ive been hearing that that the xbox method of having an in car PC is the most price friendly method, how much exactly are we talkin about here? whats the procedure, and if anyone out there has done this, plz gimme some details, thx lots

 

not sure the running cost of the xbox pc mod.. but the costs will depend on what you want to do with it.. mine is going to be setup as an mp3 server streaming to my head unit.. i alread have everything done just have to buy a screen and get time to install everything

the basic conversion is cheap... buy a mod chip 30-50$...if you can solder electronics this is all you have to buy to open up the potential of the xbox.. if not you will have to pay someone to install this for you..

if you want to broaden the possibilities, you can install a larger harddrive... the xbox will only recognize 138gigs i believe so any drives over 120g are wasted space. (next step up being 160gig)

next, if you want it for media purposes you need to get ahold of xbox media player.. it does all formats and has a great interface.

once this mod chip is installed you will want to replace the dashboard (xbox's main menu) with something else such as evolution x or even xbox media player. this is done by ftp'ing files onto the xbox from your home pc

if you plan on doing this yourself expect to go through a learning curve to understand what needs to be done and how to do it..


all the software necessary is readily available via the underground internet world..

go here for answers to every question about the xbox hacking scene:

www.xbox-scene.com

good luck

 

I agree 1000% (is that possible) with Toykilla! The XBOX is awesome once you <cough> open up it's potential. Had mine for about a year and once you chip it, it's WoNdErFuL!!

Go to http://www.xodus-chip.com

I got their original "Matrox" chip mainly because it claimed to require no soldering. Well, that's a joke so I ended up soldering it in anyway (I used some pin headers so it would just plug in). It was honestly not bad at all. :-) Evo-X was a bit hard to find (had to know someone who knew someone else, who was burning it for a friend's friend sort of thing). They mention on some XBOX forums that you can find it on Kazza or other p2p places, but in the end I found it on a newsgroup. Don't let anyone tell you it's easy to get, unless they have a copy available to you. I have all the goodies such as Media Player, DVD functionality (without having to buy that stupid DVD adapter from Microshaft). I have even heard (never tried yet) that you can run Linux on a chipped BOX. Hmmmmm... that opens up a whole world of possibilities (can you say Netstumbler? I have read on some XBOX forums that some people have even modified a USB keyboard to connect to it (GOD that would make things a lot easier).

Mind you, my XBOX in my house, not my car. I had heard of hooking up an XBOX or PS2 in your car, but didn't really see the advantage until I got the little light bulb when I read XBOX and PC <ding>!

This has peaked my interest quite a bit. The XBOX is pretty much an all-in-one unit. You can play music as well as watch movies. Wow! Now Im excited. I think that they are even on sale now for like $150.00!! Powering on and off would not be a problem either since there is really not a "shut down" procedure... just hit the button. One would think that you could even wire it into an accessory powersource. How did you hook yours up, Toykilla?

About the only problem that I see off the top of my head would be connecting it up with the "Premium BOSE System" that I've got. I REALLY don't want to use FM Modulation due to the fact that the quality of audio Blows. Hmmmmm.. any ideas on a direct wire connection method for the audio, other than replacing the BOSE system? I guess that I'd also need to get a Pioneer GEX-7000TV to hook to the stock Navigation system. I see that Harmony Computers has it for only $249.

Hmmmmm... anyone have any other comments about how to go about hooking this up? Preferably to the stock BOSE and Nav setup.

-Chrismcagle

 

i changed my head unit out so i cannot comment on how to get the audio run through your system without FM modulators.

i havent hooked mine up yet because i have some other $$ priorities (still need a screen)

but anyways you will want to hook the xbox up to a large accessory wire.. i think the cigarette lighter would be too low a current.. i always go directly to the ignition harness on this kinda stuff.

 

hey ChrisMCagle, what OS are u currently running w/ ur xbox? i figured xbox is by microsoft,then obvisouly windows 2000 or xp correct? btw, how did u hook it up to a screen? did u get a vga screen or a diff kind? also how did u power the xbox, xbox uses a home standard 120volt correct? and cars are only 12volts, im extremely interested, since xboxs are dirt cheap rite now. thnx

btw, u dont need linux to run netstumbler, i have a netstumbler proggie for my winXP laptop.

 

I am currently just running the Evolution X dashboard on my XBOX. The only other actual OS that I know that runs, or shall I say "have heard" runs on the XBOX is Linux. I have not heard of anyone being able to run any form of Windows on their XBOX. If it were possible, I'd try it.

I have the stock Navigation system so I will need to tap into that for video. I really don't want to go the FM Modulation route for audio and I definately don't want to replace the HU. Well... I mean YES, I DO want to replace it... but I don't have the $$ to do it.

