My OG Crystal Xbox Upgrades! Internal HDMI With XboxHD+, OpenXenium, SSD & Noctua Fan

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Bringing my OG Crystal Xbox into the 21st Century with an internal HDMI mod from MakeMHz (XboxHD+) with support for 720P upscaling, a stealth SSD upgrade, and OpenXenium to make it all work happily together. I've also added a silent Noctua fan using a 3D printed bracket from RetroFrog, and I'm running the XBMC4Gamers dashboard which adds loads of cool functionality including DLC, homebrew, emulators and all the media playback features you'd expect from XBMC.
Big thanks to @WhatHoSnorkers for your amazing voice acting skills!
Relevant Links & Further Viewing:
RetroFrog: retrofrog.net
XboxHD+ Video by @MachoNachoProductions: • I BUILT THE ULTIMATE X...
This one by @MrMario2011 was also useful: • How to Install an Open...
XboxHD+ tests and comparisons by @RetroRGB: • Xbox HDMI mod by MakeMHz
Software Used:
FATXplorer: fatxplorer.eaton-works.com
EVTool: www.xbox-hq.com/html/article1...
Lunar IPS: www.romhacking.net/utilities/240
XboxHD app: github.com/MakeMHz/xbox-hd-pl...
XboxHD BIOS patches: github.com/MakeMHz/xbox-hd-pl...
XboxHD OpenXenium Firmware Upgrade: github.com/MakeMHz/xenium-fw-...
XBMC4Gamers: github.com/Rocky5/XBMC4Gamers
Parts & Tools (genius links are affiliated):
ZedLabz Cap Kit: www.zedlabz.com/products/moth...
LPC QSB: makemhz.com/products/lpc-rebuild
OpenXenium Modchip: makemhz.com/products/openxenium
XboxHD+: makemhz.com/products/xboxhd
"Mastergel Maker" Thermal Compound: geni.us/Aud4
SATA Adapter: geni.us/ItlxeqF
Drive enclosure: geni.us/OkmN
IDC crimper: geni.us/VT4g
iFixit Screwdriver Set: geni.us/jzcfAin
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Chapters:
00:00 OG Xbox Mod Project Overview
01:13 Teardown - Crystal Xbox
01:52 Recap With ZedLabz Capacitor Kit & Note On Clock Capacitor
02:59 OpenXenium & LPC Rebuild / Debug Header & Note On MakeMHz LPC QSB
04:00 SSD Upgrade - Software Setup With FATXplorer / Formatting / Backup
05:15 M8+ EvoX Kernel / BIOS & XboxHD+ Patch
05:48 SSD StarTech Retro Drive Caddy
06:06 OpenXenium XboxHD+ Firmware Update From MakeMHz
07:04 Using DVD2Xbox To Backup My Games To The New SSD / Thoughts On Capacity
07:57 Region Settings / Testing The Kernel Patch & Official XboxHD+ App
08:33 MakeMHz XboxHD+ Internal Xbox HDMI Mod Installation - AV Connector & Ribbon Cable
10:39 Installation Part 2 - Reassembling The CPU & GPU Heatsinks / Final Connections
11:16 Silent Noctua Fan Upgrade With RetroFrog Xbox Fan Shroud
11:58 First Boot
12:11 XboxHD+ Firmware Update Process Using The Official MakeMHz App
13:16 MakeMHz XboxHD+ App Settings & Upscaling Features, 480P, 720P, Widescreen etc.
13:42 Game Demos / Before & After - Doom 3 & OutRun 2
15:08 Xbox 80-Pin IDE Cable Mod - Moving The Connector / Folding
15:50 Final Reassembly
16:14 XBMC4Gamers Dashboard Features & Official XboxHD+ Support
Royalty-Free Music From Epidemic Sound: www.epidemicsound.com:
Forever Sunset - City Lights, City Dreams
Cornelio - Feriado
Lonov - Closing Circles
Future Joust - Powerwalkin'
Gavin Luke - Feeling Alright
Outro: Yomoti - Before Chill

[@stevemcknelly5036]

She didn't just buy you an O.G. Xbox -- She bought you the clear crystal one. Definitely love, for real.

