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Author Topic: How Softmod Works?  (Read 154 times)

SilentBob1638

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How Softmod Works?
« on: April 24, 2005, 01:56:00 PM »

At bootup the xbox starts c:\xboxdash.xbe. This gets exchanged by a special xboxdash.xbe with corresponding "fixed" fonts. This combination allows to start "habibi" signed xbe's. The fonts start nkpatcher that allows roe (reset on eject) and execution of unsigned xbe's and some other gimmicks like virtual drives (ShadowC) and virtual eeprom. NKpatcher then starts the dash of your choice.

To start you need a gamesave exploit or you have to hotswap your hdd and connect it to your pc.
Tutorials (UXE exploit) are all over the forum. Set it up manually or use Krayzies auto installer if in doubt.
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cmiz

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How Softmod Works?
« Reply #1 on: April 24, 2005, 02:42:00 PM »

xbox starts off completely retail, checks DVD drive. if no game, it loads C:\xboxdash.xbe

in a softmodded xbox, update.xbe (a file from somewhere else on the HD) is renamed and put in place of xboxdash.xbe so it is loaded at the start instead of the REAL xboxdash.xbe

the new xboxdash.xbe (really update.xbe) loads the fonts from the fonts folder. these are replaced with specially compiled fonts that cause a buffer memory overflow. after the kernel panic brought on by the overflow, the public key (the thing that makes sure executables are signed by the MS key) is patched to accept anything divisible by 3 (aka 'habibi').

it then points to a new executable (which must be signed with 'habibi'). at this point, usually a kernel patcher or biosloader is run so that anything can be loaded....and the rest is just history.
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SilentBob1638

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How Softmod Works?
« Reply #2 on: April 24, 2005, 04:43:00 PM »

Its permanent (but can be changed anytime). And yes, you can screw your box by installing this. But you can backup your eeprom data, HDD Key and HDD content first. With this information/files you can always "repair" your box.
Installing an audio exploit first to get that backup data should be fine and safe i think (if you have a gamesave exploit use this instead - much faster).
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avatar1

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How Softmod Works?
« Reply #3 on: April 24, 2005, 04:50:00 PM »

QUOTE(mcbeat @ Apr 24 2005, 10:37 PM)
thanx for that, one more dumb question does this do no damage to the xbox i mean over flowing the memory
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cmiz

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How Softmod Works?
« Reply #4 on: April 24, 2005, 07:31:00 PM »

QUOTE(SilentBob1638 @ Apr 24 2005, 04:49 PM)
Its permanent (but can be changed anytime). And yes, you can screw your box by installing this. But you can backup your eeprom data, HDD Key and HDD content first. With this information/files you can always "repair" your box.
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SilentBob1638

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How Softmod Works?
« Reply #5 on: April 24, 2005, 09:37:00 PM »

smile.gif on hdd and doesn't get loose if you shut off or change games.
But right, hardware (beside hdd) isn't changed in any way (if you shut down the box) and everything can be restored to original state (if backup'ed before).
Start with the pinned tutorials in this forum and also look at Krayzies signature, there are some more essentials.
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