Let's Repair! - Revisiting & TSOP Flashing the Xecuter 3 Original Xbox

Time for a bit of a mix between Let's Repair! and my other modding walkthrough style videos! You might be asking what the point in TSOP flashing a modchipped Xbox might be? Let me explain. This console currently has 3 ways of booting up: chip enabled with custom BIOS, chip disabled using on board BIOS, and backup recovery BIOS. With the current setup I cannot successfully boot up with the chip disabled as the hard drive I have installed is unlocked. This hard drive cannot be locked and I don't want to swap to another hard drive, so using the stock BIOS shows an error as it cannot utilize an unlocked hard drive. I figured I would revisit this console and reflash the TSOP with a custom BIOS so I can use the console works with no issue on any bootup configuration. On top of that, if I ever decide to remove the modchip it will be much easier to get the system to a running state again as the console itself is already hardmodded without a chip.
#LetsRepair #Xecuter3 #XboxModding
This video has been made with Fair Use in mind and is intended for educational purposes.
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Hardware & Tools Used in This Video (Affiliate Links):
Soldering Tools & Products:
US - www.amazon.com...
UK - www.amazon.co....
Xecuter 3 Modchip:
eBay - ebay.us/wP6aub
Original Xbox Console:
Amazon - geni.us/tQUtt9
eBay - ebay.us/VgCKjw
Hitachi 250 GB Hard Drive:
Amazon - geni.us/UceV
eBay - ebay.us/UVAMVd
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Additional Links!
Let's Repair! Playlist
• Let's Repair!
Taking a Look at the Xecuter 3 Original Xbox Modchip:
• Taking a Look at the X...
How to Softmod Your Original Xbox with a Flash Drive:
• Video
How to Upgrade the Hard Drive in a Hardmodded Original Xbox:
• How to Upgrade a Hard ...
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Social Media & More!
Discord: Discord.Me/MrM...
Patreon: / mrmario2011
Second Channel: / ipsychozoa
Twitter: / mrmario2011
Facebook: / mrmario2011
Instagram: / mrmario2011
Twitch: / mrmario2011
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Song Information
Artist: pyama
Songs: shifting tides
Soundcloud: literalbagoftrash
Link: / literalbagoftrash
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Any links specifically listed as affiliate links give me a small monetary kickback at no extra cost to you and no influence on the content.

[@R_T_Ralph]

I really love my Xbox's. All 6 of them. such a learning curve in restoring and modding. You are always a great channel to show me what to do. Thank you.

[@MrMario2011]

You're welcome!

[@MrMario2011]

PS3HEN incoming, I'm aware it is out. Just had to show the OG Xbox a bit more love before delving back into the PS3. Soon!

[@johnwayne5909]

yeah bro thats what i am talking about your videos a great following u since day 1

[@AShifter]

Fantastic video! I've been getting interested in the original Xbox scene lately and I'd love to start playing with (and making) homebrew. Waiting on my Aladdin XT modchip for my 1.6 after watching your install video :)

[@MrMario2011]

What homebrew have you made? Awesome to see someone get into the scene in 2019!

[@AShifter]

@@MrMario2011 Nothing yet-- most of the really cool things I've made have been on the PC. Though, I do have a few projects I'd love to try (the demo scene surrounding older computers like the C64 comes to mind). Once I get my 'box chipped, I'll see what I can do. Thanks for the heart! :)

[@RealGengarTV]

Here's an idea for a video: How to silence your Xbox (well not silent but at least make it quieter. What fans are recommended, mods etc)

[@MrMario2011]

I think that would be called turning it off? 😂

[@Henningberge]

@@MrMario2011 hdd is the loudest, use ssd for silence

[@dennisanderson8663]

@@Henningberge The original Xbox uses an IDE hard drive. I'm not sure if it's possible to use a SATA drive unless it works with some sort of converter.

[@Henningberge]

@@dennisanderson8663 almost everyone I know is using a converter, ide drivers are harder to get than cables and converters.

[@ryan.e.reinbold]

Great video as always. Ive done this all b4 but its nice to have videos like yours for us guys that have not done it in a while or have never done it b4. Thanks man and keep up the great content.

