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What Is a Modified Xbox?

A modified Xbox is a gaming console that has been altered to allow it to run other types of programs than game code. You can modify both the original Xbox and the Xbox 360 console to some extent, and these alterations can range from simple tweaks to bypass copy-protection schemes to a full replacement of the operating system, turning the machine into a media center or budget computer. The practice of modding an Xbox can make it a versatile part of your home network, but you should understand the possible consequences of altering your game console.

Modding
- There are many different ways to modify an Xbox console. Originally, the practice required physical alterations to the circuit boards inside the unit, a technique best left to those with electronics experience due to the possibility of damaging the console. Less-invasive methods rely on loopholes in game code to force the console to run hacked software, replacing the operating system code in place on the Xbox. Since Microsoft constantly tries to combat this practice, knowing the revision number of your console is important, as a technique that will successfully modify one model might simply render another one unresponsive.
Media Center
- One of the most common types of Xbox modification is the so-called ̶0;Xbox Media Center̶1; or XBMC. This software turns an Xbox into a media player capable of handling many different formats of audio and video, and it can play content from discs or flash drives. You can also store content on the Xbox̵7;s internal hard drive, or stream content from networked sources. XBMC can also pull content from other websites, such as YouTube or Hulu, download programming guides from the Internet, and play a variety of games not originally designed for the console.
Alternative Operating Systems
- Another Xbox modification replaces the Microsoft operating system with another OS, allowing you to perform general computing tasks. The adaptability of Linux makes it an obvious and popular choice for this type of modification, but some hobbyists have installed Windows CE on their Xboxes as well. The chief downside of installing a new operating system is the limited nature of the Xbox̵7;s hardware, preventing the system from running a full-fledged OS, such as Windows XP.
Warnings
- Microsoft strongly disapproves of the practice of modifying an Xbox console for any reason, primarily because it can circumvent the copy-protection software and allow users to run unsigned code. Xbox Live contains programs that can detect modified Xboxes, banning them from the online service. In addition, the practice of modifying an Xbox violates its warranty, so you should consider the possibility of hardware failure before altering your system.

Xbox 360