Es/Getting Started
From Xbox-Linux
(por 'Michael Steil', Octubre 3 2003)
Estás interesado en Xbox Linux? Usa esta "aventura en texto" - Lee cuidadosamente cada punto, y haz click en la respuesta que creas sea la conveniente para tu situación y te lleve a otro punto para que continues.
Si esta sección no satisface todas tus dudas, porfavor lee el FAQ también.
Porfavor envia tus sugerencias y comentarios a Michael (mailto:mist@c64.org?Subject=Getting%20Started%20Document).
1
Ya posees un Xbox?
2
Sabes exactamente que es un Xbox?
3
Un Xbox es un computador PC IBM, vendido por Microsoft. En EE.UU., cuesta U$149, en europa cuesta 49,99 EUR y en el Reino Unido su precio es de £99 (lo cual es relativamente barato, teniendo en cuenta todo el hardware que tiene).
Microsoft llama al Xbox una "consola de juego", pues su objetivo es que el usuario lo use solo para jugar. Aún y esto, es un computador PC IBM, el cual contiene:
- CPU Intel Celeron 733 MHz
- 64 MB de RAM (suficiente para la mayoria de aplicaciones Linux - si necesitas más, puedes mejorarla, aunque es un poco dificil hacerlo)
- Tarjeta de video nVidia GeForce 3
- Tarjeta de sonido Dolby Digital AC97
- Disco Duro de 8 o 10 GB
- Unidad de DVD
- 10/100 Ethernet
- 4 puertos USB
El Xbox viene con un suave aspecto negro, es más pequeño y liviano que la mayoria de los PC y tambien mucho más silecioso.
Microsoft no quiere que uses el Xbox como un computador Linux, para esto tiene protección-anti-Linux preconstruido, pero puede ser sobrepasada facilmente, para que un Xbox se pueda usar como lo que es: un PC IBM.
Ademas de Linux, se pueden correr otra gran variedad de grandes juegos en el Xbox. Entra a http://www.xbox.com/ para más información.
4
Tienes alguna idea de porque quieres correr Linux en tu Xbox (ya sea solo Linux o con juegos paralelamente)?
5
Un Xbox corriendo Linux puede ser usado como:
- una consola de videojuegos que puede, gracias a Linux, tambien ser usado para navegación web y escribir emails, todo en tu televisor de sala!
- un pequeño computador Linux, con teclado, mouse, scanner, impresora, camara web y quemador de DVD, conectado a un monitor VGA; 100% compatible con todos los PC Linux standard, todo el hardware de PC (USB) y software de PC que funcione con Linux.
- un pequeño y silencioso servidor Linux de HTTP/FTP/SMB/NFS, sirviendo datos tales como MP3/MPEG4/DivX, o como router, o ambos; sin monitor, teclado o mouse siendo usados
- un hub multimedia conectado a tu TV y/o Hi-FI -- permitiendo ver peliculas en formato DivX y peliculas DVD, oir mp3's y estaciones de radio de internet, y probablemente cantidades de otras cosas que tu quieras hacer.
6
Para que usarias el Xbox, con Linux instalado?
- Juegos & Linux (7): Estoy más interesado en los juegos de Xbox, pero me gustaria usar Linux de vez en cuando para navegar la web etc...
- Computador de escritorio (22): Me gustaria usar el Xbox como computador de escritorio Linux.
- Servidor (15): Usar el Xbox como una servidor Linux, no me interesan los juegos.
- No sé (7): No estoy seguro, solo quiero probar Linux en el Xbox.
7
Antes de continuar, tienes que pensar si quieres usar Xbox Live.
"Xbox Live" (http://www.xbox.com/) es un servicio prestado por Microsoft, que cuesta alrededor de U$ 50 por año, que te permite jugar juegos de Xbox (algunos pocos, no todos) contra otros jugadores en internet, bajar nuevos contenidos etc... Se necesita una coneción de banda ancha para esto.
Para internet con Linux, no se necesita Xbox Live.
Dijiste que estabas interesado en juegos de Xbox, te interesa Xbox Live tambien?
8
Lamentablemente, no existe forma facil para usar Xbox Live y Linux a la vez. Microsoft bloquea a todos los que alteran el Xbox del Xbox Live; Microsoft considera instalar Linux en TÚ Xbox como "alterar".
Si eres mas experimentado, puedes conseguir en modchip para Xbox que puede ser apagado completamente y usar "Cromwell". Prende el modchip, y puedes correr Linux. Apaga el modchip, y puedes ingresar a la red de Xbox Live.
El poyecto Xbox Linux no soporta activamente esto al momento, perdon. Quejate aca (Xbox-Linux) (mailto:steil@in.tum.de?Subject=I%20want%20Live%20and%20Linux!) o aca (Microsoft) (mailto:supxbxen@xbox.com).
- Live No (9)Bien, no usare Xbox Live
- Otro Xbox (4): Talvez mejor use un Xbox para Xbox Live y consiga otro para Linux
9
La mejor forma para correr Linux en un Xbox con minima alteración, y sin romper la posibilidad de jugar juegos (no-Live), es hacer la preparación "Software".
