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, 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)
• 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.