Since its debut in November 2001, the Xbox has boomed.  Since 2005, Microsoft has made a continuing edition of the Xbox: the Xbox 360.  The Xbox 360 has become very popular because of its amazing storage, audio and video capabilities.  Since the console has become so popular, people have resorted to “modding” the device.

Modding is a slang term for “modify”.  Many users mod their Xbox in order to make it last longer and run better.  With its 90-day warranty, users feel as if they need to take extra means of modifying their Xbox 360.  However, modding an Xbox will cancel the warranty.  Also, modifying an Xbox will prevent the user from connecting to Xbox Live.  The reason is because the user violated Xbox Lives’ Terms of Use.

There are four methods of modifying an Xbox.  The first technique is the modchip.  Installing this item will bypass the original BIOS.  A hacked BIOS is used to circumvent the security mechanisms.  The second method is TSOP (Thin Small-Outline Packages) flashing.  Flashing is usually completed using a uniquely crafted gamesave to flash the onboard TSOP.  However, the TSOP can be de-soldered and re-written as an EEPROM programmer.

Softmods are another way to modify an Xbox.  The user installs additional software files to the hard drive.  This exploits programming errors in the Dashboard in order to gain control.  It also overwrites the in-memory copy of the BIOS.  This technique is considered safe for Xbox Live if the installer uses multi-booting with the Microsoft dashboard.  An original game disc must also be used.

The last most common method is hot swapping.  This technique uses a computer in order to change the data on the hard drive.  Xbox must unlock the hard drive when turned on.  From there, the powered hard drive is put onto a running computer.  Using Linux-based Live CD’s, data can be read on the hard drive and altered or deleted as desired.  Automated scripts will automatically install softmods directly to the Xbox hard drive in most cases.  Hot swapping has been known to b used for cheating on online games.  The warranty of the Xbox will be void because the user needs to dismantle the device in order to perform hot swapping.

The advantage of modding an Xbox is that the user can play backup games.  They can also be downloaded from BitTorrent or other online torrents.  The games are usually cheaper, too.  If modding an Xbox, users suggest using only VERBATIM CD’s.