[@ctrlaltrees]

As always I've put some links to other videos that I found useful as well as the parts / software used in the description. I also wanted to mention that MakeMHz have their own modchip coming out soon - called Stellar - and I have one on order. I'll be upgrading and comparing the two once it arrives, but it looks like it'll allow XboxHD+ owners to get even more out of their consoles!

[@castawayarmy32]

I'm also a 90s baby I've had the og xb bad ass system n the ps2

[@billcar50]

Great video. I absolutely love how you strategically failed to include the thermal paste application!

[@mysticgreg]

It's the official @LGR - approved method of applying thermal paste on camera!

[@billcar50]

@@mysticgreg gotta hide it so people don't go mad in the comments! Doesn't matter how well you do it, there's always someone who thinks they know better.

[@mysticgreg]

@@billcar50 Completely agree, there's no way I'd show that on camera either!

[@GarthBeagle]

Nicely done! Soldering that works is a good job nonetheless!

[@davefigore7843]

Very Nice Mate ... A Fine Presentation. Been toying around with my Halo xbox to bring it up to date. You've done the things I've gone through.

[@bluetonic9538]

Great video. My crystal Xbox decided to release the magic smoke last year. I like the idea of the hdmi mod, but $140 plus the inevitable import duty and my poor eyesight I'll stick with RGB on my plasma TV for as long as I can.

[@Lennymcgra]

Xedusa ;)

[@cjackfly]

No shame in that! Keeping mine just fine on Sont Bravia LED.

[@Lennymcgra]

@@cjackfly I thought the same until I recently updated my TV with a modern Xedusa hdmi adapter, puts new life into these classic games.

[@aussieknuckles]

Plasmas look so good on old console games.

[@DavidAddis]

This is awesome, you went above and beyond!

[@75slaine]

Big effort for a big reward. Fair play to you. Now, I'm dreading looking at my xbox capacitors.

[@jonny-b4954]

I love the game selection on the OG Xbox. Though, I don't have one, and play all of them on the backwards compatibility of the OG Xbox 360. Which works pretty great and plays almost half of the catalogue (you can mod it to run more of them too)

[@Renk1]

Great video, thanks! I recently upgraded my Translucent Green Xbox with almost similiar setup minus the HDMI mod. OpenXenium, 2 TB SSD, new thermal paste etc. I mainly use it with RGB Scart and a JVC studio monitor or with Retrotink 5X on newer displays. Maybe I’ll switch the fan at some point like you did. I love the Xbox, so many great games that look and play amazing even today. And it’s not that expensive to collect for.

[@DosGamerMan]

It would be my Burnout 3 saves.... great video. Looks like i have another project to add to my todo list.

[@RetroBytesUK]

I nice to see how well the hdmi mod works. Its not a dramatic difference compared to the upscaller as you said, but its definitely and improvement and does not tie up your upscaller.

[@JohnnyStashh]

great video, this one made me subscribe!

[@winstonsmith478]

I have hand clamps like that and never thought of that great idea to use one on ribbon cable connectors.

[@BottIsNotABot]

Might be time to dig out my original XBOX, one for fun and two to check for leaky caps! Great video Rees.

[@RetrogradeScene]

I do like those crystal Xbox’s!!! I hear Xbox videos are all the rage at the moment.

[@jasonmccomb280]

The capacitor problem, if I recall, was caused by a company stealing the chemical configuration from another, only they copied an incomplete recipe. I lost a motherboard from Abit because of this.

[@tenminutetokyo2643]

That’s nuts! You can also get tiny little replacement inductors which are like 1/10th the original size.

[@locallemonadestand8130]

MakeMhz tend to overcharge for a lot of things, I bought my xenium for around 40 euros incl shipping off eBay. Came with a 1.6 LPC rebuild PCB and pin header, and flashed with cerbios and PrometheOs. I could also choose the colour.

