Is my Xbox compatible?
Is My Xbox Compatible?
Good news: every Original Xbox can be softmodded. The save-based ENDGAME softmod from the Rocky5 toolkit works on all motherboard revisions, from the earliest 1.0 boards to the final 1.6b. That makes the recommended path universal.
Hardware modifications are more selective. The table below summarizes what each method supports across revisions.
| Method | Revisions supported | Soldering? | Reversible? |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENDGAME softmod recommended | 1.0 - 1.6/1.6b (all) | No | Yes |
| TSOP flash (custom BIOS) | 1.0 - 1.5 only | Sometimes | Limited |
| Modchip (OpenXenium, Aladdin XT/XT Plus2) | 1.0 - 1.6/1.6b | Usually | Yes (removable) |
| HDD upgrade | All revisions | No | Yes |
The key limitation to remember is that 1.6 and 1.6b boards cannot be TSOP flashed, because they use a different flash memory chip that is not writable in the same way. Owners of those boards should use the softmod or a modchip instead.
Before anything else
No matter which method you choose, your very first step is to back up the EEPROM. It contains the unique key tied to your hard drive, and without it a failed mod can leave the console unable to boot. See the EEPROM backup page for details.
If you are unsure which revision you own, see the identifying-revision page before deciding on a method.