[@MrMario2011]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@techiesky]

15:45 with winbond you have to use the raincoat method for TSOP after softmodding the console. No need to undo the solder points.

[@MrMario2011]

Got any details on the raincoat method? Haven't heard that term!

[@techiesky]

@@MrMario2011 it requres 2 cds one with the boot and 1 with the appropriate bios.bin. messaged you on FB so we can discuss it further.

[@malarrya567]

This is the exact video I was looking for! I have a 1.0 Xbox with an Xecuter 2.3 solderless modchip but it occasionally has issues where the xbox cycles 3 times then goes red and it doesn't support hard drives bigger than 250GB. If I screw down the modchip tighter it seems to help with the cycling but I should really TSOP mod it. If I add more than ~225GB of data (games, emus, apps) it starts wiping out sections of data I already put on the drive (500GB). I guess my questions are, other than it allows for many different BIOS types, should I use the modchip after a TSOP mod? Should I just flash the modchip with a newer bios? Thanks for the informative video!

[@dennisanderson8663]

I'm having issues but mine is with my 320gb taking way too long to get past the post screen.

[@malarrya567]

@@dennisanderson8663 my problem is the Modchip. I was able to flash it with a newer bios and it's now allowing full access to the drive. However, it is causing the the Xbox to power cycle 3 times so I'm just going to get rid of it and tsop mod the Xbox.

[@rezenclowd3]

Used to mod these in college to pay for books/housing. Used to have modding parties with others to see who could get these X3s up and running fastest. I think the most amount of X3s and SmartXXs I had was somewhere around 900. Finally sold my personal one last year.

[@MrMario2011]

That's amazing. A college campus was the place to be for the heat of the OG Xbox days it sounds like 😊

[@rezenclowd3]

@@MrMario2011 oh ya, halo 2 a month before release in French. People were paying $10 to play half an hour line up outside my college apt.

[@DarknestViper]

2:01 Lilly was not amused

[@MrMario2011]

For real tho

[@PacMaster]

Hey Mr Mario! Is it possible for you in the future to ever do a tutorial on how to do a 3-wire trick on an Xbox to recover from a bad TSOP flash? I have an Xbox that is fragged due to a bad TSOP flash. I know I can install a modchip to get around that but I'm not good at soldering. It's a Xbox 1.4 motherboard with a Windbond TSOP. Great Video Man even in 2022!

[@MrMario2011]

Just looked it up, you would still need to solder so for your case personally, I think you'd probably be in the same pit of difficulty. Installing a modchip has more points, but they're bigger so the difficulty balances out.

[@PacMaster]

@@MrMario2011 Ok great to know. In the future would you still be able to make a video tutorial on how to do it? I’m willing to give it a try.

[@michaelpaul74]

I have 2 xbox consoles that have both been tsop flashed, and both have the hd unlocked. One has a 1tb hard drive with a bunch of games and I was wondering if I can move that hard drive to my other tsop flashed xbox with no issues? Thanks for all the tutorials, they have been very helpful to me. Love the modding scene!!

[@HackDaBox]

yes you can !

[@ModzvilleUSA]

I've only ever run into 1 Sharp TSOP and it was an absolute nightmare to flash. I had to solder on a toggle switch for that extra wire and it required using some super dated boot disc to get it up to snuff. Sharps are no bueno.

[@aljelja]

i love your videos ps i live in serbia so you have international fan

[@MrMario2011]

Hope my thanks and appreciation reach you all worldwide!

[@aljelja]

@@MrMario2011yeah your channel is very informative. In serbia no one makes tutorials how to tsop flash og xbox because serbian youtubers likes drama and money.

[@aljelja]

@@halbteufel8818 yeah boi we are special

[@matthewdoyle7877]

Hey Mr Mario!!! Not sure if i can do this? but... First i would like to say i love all your videos! currently using them to do MODS on Xbox, PS2 and Xboc 360. I have a problem, and need ADVICE!!!! I recently got a Xbox, however the HDD and DVD drive are DOA. Is there any way to be able to use the board????

[@MrMario2011]

If it were me: I would install a modchip which will then allow you to build a new hard drive using a recovery disc. You can use any Xbox DVD drive between consoles.

