Xbox Linux: Difference between revisions

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'''Xbox Linux''' was a project that ported the [[Linux]] [[operating system]] to the [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] [[video game console]]. Because the Xbox uses a [[digital signature]] system to prevent the public from running [[unsigned code]], one must either use a [[modchip]], or a [[softmod]]. Originally, modchips were the only option; however, 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 (computing)|Cromwell]]" BIOS, which was developed legally by the Xbox Linux 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 allowed the [[boot loader|booting]] of a Linux loader ("xbeboot") straight from a save game.

{{manual|date=July 2018}}

{{Original research|date=September 2007}}

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|publisher=[[Anand Tech]]|date=21 November 2001|accessdate=21 February 2013}}</ref> processor, a 10 GB [[hard disk|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 [[Universal Serial Bus|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.

[[Image:XBox and TV setup with linux running.JPG|thumb|Xbox Linux booting]]

<br />

'''Xbox Linux''' was a project that ported the [[Linux]] [[operating system]] to the [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] [[video game console]]. Because the Xbox uses a [[digital signature]] system to prevent the public from running [[unsigned code]], one must either use a [[modchip]], or a [[softmod]]. Originally, modchips were the only option; however, 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 (computing)|Cromwell]]" BIOS, which was developed legally by the Xbox Linux 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 allowed the [[boot loader|booting]] of a Linux loader ("xbeboot") straight from a save game.

<blockquote>

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|publisher=[[Anand Tech]]|date=21 November 2001|accessdate=21 February 2013}}</ref> processor, a 10 GB [[hard disk|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 [[Universal Serial Bus|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.

From the Xbox-Linux home page:

<blockquote>

'' 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. ''

</blockquote>

== Uses ==

[[ImageFile:Linux Booting on Xbox screenshot.JPG|thumb|Xebian Booting]]

An Xbox with [[Linux]] installed can act as a full desktop computer with [[Mouse (computing)|mouse]] and [[Computer keyboard|keyboard]], a web/email box connected to a 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 [[Advanced Technology Attachment|IDE]] devices. One can also connect the Xbox to a VGA monitor. A converter is needed to use keyboards/mice in the controller ports; however this is not difficult, as the Xbox uses standard USB with a proprietary port.