Will Be Flashing Samsung Next Weekend - Looking For Advice

[Marinz]

Hi,

I am new to these forums but long time xbox (modded) user. I have read a lot of flashing the 360 and understand what needs to be done but I have some basic questions - looking for suggestions from people that have already done this as with all that I have read on the various forums there seems to be a lot of opinions - so I am looking for feedback as to what they actually have done.

My questions are as follows:

1) I know xtreme3.3 is the latest version but is this the best / recommended version? I have read some people having problems having backups recognized which appeared to work fine with older versions - however I also see people having similar proplems regardless of the firmware version. So I am looking for opinions based on experience as to what the best xtreme firmware version is to install. I am currently planning 3.3 as it is the latest but looking for suggestions.

2) The hack guide says to gound the 360 to the pc using croc clips. I have aliigator clips (same thing) but they are pretty small - meaning I don't see how I could use a clip to connect both cases unless I run a wire between them. So I am wondering what people used to create the common ground as well as if there is a specific location on the 360 to connect to. I understand the issue with the 360 having a floating ground while a pc has an earth ground and the difference in reference voltage - so I understand why this is recommended but I am looking for the best / easiest way to accomplish this. I read on another forum that someone actually used jumper cables! I know that would work but seems like overkill - so if you could let me know what you used to create the common ground it would be appreciated.

3) I believe the answer is yes, but since the latest xsam360 came out before xtreme3.3 I just want to make sure - does xsam360 (0.4) work with xtreme3.3?

Thanks!

[Marinz]

One other thing. I am not sure if I have an MS25 or an MS28 (I got the console - replacement - in June with a manufacture date of 4/11/06). I ordered the PCI card that will work with both but this is what I am planning to do to make sure it is succesful. Again if anyone has any additional tips or suggestions they would be greatly apprecaited.

1) Dump the original firmware 3 times (different name each time). The reason being so I can use a program like windiff or some other file compare to compare each firmware to make sure they are identical (assuring it is at least dumping the same data each time).

2) Load one of the original firmware dumps into a hex editor and make sure a valid key appears.

3) Use xsam360 to create the new / patched firmware.

4) Load the patched firmware into a hex editor and make sure the key matches that of my original dump.

5) Write the hacked firmware.

6) Dump the hacked firmware.

7) Again use windiff (or similar program) to compare the hacked firmware created by xsam360 to that of my dump. If they are identical then I know it wrote the hacked firmware correctly.

8) Test with an original to verify it still works.

I am not sure of any method to actually validate the original dump (my main concern) but figure this is the best way to make sure it is dumping the same thing each time to help ensure I do have a valid dump in case I run into problems and more importantly have my drive key in case anything goes wrong.

So again, if anyone has any other suggestions or advice to make sure the original firmware dump and hacked firmware write are successful please let me know, and again, thanks!

[hanz]

Currently, i've flashed 5 samsung 360's using USB Autoflasher 3.2. No big a difference to 3.3. Also, you dont have to **** about with hex editing with the drive key, as it does it all for you. Just set ur bios to boot from usb device, plug in USB pen and boot to dos, as it has dos boot files, and away you go. Just select the version for the chipset u have i.e Nforce4 or via, etc.

By, the way its only compatible with M25 drives, not the 28.

I used 5 croc clips connected to the metal bits on the 360 to the Hd casing, etc on the pc to ground it.

[Marinz]

I used 5 croc clips connected to the metal bits on the 360 to the Hd casing, etc on the pc to ground it.

Thanks for the fast reply! Just to make sure I understand, did you set the 360 right next to the pc then have one side of the croc clip on the 360 and the other on the pc case? That's how it sounds but just wanted to make sure.

I got a pack of 4 alligator clips so perhaps I can just do the same - I need to look at it once I have the 360 apart and next to the pc to see if the clips I have are big enough to do that.

I won't know if I have an MS25 or MS28 until I open the 360 which is why I was planning on use mktflash / xsam360 as I know you can use that for both.

[hanz]

Thanks for the fast reply! Just to make sure I understand, did you set the 360 right next to the pc then have one side of the croc clip on the 360 and the other on the pc case? That's how it sounds but just wanted to make sure.

I got a pack of 4 alligator clips so perhaps I can just do the same - I need to look at it once I have the 360 apart and next to the pc to see if the clips I have are big enough to do that.

I won't know if I have an MS25 or MS28 until I open the 360 which is why I was planning on use mktflash / xsam360 as I know you can use that for both.

Yeah, i set the 360 next to the PC and had one end of the clip connected to the metal bits on the 360 and the other end connected the pc. 5 in total i use to be safe, but 4 will be okay.

Just check the drive as it will say if its a MS25 or 28. Be warned though, the 28's are awkward bastards. You never know, it might be a Hitachi inside. My friend bought a brand new one last week and it was a hitachi. Those are piss easy to do with the connectivity kit.

[Marinz]

Thanks again for the fast response. I do know it is a hitachi by the tray type. I had a hitachi originally and due to m$ stellar quality control it of course broke - but my replacement is a TS.

The manufacture date is very close to when the MS28's started showing up so it's a coin toss at this point. I know the MS28's can be a real pain to flash but read up quite a bit about them (bad flash recovery) so know how to flash it if it is. I am hoping it is an MS25 to make it easier but with the SATA/PCI card I ordered it will work with both just in case.

I just made my keys to open to back of the console tonight (following the guide using the top part of a cd spindle) so I have everything I need - except the SATA/PCI card which will be here Monday.

Thanks again!

[tashmeister]

I used SAM with very poor results, and in the end found hex editing manualy the best way.

[babb_z]

If you know how to use a hex editor then use it. Seen far too many failures from these autopatchers.

[hanz]

If you know how to use a hex editor then use it. Seen far too many failures from these autopatchers.

True, if your familair with hex editing then use a hex editor, yet i swear by autoflasher 3.2, as i've done 5 sammys with no complaints and including my own.

[wargames]

hi i did my samsung ms28 yesaday with the help from ash2006

did not use any clip just a old cdrom for the ide chanel

so ask him for what to do ok

just going to test it now

i used X360SAM0.2_MS28v1 that and it did everything for me

:)