Differences

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--- eop:video_game_consoles-home:7th_generation:microsoft_xbox_360 [2022/01/09 20:54] – io55admin
+++ eop:video_game_consoles-home:7th_generation:microsoft_xbox_360 [2022/09/23 14:45] (current) – [Gentoo (Live CDs)] io55admin
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ====== Microsoft Xbox 360 ======
+Microsoft's 2nd console. Releasing on November 22nd, 2005 in North America, the Xbox 360's PowerPC "Xenon" CPU, 512 +10 MB of RAM, and maximum 1920x1080 output resolution was perfectly capable for this era, resulting in a successful system which sold 84 million units worldwide, putting it ahead of the PS3 for most of the system's life (although the PS3 barely managed to sell more in the end).
+https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbox_360
 ===== Operating Systems (PowerPC Xenon Tri-Core) =====
@@ Line 7: / Line 11: @@
 Whether these emulators support operating systems for these consoles is unknown; it must be looked into further. Consoles without meaningful OSes are not included.
-https://www.reddit.com/r/360hacks/wiki/emulators
+https://consolemods.org/wiki/Xbox_360:Emulators
 DO Company 3DO – 3D0X
@@ Line 42: / Line 46: @@
 === Debian (Etch 4.0, Lenny 5.0, Squeeze 6.0) ===
-Pre-made scripts to allow installation of the three given variants of Debian.
+A set of pre-made scripts allowing a relatively simple install for Debian versions 4-6 on the 360. All of these versions appear to support X to at least 720p.
 https://free60project.github.io/wiki/Debian-etch
@@ Line 59: / Line 63: @@
 === Gentoo (Live CDs) ===
-One 2006 minimal live CD, and two Beta live CDs.
+Offered entirely as Live CDs. The first one of these is a minimal version of Gentoo from 2006, while the other ones are "Xenon" Beta versions. On the minimal version is understandably, a very minimal install of Gentoo, while the Beta versions feature a full desktop environment and other such comforts.
 https://free60project.github.io/wiki/LiveCD
@@ Line 65: / Line 69: @@
 https://sourceforge.net/projects/free60/files/liveCDs/
+https://www.reddit.com/r/linuxmasterrace/comments/rm6jwz/gentoo_on_a_xbox_360_why_do_i_do_these_things_to/
 === Linux (base kernel) ===
 >applied to Linux 2.6.20
-The base linux kernel port, to serve as foundation for the distros.
+The original kernel port of Linux, which serves as the base for all other porting efforts for Linux distributions.
 https://free60project.github.io/wiki/Linux_Kernel
@@ Line 81: / Line 84: @@
 Whether these emulators support operating systems for these computers is unknown; it must be looked into further. PCs without meaningful OSes are not included.
-https://www.reddit.com/r/360hacks/wiki/emulators
+https://consolemods.org/wiki/Xbox_360:Emulators
 Amstrad CPCs – XNACPC
@@ Line 97: / Line 100: @@
 === Ubuntu (7.10, 10.10, 11.10) ===
-More pre-made scripts, but for the installation of Ubuntu variants instead.
+Yet another set of installation scripts, but this time, they can install a few versions of Ubuntu. Once again, X is supported, with a similar at-least 720p resolution.
-https://free60project.github.io/wiki/Ubuntu7.10
+https://free60.org/Ubuntu7_10/
-https://free60project.github.io/wiki/Ubuntu11.10
+https://free60.org/Ubuntu11_10/
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkg08RbECs0
@@ Line 111: / Line 114: @@
 === Default Internet Explorer ===
-Based off of IE 10, feels like a boring Internet Channel.
+This is based off of IE 10, and is stock on any 360 updated past 2012. Nothing special about it, but it works.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnHMJzdujuI
@@ Line 119: / Line 122: @@
 === MCE Browser ===
-The method people used before 2012 to browse on their 360.
+A method people used before 2012 to browse the internet on their 360, using some plugin in a media center app.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCfPzxzCOh0
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0pkm2VeN5A
+===== Version & Revision Guide =====
+For general information, see the [[eop:essays:game_console_revisions_overview|Game Console Revisions Overview]].
