by chunkhead at Afterdawn


For those looking for my previous Softmod guide, sadly I have abandoned it. Mostly due to my inability to update it and I felt it was a fraction overwhelming. The original guide will be broken up into smaller sections for easier understanding. Please refer to the 'Troubleshooter' for their location.

If you would still like to view the original page, it can be found HERE


What You Need:

* You'll need one of three games...




You can use any version of the original Splintercell (Classic, etc) however the other must be the original. Splintercell is the most stable and you should aim to get this.

* You'll also need a memory card (Original or copy, doesn't matter)





* You need the Softmod files, found HERE

* You need to select the method in which you can transfer the softmod files to the memory card.

a) You can purchase an Action Replay card and transfer it via that. The tutorial for that procedure is found HERE, then come back here to continue the installation.

b) You can use a USB Thumbdrive to make the transfer. That tutorial is found HERE

c) You can transfer the files across via an already modded Xbox. This process is completed via FTP. With a memory card inserted into one of the controllers, the location I:\ should become available. Simply drag the correct folder for your game across to the memory card along with the SID4 installer. If you are unsure how to FTP, simply follow the guide found HERE


Softmodding:

If all has gone well this far, you should now be at your main screen in your Xbox and your memory card inserted into a controller.




You now will want transfer the SID files across to your HDD.

To do this go to the "Memory" screen.

When you get into the Memory menu, click on the memory card (by pressing left on the D-Pad) and select it by pressing A.




When you get into your memory card and find the file, press the right button on your D-Pad to select the file and then choose copy to HDD.




Do this for BOTH files or else the installation will not work/start.
Also ensure that you do not already have a savegame file for the game you are trying to use!

Now that the files have been transferred to the Xbox, put the game in that you are going to use to softmod with (Splinter Cell, Mechassault, 007:AUF).

Each game is different when it comes to how to load linux. Here's the break down:

Splinter Cell: Go to Start Game, click LINUX, and you wont see any check points, but still press A for the Check Points twice. Then the installer should load up. Pics of the process:








Mechassault: Go to Campaign, click Run Linux and that should load the installer. Mechassualt is known to be harder to get the installer loading since it requires a certain edition. Please be sure that when you have 'Run Linux' highlighted, the files description is as follows:
Controls: Normal
Difficulty: Regular
Current Level: Going Down Hard
If that does not show up, then you will have to get a different version or get Splinter Cell or 007.
Pics of the process:




007 - AUF: Go to Load Mission, then select the Xbox Hard Disk option and that should load the installer. Pics of the process:









That's it, you should now be at the Softmod screen.




Firstly, go to 'CREATE EEPROM BACKUP'. If you do not do this step, the installer will NOT let you move on. After you click that, a new menu will come up. In that menu, click 'BACKUP EEPROM'. When that is done, click 'BACK TO MAIN MENU'.




Next, go to 'CREATE MS BACKUP'. This will create a backup of our dash for uninstall purposes and also to allow us to "Dual boot".




Once you are back to the Main Menu, scroll down to 'Install Softmod'.




Click Dual Boot for NTSC or PAL (which ever one is for you, if you do not know, please contact someone for assistance)

Click Knaves Ndure, Open tray = Retail (Means if you turn on your Xbox wit the 'Open' button, your console will boot to the normal MS Dash with no Mod. Used for Xbox Live, etc. If you turn it on with the 'Power' button it will boot modded!)




Choose either the Installation for EvolutionX or UnleashX. For a Novice, I would suggest UnleashX. I personally use UnleashX.




Three messages will pop up. After reading and understanding each, Press A. On the 3rd message, you will get this message: "All requirements pass. Continue Install?" Click Yes. (It has just checked to ensure you have a 5960 Dash)

**NOTE** If this fails, simply follow the tutorial found HERE

After the installation is complete, you will get this message:
"Softmod successfully installed, your virtual eeprom must be patched, after eeprom, now you'll boot to installer". What this means is that your eeprom has been made virtual (Tricks your Xbox) and will be patched (Softmod). Just press 'A'.

Now a new message pops up:
"The installer will now boot to patching system after it is completed, please turn off Xbox and power back on without game disc to finish install."
Click YES. It should go back to the main screen.

Select 'Shutdown' from the menu. The following steps need to be performed quickly...Press the 'Eject' button, remove the disc and press the power button (little one). Your Xbox will now be off again, but with no disc in the drive!

Press and hold the power button. When it boots up, UnleashX will appear with a "Softmod Successful" message. It says that it needs 1 more step to finish the install. PRESS A.




That's it. Softmod installed! Congratulations