[@rager1969]

I was wondering why you went for TSOP instead of soft mod and at 35:18 you explain why.

[@MrMario2011]

Took a while!

[@dennisanderson8663]

TSOP allows booting your Xbox without the DVD drive installed depending on the which firmware was flashed. It also allows you to keep your hard drive unlocked without the ATA password set.

[@HackDaBox]

ok you could of gone a HOTSWAP but instead of HOTSWAPPING to flash a modchip you would be doing the TSOP ! Basically you boot the X3 and boot your disc of choice to flash and then remove the X3 from the pin header without touching anywhere near the power supply and then proceed to flash the TSOP ! Requirements. Working Xbox with a Pinheader Install and a Working Modchip with a Hacked Bios HackDaBox Re-Flash Disc or similar Evox Flash Cd With the working Xbox turned off Remove the lid , the screws from the hard drive bay and DVD-ROM drive. Remove the hard drive (still connected ), lift it up and over slightly, now lift the DVD-ROM drive up ( still connected) and spin it around to face the opposite way. So now the DVD-ROM is facing the wrong way round but still connected . Support the DVD with something underneath, so it sits level. Now put the hard drive bay back where it used to be ( covering up the power supply ). WARNING NEVER TOUCH THE POWER SUPPLY AREA AS IT CAN KILL YOU ! This procedure is safe the way I have described above because you have access to the Modchip area . The chip should be plugged onto a pinheader ? If not you can not re-flash this way. Now remove the wire that goes to the D0 pad on the Modchip itself. Unscrew the screw near the LPC area and put the D0 wire under the screw and carefully tighten it up. You can solder the wire to the circle around the screw if you wish. remove any wire you have connecting the chip to the Xbox motherboard but leave the chip plugged into the pinheader. Now depending on your chip type you need to make the chip enabled all the time. On DuoX 2 solder a wire between the BT pad on the chip and pin 9 on the chip (This is point G on the official Duo diagram) see the picture below coutesy of cubistproject. On Aladdin solder a wire between BT pad on the chip and Pin 2 on the chip On Spiderchip simply leave off the switch. Note : You need to do this to the good chip in the Xbox and the ones you intend to Flash. Turn on the Xbox with the good chip in and let it boot up and then load HackDaBox Re-flash Disc Choose Re-flash Spiderchip ( it works fine on DuoX 2 and Aladdin ). Choose the Xbox version you wish to use the flashed chip on. E.g. 1.0 - 1.5 or V. 1.6 but don't hit A to flash yet. Note Evoxdash or Slayers or your preffered Flash utility can be used with this method. Now carefully pull the Modchip off the pin header with the power still on ( note only 3.3 volts goes into the Modchip so it will not electrocute you.Now carefully line up the chip you are going to flash and then push it on the pinheader. Never try and force it on , double check it's lined up properly and it should slide onto the pinheader easily. Now go ahead and flash the chip now. The Xbox should turn off after the successful flash. Once it turns off ,turn it back on and the previously bad flashed chip should now boot the new flashed bios that you just put on it.If you picked Xbox V.1.6 and your Modchip is not in a V.1.6 it may not boot reliably so try it in the V.1.6 box. Remember to put all the original wires back to the chip, and remove any links you have made. In other words put the install back to the manufacturers recommendation.

[@obidahasdia4095]

Im planning to buy OG Xbox should i buy softmodded or modded HD? I need only for like 4 games exclusives

[@dennisanderson8663]

Keep in mind that hotswapping IDE cables can damage the equipment. I had many successes myself but did kill one Xbox motherboard. I eventually bought a copy of Splintercell and did the game save exploit from then on. You will need a memory card too and a way to get the saves onto it, I made my own Xbox adapter for PC to connect a controller.

[@user-jq5qx9lf2c]

Please explain to a friend, I have an xbox 1.1 and a sharp chip... I need to bridge the points r7d3 on the top side and r7r3 on the bottom.. plus put a jumper wire... right? what bios should i use the one that is non windbond or special for sharp 1mb?

[@stonedsakurastreams7853]

Great vid as usual

[@MrMario2011]

Thank you!

