FINALLY: I'm getting an XBOX..now what?

[Big Country]

Originally Posted by Neipas02

I'd trust Team Xecutor over the Spider Chip, They definately have more history to backup their product. Spider is still new and iffy.

I agree. The spider chip is new and who knows if it's worth a damn. Xecutor has been around for awhile and they have had time to work out any bugs. I have the solderless Xenium Ice in my 1.3 and it is great when it works. Some days it works, some days it doesn't. I am having it soldered in after the holidays and a 200gb drive installed. Even if you don't move the Xbox around the solderless is still iffy (I so stold that word). I think it's worth the extra $30 to have it soldered in. Your best bet is to stick with a brand you know.

[ajmi982]

i think ill just go with an X3 and attempt the soldering myself. However, I have NEVER soldered before.

what tools do i need? where do i get them? how much will they cost? how hard is it?

[Neipas02]

Well when it comes to soldering I hear a soldering iron works pretty well.. Or so i'm told.. And solder is also rumored to work well with the iron, who knew?

Anyway I think a smaller tip would be good.. The guys will tell you what size to get.. I really don't remember the gauge.

http://www.aaroncake.net/electronics/solder.htm
There's a link that goes over the basics.. Also I suggest you practice quite a bit before you go at your box. Even if the xbox isn't as difficult as the ps2 it still isn't a cakewalk to a virgin solderer.. You may get frustrated easily if you don't get a feel for it.. Get some scrap wire strip the end and practice coating it with solder.. and make it look as pretty as you can..

Wait for the other guys to throw in their two cents. I'm sure they can give you plenty of tips.

Oh and sorry about the sarcasm.. just got off work.. and I realized I hate my life

[ajmi982]

hahha, we all hate something....

i hope some people give me some more ideas, I love fidling around and would really like to do the xbox myself.


im more concerned with getting the proper materials, gauge, wattage, an iron that ppl use and recommend, all that important info.


cant wait to hear responses, im gettin excited haha.


also, still no confirmation on chip? X3?? X-Bit??

[Neipas02]

Welp.. If you're limiting your choices to those two i'd go with the X3.. A lot of guys on here waited for its release to mod their boxes..

This is a quote from an installer from this site
http://www.copying-xbox-games.com/tu...ialid=00000027

I recommend 30 watts at the absolute maximum. Most people use low wattage irons in the 15 to 20 watt range. I have always used 30 watt irons, and while the iron may be just a bit too hot, it seems to work great for me. Also, you want to make sure that your soldering iron has a fine tip point. I think the finer the tip the better. My low watt, fine-tip, soldering iron was about $10. As for solder, I use .022 diameter radio shack solder. It is silver bearing solder, with a Rosin core (62/36/2). You can buy a 1.5 oz spool for about $2 at Radio shack

Hope that helps.. Doesn't really specify the tip but I think if it looks too big it probably is.. Keep in mind that you're working with small solder points.

[Neipas02]

Sorry for the double post but this is a much better link than the previous one.

http://www.chipzone.com/installation/soldertips.cfm

This guy has specifics on everything including prep.

A few of those like the thicker strander wire apply to PS2 chips.

15 watt soldering iron with fine tip
0.10 mm solder tip (this is very small)
30 or 35 awg kynar or similar wire
Thicker stranded wire for 3.3v, 5v and GROUND: 22 awg or similar
flux paste to help soldering
De-solder braid
A safety razor blade & Blue Tack to hold the blade in place
toothbrush

Read the page for more info, hope that helps

[ajmi982]

MAYBE i should just go SolderLESS and use the new XAdapt3r from TeamXecuter when it finally gets sold at Divineo. Then I can just snap it all into place, my xbox wont be gettin moved around anyway and they say they have a win win solution for all versions of XBOX including v1.6 for their X3 to make it solderLESS.

www.teamxecuter.com

think that will be ok? (the cost of the adapter will prolly be the same cost of getting flux, iron, de-solder.....)