Xbox 360 different types of mods

Warning: Like all tutorials on 360mods.net, following these
instructions will void your warranty and may cause your Xbox to stop functioning
if not performed correctly. Please follow all instructions carefully and realize
you are doing this at your own risk. 360mods.net will not be held legally
responsible for what you do to your Xbox.

There are many ways to mod your xbox, and most people do not realize this. That is why I made this guide, in which I describe the different ways to mod your xbox. I also included the advantages and disadvantages of each. Hopefully, people will read this before asking questions that have already been answered. Before I want to get started, I just wanted to say that all of these mods have the same advantage.

- Your xbox will be able to boot unsigned code, and therefore you can install an alternate dashboard, install applications, use your xbox as a media center, install Xbox-Linux, backup games to the hard drive, play backed-up (burned) games on DVD, play DVDs without the DVD Playback Kit, and run Xbox emulators.

Mods
1. Modchip
2. TSOP Mod
3. Softmod
4. Hotswap

1. Modchip

By far the most popular mod, a modchip can either be a solder modchip or a solderless solution. If you have some soldering experience, or are brave enough, try a solder modchip, because they are cheaper and are more secure. If you have no soldering experience, and you still would rather want a chip, go for a solderless modchip. Remember to get a modchip that is supported by your xbox version. To check your xbox version, go to http://www.xbox-scene.com/versions.php.

Advantages:

+ Can be used in every version xbox (if you get the right chip)
+ Many chips have on/off switches so you can turn off the chip and get onto Xbox Live
+ Easy to update BIOS
+ Easy to upgrade Hard Drive

Disadvantages:

- Price
- Requires you to open your xbox and solder your chip in (solder modchips)
- Voids any warranty
- Solderless modchips may come loose from time to time and require readjustment

2. TSOP

A TSOP mod requires you to open up your xbox, solder a few points, then use an exploitable game and gamesave to flash your onboard TSOP chip with a bios. The soldering is easy and the flashing is easy.

Advantages:

+ Price (FREE)
+ Easy to solder ( just a couple points need to be bridged, and perhaps a wire or two)
+ Version 1.0 to 1.1 TSOP is 1 mb, so you can install a switch and use Xbox LIVE.
+ Easy to update BIOS
+ Easy to upgrade Hard Drive

Disadvantages:

- YOU CANNOT TSOP A VERSION 1.6 XBOX
- You can TSOP a version 1.2 - 1.5 xbox, but you would not be able to use Xbox LIVE
- You need an exploitable game
- You need a way of transferring a gamesave to your retail xbox (Action Replay, Homemade Action Replay, or Use a modded xbox and a memory card)

3. Softmod

By using an exploitable game and an exploitable gamesave, you can take advantage of "bugs" in the xbox dashboard to mod your xbox. While it may have more advantages than a TSOP mod, the major disadvantage is the difficulty of upgrading your hard drive.

Advantages:

+ Price (FREE)
+ Works on all xboxes now
+ You can coldboot xbox games and use Xbox LIVE
+ Newest softmods install virtual C drives and virtual eeproms, making it harder to "break" the softmod
+ Very easy to install

Disadvantages:

- You need an exploitable game
- You need a way of transferring a gamesave to your retail xbox (Action Replay, Homemade Action Replay, or Use a modded xbox and a memory card)
- Difficult to upgrade the hard drive (not impossible, but it is a lot easier with a chip or TSOP)
- Difficult to ugrade BIOS, but isn't really necessary anyways

4. Hotswap

Moddng your Xbox through hotswapping is still considered a softmod. The only difference is you are opening up your Xbox and PC, then connecting your Xbox hard drive to your PC to transfer files to the hard drive. This way, you can softmod without needing an exploitable game or Action Replay.

Advantages:

+ Price (FREE)
+ Works on all xboxes now
+ You can coldboot xbox games and use Xbox LIVE
+ Newest softmods install virtual C drives and virtual eeproms, making it harder to "break" the softmod

Disadvantages:

[color=red] - Difficult to upgrade the hard drive (not impossible, but it is a lot easier with a chip or TSOP)
- Difficult to ugrade BIOS, but isn't really necessary anyways