[@bobspence5322]

i couldnt do the upgrades myself as im not very good with computers but i have tinkered with it a little and i have an old xbox hooked into a sony trinitron with a 2d to 3d converter.. top end price for the system was less than 300 bucks and it plays any retro game in decent 3d.. and yep its been a great addition to my library.. the reason i promote the old CRT tv is the emulators just seem to perform BEST on an original tv from linux no idea why but probably the ratios etc were made for matching them at the beginning.. and the options in the linux interface through mednafen especially accommodate any kind of 3d gimicking ive added.. and even in 2 it looks very cool. if you ever have a link to systems for sale or more tips on how to ftp (or skip ftp and just connect to a pc directly) let me know!

[@MultiStony]

Hey mr Mario, i know it is a bit Mutch to ask. But i'm gonne try, can you please make a video for setting up a x3/x3ce bios plus software installation? i have boucht a Xbox with a x3ce plus front panel bios switches An a LCD screen mod chip is working (blue). But i dont know how toe go from there. Btw sorry for my english....

[@BIGBLUEk10]

Hey Mr Mario, love the channel man. Question for you, im new to the whole soft mod thing and will be doing it on my xbox. im wanting to play burnt game disks. do i just need to install the soft mod and im good or do i need to TSOP flash aswell?

[@MrMario2011]

Softmod is fine for that, and you have to softmod in order to TSOP flash.

[@capsnk4020589]

You really love the xbox mario

[@MrMario2011]

And there's nothing wrong with that!

[@yess3776]

I have one with this mod chip but I can’t get it to do anything I’ve tried everything it will only boot up in normal mode any suggestions?

[@dennisanderson8663]

I have a TSOP flashed Xbox that I replaced my 120gb with a 320gb drive and now it takes forever to get past the post screen with the Microsoft text and the Evox symbol. I did everything the same as in the past. I booted from the evox disc I burned, formatted the drive using the script, and copied the dashboard files through FTP. Did certain firmwares/versions have issues with really large drives?

[@ashkumar8282]

I have a xbox with Xecuter2 mod chip it used to work find just before I flash bios to latest version now there no display and the modchip has no light and now it boot orginal xbox os cannot read copyed disk I really don't what to do to get it working need help.

[@clementmashala8134]

Mr Mario can you please kindly do Cerbios Full CCI (Compressed ISO) Setup guide?

[@SUPERNOVASpodcast]

That reminds me of this OG Xbox I have here, it's an old buddy, but I screwed up the XBMC xbe so now it won't boot anything but original discs. Couldn't find any PC with IDE ports until I found out there is an old PC in my workplace, but man, I feel so lazy to bring that big Xbox to re-mod it...

[@MrMario2011]

Fix it up!

[@Samey44]

I’ve got a 1.0 system that boot cycles 3 times and then shows a red/green flashing light on boot, it’s never been modified but I have a feeling it’s bios related? Any ideas on this, thanks

[@ethelmonk]

Thanks for the tutorials. Will u have any emulator videos coming down the line.

[@aidanrosenberg3513]

hello, i know this is an age old question but is there some tutorial that explains step by step how to flash a new dashboard to one of the banks. i would like to flash a debug bios to this and use it to play betas. thanks so much.

[@drewfranklinaustin]

Hey why don't you use to chip to load pc bios and run windows on the xbox

[@budmuffin3841]

If you have an old bios tower, you can simply make a HD maker cd using the eeprom.bin and clone any Xbox hard drive and then simply lock it with the Xbox hard drive maker. Hard modding is only good for drives that won’t lock IMO.

[@MrMario2011]

I'm not even sure if you really need to have an old tower kicking around now? I believe there's some pretty great GUI tools out there you can use a USB interface with!

[@twix92]

Is there no need to bridge some points on the motherboard to flash the bios on this?

[@MrMario2011]

That's exactly what I did here.

