Short version: I recently bought a used 1.6 xbox which is equipped with a modchip. I tried to update the bios. The process became stuck and on reboot the chip stopped working. Now the modchip is write protected. Iam guessing that that the issue is related to a loose solder point but I don't know which. Is there a way to flash it with a USB to TTL adapter? I cant find much info on the Modchip. modchipscout.de sells it as an aladdin XT. Aladin XT seem to usually be red and feature a connector. If the Chip is a Aladin XT a wire is missing to be properly installed. I did not remove any wires. Detailed, Long, Step by Step version of what i have done: - replaced the original hard drive with a new toshiba SATA drive via adapter - boot XWD 2.3 disc (evox based install cd) - prepared the harddisk (creates partition table) - the disk features a xbox version detector which identified the xbox as 1.6 - successful flashed a xbox 1.6 compatible 256k bios straight from the CD - formatted the drive (large F) - chose complete install (installs different dashboards, apps, emulators etc) - rebooted and the xbox booted as expected Unfortunately on drive C was no space left because I accidental chose to install all dashboards to it. I decided to start over again because the content of the cd seemed to be outdated any way. The cd gives the option to update the bios via evox on the harddisk. Curios what the feature is about i chose it, booted into evox and tried to flash M8plus_F_16_red. This process became stuck and after waiting for an hour i rebooted the xbox and was greeted with error 5. I reinstalled the old Harddrive and the xbox booted to the microsoft dashboard. Since i want to use the Modchip i softmoded the XBox and tried to flash the chip again. So far i tried to flash via Xworld disc, Evox from the harddrive and Hexen. They all give an error that the chip is not writeable.
It does indeed look like some variation of the Aladdin chip. I also agree that it is missing a wire however I'm not sure its crucial. When you boot your Xbox try holding the power button in for about 3 seconds, the power ring should flash quickly telling you the modchip is no longer flash protected. Now that is how a functioning Aladdin chip would behave, if your chip has a damaged/failed flash I do not know what can be done without a proper programmer.
I've got a V1.0 from 2002 which exhibits similar problems - I can erase the chip, but once Evolution-X starts writing to it, everything stops. Never could find out why, all solder points look good. This method of soldering the mod chip board directly onto the XBox motherboard is a really, really bad one IMO. Makes everything more difficult in the end. My "solution" to this was purely circumventional; I got an EPROM programmer that can handle these things (GALEP-4 plus a PLCC adapter board), so I took out the chip and flashed using the programmer ... so, sorry, no idea how to fix this in-place (or whether the chip simply died on you).
I already tried hold the power button for x seconds. The video output stays longer black but the light does not change. That I managed to flash one time is strange.
What was the bios that you flashed? I don't know that there is a way to reflash it at this point without a programmer. Or a second Aladdin chip to swap the flashchip from.
Iam not sure. I think it was "M8plus_F_16_green.bin" This is at least what the menu point was called. I can provide the file if necessary. M8plus_F_16_red worked
You might try to connect the "BT" and "L1" pads on the mod chip with a wire - that should ensure that it's not write-protected. This tip comes from a German guide: http://evo-x.de/tutorials/dateianhaenge/hotflash.pdf .
connecting BT to L1 shuts off the xbox. If I hold the power button it just flashes red and green. No video output
If you want a chip reprogrammed, I have a few of the 49LF020a from upgrading aladdins to xblasts. I can program the chip with what ever bios you want and I'll give it you free. Just pay shipping cost
Thank you very much for your offer. Iam gone get myself a chip programmer. Its something I wanted to get any way and now I have a reason
Found info on xenochip lite / aladdin XT Lite. Most have red PCB though not white; however, there was a special Christmas "WHITE PCB" released in 2004. Also attached the Aladdin XT Lite 1.6 Manual (PDF). Though not much more than an installation picture inside the pdf. As well as, diagrams zip file - wayback machine's copy from xbox-scene.com. There's no mention of this chip having write protection. There was a note about a problem with some Xenochips
Great! thank you. If this diagrams are right, my chip is missing a wire. Where can I find the datecode?
I think it's on the top of the LC4032V chip. There statement wasn't clear about where to find it. If it is the 4032's date code, I don't think there notice applies.
I don't think his modchip falls into that notice but it doesn't mean that It couldn't be the same issue at fault here. Either way it looks like you will need a programmer or to take Bad_Ad84 up on his offer.
