Xbox:BIOS Features

This page lists some major differences between each BIOS. A large chart displaying the differences between each BIOS can be found here. A similar chart for each debug BIOS can be found here.

You can check the MD5 hash of any BIOS against this list of hashes.

EvoX M8+ / EvoX M8+ 1.6
Pros:


 * Boots fast


 * 256KB size (fits all TSOPs and modchips)


 * In Game Reset (IGR) button combination


 * Customizable boot animation colors


 * Works with 1.6/1.6b Xboxes

Cons:


 * Reconfiguring requires editing the .bin file with EVTool and then reflashing.


 * Does not support 128MB RAM


 * Does not support LBA48 by default. Must be reconfigured with EVTool, or use a pre-patched version


 * Does not have DVD drive check disabled by default. Must be reconfigured with EVTool, or use a pre-patched version

iND-BiOS 5003 / iND-BiOS Beta Feb-11-05 (5004)
Pros:


 * Easy configuration via .cfg file. Can also be edited or created with iND-BiOS Config App


 * 256KB size (fits all TSOPs and modchips)


 * Multiple controller buttons combinations (Open/Close tray, Reboot/Shutdown console)


 * Customizable boot animation colors and camera angles


 * 128MB RAM support

Cons:


 * IND 5004.06 will brick your modchip or TSOP, IND 5004.67 is fine


 * Does not work with 1.6/1.6b Xboxes


 * Injecting .cfg files directly into the .bin file on IND 5004 will brick the TSOP or modchip


 * Slower booting with "loading ind-bios" appearing on-screen for several seconds as it checks the HDD for the .cfg file


 * Using IGR while running certain games can cause the Xbox to crash (5004 only)


 * Using IGR while running CoinOps can cause the Xbox to shutdown due to a conflicting button command within CoinOps (5003 only)

Xecuter 3 3294
Pros:


 * Suite of options and tools in X3 Config Live
 * Built-in Webserver/FTP
 * Flash BIOS via FTP/HTTP


 * Screenshot support (White+Black)


 * Full LCD support


 * Can disable mod via software


 * Live customizable boot animation colors and angles


 * 128MB RAM support

Cons:


 * Need X3 chip or hacked version that will run on other chips (which also disables Config Live)


 * 1024KB (1MB) size (only fits 1.0/1.1 TSOPs and some modchips)

Xecuter 2 5035 / Xecuter 2 5035 1.6
Pros:


 * Easy configuration via .ini file. Can also be edited or created with X2 Config Maker


 * Customizable boot animation colors


 * 128MB RAM support

Cons:


 * 512KB size (only fits 1.0/1.1 TSOPs and some modchips)


 * Xecuter 2 "Config Live!" text on screen for a few seconds after boot

Xecuter 2 4981
Pros:


 * Boots fast


 * 256KB size (fits all TSOPs and modchips)


 * Can change boot colors and flubber animation


 * 128MB RAM support

Cons:


 * Reconfiguring requires editing the .bin file with XBtool and then reflashing.


 * Does not work with 1.6/1.6b Xboxes

Yoshihiro's Debug BIOS
Pros:


 * High quality remote image capture (video and screenshots)


 * Can poke live memory while playing games


 * Can test homebrew you've made more thoroughly


 * 256KB version available; support for F and G drives

Cons:


 * No advantages of other custom BIOSes, it's essentially stock with the above features

Cromwell
Pros:


 * Open source; sometimes included on modchips


 * Can boot Linux


 * Can lock/unlock HDD and install another BIOS


 * 128MB RAM support

Cons:


 * Can't run Xbox games

XBlast OS
Pros:


 * Open source


 * Can run scripts, boot Linux, and boot individual memory banks of modchips


 * Can lock/unlock HDD, install another BIOS, edit MAC address, and modify the EEPROM


 * Can fix a corrupted EEPROM or TSOP


 * Can test RAM banks individually (useful for 128MB RAM upgrade)


 * 128MB RAM support

Cons:


 * Can't run Xbox games