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.

Cerbios 2.3.1
Pros:


 * Hybrid Bios Retail / Debug  for all xbox revisions 1.0-1.6b
 * 256KB size (fits all TSOPs and modchips)
 * Support HDD sizes up to 16TB
 * Single & Multiple Extended Partition Support & Cluster Sizes
 * Native XISO Support
 * CCI (Cerbios Compressed ISO) support
 * Boots All Originals  / Unsigned Code / Backups
 * Boots Debug XBE's
 * Easy configuration via .ini file. Can also be edited or created with CerbiosTool Config App
 * Support for UDMA 2 up to UDMA 6
 * Modern No DVD mode (Complete Removal Of DVD Code, can be set in the .ini)
 * Customizable boot animation. Possible to use an xmv video file as bootvideo
 * 128MB RAM support
 * Custom Error Messages With Full Explanation
 * Universal Region Fix
 * Invalid time reset
 * Macrovision Protection Disabled
 * Dual HDD Support
 * Safemode, Press Eject to force UDMA2 on boot
 * Automatic reboot into safe mode (UDMA2) if error 13 or 18 is occurring
 * Parental Control Removal
 * No Reset On Eject
 * Ability To Launch Cerbios As A BFM Bios Via PBL Methods

Cons:


 * None

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
More details and installation guides can be found on this page.

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

XeniumOS
See this page for a complete detailing of this BIOS.

Pros:


 * Used as a recovery menu in which you can configure virtual BIOS banks for modchips with different BIOSes.
 * Can edit hard drive configuration.
 * Can change EEPROM settings.

Cons:


 * Used just as a tool; cannot run Xbox games or applications directly.