+Many thanks to the **[[https://consolemods.org/wiki/Xbox_360:Xbox_360_Mods_Wiki|ConsoleMods.org Xbox 360 Wiki]]** for much of this information. They're in the sidebar for a reason!
+==== Versions ====
+//There are seven versions of this console, arranged chronologically.//
+=== “Xbox 360 Core” (2005-2007) ===
+//DO NOT PURCHASE//
+One of the two launch models of the 360, and easily the worst to acquire. These have ZERO internal storage, no Wi-Fi, and only 2 USB/memory slots + 1 back USB, and infrared. Plus, all of their motherboards are the RROD-prone “Xenon” variant (with rare repair/refurbished “Opus” variant exceptions). They don’t even have HDMI, only AV. While they can be hacked, hacking one of these systems is an exercise in futility. To identify, look for the system that is matte white on both the chassis and disc tray. This appearance is identical to the Xbox 360 Arcade, but those also suck so avoid said design entirely.
+=== “Xbox 360 Premium/Pro 20GB” (2005-2008) ===
+//DO NOT PURCHASE without determining the revision//
+One of the two launch models of the 360, and it’s mostly poor. Up until Sep 2007, these systems had the “Zephyr” or “Xenon” motherboards, and the Zephyr is a Xenon with HDMI. That means many RRODs. Of course, both motherboards have the 2 USB/memory slots + 1 back USB, infrared, and no Wi-Fi. By the time this version improved with the “Falcon” motherboards, the 60GB Premium/Pro was about to release. To identify, look for the system that has a matte white chassis, but a chrome disc tray. Furthermore, check the power plug on the back for a “6 squares” design + power specifications. Bad motherboards will take 12V – 16.5A and need a 203W PSU, and “OK” ones will have take 12V – 14.2A and need a 175W PSU.
+=== “Xbox 360 Elite 250/120GB” (2007-2010) ===
+//RECOMMENDED OVERALL; BEST RELIABILITY (if you get a Jasper revision); LOWEST PRICE?//
+The first version that significantly altered aesthetics. It’s palette is mostly black (chrome drive tray), although physical dimensions are identical to earlier versions. In other words, these have a curved/ “soft” design, rather than the “angular” design of an S. Furthermore, they have the same 2 USB/memory slots + 1 back USB, infrared, and no Wi-Fi I/O. The first Elites are garbage like the Core/Prem, but Elites released after November 2008 are of practically the best revision (for hacks and reliability). To be specific, the “Zephyr” rev sucks (early), the “Falcon” rev is good (Aug 07-08), and the “Jasper” rev is excellent (Nov 08). These systems have the most versatile set of hacks, and are the last to support Linux. To identify, read above + check for “6 squares” power plug and power specifications. Bad revision: takes 12V/16.5A; 203W PSU. Good revision: takes 12V/14.2A; 175W PSU. BEST revision: takes 12V/12.1A; 150W PSU.
+=== “Xbox 360 Arcade 512/256MB” (2007-2010) ===
+//DO NOT PURCHASE//
+This is in essence, a slightly less crap 360 Core. While they do use superior motherboards (Falcon, Jasper), their featureset is barely less stunted than the Core. To be specific, Arcade systems contain a very small amount of internal storage (512/256 MB), or sometimes, just a 256MB memory card. Of course, they have the same 2 USB/Mem etc. I/O. They can be hacked, but using one of these without a hard drive is mostly pointless, quite like the Core. To identify, look for the system that is matte white on both the chassis and disc tray, which is identical to the Core.
+=== “Xbox 360 Premium/Pro 60GB” (2008-2009) ===
+//RECOMMENDED OVERALL; BEST RELIABILITY (if you get a Jasper revision and don't pick an Elite)//
+The last “Fat” or “smooth/curved” 360 to be released. While technically part of the same line as the 20GB Premiums, motherboard revisions, a larger drive, and a later release put these into a separate version category. It’s never definitively stated, but these are very likely to have Falcon or Jasper motherboards, which are good and excellent respectively. To identify, look for the system that has a matte white chassis, but a chrome disc tray. Furthermore, check for the “6 squares” power plug and power specifications. Good revision: takes 12V/14.2A; 175W PSU. BEST revision: takes 12V/12.1A; 150W PSU.