[@Fletchlie]

I have a chipped xbox with executor 2 chip (I think). I was great, I had so many emulators and games... then it broke after I changed the system settings to wide-screen 🤦‍♂️ an old friend managed to get me mameOX on a disc and get my xbox working again, but I lost everything else 😪

[@rambledogs2012]

Any ideas on why modded (2.6 executor) xbox will occasionally boot 3 times and crash and why sometimes the power button doesn't work. I'm lost as to what to look for next seeing as it doesn't do it all the time. So far:- Checked mod chip wiring, no issues I can see. Capacitor taken off replaced dvd drive checked all connections. checked motherboard for any connection issues. got drunk and cried

[@MrMario2011]

The power button not working could have to do with some corrosion on traces for it.

[@rambledogs2012]

@@MrMario2011 Yeh I was thinking that but there doesn't seem to be any. It's weird that sometimes it works and sometimes it doesnt.

[@JarckGaming]

I accidentally updated the Xbox to use Xbox live while playing a game and now the chipped load screen has completely changed and I can no longer see or use any of the games added to the console, is there a way to restore the console to a previous version?

[@bigzeke7431]

They shut down Xbox LIVE for the original Xbox back in 2010. How exactly are you planning on getting on Xbox LIVE?

[@JarckGaming]

@@bigzeke7431 I wasn't trying to get on, I pressed the wrong button on a game screen and it tried to connect, somehow doing that made it return to the original loading screen instead of loading the chip

[@chmielarz16]

Sorry to bother Mr. Mario but i have a question and maybe someone can help me but i have a xbox version 1.2 or 1.3. Do i have to softmod it first in order to tsop? Any help would be great im a total noob. Thanks to anyone who can help.

[@mepm]

I always like to say PSA when reinstalling the x3 chip - make sure you check when plugging in the cables to the modchip itself as one of the cables can go into two different ports on the modchip - 1.6 uses a different port. the wrong port will fry your eject/power button.

[@MrMario2011]

True that!

[@marioandresjara]

Hi, love your videos MrMario. I need your help with something. i have a TSOP xbox v1.0 with a 500gb HDD with a lot of games working good. Am having this issue: when i plug a second controller doesn´t recognice none of them. Every port is working fine, and if i plug each controller alone they work just fine, but when i plug both at the same time they doesn´t work. I tried to reflash bios but the problem stills. can you help me please? (both controllers are original xbox S) . Sorry about my English.

[@MrMario2011]

Never had that issue, I won't be of any help.

[@marioandresjara]

@@MrMario2011 thanks for the reply. I realized than both controllers works with the console cold, after 5 min they begin to fail if both are connected.. :(

[@brandendesersa8452]

Sir... So have to do the bottom also? Damn it!

[@retroreconfig]

Hi, I have a dozen different xboxes and half of them are softmodded, only one of mine has a chip, what is the real benefit of hardmodding an OG Xbox this day and age when Xbox live is defunct on it now, I have asked this on different forums and never get a clear answer, because I can't think of any.

[@MrMario2011]

The biggest benefit to me is not having to worry as much about drive locking and your EEPROM. A softmodded console will only work with a drive that locks, so any storage or drives which do not lock cannot work on a softmodded Xbox. Due to that, you're always tied to having an EEPROM backup and making sure you don't lose it. You can help alleviate that by nulling your HDD key, however you'll still have to make sure you have a drive which can lock. To me it just takes a lot of that annoyance away, I know any readable/writable storage media I put in place can work. Plus if I mess up any configuration or for whatever reason want to wipe everything, I can easily do so so any of the awesome recovery discs out there. As you can see I like to tinker and reconfigure these quite a bit, so not having to worry about screwing up my storage is excellent.

[@retroreconfig]

@@M83G Yes I've done it multiple times with new IDE drives, I only stay within 160 - 320GB range because i do this to multiple Xboxes to take advantage of LAN games and I tend to do configure my Xboxes by genre, like Horror games on one Xbox and Action on another instead of doing full blown 2TB with every single game including the crap ones.

[@XbmcModsForXbox]

nice man

[@MrMario2011]

Bruh, you complimented a 36 minute video 3 minutes after it went live. Compliments are appreciated if they're sincere, but there's no reason to be first to get a good word in.