[@kryan]

Sunk a huge amount of time in to KOTR and KOTR 2, my Crystal then did serious duty as a media center with XBMC for years.

[@cjackfly]

Any good links to that mod?

[@ApexOT]

Great video!

[@Fmily]

Holy shit, I did not think it was going to look that much better! I was incredibly skeptical of the improvements we'd see with HDMI, but now I think I have to go for the upgrade! Now the question is do I get a second xbox to upgrade, or do I use the xbox I've had since 2003 ish?

[@PixelPipes]

The difference definitely didn't look subtle to me. It goes from looking like an early 2000s fake HD output to looking like a native PC. Much improved! Hmmmm.... _stares contemplatively at Xbox across the room_

[@ctrlaltrees]

Yeah, I was hedging my bets a bit there, if I'd said it was a massive difference the "acktewally" brigade would've jumped on me I'm sure 🤣 Apparently even greater things will be possible once MakeMHz's own Stellar modchip is up to speed - I have one on order so there will definitely be a follow up! I'm really pleased with the end result though, it looks fantastic on my 4K monitor.

[@TimTam770]

Love it. swap it for a v1 bored and you can play with 16tb drives

[@ArgyrosVivum]

Before I tackle a project of this magnitude, I need to learn soldering skills.

[@SteveM000100]

I used to replace these drives back in the day when you had to lock them with the security key etc lol

[@SteveM000100]

I'm sure you don't actually need the mod chip, you can soft mod these and flash the bios after a solder connection

[@andrewclegg9501]

Not on a version 1.6, no tsop chip to flash. Some games wont run when forced to 480p either on a 1.6.

[@SteveM000100]

@@andrewclegg9501 Aaaah yeah, cheers 1.6 - the loser of the OG Xbox's 😆

[@BadgerBrownie]

@ctrlaltrees Is the metal rf shielding necessary, do you know? The bottom one in my Xbox rusted out and I threw it away, but didn't know if I should work to acquire a replacement one or not?

[@davieslm]

I just picked up a great condition 1.6 Crystal with mod chip and will be dropping in a 500GB SSD that I already have. I settled with rails as I will not be removing the top heat shield. I do like that Startech fake 3.5” caddy though. I am hoping the console will be alot quieter with ditching that old IDE drive or is biggest noise maker the fan? How is the smaller Noctua been working out in keeping the console cool? Do you need to ramp up the fan speed more?

[@danilodequeiroz9520]

have you set up a project stella og build?

[@karaslam]

I need a friend like you. lol.

[@MikeDBloke]

And if she got you the Panzer Dragoon Xbox she owns your soul

[@ctrlaltrees]

Haha, well we're married now so she got her hands on it that way instead 😅

[@tuff_lover]

LOL that intro!

[@xboxgs]

Nice work! However, does an SSD via the IDE connection provides any substantial gain in term of loading speeds? The IDE interface has a maximum speed of 133MB/s, comparing it with SATA (1.5 to 6 Gbps), it makes a lot of sense to not invest at all doing it. Still the SSD will load faster than a mechanical disk, but it will be operating way down its technical specs right?

[@LaneDenson]

No, but it should be quieter and cooler.

[@cleanycloth]

I’ve been meaning to do this with my crystal Xbox because the HDMI adapter I have for it currently just sucks. Washed out colours and it looks like someone smeared Vaseline all over it. I was worried about getting the AV connector off but I didn’t even think about just hot air gunning it off lol

[@mepm]

Any plans on upgrading this with project stellar?

[@darran311]

i had a similar stress inducing experience with a hdmi switcher got 5 different consoles into the thing and th nintendo switch was the only one being a bitch and cutting the screen to black until i lost its power cable and let it work passively , like you i had no idea that was possible

[@ErinGoBragh0930]

How do you update the xboxhd+ firmware going further? Is it done via the xboxhd+ app itself? Does the console need to be connected to a router via an Ethernet cable?

[@PalaceofEternia]

Does Kung Fu Chaos works with the HDMI+ mod?

