XBOX 360 Lite-On Firmware Hack
So I went out and bought an XBOX 360 the other day and the first think I did after opening the box of course, is, I took it apart to have a look at the guts. I purchased the Arcade version of the 360 which came with a Lite-On DVD drive, and so the search began.
Being new to the whole XBOX community I had no idea how to go about modding it so that I can play backup’s and the tutorials on the internet are not very descriptive for a new comer. So I found a few sites with some good information and found all the tools I needed after hours of searching.
So now I’d like to give back to the community and write a very simple easy to understand tutorial, as well as providing you with all of the necessary tools and show you how to flash mod the xbox 360 to play copied games. It should be noted that this is an xbox 360 liteon drive mod and wont work for any of the other DVD drives.
This mod is considered a soft mod for the XBOX 360 and will allow you to mod the xbox 360 without a mod chip. This is done by flashing the firmware of your xbox 360 dvd-drive.
Required Software:
- ixtreme_15.rar – Download this file, it has everything we need in it. Thanks to ixtreme we can save ourselves a lot of time.
Required Hardware:
- A PC with an available SATA port as well as a COM ( DB-9 / Serial ) port.
- TX Probe, Scroll down for a schematic on how to build one, or pay me $20.00 and I’ll send you one.
Prerequisites:
- Disassemble the XBOX 360 and take out the DVD Drive – Look for a tutorial on YouTube
There are 4 Steps to this tutorial, they are:
- Building The TX Probe ( approximately 30 min. depending on experience )
- Preparing Your XBOX 360 DVD Drive ( approximately 15 min. depending on experience )
- Key Dumping ( approximately 5 min. depending on experience )
- Flashing ( approximately 5 min. depending on experience )
Total Time:
- Disassemble XBOX 360 — 30 min
- Follow My Tutorial — 55 min
- Reassemble XBOX 360 — 20 min
- Playing Any Game You Want — Timeless !!
Building The TX Probe:
For your convenience I have hyperlinked all the parts back to their respective Radio Shack links.
TX Probe Schematic
Parts List:
- 1 x 10K Ohm Resistor
- 1 x 1K Ohm Resistor
- 1 x NPN Transistor (2N2222)
- 1 x Female DB-9 Connector
- 1 x Male Molex Connector
- 1 x Probe, from a multimeter would be fine.
Tools List:
Optional ( To Make It Look Nice ):
- Enclosure
- PC Board
(All of these parts should be readily available at Radio Shack)
Note: Don’t want to build one yourself ? or can’t seem to do it right ? Purchase one from me. I’m selling them for $40.00 each.
Click The Button to add it to the cart [wp_eStore:product_id:5:end]
Preparing The XBOX 360 DVD Drive:
Before we can do anything else we need to make sure that the XBOX 360′s DVD drive is half open. To do this push the eject button on the XBOX and after the drive is fully open remove the connection cable from the back of the drive and then push the tray until it is half open. DO NOT RECONNECT THE CABLE YET.
Before we reconnect the cable we need to remove pin 3. This pin controls the opening / closing of the tray. With this pin removed the XBOX will not be able to eject or close the drive tray.
Now that we have the DVD drive set the way we want we can move on to the next step.
Key Dumping:
Connect your XBOX 360′s DVD drive via the SATA cable to your computers SATA port and power on your drive. If you are powering your drive from the XBOX 360, then make sure that you removed Pin 3 from the connection cable before turning the 360 on.
Assuming that you’ve already downloaded ixtreme_1.5.rar we can move right along and open up jungleflasher.exe which you can find in the JungleFlasher .26 BETA folder within the folder that has the extracted contents of ixtreme_1.5.rar
Probing TX Point
- Go to the DVDKey32 tab and go through the I/O ports until you see the info for your liteon drive under drive properties.
- Make sure your drive is ejected and pushed in half way. Select your COM port, connect your TX Probe and probe to the Tx (R707) point while pressing the Get Key Button.
- Save all the files to a folder
Note: If you get an error saying your hardware isn’t working. check over the adapter make sure everything is correct. try testing it with a multimeter. If all else fails, you may need to buy/build a “proper” max232/max3232 adapter.
If the above step worked, dump the key another two times just to be sure you get the same key! and SAVE ALL THE BIN FILES TO A DISK OR USB STICK – THIS IS YOUR BACKUP LIFELINE.
- Go to the FirmwareTool32 tab and click Load From Dump Files.