As you know, Microsoft has built some anti-Linux protection into the Xbox. This means that you cannot simply download Linux for the Xbox from our website, burn a CD, insert it into the Xbox and do the installation. A stock Xbox only accepts original Xbox games.
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.
The software preparation works like this:
- You copy the "Software" preparation savegame from an Xbox Memory Unit (or a similar device) onto the Xbox hard disk, using the savegame manager software built into the Xbox.
- You run the Xbox game "MechAssault" and select "CAMPAIGN" and "Install Linux".
As easy as this. The hardest step for most people is to get an Xbox Memory Unit (or a similar device) with the "Software" preparation savegame on it. You can use many (but not all) (http://unmodded.mine.nu/docs/XboxUsbCompatibilityList) "USB sticks" and digital cameras with USB connectivity as Xbox Memory Units, using an adaptor cable. If you do not wish to bother with getting a usb adaptor cable, get an Action Replay. (http://www.codejunkies.com) This device comes with a memory unit that can connect to your PC. Connect the device to a Linux, Mac or Windows computer and copy the samegames on it, then connect it to the Xbox and copy the savegames to hard disk.
In addition, you will need the game "MechAssault". You won't need it permanently, it is enough to rent it for one day.
So what do you think?
- I can do it myself (10): I think I can get a USB adapter, a working USB storage device and the game, and do everything myself.
- I need the adapter (21): I think I can get a working USB storage device and the game, and do it myself, but I would need to get the USB adapter from somewhere.
- Memory Unit (20): I'd like to send an empty Xbox Memory Unit to someone and get it back with the savegame (for free), so I can do the preparation myself, with this Memory Unit and the MechAssault game.
- I need help (19): I don't think I can do it myself, I'd like to send the complete Xbox to someone and make him to the modification for me (for free).
- Other (15): What other options do I have?
10
This article is a step-by-step tutorial that will help you do the "Software" preparation. Please also read the Xbox Linux FAQ (section "Preparation"), it will tell you more about the pros and cons of this method.
- No Xbox (14): Hey, I don't have an Xbox yet! Can you assist me in buying one?
- Done it (11): Thanks, my Xbox now shows the menu item "LINUX" when I turn it on. What do I do now?
- I changed my mind (9): I'm not so sure about this any more...
11
The Xbox hard disk now contains a minimal 2 MB Linux system. It doesn't support a keyboard in this version, but networking is up, and if your Xbox is properly connected to your PC/Mac, you can use "telnet 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 Debian for the Xbox. The download page will help you choose the distribution you want. 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/RW (details about optical media here, section "Preparing to install") 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.
If you want to connect a USB keyboard, a USB mouse or other USB peripherals, read this to build an adapter yourself or this to make someone build one for you - for free.
- Using Linux (12): Great, I can boot Linux from my Xbox hard disk now. But I have trouble using it.
- Contributing (13): Linux on the Xbox works great. How can I contribute?
12
Linux on the Xbox is exactly the same as on a PC. The Linux Documentation Project (http://www.tldp.org/) might have the documentation you're looking for.
13
Please go to the IRC, server irc.oftc.net, channel #xbox-linux. There are always some developers in there, who can tell you the currect status. We're always looking for people to help us!
14
There are six different revisions of the Xbox out there, with one of three different DVD drives, and either a 8 or 10 GB hard drive. What mainboard revision you get, shouldn't matter, because they all work with Linux.
The Thomson and Philips DVD drives are very picky about CD/R and some CD/RW media, so you should get an Xbox with a Samsung drive. Most retailers will help you find a Samsung drive: Ask them to open the box (there is no seal at the bottom), unpack the console, connect it to power (no TV and no controllers required) and press the eject button. If the DVD tray has only one big hole in the middle, it's a (bad) Thomson or Philips drive. If it has more holes in the tray, it is a Samsung drive.
There is no easy way to tell whether an Xbox contains an 8 GB or a 10 GB hard drive without opening it.
- Bought one (2): I have one now. Let's go on.
15
The "Hardware" preparation will convert your Xbox into a Linux-only computer, you will have no way to run games any more, unless you undo the modification.
Are you sure?
16
The best and most flexible way to transform an Xbox into a Linux-only machine is to do the "Hardware" preparation. It requires opening the Xbox, and doing some very easy soldering. The advantage over the "Software" preparation (9) is that you can exchange either the hard drive for a bigger one, the DVD drive for any other IDE device (like a second hard disk or a CD/DVD burner), or both; and you can use the full space on the hard drive without reserving space for the original Xbox system software.
The idea is to reflash the flash chip on the Xbox motherboard with a Linux bootloader. Unfortunately there are two obstacles:
- The flash chip is write protected by default, you have to solder two bridges to disable the write protection.
- You can't simply boot a Linux system that contains the flashing application and the new image from a CD/DVD, because of the anti-Linux protection of the Xbox.
Instead, you have to boot an emergency Linux system that is hidden in a savegame by loading the savegame from inside the game "MechAssault". Then you can preprogramm the onboard flash, if the write-protect bridges are closed.