[@TallTapper]

i agree

[@locust76]

How does the hdmi chip differ from the Xbox2HDMI I got from Electron Shepherd?

[@terrylyn]

Doesn't upscaling to HD use more GPU power on the XBOX or how does it work?

[@YugoStrange]

I have a crystal edition from south korea with the HDD corrupted. It has a mod switch to boot into evox and regular dashboard. Is there any way to fix this and reinstall evox? My xbox was able to play emulators and rip games and able to play them straight off the HDD. Can you or someone help?

[@BrightAngel007]

Crystal XBox is just a prison XBox. :0

[@DAVIDE92KIRAthebest]

Hi I bought the first model of the XBOX (classic) at a Dell market used, then I apparently realized that it is modified, the fact is, however, that I really want to remove this mod, I don't need it, I have many original games (IF the problem is not a matter of chips or various stuff). I'll explain the problem practically if I turn it on using the eject button I get the error of sending the console for assistance, if instead I turn it on with the power button it turns on normally with the only exception that during the initial cinematic the writing "X Xbox " is red/orange after this you go to the date menu (from the normal green color) and then go to the classic menu always green. PS. no messages from some software above appear during power up.

[@tuff_lover]

It kinda hurts you didn't replace the CPU, which is actually a thing in some households.

[@ctrlaltrees]

Yeah, I know that CPU and RAM upgrades are a thing but I don't think there would be any benefit for my use case (playing my old games again) and they can be a bit risky. Maybe I'll pick another Xbox up cheaply and really go to town on it maxing everything out. 😁

[@tuff_lover]

@@ctrlaltrees Can't wait for THAT video.

[@Mareka6969]

@@ctrlaltrees I did a 128mb upgrade on a 1.0 motherboard. Modzvilleusa has a nice video on it, you guys should check it out.

[@notanfningain]

I just can't get that GPU clamp off.

[@SLYZANY]

I recently aquired a crystal xbox modded with some burnt dvd games.. i see the evo x in the top corner. And i see i have 50000+ blocks of storage. I just dont know how to put the games on the internal hard drive. Anyone help? Please..

[@APlusBPress]

Yup you know right then she’s a keeper.

[@BladeBlur]

Your wife is 100% a keeper

[@Nomad-Rogers]

If you want transparent electronics you can buy them from you local prison.

[@TheStrayHALOMAN]

Buy an mClassic and you can scale the 720p to 1080 or 4k.

[@Dumby]

Clear electronics are still a thing. Just go to jail, they have to have clear stuff to make sure inmates aren’t hiding drugs in their prison tv

[@cjackfly]

1.6... "OG" 😆

[@shadyshane8125]

Explain to me how you started the video saying you had retrotink5x ...then proceed to show us OSSC footage and said "that's the best I had". Because you knew damn well there is no need for Xbox HD with retrotink5x

[@SolidxSnakexDuke]

I dont see the diverents

[@redux1647]

done everything in your vid apart from the hd plus used project stellar instead don't know how to safety remove the Av port

[@kieranjohnstone6197]

@ctrl-alt-rees would you be so kind to give me copy of your c and E drive with the modified dashboard installed so I can make a hdd on pc and put in my Xbox as my Xbox dvd drive is dead Xbox it’s self chipped

[@Bravo-ry9st]

After decades, I still have my two original Xbox, one of which I modded. BUT, my dear wife has always complained that I should get rid of them. You married your GF, what should I do with my dear wife?

[@NutSac78]

Wich one is more fun should make your decision easy.

[@Bravo-ry9st]

@@NutSac78 Yes, I have to keep the one that gave me kids, which will later give me grandchildren to pass the Xbox too.

[@4x5300]

nah 220$ CAD is way to much for any chip let alone a HD kit that lacks so many features wtf!? more than the console itself towards the end of its life...

[@TheWretchedWorld]

This isn’t for the average person.

[@zank69420]

40 seconds ago

[@KintaroTakanori]

this could have been a great video but as a beginner i have NO clue what you did. you just say "i did this, this and this". very hard to follow what you did.