/xbox-softmodding-tool

Softmodding tool for the original Xbox

Primary LanguageCGNU General Public License v3.0GPL-3.0

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Current release v1.1.8

Background:

I set out to try and make the softmodding process as pain free and user friendly as possible. You don't need to have a specific MS dashboard version or mess about in menus trying to backup your EEPROM or even working out what version to install. I do it for you, I backup the EEPROM I give you an easy to use settings menu ( NKPatcher Settings ) that has all the info you need to get the gist of things. I have also made it as safe as I possibly can, by having recovery dashboards and fail safes in place in case you remove your dashboard or you format your E partition eg... you can always recover.

I even added support for 24 dashboard locations, so every other softmod dashboard install location is covered.
Note: Making changes in the unprotected C partition is not advised unless you know what you are doing, you will know you are in this mode if you see a folder named "Do not touch anything in here"

Contributions

If you'd like to say thanks by sending a small donation, it'd be a huge help, and it'll allow me to keep spending time towards contributing to the Xbox community in the future.

paypal

Installation

Download Prebuilt versions: Download

Build from Source: (Note: this is only for advanced users)

Main Features:

  • Supports all Xbox versions
  • Supports all currently exploitable games including the new Tony Hawks Pro Skater 4
  • Obviously runs unsigned code
  • Doesn't require a certain Microsoft Dashboard version
  • User friendly interface
  • Information buttons on all menus
  • Mandatory ShadowC partition
  • Increased ShadowC partition size (485mb)
  • Small footprint *
  • Dualbooting support
  • Virtual disc drive
  • Simple and easy to use settings menu
  • Repair missing dashboards, right from the Xbox
  • Repair Softmod right from the Xbox
  • Extremely simple to install
  • Extremely difficult to break the softmod
  • Supports the Xbox HDD partition table
  • Built in back door if you break your dashboard. ( Hold Start+Y on startup )
  • Allows you to Set the HDD Key to all 1s
  • Allows you to switch video regions
  • Persistent Softmod Mode
  • Clock auto set to 01/01/2019 (No more clock loops)
  • Multiple dashboard locations built in
Show dashboard load order
  • C:\XBMC-Emustation\default.xbe
  • E:\XBMC-Emustation\default.xbe
  • F:\XBMC-Emustation\default.xbe
  • C:\XBMC4Gamers\default.xbe
  • E:\XBMC4Gamers\default.xbe
  • F:\XBMC4Gamers\default.xbe
  • C:\XBMC4Xbox\default.xbe
  • E:\XBMC4Xbox\default.xbe
  • F:\XBMC4Xbox\default.xbe
  • C:\XBMC\default.xbe
  • E:\XBMC\default.xbe
  • F:\XBMC\default.xbe
  • C:\dashboard\default.xbe
  • E:\dashboard\default.xbe
  • F:\dashboard\default.xbe
  • C:\dash\default.xbe
  • E:\dash\default.xbe
  • F:\dash\default.xbe
  • E:\default.xbe
  • E:\dashboard.xbe
  • C:\evoxdash.xbe
  • E:\evoxdash.xbe
  • C:\XBMC.xbe
  • E:\XBMC.xbe

Custom face button XBE launching.

You can create up to 8 custom boot locations that can be activated with the hold of a button on boot.

Currently it supports A,B,X,Y,Start,Back,White and black, Configs are located in E:/UDATA/21585554/000000000000/nkpatcher settings/dashloader/

Simply open the corresponding .cfg file and add the absolute path of what ever you want to load.

NKPatcher Settings:

NKPatcher, this is the second stage of the Softmod. This is what patches the kernel after the NDURE exploit is executed and gives you all the lovely unsigned code and fancy features.

NKPatcher Settings allows you to modify certain aspects of NKPatcher in a safe manor.

At the top of each menus there is an "Information" button, this will give you a description of the menu you are in.

1. Dashboard Settings

1.1 Backup, Restore or Move

  • This is used to move or restore a clean copy of UnleashX, as well as backup your dashboards.

1.2 Dual Booting

Power on using the eject button allows you to load an alternative dashboard.

