Hi anno. It's my pleasure to share the procedures, some of which I learnt from you.

It can serve as my personal reference in future as well. I'll try to reconstruct the steps leading to the state of my console last night as follows:
1. Buy a mod'ed XBox console.
Mine is an EvoX mod'ed XBox. A red EvoX logo will appear at startup together with the XBox logo. A mod'ed console most likely comes with its own Dashboard, e.g. EvolutionX, Avalaunch, etc. Better check it's basic functions and Etherent operability to make sure it's a fully functional unit before proceeding.
2. Prepare AutoInstaller Disc
Find Slayer EvoX AutoInstaller ver 2.6 ISO with appropriate methods in the internet. ( SlaYers_EvoX_Auto-Installer_v2.6FINAL.exe )
Author's site:
http://slayer.xbox-scene.com/
It's a compilation of opensource applications and utilities to automatically partition, format the HD and to install EvolutionX as Dashboard and put in a number of applications including a stable (but not latest) build of XBMC.
Features / Content of the ISO:
http://www.xboxstation.com/modules.php? ... le&sid=116
The ISO came in as a .EXE. Actually, I do not dare to open any .EXE file in a PC so I am glad that I can use StuffIt Expander in Mac OS X to expand the archive to get the followings: an ISO image, user manual and a DVD cover album arts. The password of the archive is in open area of Slayer's site .
The ISO is a boot-disk image of FATX system. Although the content is merely something 380MB, I would suggest you burn it to a DVD-R because the DVD-ROM drive of a XBox can be very pricky. It won't accept CD-R. It prefers DVD-R or CD-RW.
I burned the image with Toast 6 at 1X speed to a NEC 8X DVD-R.
After the DVD-R is burned, one should see nothing in the disc if it's mounted on OS X desktop (because it's FATX file system format). If you see any file on it, you better trash the disc.
Update 1 March 2007: SlaYers_EvoX_Auto-Installer_v2.7FINAL.exe should be the latest version which incorporates XBMC 2.0. Internet search to find it.
3. Backup locked HD info in XBox
Boot up the XBox with the Slayer AutoInstaller DVD-R. Evolution X is now the Dashboard of the booted up console.
See point no. 6 of the article suggested by chainsawriot.
http://waltercedric.com/Mambo/index.php ... &Itemid=40
Select appropriate menu item to backup the locked HD key for future use. In case you want to use XBox Live in future, one needs the original 8GB HD with the locked HD info and an demod'ed XBox. Otherwise, the console will be banned from XBox once and for all if it is ever connected to XBox Live.
4. FTP and transfer the original HD content to a Mac
The default network setting of Slayer AutoInstaller is such that the booted XBox will either have a fixed IP of 192.168.1.100 or accept IP from DHCP server where the default gateway is 192.168.1.1. Therefore one can either connect the booted XBox to a router with default gateway as 192.168.1.1 or connect it to a Mac via Cross-over UTP cable with the Mac set as 192.168.1.1.
The assigned IP should appear clearly on the TV screen at the main menu of the EvoX screen.
Use a FTP client in Mac to transfer all the content in C drive and E drive to HD space in Mac.
All FTP clients will do, e.g. Transmit, Fetch, Interarchy ... I personally chose RBrowserLite because it supports different language codes as I'll use Chinese folder names and filenames later on. CyberDuck, in its latest version, is not stable with FTP server in XBox. It connects less than half of the attempts and gave all sorts of funny errors.
Remember to check off the FTP client so that it will not use passive (PASV) mode.
I'm not sure whether the FTP server in XBox uses the default port 21. However, the FTP client cannot get through when the firewall at the Mac is turned on and even though the port 21 had been given exemption. During FTP process, I temporarily checked off the firewall in Mac.
Jump to Step No. 6 if you do not need a bigger HD, for example, you store all your media files in a central server or a NAS.
5. Install a bigger HD
Bigger, the merrier.
Power off XBox and disconnect the AC power cord.
Dealing with electrical components inside an opened electronic gadget has its inherent risks. Proceed at your own risks and cautions.
Open the XBox:
http://www.xbox-scene.com/articles/open1.php
The ATA HD is easily accessible after opening the case.
One will need Torx-20 (for 6 long screws on the case), Torx-15 and Torx-10 (for screws holding the HD) screwdrivers for the job. The process will not be difficult if you have the appropriate tools. Don't ever thread and damage the screws with a wrong screwdriver.
Dissconect the IDE and Power cable from the old HD and free it out.
Put in a bigger ATA HD, Reconnect all cables, Resit the HD tray in position. Don't close the box until all installation is complete and well.
I used an old and idle 80GB Western Digital ATA100 5400rpm HD. The limit of HD size seems to be 137GB. Space beyond this limit will not be recognised. Therefore, one should presume safe to install up to 120GB.
Some newer mod'ed BIOS supports LBA48 which breaks the 137GB limit. The mod chip / BIOS in my XBox seems to be a clone so I cannot identify if it's a EvoX M8 or other generations of mod chip. However, I suspect it supports LBA48 because the new system structure after installation includes a G Drive in EvoX, and it's a pre-requisite for LBA48 support, i.e. to spill over any space more than 137GB to G drive. I may try installing a 200GB to my XBox later to see how it goes.
