Tag Archives: xbox

Xbox Media Center for only $25

xbmc

So, with our new arrangement of furniture and the incoming big-screen plasma/LCD, I decided I need another Xbox running XBMC – one will stay upstairs hardwired to the network, the other will be connected to the LCD/plasma and be hooked into the network wirelessly. My first one I used a modchip, but the art of softmodding has come a long way so I thought I’d try it. Since I already had a working Xbox, I went looking for a “broken” Xbox whose DVD drive didn’t work. I could just swap my working one in, do the softmod, and then just use it as a networked media center.

I posted on Craigslist looking for a “broken” but bootable XBox and found one for $25 which included all cables, 2 wired controllers, and one wireless controller. What a deal – though I did have to drive 18 miles both ways to pick it up. The softmod requires an original version of 007, MechAssault, or Splinter Cell so I asked a coworker (whom I know owns an Xbox) if he happened to have one of those games and he has two of them! I borrowed those and off I went.

I downloaded “Softmod Installer Deluxe” which contained the softmod installer and the hacked savegames. You’ll also need the Action Replay software for Xbox so that you can get the savegames on your Xbox. Along with that, you need a USB adapter that goes in your Xbox controller port. Luckily, my modchip came with one so I didn’t have to hack a controller and make one.

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Mastering the Xbox Controller

I’m proud of my daughter for many things. She’s smart, polite, kind, loving, and she plays well with others (just to name a few). Here’s one more thing that makes me proud.

The other day she wanted to play a game on the Xbox while I was on the computer so I threw in the Wallace and Gromit game and tried to get something done real quick before she got stuck and needed help. She really hadn’t figured out the controller yet – it takes a lot of coordination to use an Xbox controller when you’re four.

After a few minutes I realized she hadn’t asked for help yet so I turned around in my seat (the TV is behind me when I’m sitting at the computer), and lo and behold, she had figured out the controller. Just like that. I watched her run Gromit up to a platform and easily jump right up. I kept watching and it was blatantly obvious she had finally gotten the hang of it.

I am so proud.