- Select the files you saved previously, and chose where to save the dummy.bin
- Click Open Target Firmware and select ix15-liteon.bin which you extracted from ixtreme_1.5.rar. It should show YOUR KEY in the box
- Press Spoof Source to Target and save your CFW.bin
You should now have the keys dumped, and your new firmware spoofed. We can now proceed to the next and final step.
Flashing:
Now that we have everything prepared, we can flash the firmware of the DVD drive. Up until now we have not modified anything on the DVD drive. If you want you can put your XBOX 360 back together right now and it will still work.
Although its almost impossible to brick your drive with this method, there’s still that 1% chance that something can go wrong. Please know that I am not responsible for what happens to your 360. If you don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself then scroll down to the bottom and read my instructions for sending me your XBOX 360 so that I can do the mod for you.
- Turn your DVD drive off and then back on, then go to the MTK Flash 32 tab. select the sata port which displays the info for your liteon.
- Press Lite-On-Erase.
- Once you see the “…” quickly turn your drive off and back on.
- When that’s finished it should display xx72 and some flash information. this means your drive is ready to be flashed!
- Click the Write button. It should flash and verify all 4 sectors. if all goes well you are done!
Hopefully just as with my other tutorials, you have enjoyed this one or at least found it useful or helpful. Well as always if I left something out or there’s something I could simplify then leave me a comment and I’d be happy to edit the tutorial.
Purchase TX Probe:
$40.00 is all it will cost you, the TX Probe is required for Flashing Lite-On DVD drives since the drives keys need to be dumped and spoofed.
Just click the Add To Cart Button and checkout. [wp_eStore:product_id:5:end]
Purchase XBOX 360 Mod:
$50.00 Flat Fee To Mod ANY Version of the XBOX 360
Price Includes, MODDING of 360′s DVD Drive, CD containing your DVD Drives Orginal Firmware, Key, Identify and Inquiry .bin files, and one (1) backup game of your choice!
NOTE: Your Xbox360 will have to be opened to apply the hack which WILL VOID your Warranty if you have one, or you can take the Warranty sticker off under the faceplate (some are small and silver, others are a big white/green square)
I offer no compensation or guarantee for you voiding your warranty while trying to take it off, by getting me to mod your console you accept that your warranty(If still valid and not removed) WILL BE VOIDED!
How To Order:
Leave me a comment with your e-mail address and I’ll send you a payment link with a ship to address and instructions.
XBOX 360 Modding FAQ:
Q: Can my 360 be flashed back to its original unmodded state?
A: YES! When you get your 360 flashed by me, I will give you a CD which contains the DVD drives original Firmware for that very reason! Please keep the CD safe and don’t lose it.
Q: Do you offer a guarantee or replace my 360 if you break it?
A: No I offer no guarantee, but if your 360 gets messed up while flashing, I will replace it free of charge.
Q: Once my xbox 360 is modded, is there any way I can accidentally brick, break or ruin my xbox 360 or the MOD(or hack) will mess up or ruin my xbox 360?
A: NO. The MOD (or hack) is applied to the DVD drive itself, nothing inside the 360(Mainboard, CPU, GPU, etc) is touched. The MOD is a “Firmware” hack and its physically impossible for it to ruin/brick/mess up your Xbox 360.
Q: Can I play on Xbox LIVE without getting banned?
A: YES! The latest hacked firmware (iXtreme 1.51) offers excellent protection from getting banned from Xbox LIVE. There is always a risk of getting banned, but the chances are very low. You can safely play Wave 3 games now without worry of being banned! There is always a risk of getting banned, but the chances are very low. You can only be banned from playing an improperly burned game or someone who is inexperienced and flashed your xbox wrong.
Q: Do you offer compensation if I get banned from Xbox LIVE?
A: NO. I offer no guarantee/compensation of ANY kind if you get banned from XB LIVE.
Q: Is this LEGAL?
A: YES. Having backups of games is LEGAL if you own the original copy. See legal Disclaimer below…
Legal Disclaimer-
Copying or downloading games that you have not legally purchased or own is illegal in all countries. This violates not only laws in your own country, but international copyright laws as well. The purpose of the firmware hack is for making backup copies of games that you legally own. Software piracy is illegal carries a huge penalty if convicted, is ethically wrong, and hurts the game companies. Support the game developers by purchasing the games you play. You wouldn’t work for free would you? I am offering a SERVICE to those who cannot make backups of the games they legally own. I am not charging money for the game, but for materials, wear and tear on our dvd burners and for making the backup. Chris Fletcher is not affiliated with ANY of the companies, Microsoft, Xbox 360 or any others.
lol, just happened to be sitting in front of the computer
I purchased the Arcade version of the 360 which came with a Lite-On DVD drive, can i flash the lite-on drive with an intel ICH7 chipset without the need for TX Probe?
syncler,
What firmware version is it ?