6. Install Slayer AutoInstaller
Insert the AutoInstaller DVD-R and Power on the console.
The console boots into the main menu.
The options are straightforward and the process is automatic.
See the manual for the meaning of various options:
http://slayer.xbox-scene.com/?page=downloads
Choose the appropriate options and sit for a while.
The installation will finish in 10 to 15 minutes
Power off and restart the machine.
The console should boot to Evolution X as the main Dashboard.
Congratulations. You will have a fully configured mod'ed XBox with basic XBMC installed. You can fit back the case and close the box.
7. Install Chinese Unicode Fonts to have Chinese interface in XBMC
http://www.xboxmediaplayer.de/cgi-bin/f ... hl=chinese
Update 1 March 2007: The above link is no longer active. See the guide in a PRC website on XBMC: http://www.xbox-sky.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=36604
引言回覆:
让XBMC 支持中文
要让XBMC支持中文的步骤非常简单。
在 media\Fonts 下有一个arial.ttf 文件,将其删除
在你的操作系统 c:\windows\fonts 目录下寻找一个中文的TTF字库,例如仿宋体字库文件为 simfang.ttf
把 simfang.ttf 复制到 在 media\Fonts 中,并且改名为 arial.ttf
完成了以上步骤,你的XBMC就是一个可以支持中文字体的版本了。你只是需要把它安装到XBOX的对应目录,就可以让它开始工作了。
8. To make XBMC the default Dashboard for XBox
http://manual.xboxmediacenter.de/wakka. ... ash&v=1ee5
I took the first approach. To me, it's the easiest.
Please note that a Q drive (identical to F drive in space but direct to content under XBMC folder) will appear after making XBMC as the default Dashboard.
9. Edit the path so that default Movies / Pictures / Music Folder appear directly
http://manual.xboxmediacenter.de/wakka. ... deos&v=two
Open xboxmediacenter.xml with any text editor and amend the path to point to the media folder you find convenient.
Update 1 March 2007: XBMC has improved options in the interface that one can set the above preferences without editing .xml files.
10. Set up SAMBA and DAAP iTunes sharing
Set up SAMBA share in Mac OS X (with SharePoints):
http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php? ... 2&t=222010
Editing .XML in XBMC:
http://manual.xboxmediacenter.de/wakka. ... amba&v=ayx
Listen with XBMC to a shared iTunes library in network (Mac / PC):
http://manual.xboxmediacenter.de/wakka. ... sic&v=12ws
Remember to turn on iTunes, Activate Sharing, Sharing the whole library together with playlist,
AND check off password.
I tried last night. Only after password was taken out could the iTunes library in Mac be shown in XBMC. I can't figure if it's possible to have the password on yet.
One small comment: With the varieties of playback formats support and network streaming capability, I cannot see the reason why one would consider other network media players, e.g. eyeHome in the market.
11. Transfer and organize the folders and files from Mac.
Again, I use RBrowserLite.
12. Install a RCA-Video/RCA-Audio/S-Video/TOSlink 3rd party cable to enhance the AV performance
I want to find this but it's not available in Hong Kong.
Finally, I bought a RCA-Video/RCA-Audio/S-Video/TOSlink breakout cable. S-Video greatly improves the clarity of text and images on TV screen. The cable costs something HKD60 - 90 in Tsuen Wan / SSP.
Update May 2007: I am using a Microsoft XBox HD AV Connection Pack on the main XBMC in living room. It has component out, audio R/L out and optical audio out.
13. Try out the "goodies" features of XBMC
Do you know you can:
- Check the weather forecast in Hong Kong online by setting the correct location code?
http://manual.xboxmediacenter.de/wakka. ... ther&v=jwb
- Take a screen shot by pressing the left thumb stick?
http://manual.xboxmediacenter.de/wakka. ... ion&v=1048
- access supplementary functions with the lesser used buttons on the JoyPad and Remote control? Perhaps playlist management is somewhere among them.
e.g. Briefly press on the right thumb stick calls up a system menu for power down, restart, or revert to MSXBox Dashboard
e.g. Select, highlight, move and copy in file manager of XBMC
e.g. rotate, zoom in, zoom out with numeric keys and title button on remote. By the way, the slideshow of XBMC adopts "Ken Burns" effects in iMovie.
14. Updating XBMC
The XBMC binaries inside the Slayer AutoInstaller is a stable build released several months ago. Check out the new development of XBMC at their web site to install their latest builds if necessary.
http://www.xboxmediacenter.de/
http://manual.xboxmediacenter.de/wakka. ... #Upgrading
I think the above account is about all my quest for XBMC in last one week. Dedicated to those who have offered their help in the past.
Other useful resources for references:
http://www.xbox-scene.com/tutorials.php
http://manual.xboxmediacenter.de/wakka.php?wakka=Index
http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php (may need registration for viewing)
http://www.xboxmediaplayer.de/cgi-bin/f ... onboard.pl (may need registration for viewing)
http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?showtopic=290958
Cheers,
Gareth