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 2.4.2

Pros:

• Hybrid Bios Retail / Debug for all Xbox revisions 1.0 - 1.6b.
• 256KB size (fits all TSOPs and modchips).
• Support for all retail video modes on all Xbox revisions 1.0 - 1.6b (RF, Standard AV (Composite), Advanced AV (S-Video), Advanced SCART (SCART/RGB), HD AV (Component YPbPr).
• Experimental support for VGA mode on 1.0 to 1.4 consoles using mode pins 1+3 or 2+3, requires screen that supports Sync-on-Green or external sync seperator (can be set in .ini)
• Experimental support for XboxHD+ running firmware v2.2.2, ElpisHD tool or PrometheOS required to change features.
• Support for force 480i to 480p video mode. (can be set in .ini or CerbiosTool Config App).
• Fixed 1.6 480p video support, XBE patching for 480p video mode on 1.6 consoles is no longer required.
• Support for AV cable check disable (can be set in the .ini or CerbiosTool Config App)
• 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 (can be set in the .ini or CerbiosTool Config App).
• Modern No DVD mode (Complete Removal Of DVD Code, can be set in the .ini or CerbiosTool Config App).
• Customizable boot animation. Possible to use an XMV video file as a boot video.
• 128MB RAM support.
• Custom Error Messages With Full Explanation.
• Universal Region Fix.
• Support for Force-PAL, an automatic setting that switches console region to PAL video mode for certian PAL-only games
• Invalid time reset.
• Support for optional RTC module.
• Macrovision Protection Disabled.
• Dual HDD Support.
• Safemode, Press Eject to force UDMA2 on boot.
• Automatic reboot into safe mode (UDMA2) if error 9 or 13 is occurring.
• Parental Control Removal.
• No Reset On Eject.
• Support for IGPC/In Game Power Cycle, IGS/In Game Shutdown, IGR/In Game Reset (button mappings can be set in CerbiosTool Config App).
• Ability To Launch Cerbios as a BFM Bios via PBL Methods.
• Ability to block Xbox Dashboard Updates for BFM/softmod use (can be set in the .ini)
• Fixed 1.6 fan speed issues.
• Detection of CPU upgraded console for increased fan speed to 60%.
• Does not block Xbox Live or Xbox Live replacement services (Insignia).

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 (Titan patch can be used).
• 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, a patched version that fixes this can be used).
• Blocks Xbox Live (a patched version that unblocks it can be used).

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).
• "Xecuter2 Config Live Loading" text on screen for a few seconds as it checks the HDD for the config file.

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.

PrometheOS

See this page for a complete detailing of this BIOS.