+=== “Xbox 360 S; 320/250/4GB” (2010-2013) ===
+From here on out, the cornucopia of potential hacks reduces to just two methods. Yet another cosmetic overhaul of the Xbox 360, but the technicals and physical dimensions have also changed. Shorter, shiny (sometimes), angular, and in all black, these systems added 3 USB ports to the back and Wi-Fi support to the system. However, they removed the 2 “Memory Unit” slots, and thus, they cannot be used with this 360. Internally, they feature either a “Trinity” or “Corona” motherboard. Trinities are actually pretty good, only losing against the Jasper when it comes to hacks. Corona boards are also fine. However, the Coronas may have slight reliability issues (anecdotes). To identify, read above, and check for a “two circles” power plug (one circle for later Coronas). For power specifications, the “Trinity” takes 12V/10.83A and needs a 135W PSU; the “Corona” takes 12V/9.6A and needs a 135W PSU. Later Corona boards will have a “single circle” power plug, and take only 120W. This specification is identical to the “Winchester” board, but they’re only found in the “E”.
+=== “Xbox 360 E; 500/250/4GB” (2013-2016) ===
+The last Xbox 360 to be released. These have a perfectly rectangular design, and they removed 1 USB port on the back. An E will work fine for a normal user (except maybe in reliability), but they are usually unhackable. Some E systems come with a later “Corona” variant, while others come with a “Winchester” variant. The primary user-based difference is that the Coronas can be hacked, and the Winchesters are completely closed off to hacks. Since these two motherboards have the exact same power input, it is only possible to identify them by date of manufacture + physical disassembly. The Winchester variant released in August of 2014, so systems made after this date are usually impossible to hack (unless it’s a Corona from after then). To identify, read above. DO NOT BUY (unless you don’t want to hack, or if it was made before August 2014)
+==== Revisions ====
+//There are eight revisions within the various versions.//
+//Xbox 360 motherboard variants are for the most part, not limited to individual versions of the console. Because of this, each variant will be listed independently, and be given a tag which identifies which versions it can be found within.//
+=== “Xenon” (2005-2007) ==
+=== Core; Premium/Pro (until September 2007) ===
+//DO NOT PURCHASE//
+The first motherboard to be found in the Xbox 360, and boy, does it suck. These are notorious for their frequent RRODs, as the massive amounts of heat these produced caused the GPU chip to warp. When it comes to hacking, only the JTAG exploit is reliable, and only for consoles with an older dashboard version. Every other method either won’t work, or is inconsistent with working. Of course, they also do not have an HDMI out. To identify these, look on the back of the console (above the AV/Ethernet) for the informational sticker. This sticker, on the bottom left, will have small text describing the power specification of the system (as in, what it takes). Xenon motherboards will have “12V–16.5A” there. Furthermore, they need a “6 squares” plug PSU that gives 203W. This general format applies for all later revisions, so this set of information will be condensed from here on out.
+=== “Zephyr” (2007) ===
+=== Elite (until August 2008); Premium/Pro (until September 2007) ===
+//DO NOT PURCHASE//
+While these were supposed to fix the RROD issue from the Xenon, they failed to achieve this goal. However, they are a bit easier to hack, as there are 2 reliable methods, with the rest being unreliable but possible. Outside of adding an HDMI port and the aforementioned hack changes, this revision is practically the same as the Xenon. To identify these, look for “12V–16.5A” on the back sticker; needs a “6 squares” PSU outputting 203W.
+=== “Falcon” (2007-2008) ===
+=== Arcade (until November 2008); Elite (until November 2008); Premium/Pro (until November 2008) ===
+The first 360 motherboard that’s pretty good when it comes to reliability. They’ll always come with an HDMI port, and are why certain Arcade machines have no free internal storage. It appears that they’re almost as good as the Jasper board (reliability-wise), and are essentially identical to the Jasper board for hack potential. Of course, it’s probably better to pick up a Jasper, but there’s no need to eliminate one’s 360 if it’s a Falcon. All in all, these will do just fine for EOPs and normal users. To identify these, look for “12V–14.2A” on the back sticker; needs a “6 squares” PSU outputting 175W.