Me too... but only Linux works on the XBOX (as far as I know)


I am as curious about hooking one up as you probably are. The only XBOX that I currently have is hooked up to my TV in the living room of my house. In my previous post, I was only speaking about the possibilities of the XBOX and what I am planning to do. I am not sure about power either, but I know that there are DC to DC inverters or something like that which change the power from 12v up to 120v (I think). I am not really sure about a few connections that I will need to make. There are a bunch of people who have an In-Car PC (Dr Bonz comes to mind) and I will most likey contact one of them when I get closer to actually attempting to hook all this up.

-Chrismcagle

 

oic, well im familiar with linux, its all source coding thou, no time to mess with it, cuz when i use it, everytime i boot it, something doesnt work, so then i'll have to go into technical crap to make it work, it'll just be too much trouble for me u kno, but i have seen tiny car PC going for like $700+, that is way out of my budget, a xbox pc seems more practical, and more useful

 

Yeah, I am going to go with the XBOX method for an in-car PC. The Evolution-X dashboard is not bad at all to navigate through. It's "like" an OS, but not a true OS. Considering that XBOX's are on sale for about $179 right now at Best Buy, I am definitely going to pick one up. I think it would be the most cost efective method for an in-car PC than anything else. The only part that will be hard is figuring out how to make accessing the DVD drive a bit more convenient than having to open the glove box. Perhaps I can run the IDE and power cables up to the passenger side mailbox and mount it there with some industrial strength velcro or something. I saw that they actually make a keyboard for the XBOX now for about $19.00 so I'll grab one of those as well. I am guestimating a total price of about $500 or less, but once I get going on the install, there may be some unforeseen problems that might arise and require additional funds. We'll see.

If there is anyone who has an XBOX hooked up as an in-car PC, preferably hooked to the stock HU and navigation systems... please speak up and let us know how it turned out! :-)

-Chrismcagle

 

I plan on putting an X-Box in my Z.

I have my xbox currently loaded with Evo-X and Ed's Debian. To read about your options for Loading Linux/Evo-X on your Xbox go here:
http://xbox-linux.sourceforge.net/docs/

From what I understand, you have 2 options for loading Linux / Evo-X / playin burnt games: Mod Chip and Software Tactic (http://xbox-linux.sourceforge.net/docs/howtoswprep.html).

Currently, I am going the Software route. I have loaded Evo-x using the 007 save game tactic (similar to the MechInstaller). After I loaded Evo-x, Pheonix Bios (runs unsigned code), and then I installed Ed's Debian (This is a Linux Distro). This was not too difficult, I was able to install in about 30 minutes. I opened the Xbox and installed a USB adapter (http://xbox-linux.sourceforge.net/docs/usbadapter.html). I use this to plug in my keyboard and mouse for Linux. I will have all this finished as soon as I can figure out a problem that I am having with Loading Perl > 5 on my ed distro. Right now, that’s the only thing holding me back from installing. I will use the software here (http://www.dashpc.com/) as the GUI for my Xbox.

Here is what I would advise for you to do before you proceed. Determine what direction you want to go for modding your Xbox, Hardware or Software. Hardware route will require you to purchase a mod chip, open your Xbox, and perform some soldering. Software route will require you to purchase some hardware to transfer the Game “exploit” to your Xbox (use Action Replay for this -- $20…could buy one used for allot less).

Based off this decision, find out which xbox version ( http://xbox-linux.sourceforge.net/do...nsfinding.html ) will allow you to do the type of modding that you want. Some xbox versions are not compatible with some types of modding. Example: 007 tactic will not work with xbox versions 1.4 and higher.

Now you know what version of xbox that you want and you also know how to identify that version of xbox. You are ready to buy your xbox. Go to a local gaming store that sells used xboxs and locate/buy the version of xbox that you need/want.

If you plan on going the software route, there are some people that will load your xbox for you for free (http://xbox-linux.sourceforge.net/do...helpusers.html). Although I don’t know if they will customize it for you, if you are interested in having someone load your Xbox make sure you know what you are getting into….ask allot of questions.

This is as far as I have gotten, I hope you find this useful.

 

geez bini2...ur making this xbox mod more difficult than i imagined..hahah..its all good, the more info the better, no im just thinking about throwing in a full size PC in my car instead..hahaha...or better yet, just a standalone dvd/mp3/vcd player, it'll cost alot less and plus i really wont have use for a pc, my main concern is playin music and/or MVs. so i think i'll just purchase a stand alone dvd player, a better option that'll suit my needs...thx for the info thou..really made me think about the possiblities

 

Good info, Bini2! I have not tried loading Linux, but am willing to give it a shot (just didn't really see the need since I'm running Evo-X with no problem).

How are you getting power to your XBOX? Also, are you running the stock HU and Nav systems?

-Chrismcagle

 

does anyone have screen shot of evo-x with some applications running? i would love to see those...or maybe i should just visit the site?

 

You can find a lot of screenshots on the forums.