  • Enable dual booting:

    • This option is used to enabled dual booting, you get asked if you would like a dashboard setup for you when you select this option.
  • Disable dual booting:

    • This option is used to disabled the dual booting process. You are also asked if you would like the alt dashboard to be removed.
  • Update Dualboot.settings:

    • This option is to be used if you want to use your own custom dual booting path, you can use the "OpenDash Dualboot.settings" tool to do this, it explains things.
  • Restore Dualboot.settings:

    • This option will restore the stock dualboot.settings file.

2. EEPROM

Enable virtual eeprom:

  • This option will enable the virtual eeprom. This will install a copy of your Xbox eeprom.bin to the HDD and use it instead of the onboard one.

Disable virtual eeprom:

  • This option will disable the virtual eeprom. Allowing you to edit the onboard one. ( not recommended to go modifying the eeprom if you don't know what you're doing )

Backup EEPROM & Xbox information:

  • This option will load my "Xbox Softmod Tool Kit" and backup the eeprom. You will be taken back to the NKPatcher Settings when complete.

2.1 Advanced Features

  • Remove Parental Controls:

    • This option will remove the parental controls set by the MSDash without requiring the MSDash.

2.1.1 Hard Drive

  • Change EEPROM HDD Key:

    • This option will allow you to change your eeprom hdd Key to a known key and relock your Hard drive to this new key. This allows the creation of new hard drive's or fixing your current hard drive a doddle as you will be able to lock these drives with a 32 1s key.

2.1.2 Persistent Softmod

  • Enable:

    • This option will allow you to re-enable the persistent softmod mode. What this mode does is puts the Xbox into a controlled error 16 state. Don't be alarmed!. This is 100% safe, as long as you don't remove anything from the real C partition. In this mode every game is loaded under the softmod, what this means is IGR on all retail (original) games and never needing worry about losing your softmod again, though with my softmod that's a moot point.
  • Disable:

    • This option will allow you to disable the persistent softmod mode. In this mode your xbox will work like any other softmod out there, retail (original) games will bypass the softmod.

2.1.3 System Language

  • Select a language:

    • This option will allow you to change the system language at the eeprom level. This will change ingame languages for PAL releases.

2.1.4 Video Region

  • Set Video to NTSC:

    • This option will allow you to change your Xbox video region to NTSC, so you can get those lovely HD resolutions. ( using a component cable )
  • Set Video to PAL:

    • This option will allow you to change your Xbox video region to PAL, so you can play some of the PAL exclusive games that don't work when set to NTSC.

2.1.5 Remove parental controles:

  • This option will remove all parental controls from the xbox, no more Xbox dash yah!

3. Fan speed

  • Self explanatory.

4. Hard Drive

4.1 Partition Types

  • Default:

    • This is the standard/default option, this allows Partition 6 ( F ) to use all available extra space.
  • Partition F & G:

    • This option allows a F and G partition. Where F takes upto 137GB and G takes the remaining space of the drive.
  • XBPartitioner:

    • This option is a placebo option, all above options will allow the partition table, I just added this for simplistic reasons.

4.2 Populate partitions

  • E Partition:

    • Creates "Applications, Emulators, Games and Homebrew" folders.
  • F Partition:

    • Creates "Applications, Emulators, Games and Homebrew" folders.
  • G Partition:

    • Creates "Applications, Emulators, Games and Homebrew" folders.

5. Kernel Fonts

Displays current font used for the NDURE exploit.

5.1 Advanced Features

  • Install Kernel Font:

    • This option will install a kernel specific font. This isn't really needed but if there are boot issues this can fix the issue.

5.1.1 Kernel Font Options

  • Install Kernel Font:

    • This option will install a kernel specific font. This isn't really needed but if there are boot issues this can fix the issue.
  • Restore Generic Font:

    • This option will restore the generic font to the Xbox. This font works on all Xbox kernel versions and is the default font used.