In detail, this looks like this:
- You copy the savegame from an Xbox Memory Unit (or a similar device) onto the Xbox hard disk, using the savegame manager software built into the Xbox.
- You run the Xbox game "MechAssault" and select "CAMPAIGN" and "Emergency Linux".
- You use an FTP client on your PC/Mac to copy additional data on the Xbox hard disk and run the application to flash the onboard flash.
As easy as this. The hardest step for most people is to get an Xbox Memory Unit (or a similar device) with the "Software" preparation savegame on it. You can use many (but not all) (http://unmodded.mine.nu/docs/XboxUsbCompatibilityList) "USB sticks" and digital digital cameras with USB connectivity as Xbox Memory Units, using an adaptor cable. Connect the device to a Linux, Mac or Windows computer and copy the samegames on it, then connect it to the Xbox and copy the savegames to hard disk. Also, if you are using a usb hub, the power coming from the xbox might not be enough for the usb stick. You may need to plug the hub into an outlet.
In addition, you will need the game "MechAssault". You won't need it permanently, it is enough to rent it for one day.
So what do you think?
- I can do it myself (17): I think I can get a USB adapter, a working USB storage device and the game, and do everything, including the soldering, myself.
- I need the adapter (21): I think I can get a working USB storage device and the game, and do it myself, but I would need to get the USB adapter from somewhere.
- Memory Unit (20): I'd like to send an empty Xbox Memory Unit to someone and get it back with the savegame (for free), so I can do the preparation myself, with this Memory Unit and the MechAssault game.
- I need help (19): I don't think I can do it myself, I'd like to send the complete Xbox to someone and make him do the modification for me (for free).
- Other (7): What other options do I have?
17
This article is a step-by-step tutorial that will help you do the "Hardware" preparition. Please also read the Xbox Linux FAQ (section "Preparation"), it will tell you more about the pros and cons of this method.
- No Xbox (14): Hey, I don't have an Xbox yet! Can you assist me in buying one?
- Done it (18): Thanks, now I get "Xbox Linux Clean BIOS" when I turn the Xbox on. What do I do now?
- I changed my mind (16): I'm not so sure about this any more...
18
If you want to replace the Xbox hard disk with a bigger one, do it now. It must be configured as "Master". You can also replace the DVD drive with another optical drive; it must be "Slave". (After the installation, you can replace the DVD drive with a second hard disk as well). Please be careful, you might have trouble with hard disks > 137 GB; we strongly recommend smaller hard disks.
You probably want to install a full Linux distribution, such as Debian for the Xbox. The download page will help you choose the distribution you want. Please be careful: The distribution must explicitly support Xboxes. Write the ISO image to a CD/RW, a DVD/R or a DVD/RW (details about optical media here, section "Preparing to install") 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 "Xbox Linux Clean BIOS" will automatically boot the full distribution.
If you want to connect a USB keyboard, a USB mouse or other USB peripherals, read this to build an adapter yourself or this to make someone build one for you - for free.
- Using Linux (12): Great, I can boot Linux from my Xbox hard disk now. But I have trouble using it.
- Contributing (13): Linux on the Xbox works great. How can I contribute?
19
The Xbox Linux project maintains a database of people that can prepare your Xbox for Linux, for free, either doing the "Software" or the "Hardware" method.
The rules as well as the list of people can be found here.
- No Xbox (14): Hey, I don't have an Xbox yet! Can you assist me in buying one?
- SW complete (11): Thanks, someone has done the "Software" preparation on my Xbox. What do I do now?
- HW complete (18): Thanks, someone has done the "Hardware" preparation on my Xbox. What do I do now?
20
The Xbox Linux project maintains a database of people that can do various things for you - for free - including copy the savegame to an Xbox Memory Unit you provide.
The rules as well as the list of people can be found here.
- Software method (10): Thanks, I have the savegame on a Memory Unit now. Let's go on with the "Software" method.
- Hardware method (17): Thanks, I have the savegame on a Memory Unit now. Let's go on with the "Hardware" method.
21
The Xbox Linux project maintains a database of people that can do various things for you - for free - including building a USB adapter from the parts you provide.
The rules as well as the list of people can be found here.
- I have it (10): Thanks, I have the USB adapter now. What do I do now?
22
As you know, in order to run Linux, you have to "prepare" the Xbox first, i.e. remove Microsoft's anti-Linux protection.
If you want to use the Xbox as a desktop computer, you have two options:
- The "Software" method Pro:
- no need to open the Xbox, no soldering required
- games still work
- The "Hardware" method Pro:
- you can use the complete hard disk
- replacement hard disk possible
- replacement for DVD drive possible (any IDE device)
So what do you think?
- Hardware (15): I think I'll go for the "Hardware" method.
- Software (7): I think I'll go for the "Software" method.
- Help (19): I don't feel I can do any of these. Can someone do it for me?
23
Does your Xbox have a modchip in it?
24
You can already run Linux on your Xbox. All you have to do is burn the installation CD and insert it. No "Software Modification" or "Hardware Modification" has to be done.
If you want to know more about Xbox Linux, continue.
25
Are you interested in what hardware actually is in your Xbox?
