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What Can Softmod for an XBox Do?

Serious gamers tend to get the most out of their gaming consoles, even if it means making some illegal modifications to the hardware. Xbox users alter their consoles with modification chips, or modchips, to gain some extra perks. However, an easier form of modification known as softmod, or software modification, allows for alterations without ever having to open the Xbox console.

Description
- Softmodding takes advantage of code exploits in certain video games to load a phony game save, which in turn loads a Linux-based operating system onto the Xbox. Once you have the operating system installed, you can modify the Xbox to gain certain benefits, including bonus storage space.
Considerations
- To softmod your Xbox, you must have one of three game titles containing the exploitable code. Any version of "Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell" may be used to softmod an Xbox, as can the original version of "007: Agent Under Fire" or the "Platinum Hits" version of the game with the serial number 1448517. You can also exploit "Mech Assault" with the serial number MS02301L printed on the game CD's inner ring.
Function
- Each Xbox contains enough hard drive space on the E partition to hold 5GB of information, even though most gamers will only need 400MB to accommodate all possible game saves. Softmodding the Xbox allows you to take advantage of all that extra storage space, letting you save pictures, movies, music and whatever else you want on your Xbox. Softmodding also lets you communicate with your Xbox from your PC and lets you boot burned media, such as copies of games and movies.
Benefits
- Unlike installing a modchip, softmodding doesn't require you to modify the Xbox motherboard or to even open the game console. As a result, softmodding is easier, faster and cheaper than using modchips, and softmodding doesn't pose any risk of damaging the Xbox hardware. Several softmodding installation programs also exist, making the process all the easier and eliminating the need for manual installation.
Warnings
- Softmodding violates the Xbox user agreement and voids all warranties. However, you can remove all traces of a softmod to still take advantage of warranty protection. Most standard softmodding techniques will also prevent you from participating online via XBox Live. The Xbox servers can identify most softmodded consoles, resulting in a permanent ban for the user. Some advanced softmodding can circumvent the problem, allowing you to shut down softmodding before venturing online.

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