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{{Short description|Linux distribution for Xbox consoles}}
[[Image:XBox_and_TV_setup_with_linux_running.JPG|thumb|right|Xbox Linux booting]]▼
{{multiple issues|
{{how-to|date=July 2018}}
{{Original research|date=September 2007}}
{{notability|date=December 2023}}}}
 
▲[[Image:XBox_and_TV_setup_with_linux_runningXBox and TV setup with linux running.JPG|thumb|right|Xbox Linux booting]]
'''Xbox Linux''' is a project that ported the [[GNU/Linux]] project to the [[Microsoft Xbox]] [[video game console|gaming console]]. Due to the fact that the Xbox uses a [[digital signature]] system to prevent the public from running [[unsigned code]], one must either use a [[modchip]], or find an alternative system for running unsigned code. Originally, modchips were the only option. However, it was later demonstrated that the TSOP chip on which the Xbox's [[BIOS]] is held may be reflashed. This way, one may flash on the "cromwell" BIOS developed by the Xbox Linux project (the name comes from a corruption of "[[clean room design|clean room]]", alluding to the fact that it was developed entirely legally). 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, a [[buffer overflow]] was found in the game "[[007: Agent Under Fire]]", allowing the [[boot loader|booting]] of a Linux loader ("xbeboot") straight from a save game. ▼
 
▲'''Xbox Linux''' iswas a project that ported the [[GNU/Linux]] project[[operating system]] to the [[MicrosoftXbox (console)|Xbox]] [[video game console|gaming console]]. Due to the fact thatBecause the Xbox uses a [[digital signature]] system to prevent the public from running [[unsigned code]], one must either use a [[modchip]], or finda an alternative system for running unsigned code[[softmod]]. Originally, modchips were the only option.; Howeverhowever, it was later demonstrated that the [[Thin small outline package|TSOP]] chip on which the Xbox's [[BIOS]] is held may be reflashed. This way, one may flash on the "cromwell" BIOS developed by the Xbox Linux project (the name comes from a corruption of "[[cleanCromwell room design(computing)|clean roomCromwell]]" BIOS, alludingwhich towas thedeveloped factlegally thatby itthe wasXbox developedLinux entirely legally)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, a [[buffer overflow]] was found in the game "''[[007: Agent Under Fire]]",'' that allowingallowed the [[boot loader|booting]] of a Linux loader ("xbeboot") straight from a save game.
The Xbox is really a [[personal computer|PC]], with an off-the-shelf 733 MHz [[Intel Corporation|Intel]] [[Celeron#Coppermine-128|Mobile Celeron]] processor, an 8GB-10GB (formatted) [[hard disk|hard drive]], 64MB of [[Random access memory|RAM]] (although on all earlier boxes this is upgradable to 128MB), and 4 [[Universal Serial Bus|USB]] ports (the controller ports are just variations of standard USB 1.1 ports). These specs are enough for a Linux system that has [[IceWM]] or [[Window Maker]] to run smoothly.
 
The Xbox is essentially a [[personal computer|PC]] with a custom 733&nbsp;MHz [[Intel Corporation|Intel]] [[Pentium III#Coppermine|Pentium III]]<ref>{{cite news|last=Shimpi|first=Anand Lal|title=Hardware Behind the Consoles - Part I: Microsoft's Xbox|url=http://www.anandtech.com/show/853/2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100513070021/http://www.anandtech.com/show/853/2|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 13, 2010|publisher=[[Anand Tech]]|date=21 November 2001|access-date=21 February 2013}}</ref> processor, a 10 GB [[hard disk drive|hard drive]] (8 GB of which is accessible to the user), 64MB of [[Random-access memory|RAM]] (although on all earlier boxes this is upgradable to 128MB), and 4 [[USB]] 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.
There are several [[linux distribution|distributions]] available for the Xbox, such as "[[Xebian]]", an Xbox compatible version of [[Debian]], and [[Gentoox]], a similarly customized version of [[Gentoo Linux|Gentoo]]. It is equally possible to produce your own distribution, requiring merely a recompilation of your kernel. The [[dyne:bolic]] distribution also support [[Symmetric multiprocessing]].
 
From the Xbox-Linux home page:
An Xbox with Linux can be a full desktop computer with [[Mouse (computing)|mouse]] and [[Computer keyboard|keyboard]], a web/email box connected to a [[Television|TV]], a server, router or a node in a cluster. One can either [[dual-boot]] or use Linux only; in the latter case, one can replace both [[Advanced Technology Attachment|IDE]] devices. One can also connect the Xbox to a [[VGA monitor]]. A converter may be needed to use keyboards/mice in the controller ports, however this is fairly easy to achieve, due to the Xbox using a USB style connector.▼
 
<blockquote>
As of now only a few distributions of Linux will run on the 1.6 Xbox (the third newest version, including 1.6b). Xboxes with a modchip with the [[Cromwell (computing)|Cromwell]] [[bios]] installed can run more distributions than with only a softmod. This is mainly due to complications used the new video chip used in V1.6 Xboxes that was developed exclusively by [[Microsoft]] which has no [[source code]] available at this time, which causes major [[overscan]] on all four sides of the screen when a different [[kernel (computer science)|kernel]] than the original is loaded.▼
'' 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. ''
== Installation Methods ==
</blockquote>
 
== Uses ==
Currently there are multiple methods to install Linux.
[[Image:Linux Booting on Xbox screenshot.JPG|thumb|Xebian Booting]]
 
▲An Xbox with [[Linux]] installed can beact as a full desktop computer with [[MouseComputer (computing)mouse|mouse]] and [[Computer keyboard|keyboard]], a web/email box connected to a [[Television|TV]]television, a server, router or a node in a cluster. One can either [[dual-boot]] or use Linux only; in the latter case, one can replace both [[AdvancedParallel Technology AttachmentATA|IDE]] devices. One can also connect the Xbox to a [[VGA monitorconnector|VGA]]. monitor. A converter may beis needed to use keyboards/mice in the [[Xbox controller|controller]] ports,; however this is fairlynot easy to achievedifficult, due toas the Xbox usinguses astandard [[USB]] stylewith connectora proprietary port.
 
