Original Xbox

Installing a modchip

Installing a modchip means opening the console and soldering to the motherboard. Mistakes can damage the board. Back up your EEPROM first, confirm your console revision, and work slowly. If your console is a 1.6, the LPC header must be rebuilt before the chip will function.

This page outlines modchip installation at a high level. It applies to boards such as OpenXenium and the Aladdin line, which all attach to the LPC header.

Open and inspect

Disassemble the console to expose the motherboard and locate the LPC header. Back up the EEPROM beforehand if you have not already.
Rebuild the header if needed

On a 1.6 console, add the missing component so the LPC header is fully functional. Other revisions can skip this step.
Mount the chip

Seat and solder the modchip to the LPC header, ensuring every contact is clean and correctly aligned.
Test before reassembly

Power on with the case still open to confirm the chip is recognized and boots, then reassemble once you are satisfied.

Configuring the chip

Once installed, load a trusted BIOS image onto the chip if it did not ship with one, and set your preferred default boot bank. Many chips offer an on-screen menu for switching between stock and modified BIOS images.

Verify before closing up

A quick boot test before final reassembly saves you from reopening the console. Confirm the modified BIOS loads and the dashboard appears.