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Linux, On the Xbox. |
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Written by msafen
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Sunday, 28 November 2004 |
Linux, Linux, Linux. Linux everywhere. Here is step-by-step instructions of getting Linux on your xbox!
{mos_sb_discuss:18}
Whether you want to impress your friends with your leet xbox hax0ring
skillz, or whether you actually know what Linux is, and want to get it
on your xbox (definitely not to play burned games¦ nope ;) )
The best way to run Linux on an Xbox with minimal modification,
and without breaking the possibility to play (non-Xbox LIVE!...
XBOX-LIVE DOES NOT WORK WITH !.!.!-LINUX-!.!.!) games, is to do
it completely with software- and without any hardware mods.
Microsoft, being the classic evil big company, built some protection
into the Xbox. This means that you cannot just download Linux for the
Xbox, burn a CD, insert it into the Xbox and have it work. What will
end up happening is a great load of nothing, and youll have a wasted
CD. A stock Xbox only accepts original, Microsoft-approved Xbox
software.
The Software preparation is a trick that installs additional software
onto the Xbox hard disk that will allow you to use Linux installation
CDs, and run Linux installed on the hard disk from the main menu
(Dashboard) of the Xbox.
Step One.
You copy the Software preparation Saved Games from an Xbox Memory Unit
(memory card or a similar device) onto the Xbox hard disk, using the
Saved Game manager software built into the Xbox.
Step Two.
You run the Xbox game MechAssault and select CAMPAIGN and Install Linux.
The Xbox Dashboard now has a LINUX menu item in place of the XBOX LIVE item.
As easy as this sounds, the hardest step for most people is to get an
Xbox Memory Unit (or a similar device) with the Software preparation
Saved Games on it. You can use many
(http://unmodded.mine.nu/docs/XboxUsbCompatibilityList) "USB
sticks" and digital cameras with USB connectivity as Xbox Memory
Units, using an adapter cable. If you do not wish to bother with
getting a USB adaptor cable, get a copy of Action Replay.
(http://www.codejunkies.com) This device comes with a memory unit that
can connect to your PC, as well as software for transferring the Saved
Game files from your PC to the memory unit. In addition, you will need
the game MechAssault. You won't need it permanently, it is enough to
rent it for one day.
The Xbox hard disk now contains a minimal 2Mb Linux system. It
doesn't support a keyboard in this version, but networking is enabled,
and if your Xbox is properly connected, you can use your PC to telnet
into address 192.168.0.3 (user root, password xbox) to access the
Linux command line.
You probably want to install a full Linux distribution, such as
Xebian. (You can get them at: )
The good (usable and recommended) ones are:
Xebian (aka Ed's Debian)
Xebian 1.1.0 - This is the most widely installed and distributed
version of Linux for the Xbox. With superb flexibility and ease of
use, it can run live off CD/DVD or it can be installed onto the Xbox
hard drive in either the free space or the saved game area. The OS
includes support for all versions of the Xbox, including those with
Xcalibur video chips.
Based on Debian Testing (Sarge) with backports for newer software.
• Download (http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/xbox-linux/dist-1.1.0-xbox.tar.gz?download)
Gentoo
Gentoo (http://www.gentoo.org) is a popular Linux distribution. It
uses a package management system known as portage
(http://www.gentoo.org/doc/en/portage-manual.xml), which makes it easy
for users to build optimised packages from source code, or
alternatively install binary reference packages. Gentoo now officially
includes support for the xbox via an x86 system profile, which enables
automatic support and configuration without the need for an external
repository. There are currently ebuilds for the latest xbox versions
of the kernel (both 2.4 and 2.6), cromwell bios, raincoat flasher,
alsa-driver, xfree, and various file system tools. There is no Xbox
specific Gentoo website, instead users are directed to the main Gentoo
website (http://www.gentoo.org).
• Subscribe (mailto:gentoo-xbox-subscribe@gentoo.org) to the
gentoo-xbox mailing list
• Irc: #gentoo-xbox on the freenode (http://www.freenode.org) irc network
• Download (http://www.xbox-linux.org/down/livecd-pentium3-20040823.iso.gz)
the latest Gentoo Xbox livecd
GentooX
Gentoox is an Xbox specific distribution built on top of Gentoo. The
primary difference between Gentoo and Gentoox is that Gentoox features
a package management system known as "magic" which runs alongside
portage, allowing Xbox specific patches and configuration files to be
applied where necessary from the master repository at shallax.com.
Gentoox works out of the box without the need for massive
configuration and software compilation.
• Gentoox website (http://gentoox.shallax.com/) - Release notes,
status information, downloads
• NOTE: Gentoox doesn't work with the software modification method.