▲As of nowCurrently only a few distributions of Xbox Linux will run on the version 1.6 Xbox (the third newest version, including 1.6b). Xboxes with amodchips modchip withand the [[Cromwell (computing)|Cromwell]] [[biosBIOS]] installed can run more distributions than those with only a softmod. This is mainly due to complicationsissues usedwith the new video chip used in V1version 1.6 Xboxes that was developed exclusively by [[Microsoft]] and which has no [[source code]] available at this time,. whichThis can causescause majorsignificant [[overscan]] on all four sides of the screen when a different [[kernel (computeroperating sciencesystem)|kernel]] than the original is loaded.
 
== Softmod ==
 
One of the more popular ways of installing Xbox Linux is through a [[softmod]], which does not require a modchip to use. The Xbox Linux softmod utilizes a save exploit found in the original run of ''[[MechAssault]]'', ''[[Splinter Cell]]'', ''[[007: Agent Under Fire]]'', and ''[[Tony 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, the ''MechInstaller'' 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 the [[hotswap]] exploit which will unlock the Xbox hard drive long enough to allow one to modify it.
[[Softmod]]ding is a popular way to modify an Xbox without the use of a modchip. It is run completely from software on the xbox's hard drive. It is done by using a save exploit found in mech assault. First the exploited game save is moved to a xbox action replay. The save is then copied to the hard drive from the memory card. Once the save is loaded the buffer overflow trick takes action.
 
<!-- this section needs some heavy work -->
There is also a way to completely replace the Xbox's stock BIOS with a [[Cromwell (computing)|"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).
 
== List of distributions ==
 
There are several distributions of Xbox Linux,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Download - Xbox-Linux |url=http://www.xbox-linux.org/wiki/Download#Full_Linux_Systems |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090306080932/http://www.xbox-linux.org/wiki/Download |archive-date=March 6, 2009 |access-date=June 3, 2009}}</ref> most of which are based on PC Linux distributions.
 
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Distribution !! Description
|-
|Xebian<ref name="practical mythtv">{{cite book | title=Practical MythTV: Building a PVR and Media Center PC | publisher=Technology in Action Press | author=Smith, Stewart | author2=Still, Michael | chapter=Running remote frontends | quote=We chose Xebian [...]}}</ref>/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.<ref name="practical mythtv"/>
|-
|Gentoox<ref>[http://gentoox.shallax.com/ Gentoox<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
|A [[Gentoo Linux|Gentoo]]-based distribution, which features the "magic" updater, which allows users to download Xbox-specified packages and updates.
|-
|X-DSL
|A distribution based<ref>[http://www.x-dsl.org/wiki/Main_Page] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090517073749/http://www.x-dsl.org/wiki/Main_Page |date=May 17, 2009 }}</ref> on [[Damn Small Linux]].
|}
 
== Threatening incident against Microsoft==
ZDNet<ref>{{Cite web |title=Xbox hackers attempt to blackmail Microsoft |website=[[ZDNet]] |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/xbox-hackers-attempt-to-blackmail-microsoft-3002136730/ |access-date=June 27, 2003 }}</ref> reported an Australian hacker group announced 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. Microsoft never released such a bootloader.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hackers release Xbox tool despite Microsoft threats | website=[[ZDNet]]| url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/hackers-release-xbox-tool-despite-microsoft-threats|access-date=July 4, 2003}}</ref>
 
== See also ==
* [[Free60]]
* [[Linux for PlayStation 2]]
* [[OtherOS]]
 
== References ==
However this often does not work for the newer Xboxes, versions 1.6 and above, so a similiar method is used called the ndure installation, it works the same as the above stated but on all versions of the Xbox so far made.
{{Reflist}}
 
== External links ==
* [httphttps://wwwsourceforge.net/projects/xbox-linux.org/ OfficialProject Sitesite] on [[SourceForge.net]]
* {{in lang|de}} [http://www.xbox-linux.org/down/Xbox-BWL-flat-compressed.pdf Xbox Hacking official document] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112010542/http://www.xbox-linux.org/down/Xbox-BWL-flat-compressed.pdf |date=2016-01-12 }}
* [http://www.free60.org/ Free60 (Linux for the Xbox 360)]
* [http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-softmod-your-xbox...for-FREE/ SoftMod Xbox for Free (Hotswap Technique!)]
* [http://sourceforge.net/projects/xbox-linux/ Info and downloads]
* [http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4356347903120410001&q=tech+talk&hl=en Google Video - hacking the Xbox security]
 
[[Category:Platform-specific Linux distributions]]
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[[Category:Xbox (console) software]]
[[Category:Game console operating systems]]
[[Category:Discontinued Linux distributions]]
[[Category:Linux distributions]]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbox_Linux"