Chris
I would like to have my liteon dive flashed. I have the elite. I have already taken the drive out of the xbox. Can you help?
Terrence,
I sent you an email with instructions.
Chris
I also have a Lite-on xbox 360 drive, any way i could get some help on modding it? I also purchased a PCI serial ATA & Ultra ATA Controller Card, i was told that was needed?
I will be purchasing an xbox within the next couple of weeks and I wanted to find out if this connectivity will work for the liteon 7xxxxx and/or 8xxxxxx
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230352575243
I’m assuming the new xbox elites will have one of these firmware versions. I understand that I don’t need the probe for the 8xxx FW version but wanted to make sure this kit would work for either FW version.
Brandon, Have you tried to follow the tutorial ?
El Lobo, It should work, and yes you are right in thinking that you don’t need a probe for the 8xxx FW
Im trying to figure out why i would need a ck3 to flash my xbox liteon, is it the power hook up issue? the probe i understand and may want to buy one from you or if you could supply the specs would be great too. but my understanding so far from researching this idea all day today and night is that the ck3 idea is really just the ability to hook it up to your computer so that you can power it up? correct? if not then please advise. now the probe i am unclear as to how this is wired in or for that matter works? i understand why it is used im just unclear if the ck3 is necessary for use with the probe? or vice versa.
is one dependent on the other? is the ck3 needed for the probe? or can you pull all of this off with just the probe? and of course a power source.
Please help, I am working on this for a friend, who just purchased one with the intent of performing this exact measure. after all day, it would seem you are the only person i could find that actually made some sense, and would appear to be reliable.
thanks
Jeff,
If you purchase the probe only then you’ll need to use the power supplied by the xbox 360 to power your drive while extracting the key. There are 2 types of probes, one with a USB connection and one with a serial connection. I haven’t used the USB one and have had no failures with the serial one.
The probe is required only to extract the key from the drive and only if the drive hasn’t been previously flashed. If the drive was flashed previously with a version of iXtreme then you will not need a probe.
I believe the CK3 kit contains a power connector and probe so that you do not have to use the xbox 360 to power your drive, but either way should work.
Hope this helps, let me know if you have any other questions..
Chris
where are you doing these mods at, as i tend to be leary of sending someone i dont kno my xbox.
I am in AZ and I do them out of my home.
Is it possible to flash a new lite-on logic board w/ the key from a bad logic board using the original firmware, not ixtreme?
Provided that you have the key, it should work.
Chris,
will this work with the liteon 9 series drive ? what will be different ?
Thanks for the great tutorial !
Are you able to remove the new warranty stickers without voiding warranty?
Send Payment link and shipping info please.
On your homemade probe what do I connect the ground to? the case around the 9pin plug or a jumper wire to conect to the xbox
Brandon,
I usually use the PC case, but anywhere that there is a good ground connection should work
Ernie,
Sorry for the late response, been pretty busy. I sent you an email to your msn email address with instructions.
Chris
question…..
i do repairs mod and custom case for 360 and wii’s and ds’s
had a customer from three hours away drive to me and drop off 7 360′s
he owns his own game store selling new and refurbed units
during our convo i learned modding aka flashing drives is illeagal as the firmware is illeagal!
so got online researched plenty of my fav forums and found post of why and how and even people copy and pasting the legal documents covering microsofts legal disclaimers!
in short i was wondering if you knew something i didnt becasue i was thinking about stopping what im doing here in pa and just sticking to the repairs
please respond back to my email as i will probably forget to get back on here to check
Alright, great tutorial man!
i only have 1 small problem, they only transistor i could find is a nexxtech.
This B C E diagram you have i cannot compare it to my transistor.
but, on the back of my pacage of the transistor it shows 1 3 2.
1 = input. 2 = output. 3=gnd.
making the middle prong, out of the 3, the gnd, and they others are an input and a output.
so i just dont know where to solder what to!? lol
would anyone be able to help me with this.
it would be greatly appreciated!
thank you very much,
Chris N
Chris,
The B C E stands for Base, Collector, Emitter, respectively. If your transistor has Input, Output and Ground then I would say that the B would be your ground the C would be your input and the E would be your output. I could be wrong, feel free to correct me.