(Mechinstaller)
Please be careful: the distribution must explicitly support
Software-prepared Xboxes. Write the ISO image to a CD/RW, a DVD/R or a
DVD/ and insert it after the Xbox main menu (Dashboard) has been
loaded. The specific documentation of the distribution will tell you
details about the installation.
When the installation is complete, the item LINUX in the Dashboard
will automatically boot the full distribution.
!!!!OTHER VERSION/ MORE IN DEPTH REMOVE THIS LINE BEFORE USE!!!!
If you want a more in depth description (that's easier to follow): here it is!
First you will need these things:
- any Xbox (except for the Japanese version)
- the Xbox game MechAssault (original version, see below)
- a USB memory stick (note that you will have to overwrite it) or
another USB mass storage device, such as a SD card reader or digital
camera (look at the compatibility list
(http://unmodded.mine.nu/docs/XboxUsbCompatibilityList) )
- an Xbox USB adaptor
- a Linux, BSD, Mac OS X or Windows computer with USB connectivity
(You can use an Action Replay instead of the USB device and the
adaptor, if you follow this tutorial
(http://www.xbox-linux.org/Simplified_Action_Replay_HOWTO).)
Note that you need the original version of the game MechAssault,
not the "Xbox Game of the Year" or "Platinum Hits" version. The
newer disks have been patched and will not work. The CD labels are
often identical, but the version that says "Platinum Hits" is ALWAYS
the BAD one. Look at the laser etching on the pack. The new one says ]
MS02308L (BAD) while the original is MS02301L (GOOD). A great source
for the good version is your local used game store or a rental house
like Blockbuster.
If you have this equipment, as well as an Xbox memory unit, you can
permanently create a MechInstaller memory unit, so that all you need
to do the same on your friends' Xbox is the MechAssault game and this
memory unit!
The General Procedure
The MechInstaller will modify the Xbox's system software on hard disk
so that the Xbox accepts Linux. The problem is that this installer
itself would be rejected by an unmodified Xbox, that's why we have to
apply a trick to run it. It can be wrapped in a savegame, so if you
select "Load Game" in the game MechAssault, the MechInstaller will be
launched.
Now the hard part about this is to get this savegame onto your Xbox.
If you have the MechInstaller on an Xbox memory unit already or know
someone who has, you can skip the following section, else you have to
use a Linux, BSD or Mac OS X computer, a USB stick and an Xbox USB
adaptor cable to get the savegame onto your Xbox.
Software Method with Kernels above >=5713 (1.6 Xbox):
NOTE: Mechinstaller doesnt work on a dashboard with a version
number higher than 4920. Xboxes with kernel version 5713 do not allow
you to downgrade to a 4920 dashboard. ALL 1.6 XBoxes (See Versions
HOWTO (http://www.xbox-linux.org/Xbox_Versions_HOWTO) to determine the
version number of your XBox) have >=5713 kernels, so you won't be able
to use Mechinstaller and install Linux on your XBox using the software
method. .....
• If you have a less than 2000 blocks USB stick, use the image
"MechInstaller-1.0-FATX-8MB-to-32MB.img".
• If you have a memory stick with at least 2000, but less than 4000
blocks, use "MechInstaller-1.0-FATX-64MB.img".
• If you have a memory stick with at least 4000, but less than 8000,
use "MechInstaller-1.0-FATX-128MB.img".
• If you have a memory stick with at least 8000, but less than 16000,
use "MechInstaller-1.0-FATX-256MB.img".
• If the correct image didn't work, please try all other images one by one.
There is this compatabillity: please check your usb device against it!
(http://unmodded.mine.nu/docs/XboxUsbCompatibilityList)
Alternative to the procedure mentioned above (tested for Mac OS X 10.3):
• plug in the stick and find out what device it is by typing mount in
the Terminal. The stick should appear as /dev/diskXY where XY is most
certainly the highest number.
• Read the data on the stick by typing cat /dev/diskXY > backup.img.
You now have a disk image of your original stick as a backup.
• Write the downloaded images to the stick by typing cat
MechInstaller-1.0-...-.img > /dev/diskXY. Try out which one works for
you by verifying if the savegames appear in the xbox or not.
Nb: for Linux (Debian/Knoppix) need to remove usb-storage module with
modprobe -r usb-storage in order to enable write of disk image. the
command was: cat MechInstaller-1.0-FATX-128MB.img > /dev/sda
• Once you copied the savegames to your xbox's hard drive you can
restore the data on the stick by typing cat backup.img > /dev/diskXY
• There is no need to be admin or root to do this, as you have full
write permissions to the stick.
Windows 95/98/SE/ME/NT/2000/XP
(If you have a 32 mb stick, you can skip all of this, and get the MXK
software from [www.megaxkey.com], and use the Action Replay files from
the download page since Action Replay files are compatible with MXK
software.)
