XBoxHDM2 SourceForge Project Page

Updated 21-08-2009

Main architect: ldotsfan
Dual boot/testing: scullc
Script developments: fwz

Xboxhdm2 has recently undergone considerable development and this quick updated guide aims to unify the main changes. It therefore supersedes the XboxHDM2 (USB Edition) - Alpha Release thread which is listed for reference only.

Some caveats and disclaimers:

1. This is primarily designed to boot from USB flash drives.
2. If your PC’s BIOS does not support USB booting – all is not lost. An ISO (cd-kicker) has been devised to allow your PC to boot from CD and then load the files of USB (chain-loading). The ISO is contained within the zip file.
3. The tool is designed for advanced users as it assumes you are already familiar with xboxhdm.
4. It may not work at all and may thrash your drive. Ensure you already have eeprom.bin and can recover with the original xboxhdm.
5. HDD start up times will be greatly extended if you have a locked HDD attached, although this is markedly reduced when booting from FreeDOS.
6. Additional features over old version:

   1. Boots from USB.
   2. Integrated dual-booting allows for Linux & DOS tools to co-exist to get your HDD un/locked.
   3. Any of the 4 IDE connections may be used now to connect Xbox HDD. CD-ROM drive not needed (if you can boot from USB).
   4. No reboots between HDD rebuilds and locking.
   5. Linux ISO building no longer required.
   6. GUI (Slax) & Console versions available – depending on your memory requirements.

To unlock full potential of xboxhdm2.1 – you are going to need (as a minimum) your eeprom and optionally but highly recommended, the M$ Dashboard files (to allow rebuilds etc...)

How to use:

1. First determine how much memory is in your system.
2. Pending your memory requirements, download either xboxhdm2.1-full-gui.rar (if using more than 512mb RAM) or xboxhdm2.1-lite-console.rar (if using less than 512mb RAM) from the project download page.
3. Extract all the files and folders from inside your chosen zip to the root of your USB flash drive.
4. Place your "eeprom.bin" file in the "eeprom" folder located on the root of the flash drive.
5. Populate the /hdm/C folder with the M$ Dashboard files.
6. Populate the /hdm/E folder with any chosen files (games saves etc) that you require installed.
7. To get your USB to multi-boot the different file systems you need to download and install grub4dos gui
8. Now using the file you downloaded in step 7 - follow the instructions at http://themudcrab.com/acronis_grub4dos.php to install the MBR to get your USB drive to multi-boot (**make sure you select the right drive to install the MBR to. Get it wrong and you could brick your PC!!)
9. That's it! Reboot using the USB drive and if all gone well, you should see the grub4dos boot screen. Choose what you need in the boot menu or wait a few seconds and Slax GUI/console (depending what version you downloaded) will be automatically selected.
10. Help files now located in a “help” folder on the root of the USB stick including the xboxhdmFAQ_8.1.pdf. Fwz's changes ensure you are no longer required to input paths manually (its all done automatically) – but the FAQ should help you get started. There are also tips/code on using FreeDOS to un/lock your HDD and other advanced methods (using hdparm within Slax GUI).


Testing & reporting is greatly appreciated.
Good luck.
scullc/ldotsfan