Chris
you seem like you know your stuff my question is simple
my 360 is already modded and has already been banned i bought it cheap that way but it works fine
my question is:
certain games require an update to play for example FF13
if i update it will my modded system be ruined????
hello chris i was kinda stumped on this. i got jungle flasher 1.5 and was having problems with portio32 says its not compatiable.so i got new jungle flasher 1.72.and im still having this problem.ran under administrator.program came up but it said no device found and portio64 was not installed i gotmy xbox plug via sata grounded and i made the probe just dont know where to plug it in to one of the white clips on to the 3 way plug plz help thanks in advance
omar,
I have yet to see a mod break because of an update, you should be safe.
Chris
Josh,
What version of Windows are you using? If its Windows 7, try right clicking on the jungle flasher application and click on properties, then go to compatibility and try to run it with Windows XP compatibility mode.
Also, what’s the model of the drive you are using?
Chris
ok i manually installed portio64 to syswow64 driver folder.it now says portio64 installed but still no device.my xbox drive is a lite-on first version 8 series.oh and im using windows vista.i already disabled driver signature and tryed to switch from raid to ide but i think that bios section is locked.someone was telling me that my chipset wasnt able to flash.its a amd 780g and my southbridge is ati sb700.thanks for quick response.
My xbox 360 has been flashed, I had somebody flashed for me it but now it time for it to be updated with latest firmware. I don’t know what version it has. do the console have to cracked open again to get the latest firmware. I know it has a Phillips lite-on drive. It no longer play my burned games.
plz help i still baffled on how this works first time
I just purchased a 360 Arcade unit that was manufactured on December 20, 2009. I’m assuming it has the Lite-On drive as all new models do. I do not live in the US and it would be a fortune for shipping, but I learn quickly.
The only question I have is with the probe. To clarify, can I just hook-up the Lite-on drive directly to my computer or are the power connectors different, thus recquiring a kit? What is El Lobo referring to when the 8.xxxxxx FF does not need the probe? Does it need a different kit (above link has expired)?
Is this the correct software for the new units? A local modder told me that Xbox units manufatured in August 2009 or later requires a Full Firmware Dump and the iXtreme firmware. What does he mean and is this different from the above process? It sounds like the same thing to me.
Thanks
how do i connect and disconnect pin 3?do i connect/solder the ground?connect bd 9 to my computer? how about the molex can i just splice to the molex on my computer? other options on powering my drive thanks!! also can i get mine done buy you?
Wondering if u have a usb solution to this probe set up dont have a db9 connector in my computer
hello chris i was wondering how much do you charge to flash my xbox 360 lite on drive because i have no clue how to do it
and i do buy games jus want to have back ups jus in case i lose one or gets scratched thanks
hey chris i m intesteed in sending you my xbox 360 for modding here is my email sernaflorentino@yahoo.com
,Uku
please answer me chris !!!
tino,
Sorry, I don’t mod 360′s anymore.
Chris
Mathew,
There are USB solutions out there, just do a google search. I am no longer doing any 360 modding. Trying to focus more on software development at this point.
Chris
a_slick2001,
The only way I know that you can find out for sure is to use jungleflasher to get the firmware version, you shouldn’t need a probe or anything.
Chris
steve armijo,
You can bend the plastic up that is holding pin 3 in place. Use a small flat head screw driver for that. As far as powering the drive, you can’t just use a regular 4 pin molex, you have to use a SATA power connector, it requires the orange wire in addition to the yellow, red and black wires.
Chris
mic,
The tutorial should work for you with this model. Let me know if you run into any issues and I will try to help the best I can.
Chris
I’ve somehow managed to fry my liteon dg-16d2s. I was attempting to power it from the xbox, but while the drive was connected to the computer with the SATA. I saw sparks just below the TX point on the picture above. I was not able to extract my key data, so my brand new as of today may now be useless. Do you have any advice? I understand if I desolder the chip I may be able to have someone extract the data or perhaps I could replace the blown components, it looks like perhaps capacitors and resistors.
Pete,
If something fried, most likely you will not be able to do on board repair. Does the drive still function with retail discs?
Chris
Hi Chris! Awesome guide but with my limited knowledge I’d love to have you help me and pay for it instead =). Please contact me. Thanks!
Forgot to mention I’m in AZ as well. I’d be happy to drop off/pick up, just let me know. Thanks!
Yea… I’m a n00b and will need you to do the mod for me. Please send info. Thank you in advance.
Scott,
Sorry but I no longer offer those services.
Chris
Hello Chris, are you still selling the tx probe? or at least have a photo of it completed, because I bought the supplies but can not figure out how or where everything goes, I am new to this sort of thing.
Thank you very much for any help, have a great day!
Henry,
Sorry, I am not selling it anymore and I don’t have a picture other then the schematic that you can use as guidance.
Chris