Gamers who seek to take their gaming experience to a whole new level practice modding their Xbox 360. While this practice gives the console better features, there’s a gray line regarding its legality you need to know before doing it.
This article will guide you through the process of modding your Xbox 360. Let’s get into it!
Is Modifying Your Xbox 360 Illegal?
Modifying your Xbox 360 is not illegal, but you can get permanently banned on the Xbox network. Xbox considers modding cheating, as it causes users to gain an unfair advantage against other players. If you get caught modding, you’ll be banned from accessing other Xbox services.
Modifying your Xbox can also cause it to lose its warranty. Microsoft may refuse to repair it if it gets damaged during modification.
Modding an Xbox can also create security risks and vulnerabilities. This can expose the private information stored in the Xbox, which may lead to unauthorized access and use.
What Does a Modded Xbox 360 Do?
A modded Xbox 360 can let you play games not offered by the Xbox store in your region, create exploits, and add special functions to your games. It can also run emulated games and install custom dashboards and applications. Modding an Xbox 360 also improves the load times of a game.
However, there’s one thing a modded Xbox 360 can do that is highly discouraged – cheating in games. A modded console can give your game character unlimited ammo, health, or in-game currency. Microsoft can permanently ban your account if it detects you’re playing a modded game.
Related Post: What Is a JTAG Xbox?
How to Mod an Xbox 360
To foster innovation, enthusiasts have developed ways to mod an Xbox 360. The Reset Glitch Hack 3 (RGH3) is the newest method of modding an Xbox 360 that requires the installation of wires. Glitch chips are no longer needed.
Mod at your own risk! Modding your Xbox can lead to technical consequences like getting banned ont he Xbox Network.
Here are the tools you need to modify your Xbox 360:
- A Toolkit With Torx Bits. You’ll use this to disassemble your Xbox.
- A Soldering Iron. You need this to install wires into your console’s motherboard.
- Isopropyl Alcohol and Q-tips. To ensure a secure connection, clean your motherboard before soldering wires to it.
- 28-30 AWG Single Core Wrapping Wire. It is sometimes known as Kynar wire and will be used to wire up the diode and resistor.
- Resistor for Phat Motherboard. You’ll need one 22k resistor (Brown, Black, Orange, Yellow).
- Heat Shrink Tubing Set. You’ll use this tubing set to insulate the diode and resistor.
- NAND Readers. NAND Readers can be xFlasher, NAND-X, JR-Programmer, or MTX Flasher. If you have the Raspberry Pi Pico, you must use the latest version of Octal450’s J-Runner with Extras and the latest version of PicoFlasher.
Step 1: Prepare Compatible Console and Tools
The Xbox 360 has various motherboard versions. Some can be modified using RGH3. This article will guide you through modding your Xbox 360 consoles with Phat motherboards.
A Phat motherboard is one of the eight Xbox 360 motherboards released. Jasper and Falcon are compatible with the RGH3 mod.
To check if your Xbox has a Phat motherboard, inspect if it has a Falcon or Jasper power socket.
Step 2: Remove the Motherboard
Carefully remove the motherboard from the console. You must use screwdrivers (flathead and T12 Torx) and a paper clip to disassemble the parts.
Step 3: Solder the NAND Wires
Check the image below to see your motherboard’s solder points.
Phat motherboard solder points for xFlasher 360, NAND-X, JR-Programmer:
Phat motherboard solder points for Pico Flasher:
Step 4: Wire up the Resistor, Then Solder it to the Motherboard
You must put an indicator to the cathode end (black banded) as it goes to a specific point on the motherboard and cannot be interchanged with the opposite end of the diode wire. Using the heat shrink tubing, you can wire up the resistor afterward and insulate both the resistors and diode.
You need to run a resistor wire between the PLL points of the motherboard.
Step 5: Glitch the Console
Put the console in standby mode. Attach the NAND wires to your reader. Connect the reader to your computer.
You need the latest version of Octal450’s J-Runner with Extras on your computer. It is required if you are using Raspberry Pi Pico. You also need to flash your Raspberry Pi Pico with the latest version of PicoFlasher.
Before you start running the program, please make sure that the NAND reader is properly set up. Different NAND readers are available in the market, such as xFlasher, NAND-X, JR-Programmer, MTX Flasher, Raspberry Pi Pico, etc. The methods of setting up the mentioned readers are different from each other. Just follow the product manual.
Step 6: Identify the Console
To identify the console, click the “?” button in J-Runner. If you encounter an error, check your NAND wires before proceeding to the next steps. If you soldered everything successfully, a flash configuration should come up. You should see your motherboard.
Step 7: Read the NAND
Press the “Read NAND” button. The NAND reading happens twice by default. It should have the same results.
Step 8: Create the ECC or XeLL
You have to tick the boxes for Glitch2, RGH3, and 10Mhz (otherwise, select 27Mhz ) under XeBuild after a successful reading of the NAND, then select “Create ECC or XeLL”.
Step 9: Write the ECC or XeLL
Once XeLL has been created, click “Write ECC or XeLL”.
Step 10: Retrieve the CPU Key
To boot into XeLL, unplug your programmer/NAND reader and connect an HDMI/AV cable. Your console should boot into “XeLL Reloaded”, and you should see the CPU key. Write it down or take a photo.
Step 11: Create the XeBuild Image
Type the CPU Key in the “J-Runner with Extras” on your computer, then click “Create XeBuild Image”.
Step 12: Write the NAND
Turn off your console. Connect the NAND reader previously connected to your computer back to the Phat motherboard. If the J-Runner log shows no error after creating the XeBuild Image, click “Write NAND.”
Step 13: Unplug the Nand Reader and Turn on Your Console
Congratulations! You have completed your RGH3 Xbox 360 mod.
Can you use an Xbox One controller on the Xbox 360? Find out here!
Can You Mod an Xbox 360 With a USB?
No, you can’t mod an Xbox 360 with a USB. While the USB modding tool “Horizon” worked before, recent attempts have been unsuccessful. Soldering your console is the best and most effective method for modding an Xbox 360.
The two most common techniques used for console modification are JTAG (Joint Test Action Group) and RGH (Reset Glitch Hack). Both methods require soldering wires into your Xbox’s motherboard for it to read the modification. The RGH3 is one of the latest methods of modding your Xbox 360 console.
