates the eject button started to flash red, which means that there is something severely wrong with the Xbox, and it will not continue to start up. From there I didn't have access to my X-Chip or the Xbox itself, unless I took the chip out. I then connected my PC and the X-Chip via the USB connection. Loaded the initial BIOS which was pre-saved with the X-Control software and flashed it to the chip. As predicted the Xbox stopped fragging and I was back to the stage where I could use my Xbox again. Using the X-Control software I then loaded the EvoX BIOS and from there its been smooth sailing. Just goes to show how useful the USB programmer and the X-Control software really is.

• X-Control Installation Software Pack

Those are the only problems I encountered during the installation of the X-Chip, which were fixed very easily. My Mod Chip came from modchipstore. I still use the X-Chip and have not yet had any problems.

Probefan