For Windows users there is a great program called OzXMemory Stick
Explorer available here
(http://www.ozxchip.com/downloads_content.htm), which can write the
MechInstaller FATX images files to your memory stick. The program has
a GUI so it's quite easy to use.
• Connect the USB stick to your X-box goto memory then controller the
x-box will erase and format the stick for you.
• Connect the USB stick to your PC and launch the program.
• Press Open 32MB image button and locate the required FATX image file
• Press Write to xxx MB Stick button and the program should write the
image file to the USB stick (you should choose the button
corresponding your USB stick size).
Now you have a USB stick that looks like an Xbox memory unit to the
Xbox and contains the savegame that starts the MechInstaller.
Preparing your Xbox
Now you need to copy all savegames from the USB stick to the Xbox hard
disk, so you can load them from MechAssault without the USB stick
being connected.
1. Connect the USB stick or Xbox memory unit containing the
MechInstaller savegame to the Xbox and run the Dashboard
2. Select "MEMORY"
3. Select your memory unit
4. Select the savegame "Emergency Linux" - if the memory unit does not
contain any savegames, then the image you have written had the wrong
size. Try again using another image (Linux, BSD, Mac OS X) or press
another button to write the image (Windows).
5. Select "COPY"
6. Select "XBOX HARD DISK"
7. Copy the uninstaller and the emergency system: Repeat the same with
the savegames named "Restore Dashboard" and "Install Linux".
IMPORTANT: I got a flickering screen when trying "Install Linux", see
section "Making the Xbox Linux-compatible". Be sure to copy the
savegames to your xbox in this order: Emergency Linux, Restore
Dashboard and last Install Linux. If you don't do it in this order you
might get a flickering screen when pressing Install Linux in the
MechAssault campaign menu.
Backing up your Xbox Hard Disk Key
In case of problems, it is important that you have your Xbox hard disk key.
1. Insert the MechAssault game
2. Select "CAMPAIGN"
3. Select "Emergency Linux"
4. Get the key: Using a telnet connection to 192.168.0.3 (a USB
keyboard will not work in the Emergency Linux) telnet 192.168.0.3 log
in as root, password xbox, and type xbox_tool -a Then write down the
hard disk key and password.
Making the Xbox Linux-compatible
1. Insert the MechAssault game
2. Select "CAMPAIGN"
3. Select "Install Linux"
Your Xbox will now be prepared. This will take some seconds.
Afterwards, your Xbox is fully Linux-compatible, and there is an item
"LINUX" in the Dashboard main menu which boots a minimal Linux system.
Use an installation CD from http://xbox-linux.org to install a full
Linux system.
Undoing the changes
You can always fully undo the changes by selecting "Restore Dashboard"
in the "CAMPAIGN" menu of MechAssault.
Removing the Savegames
You can delete the "Install Linux" savegame from hard disk, if you
wish, it is not needed any more. If you don't plan to undo the
changes, or if you can have the MechInstaller memory unit again when
you wish to undo them, you can also delete the "Restore Dashboard"
savegame.
Using your Modified Xbox
You can use the Xbox as before, you can play games and video DVDs (if
you have the dongle), and you can run Linux. But you have to be
cautious with the following:
• Video DVDs will not work if they are already in the DVD drive when
you turn on the Xbox. Instead, insert them when the Dashboard is
running.
• If you select "LINUX" on the Dashboard, a minimal Linux system with
text mode only will start. After you install a full Linux system to
E:, this will be booted if you select "LINUX".
• You can install a full Linux system by inserting an Xbox Linux
installation CD (at the moment, only xebian (Ed's Debian) works with
this modification). As with video DVDs, only insert them when the
Dashboard is running.
Creating a MechInstaller Xbox Memory Unit
With the savegames on your Xbox hard disk, you can easily copy them to
a standard Xbox Memory Unit using the Dashboard, which you can give to
your friends, so that they don't need a USB stick and the USB adaptor
cable to prepare their Xboxes
.
Troubleshooting
Flickering Screen
If your screen starts flickering after you select "Emergency Linux"
and you can't see anything on the screen, then you have an Xbox
manufactured since August 2003 (version 1.4+ Xbox). There is nothing
wrong with that, a full Linux system such as Xebian will work without
any problems, just the Emergency Linux shipped with MechInstaller does
not support the new video encoders yet.
Error Message
Also, some users noticed that Emergency Linux prints the line "sh:
can't access tty: job control turned off" at the end. Just ignore this
message..
USB Keyboard
No, USB keyboards cannot be used with MechInstaller 1.0 Emergency
Linux yet. Just telnet connections work. A full Linux supports the use
of a USB Keyboard.
~Xbox Haxor (Z).
{mos_sb_discuss:18}
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Last Updated ( Monday, 24 January 2005 )
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