 | This article has multiple issues. Please helpimprove it or discuss these issues on thetalk page.(Learn how and when to remove these messages) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
|
Xbox Linux was a project that ported theLinuxoperating system to theXboxvideo game console. Because the Xbox uses adigital signature system to prevent the public from runningunsigned code, one must either use amodchip, or asoftmod. Originally, modchips were the only option; however, it was later demonstrated that theTSOP chip on which the Xbox'sBIOS is held may be reflashed. This way, one may flash on the "Cromwell" BIOS, which was developed legally (that they claim) by the Xbox Linux project. Catalyzed by a large cash prize for the first team to provide the possibility of booting Linux on an Xbox without the need of a hardware hack, numerous software-only hacks were also found. For example, abuffer overflow was found in the game007: Agent Under Fire that allowed thebooting of a Linux loader ("xbeboot") straight from a save game.
The Xbox is essentially aPC with a custom 733 MHzIntelPentium III[1] processor, a 10 GBhard drive (8 GB of which is accessible to the user), 64MB ofRAM (although on all earlier boxes this is upgradable to 128MB), and 4USB ports. (The controller ports are actually USB 1.1 ports with a modified connector.) These specifications are enough to run several readily available Linux distributions.
From the Xbox-Linux home page:
The Xbox is a legacy-free PC by Microsoft that consists of an Intel Celeron 733 MHz CPU, an nVidia GeForce 3MX, 64 MB of RAM, a 8/10 GB hard disk, a DVD drive and 10/100 Ethernet. As on every PC, you can run Linux on it.
An Xbox with Linux can be a full desktop computer with mouse and keyboard, a web/email box connected to TV, a server or router or a node in a cluster. You can either dual-boot or use Linux only; in the latter case, you can replace both IDE devices. And yes, you can connect the Xbox to a VGA monitor.
An Xbox withLinux installed can act as a full desktop computer withmouse andkeyboard, a web/email box connected to a television, a server, router or a node in a cluster. One can eitherdual-boot or use Linux only; in the latter case, one can replace bothIDE devices. One can also connect the Xbox to aVGA monitor. A converter is needed to use keyboards/mice in thecontroller ports; however this is not difficult, as the Xbox uses standardUSB with a proprietary port.
Currently only a few distributions of Xbox Linux will run on the version 1.6 Xbox (the third newest version, including 1.6b). Xboxes with modchips and theCromwellBIOS installed can run more distributions than those with only a softmod. This is mainly due to issues with the video chip used in version 1.6 Xboxes that was developed exclusively by Microsoft and which has no source code available at this time. This can cause significantoverscan on all four sides of the screen when a differentkernel than the original is loaded.
One of the more popular ways of installing Xbox Linux is through asoftmod, which does not require a modchip to use. The Xbox Linux softmod utilizes a save exploit found in the original run ofMechAssault,Splinter Cell,007: Agent Under Fire, andTony Hawk's Pro Skater 4. The method involves loading a hacked save file transferred to the Xbox's Hard Drive. When the save file is loaded, theMechInstaller is initiated. The Xbox Live option on the dashboard is replaced with the new Linux option after rebooting the system. Another softmod that can be used is thehotswap exploit which will unlock the Xbox hard drive long enough to allow one to modify it.
There is also a way to completely replace the Xbox's stock BIOS with a"Cromwell" BIOS, which is completely legal and is solely for Linux on the Xbox. However, once the TSOP (BIOS chip) is flashed with "Cromwell", the Xbox can no longer play Xbox games or run native Xbox executables (.xbe files, akin to .exe for Windows).
There are several distributions of Xbox Linux,[2] most of which are based on PC Linux distributions.
| Distribution | Description |
|---|---|
| Xebian[3]/Ed's Debian | An Xbox Linux distribution that can install to the Xbox hard drive, or start a live session. A MythTV frontend can be run under Xebian and connect to a separate backend.[3] |
| Gentoox[4] | AGentoo-based distribution, which features the "magic" updater, which allows users to download Xbox-specified packages and updates. |
| X-DSL | A distribution based[5] onDamn Small Linux. |
In June 2003, an Australian hacker group announced a threatening statement that if Microsoft did not release a first-party, signed bootloader for Linux, they would release technology that would allow Linux (and pirated software, etc.) to run on the Xbox without a mod chip.[6][7]
As a result, Microsoft never complied with a request, and the hacker group and also xbox linux project unveiled the concrete steps.[8]
We chose Xebian [...]