The Definitive Guide to Xbox Modding

If you're an Xbox gamer and have been for some time, then you probably heard plenty of talk about modding an Xbox. You probably have friends who have modded their Xbox and you may be thinking of whether or not it is something that you would like to do yourself. Let's discuss what modding is and what it entails so that you may make the right decision for you.

First off, what exactly is Xbox modding? Modding is a practice we can use is several different methods and techniques to bypass built-in security measures and restrictions which are programmed into a system by the original manufacturer. Modding as you have guessed is technically illegal. It was only a couple of months after the Xbox 360 was released that quite a few modding techniques were developed and distributed to bypass the signature checking as well as advertising and permitted the use of back at games as well as other add-ons.

If you do decide to mod your Xbox you should be aware that this will completely void your warranty. The simple act of opening your Xbox case is all it takes two completely void the warranty of your Xbox or Xbox 360. You will also lose the ability to use Xbox Live as well as the Xbox Live Marketplace. These are some of the things you must consider before you decide to go forward with modding your Xbox or Xbox 360.

So what are the ways for installing mods on an Xbox? One way to mod your Xbox is to use what is known as a Modchip. Unless you are very handy with a soldering iron and can read electronic schematics, you may have difficulty installing a mod chip on your Xbox. When installing a mod chip you cannot make a mistake or you will cause the entire unit to malfunction, resulting in no more gaming for you. On the upside, if you can successfully install a mod chip you will have the capability to use certain add-ons and play back up games which would otherwise not be possible.

Another way to mod and Xbox is to use what is known as TSOP Flashing. TSOP is an acronym which stands for thin small outline package. This mod makes it possible for you to end table the motherboard to be writable inside your gaming unit. This technique works only for the version 1.0 to the version 1.5 Xbox units.

Softmodding is a technique where the Xbox is modified by replacing the operating system dashboard. This results in the gamer being able to access certain restricted parts of the gaming unit. If a technique called multi-booting is enabled the soft mod will not affect the gamer’s access to Xbox Marketplace. The problem with soft mods however, is that they do not always work.

Only you can decide if modding your Xbox is right for you. Just be sure that it is something that you want to do and that you have the technical skills required to complete the task, or you may lose your Xbox.

CES, Spin, and Sony's Saddest Christmas - Wired News

AME Info

CES, Spin, and Sony's Saddest Christmas Wired News - 10 hours ago ... the feature sets of the three multi-functional gaming systems -- PLAYSTATION 3, Xbox 360 and Wii -- become that much more important to consider. ... Co-op play rules in best games of 2008 USA Today Buy Far Cry 2, Get 50% off PS3, Xbox 360 game title Punch Jump Power Up: Could '09 be the year PS3 gets back into the game? Philadelphia Inquirer Seattle Post Intelligencer - Punch Jump all 438 news articles

Microsoft trains next-gen coders with XNA's Kodu - Ars Technica

bit-tech.net

Microsoft trains next-gen coders with XNA's Kodu Ars Technica, MA - 3 hours ago It's essentially a tertiary programming language laid atop XNA and the Xbox 360's assembly. The language of Kodu takes a principally semantic form, ... New program allows everyone to design video games USA Today Microsoft unveils Kodu Develop all 28 news articles

10 New Year's resolutions for Nintendo Wii - GamePro.com

Telegraph.co.uk

10 New Year's resolutions for Nintendo Wii GamePro.com - 14 hours ago There's no excuse for the service being this rough when the 360 is thriving in large part due to the strength of how easy it is to use Xbox Live. ... Hunting game Deer Drive is visually dull and too simple Journal and Courier Nintendo Wii: The Casual, The Tragic Crispy Gamer The Nintendo Wii Games We're Most Excited For In 2009 MTV.com Corpus Christi Caller Times - Variety all 44 news articles

Fewer gamers want to upgrade, so Microsoft will focus on current Xbox - TheNewsTribune.com

Fewer gamers want to upgrade, so Microsoft will focus on current Xbox TheNewsTribune.com, WA - 32 minutes ago Microsoft Corp. will rely on its Xbox 360 game console for longer than the previous version because it’s getting harder to get consumers to upgrade, ... Microsoft's Bach talks about Zune's future Seattle Post Intelligencer Microsoft's news at CES not so new Seattle Times Steve Ballmer's Rally Cry Forbes TechNewsWorld - Seattle Post Intelligencer all 1,223 news articles

Saitek brings air combat control to home consoles - CNET News

CNET News

Saitek brings air combat control to home consoles CNET News, CA - 10 hours ago Just in time for upcoming titles like Tom Clancy's HAWX, Saitek is introducing the Aviator, a flight stick fully tested to work Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 ... Saitek Aviator Flight Sticks: Joysticks for Your Xbox 360 or PS3 Gizmodo Mad Catz rolls out new Saitek Aviator flight sticks for Xbox 360, PS3 engadget Mad Catz(R) Introduces New Saitek(R) Aviator Flight Sticks for ... PR Newswire (press release) IGN - GamesIndustry.biz all 29 news articles

Resident Evil 5 and Star Ocean Bundles for the Xbox 360 - Softpedia

The Tech Herald

Resident Evil 5 and Star Ocean Bundles for the Xbox 360 Softpedia, Romania - 1 hour ago By Andrei Dumitrescu, Games Editor Microsoft is sending word that it plans to introduce two limited time bundles of its Xbox 360 gaming console, ... Capcom offers Resident Evil 5 bundles on Xbox 360 and PS3 The Tech Herald 2009 is already a great year for games: The 'Resident Evil 5' demo Arizona Daily Star Resident Evil 5 focuses on action, co-op Ars Technica Gamespy.com - EL33TONLINE all 8 news articles