+=== “Opus” (2008-200?) ===
+=== Core (Only for Microsoft-repaired systems sent in after June 2008!) ===
+A rare revision, but not for any special reason. Opus boards are in essence, Falcon boards that have been repurposed to fit into Core models that were sent in for repair. In other words, the Opus board is a Falcon board without the HDMI port. Because of how these were never sold at retail, they aren’t particularly common. Outside of that, they function identical to the Falcon in both reliability and hack potential. To identify these, look for “12V–14.2A” on the back sticker (and no HDMI port!); needs a “6 squares” PSU outputting 175W.
+=== “Jasper; Jasper/Kronos” (2008-2010) ===
+=== Arcade (until June 2010); Elite (until June 2010); Pro/Premium (until June 2010?) ===
+//RECOMMENDED OVERALL; BEST RELIABILITY//
+Widely known as the best motherboard of all the 360 systems. Of all the motherboards, only the Jasper has both the most hacks, and the best reliability. For this alone, they’re worth putting on the top of the list. To identify these, look for “12V–12.1A” on the back sticker; needs a “6 squares” PSU outputting 150W. “Jasper/Kronos” is a minor sub-revision that doesn’t impact the user in any way, only the internals.
+=== “Trinity/Velje” (2010-2011) ===
+=== 360 S “Slim” (until August 2011) ===
+While this board is about matched in reliability with the Jasper, they’re a lot less hackable. Of course, they also come with the expanded I/O seen on the Slim systems. Otherwise, they’re both similar in the end, for pretty much everyone. To identify these, look for “12V–10.83A” on the back sticker; needs a “2 circles” PSU outputting 135W.
+=== “Corona” (2011-2014) ===
+=== 360 E (until August 2014); 360 S “Slim” (until June 2013) ===
+These are in essence, a Trinity board that’s a bit less reliable, and without a single somewhat irrelevant exploit. Otherwise they are practically identical, although technically different. Of course, the E version has eliminated the extra USB port, AV port, and S-PDIF port. To identify these, look for “12V–9.6A” on the back sticker; needs either a “2 circles” PSU outputting 135W, or a “1 circle” PSU outputting 120W (identical to the Winchester variant, be careful!).
+=== “Winchester” (2014-2016) ===
+=== 360 E (until April 2016) ===
+//DO NOT PURCHASE//
+Found only in 360 E systems produced after August/September 2014, these motherboards have mixed reliability and abysmal hackability. In other words, hacking 360s with these motherboards is currently //impossible, //no matter the method. For this alone, they should really be avoided. They aren’t even reliable enough to warrant a reason there; they’re not even close. Never mind the fact that they’re missing a USB port, the AV port, and S-PDIF out. To identify these, look for “12V–9.60A” on the back sticker; needs a “1 circle” PSU outputting 120W. Since this is identical to latter-day Corona versions, also check the manufacturing date for being after August 2014.
+https://www.xenonwiki.com/Jasper
+https://i.imgur.com/Dcf9hQ4.png (super useful mobo identification pic; very succinct)
+https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbox_360#Hardware (model release tips)
+https://consolemods.org/wiki/Xbox_360:Exploit_Chart (useful exploit chart)
+https://consolemods.org/wiki/Xbox_360:Getting_Started
+https://beta.ivc.no/wiki/index.php/Xbox_360_Revisions (motherboard dates)
+https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Xbox_360_retail_configurations (model release tips)
+https://old.reddit.com/r/xbox360/comments/lmjrw4/motherboards_in_consoles/ (some wisdom)
+https://old.reddit.com/r/xbox360/comments/q09j1s/what_motherboard_might_this_be/ (winc. Tips)
+http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/bsp/hi/image_maps/08/1215000000/1215708292/img/xbox_360_click_466.gif (Pro/Prem detailed front I/O)
+https://preview.redd.it/ale853rtpt151.jpg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=105d3821a36743664e751f58c48b1c63a879c7d9 (example of the back sticker and the voltage info, very useful)