Released a software that allows the mounting, with some limitations, of a "normal" hardisk on the Xbox 360
HDD Hacker for Xbox 360
TheSpecialist has recently released version 0.82b of its tool to use a normal SATA hard disk instead of the original one of the xbox360. The only limitation is the capacity: 20 Gb.
This limitation is due to the fact that Microsoft currently only mounts 20 gb HD and to perform this replacement operation it is necessary to copy sectors 16 to 22 from the original hard disk and copy them to the replacement HDD, sectors that indicate to the console the data needed to recognize the hard disk. as if it were a Microsoft original, including the capacity.
The tool works in dos environment and in the new version there is the undo function, to allow the hard disk to be usable again from the PC. Currently the tool works ONLY on Western Digital Scorpio BEVS hard drives.
On the next page the instructions in English.
Instructions and downloads
HDDHackr
what:
This tool will allow you to use HDD's that are not 'certified' by Microsoft. This specific tool is written for use with the Western Digital BEVS series only!
How to use:
Get yourself a Western Digital SATA BEVS HDD. To use this tool, you need a HDD security sector file ('hddss.bin'). If you don't have one, here's how to create one from a valid xbox 360 HDD:
* Dumping the hddss.bin file *
Boot to dos from a writeable medium (like a floppy). Connect an * original * xbox 360 HDD to your SATA controller. Make sure it is the only SATA device that is connected. Now run 'hddhackr -d'. This will create a file 'hddss.bin' and it will save it to the path you've started the hddhackr from.
* Modding your Western Digital *
Now turn off your PC and connect the Western Digital and boot to dos again.
Type 'hddhackr -f' from the same path you have saved the hddss.bin file to.
This will flash your FW. It will ask if you want to create an undo file. It is advised to do so. This will create an 'undo.bin' file that you need if you want to undo the hack.
* Check if it worked *
Shut down your pc, reboot again to dos and again type 'hddhackr -f'. It should now tell you that the drive should work in your x360. If so, connect it to your x360 and go to your dashboard / system / memory where you should be able to format the drive.
* Restoring your WD to original state *
If you don't want to use your modded WD in your x360 anymore and you want to flash it back to its original size, then you can now do so. Boot to dos again and run 'hddhackr -u'. This will use the undo.bin file you created before to restore the drive to its original state.
FAQ:
Q. Will this tool allow me to connect a 500 gb drive to my x360?
A. No. The information on sector 16 is signed and can't be changed. You can only use size where you have a valid signature for. In otherwords, if a bigger HDD comes out, you can use that signature.
Q. With which HDD's does this work?
A. It should work with * ALL * Western Digital HDD's from the Scorpio BEVS series.
Q. Do I need the same size WD HDD as the size on sector 16 states?
A. No. You can use bigger HDD's, but you can't use more than the size stated in sector 16. You can NOT use smaller HDD's than the size on sector 16 states. For example, you can use a 40 GB HDD with a sector 16 from a 20 GB HDD, but not the other way around of course.
Q. Can I use the HDD in my PC again?
A. Of course. The tool comes with an 'undo' option, that will restore the original size. For example, you use a 40 gb WD HDD, you used hddss.bin from a valid xbox 20 gb HDD, so the tool will transform your 40 GB HDD into a 20 gb HDD. However, you can restore it to 40 gb anytime you want with the undo option.
Q. I have a x360 core version and want to use this hack to buy a cheap HDD.
But how do i connect it?
A. If you don't have a premium, you can make the HDD internal. One great tutorial that will show you how to do this:
Forums Xbox-scene.com
Q. The tool doesn't detect my HDD!
A. First, make sure you are running it from dos, not from a dos box under windows. Then, try playing with the SATA / RAID settings in your bios. Not all SATA controllers are supported. I use a VIA controller, which works perfectly. However my tool fails to see my Promise controller.
Q. Could you do this for my Seagate, Maxtor, Samsung or whatever drive too?
A. Yes, but I don't have plans to do so. The cheapest WD drive (40 gb) ships for about $ 50 and thus is one of the cheapest. It is a lot of work to convert this tool for usage with other brands and I don't think it is worth the trouble.
Q. So how do I get my 80 GB WD HDD working as 80 GB in my x360?
A. There are 2 options: wait for a release by MS, so you can use that sector 16 (or hope that the rumors that they ARE out there already are true) OR wait for the kernel to be hacked. These are the only 2 options.
Q. Where can I donate?
A. Nowhere. Just enjoy
Thanks to: Team MODFREAKz for his initial logic board experiments, Loser for his findings on the sector 16 and everybody else at XBH.
Source: xbox360-tribe.org
