Best Debug Bios

Right now I'm bored so I'm converting my retail xbox to debug. I haven't followed bios releases in a while, so I was wondering which debug bios is currently the best. I found these few in the usual places:

Debug-bios-256k-Gueux_Net-V2
Hack-devkit-GueuX-V2
Yoshhihiro-256k-Debug-Multi-2004
Yoshihiro_K2005_Debug_All_version

Also, if I install the extra RAM in my retail, would I be able to do everything an actual debug kit can do?

 

Yoshi_K2005_debug_all_ver_is_the_latest_thus_argueably_the_best_!

...Btw, Hack_Dev_kit isn't a debug bios, it's a bfm bin used to 'enhance' a Debug/Dev kit.


"Also, if I install the extra RAM in my retail, would I be able to do everything an actual debug kit can do?" = In basic terms, yes, although ideally you should also change the mcpx whilst you are at it.

 

I didn't even know you could swap those out. What extra advantage does the actual debug MCPX have?

 

That's not for the faint-hearted though.
This requires skill and proper tools above anything else.

 

Lol, i wouldn't worry about the mcpx, as you'd need an actual debug machine to steal one from, then desolder your old one. I only know of one person who's done it successfully.

You probably already have the link, but here's the tut to go from retail --> debug:
http://www.hydras-world.com/index.php?page=xboxretailtodebug

 

Thx for all the info. I've decided that instead of buying a debug kit or XDK, I want to upgrade the RAM myself in my retail xbox. That way I can save up for other goodies ;-). Wish me luck this weekend.

 

then I hope you're steady with your hand and good at soldering..
anyway good luck :thumbsup:

 

Woohoo, just desoldered the my first chip using old school methods. I have an extra mobo, so I'll practice soldering and desoldering those chips while I wait for my Chip Quik kit. :rambo:

 

I wouldn't pratice on the same chip over and over, if that's what you're doing... the memory doesn't have a high resistance to heat. I'd pratice on the mcpx, or something else you won't need any more. Mmmm... Chip Quik... I heart Chip Quick...

 

...For 'ease' use a solder braid when re-attaching/finishing off.

 

Definately. And make sure you use some flux.

 

Wuss ;-)

Individual pins on the PS2 DVD controller is as small as I ever want to go, on my own equipment at least. My employers once thought it would be funny to get me to hand-solder 0402 components; I made up the board successfully but we lost quite a few components when I sneezed in the wrong direction :lol:

Stone

 

I'm having problems with the xbox now that I have the RAM installed. After all the chips were soldered on, I booted up the xbox and it FRAGed (I replaced my LEDs with white ones on the front panel, but I'm 99% sure it was a FRAG). I went back and examined the chips. There seemed to be no bridges or solder splashes anywhere. I then touched each pin with a tool and found some not to be soldered down. I tacked those down and put everything back together and boot the xbox up. Now instead of FRAGing, it's restarting twice and then the eject light is a solid color (I'm assuming green). While the eject light is the solid color, I'm able to hit the eject button to boot to my modchip. I go to XBMC and it still shows up as 64 mb RAM.... not really sure what the problem is, but any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

...Normally when it tries to restart on its own twice it's due to an incompatible / faulty .bin image.

Although I'm guessing that in your case the RAM chip is still not properly connected as this would upset matters in the way that you describe I'm sure.

 

Wouldn't the xbox still boot normally even if one of the extra chips is bad? The restarting makes me believe there is still a short somewhere... is there anyway to see if the chip as a whole is bad?

 

If there was a dead short the Xbox wouldn't start up, full stop.

I don't think you have a dead short, you may have a half hearted short, which only you would know of when you did the soldering, or you may have killed the chip internally.

The only 'easy' way to test the chip is via substitution with a known good one.

 

Update: After examining the pins under a microscope, I decided to add flux and run the iron over each pin again. I booted the box and it FRAGed. I looked at the pins, found a bridge and fixed it. I then booted and now it's FRAO. So does this mean a pin is still loose, and I pulled these chips off early boards, and was wondering if there are compatability issues with RAM chips?

 

The version of the xbox shouldn't really matter, the ram should work from version to version. As OE said, the ram is really sensitive to heat, it's pretty easy to burn out the chip and the only good way to test this is to swap it for another ram chip. I guess you could pull the new ram up and see if the xbox will boot at all...

 

Well to make a long story short, I botched my mobo I was working on and was back to square one. Fortunately, my gf's dad had a broken xbox with the mobo I need for mine. I ordered some known working ram chips and will start fresh this week. Wish me luck on round 2 :banghead:.