How To Softmod Your Xbox
The Easy Way
 
 
In a relatively short amount of time you should be able to change that doorstop of an xbox into an all-in-one media center complete with all you favorite classic games and homebrew apps-
All without ever opening up the case.
 
 
Xbox modification has come a long way in the past few years enabling you, the modder, to gain complete access to the xbox hardware through software exploits in 3 particular games.  This tutorial will show you everything you need to know to completely softmod your xbox using Krazies NDURE exploit.  These exploits allow you to install a dumbed down version of linux (irony?) and thus give you complete control over your xbox.
 
WHAT YOU NEED
an xbox with dashboard 5960 (see below)
Ndure's installer
Action Replay or a hacked usb cable
a computer for ftp-ing
Mech Assalt, Agent Under Fire, Splintercell
 
USEFUL PROGRAMS
flash fxp
xbox media center
mirc (maybe)
winrar (probably)
 
 
 
 
For this exploit, your xbox must be running a dashboard of at least version 5960. To obtain the proper dashboard, simply run any somewhat new xbox live compatable game and allow it to update the dash. No internet connection is required.
 
Step 1: Aquiring Ndure's installer
 
This is by far the most convienient of the all-in-one installers available. It works on all xbox versions and is completely dumb-proof. To obtain the installer, do a quick search on bittorrent for NDURE and download the file. It should be aproximetly 35 mb.
 
Step 2: Action Replay
 
This tutorial will assume you will be using Datel's Action Replay, a device that can connect to your pc through usb, and your xbox through your memory card slot. This makes file transfers a breeze :) . If you can't obtain an action replay or wanna save some dough, there are ways to hack a usb cable with an xbox memory card with the same results.
 
First, you need to install the Action replay software that comes with the dongle. Open the Action Replay program and you should see a screen with three columns. Open the zip folder of Ndure's installer and find the file called udata.zip. It should be located at "Krayzie_Ndure_Pack\MA\MA_save". Drag and drog this zip file to the column labled "PC Database". Notice if you scroll down the entry "Mech Assault" will have a new item labled "Run Linux".
 
Now, make sure your memory card is plugged into your computer, and drag-and-drop the "Run Linux" file from Pc Database to the Memory Card column on the left.
 
Step 3: Copying to Xbox
 
Now we need to copy the game save on the memory over to the xbox hard drive. Boot up your xbox with no cd loaded and you will see the green xbox dashboard. Choose memory and find the mech assault game save that should be located on the memory card. You will need to press right on the D-pad to select the smaller mechassault circle, then follow the options to copy this file to your xbox hard drive.
 
Step 4: The Exploit
 
The following instructions will assume you will be using the game Mech Assault to induce the exploit, though the other two games work similarily (but you will need to copy a different file from Ndure's zip file to the memory card).
 
Simply start up mech assault and choose to start a campaign. An option named "Run Linux" should be displayed as a save game. Click run linux. You will now be brought to the main menu for the softmod installer.
 
Before installing the software, choose the option that says "back-up EEPROM". This will ensure you a back-door escape if any goes wrong (which it won't). Next you can follow the instructions to install the actual softmod. Once the installation is complete you can reboot the xbox. Granted you followed the steps correctly, you will now be the proud owner of a soft-modded xbox.
 
 
 
 

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