[@XbmcModsForXbox]

@@MrMario2011 yea i know i watched it through

[@mrbeastlover1609]

26:39 IF YOU TURN THE XBOX OFF... SAY YOUR PRAYERS

[@ilikecabbage]

What type of USB do you use? Have had lots of trouble recently

[@MrMario2011]

A no name 512 MB flash drive I got from China, I've got links to what I used in my latest softmod tutorial.

[@a.b2966]

There is an original x box on the Adverts.ie if someone is interested.

[@a.b2966]

Also there is a bunch of parts there

[@MrMario2011]

Haven't heard of the site, but good looking out!

[@a.b2966]

@@MrMario2011 it's an Irish website but some people might send stuff. Pretty cool managed to get a PSP brand new with games on it for around 90 euros

[@eddielegs344]

Mario consider now not to go soldering as motherboard is still in the closet. I have a couple of years ago done with an Xbox 1.4 winbond system and have undone the bolt to the right on 1 of the solder bridges has become too hot buyer, so the system has not survived. That machine was my first Xbox from 2001 is doing the pain , I nag not remains risco if you are going modden ;). I also have modchip in but it was a very old x3 Apple chip , no supported no homebrew was 1 of the first ways to copy programs to run and nothing else. So just motherboard out is a bit of work but much safer and better , oky I still have restriction, I am almost 50 years so don't see everything as well. Suks hard I Happen to have a very similar system done and it went much better finish got my new hdds. Have 11 xboxen , chips in to build does not work anymore because of the eyes I do, however, expensive here in the Netherlands is just too small to work for me now. You had me need to see extra magnifying glass with new glasses and the eye look different, I see the bubble. Yes, you see no depth, but that's what I feel called to the burner , 've got a Weller that I had then and still , always first clean it with a 99.1 or more isopropanol, also if you think is clean and also there after but you did. But further good work Mario, nothing negative intended hear. This is translated by the way. : Gtz Ed

[@BE-ti7bp]

I have a problem but give a 200gb hdd is 320gb last the last version you did not want installed only the elderly the xbox Others modchip How can I fix it via BIOS update Sorry for the poor English between Time Night 1:30

[@MrMario2011]

I apologize, but I'm not sure what you're asking. Could you rephrase it?

[@BE-ti7bp]

Xbox chip XBOX mod chip - Aladdin XT Plus 2 (aka xenoFX) I thought. the BIOS is also never update. Maybe that has something to do with the 320gb disk there shows up 200 GB auto installer deluxe v4.53 I have a lot of problems with it sorry for late response it has been with Liberation Day ww2 1945 in the Netherlands

[@dennisanderson8663]

@@MrMario2011 I think he means that his hard drive is not showing up with the full amount of space, probably an outdated bios.

[@LeeZhiWei8219]

Hmm I wonder can you hijack the xclops chip in the 1.6 and hack a eeprom into it? Just crazy idea 101

[@MrMario2011]

🤔

[@manu_XboxGamer]

Please make more xbox videos

[@MrMario2011]

Soon.

[@manu_XboxGamer]

@@MrMario2011 ok

[@sebcoulson3237]

Hey mrmario love your video erm I’m wondering something could u fix my Xbox ?? please I miss it so much

[@MrMario2011]

I don't do services.

[@sebcoulson3237]

Ok thanks

[@dannyboone81]

Can you do a battery mod to it next?

[@MrMario2011]

Could you elaborate? Like replacing the clock cap with a battery?

[@dannyboone81]

@@MrMario2011 I think I seen it before somewhere, but I'm having trouble finding more information. You do it with a coin battery and a diode. What I did find was that people were debating if using a better capacitor was a better option. It just seemed like you were trying to build a perfect Xbox and fixing the time might be easy to do.

[@dannyboone81]

@@MrMario2011 I also realized why it's useless, NTP. Let the internet set your clock.

[@nekolist9775]

ps vita 3.70 hack is out mate

[@MaximNightFury]

Error 13 is when the dashboard doesnt load

[@MrMario2011]

That it is.

[@johnwayne5909]

mrmario2011 please make a video on ps3hen 2.0

[@MrMario2011]

Please read the comment I left on here.

[@ianteddy]

Thompson dvd , poor xbox

[@MrMario2011]

I know, man :( I need to get around to replacing it here soon.