5.1.2 XTF Font Delay Options

  • Remove all:

  • Install 1 Delay file:

  • Install 2 Delay files:

  • Install 3 Delay files:

  • Install 4 Delay files:

  • Install 5 Delay files:

5.1.3 Backup Xbox Bios

  • Backs up the Xbox Bios to E:\Backups\Bios

6. LED colour

  • Self explanatory.

7. Video modes

Default:

  • This is the default mode, supports all video mode.

Force Progressive:

  • This option will force 480p video mode even if your game doest support it. Note: This will make the image distorted in PAL video mode.

Force VGA:

  • This option will force VGA video mode. Note: This requires a compatible monitor that support sync on green, also it may not work on v1.6 Xbox properly.

7.1 Flicker Filter:

  • Used to change the blur amount when using 480i and 576i video signals.
    • Disable

    • Off

    • Low

    • Semi Medium

    • Medium

    • Semi High

    • High

8. Modules & Settings

8.1 Modules

8.1.1 Built in Modules

  • These are what I use to do specific tasks.

8.1.2 User Modules

  • If you make your own, you will see them here. ( you add your own to the modules folder inside the NKPatcher Settings App )

UnleashX Settings

  • This is the settings menu for UnleashX, change network settings video settings eg...

Xbox Softmodding Tool Extras Disc:

Applications

  • DVD2Xbox
  • DVDX v2
  • EEPROM Backup Tool
  • Enigmah-X
  • NKPatcher Shortcut
  • Xored Mini launcher with 882 trainers

Dashboards

  • Avalaunch
  • EvolutionX
  • User Interface X Dash
  • UnleashX
    • Extras:
      • Install Audio Folder
  • XBMC 3.5.3
  • XBMC4Gamers
  • XBMC-Emustation
  • MS Dashboard
    • Stock MS Dash 5960
    • Hacked MS Dash 4920

Advanced Menu

  • Update 2014 Softmod

    • Used to upgrade from my 2014 Softmod.
  • Update Xbox Softmodding Tool

    • This is used to update to a newer version of the softmod. Your dashboards are not touched, I only update the backend.
  • Upgrade Old Softmods

    • Used to upgrade from any other softmod to mine, or install a clean softmod.
  • Restore To Default Factory State

    • I install all softmod saves and the UDDAE exploit so you can resoftmod without the need for a exploitable game.
  • Advanced Apps

    • Chimp 261812
    • ConfigMagic v1.6.1
    • XBPartitioner
    • XBP Table Writer
  • Clear the Xbox Cache

    • This will clear the E:\Cache folder and the X, Y & Z partitions.
  • File Manager

  • Disable ShadowC

As well as few other features.

Note: The great thing about the above, is it requires no FTP access or knowledge on how to update/restore softmods, great for people who are new to the Xbox scene.

Source code:

This softmod is fully open source, you can find the full source code on my GitHub with everything I have used/created in a nice organised manner. If you are a windows user, I have created batch files to do most of the heavy lifting, so it makes my life and yours simple when building stuff.

  • Note: The Xbox XDK and Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003 is required to build some of the tools.

There you can find videos on "How to setup your USB Pen and install a Softmod", "How to clone your Hard drive using Chimp 261812 from start to finish." and many other crappy videos I make for the Xbox.

Acknowledgments:

I would like to thank the following, without there contributions to the Xbox scene we would not have what we have today.

Original NKPatcher:

Rmenhal without this guy we wouldn't have NKP or the advanced fonts we use today.

NKPatcher Unofficial Edits:

Xman954 & kingroach added some cracking features to NKPatcher.

PBLoader - Metoo Edition:

Team Phoenix, ldotsfan, & Rmenhal

Configmagic source code:

Team Assembly & Yoshihiro

UnleashX:

James for such an amazing dashboard, without his work on UnleashX there would be no Softmod installers as we know it.

The original XBMC team

For XBMC Shortcut XBE Source

MS Source leak:

& without this person we wouldn't have the bios files or NKPatchers we have today.

Background Music

http://www.looperman.com/users/profile/1795296 - vibes piano 3

New TH4 save game exploit:

Grimdoomer ( thefallen93 )

To all the tester that helped me squash bugs and improve features & to anyone else I may have forgot.