Introduction

If six months ago you had asked me what my favorite console system is the answer would have easily been the Super Nintendo. You see, back before 128 bit graphic processing, the gaming companies had to rely on something other than fancy pointless eye candy to sell their games. In came what we used to call the “storyline”. I know that must sound obscene to most of you, but graphics were only 15% of the reason that the companies sold so many copies of their games. Back then, companies put a lot of thought and heart into their games, unlike games such as Madden, where the producers rush out a new version every year, and the only difference is a higher polygon count.

Now, if you asked me today what my favorite console system is, I would say the Microsoft Xbox. Did someone create a system that’s about more than just another way to make more money? No. The reason I love this new console so much, that it beats my SNES, has very little to do with the games actually.  What makes this console so great is not the quality of the unit or the games, but the amount of hardware mods available for it. Thanks to it being a PC, the amount of software mods you can do to it are definitely plentiful. That's primarily due to it being built by the most secure bug/exploit free software company out there, Microsoft (/sarcasm).

One thing most people don’t realize about the Xbox is actually what sets it apart from all other consoles. Once you look past the black shell and controller ports, the Xbox is actually a fully functional computer. It runs off an Intel 733 Pentium Processor, It has a NVIDIA Graphics processor, 64megs of DDR ram, 8-10 gig hard drive, DVD-Drive, and Ethernet. Even when you first look at the controllers, they appear to be a proprietary format when in actuality it’s just a USB controller with a different plug and jack! It even maintains the same color coding for the wires as a standard USB device. Just the fact that the Xbox uses standard computer devices widens the mod-ability tenfold. However, mod-ability is not one of the features Microsoft lists on the back of the box. Microsoft has done what it can to stop tweakers like us from getting the most out of our system and our money but fortunately for us our guys are smarter than theirs.

This guide will be broken down into two parts:

1. Hardware Mods
2. Technical Hardware Mods

This will be a two part guide so were only going to cover part one today.

So without further adieu, let’s get onto the Modding.

The Virgin Xbox, such a holy symbol

The first part covers non technical mods. Non-technical consists of no electronic or soldering work. Just good old opening, painting, sanding, and cutting for this part.

• Parts list in no particular order:
  • Torx #10 Screw Driver (important)
  • Torx #20 Screw Driver (important)
  • Paint/Primer
  • Dremel or similar w/ Cutoff wheels and grinding stone
  • Hair Dryer (don’t ask)
  • Anti Static Bags
  • Masking Tape
  • Sand paper of various grits, 300-1200
  • A cup or bowl, something to hold all your screw and misc. pieces