Behind the Screen
The opinions, views, and insights stated within this Monologue are my own. The facts, fallacies, and errors, however, belong to someone else (see disclaimer).
Monday, May 26, 2003
Memorial Day weekend is rather rainy and wet here in Norwalk. So I've been spending some time today learning more about how to modify my Xbox. Here are a few things that I've learned, posted here mostly for the purposes of me referecing later.
- Xecutor 2.1 Lite
- This is the mod chip that I ordered. It's the latest version of the most popular chip, the Xecutor 2.0 Lite. It will be released early June.
New Hard Drive- I ordered a Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 9 - Hard drive - 120 GB - standard - 3.5" - ATA-133 - 7200 rpm - 2 MB. This will replace the Xbox's original 8GB hard drive.
Xbox Version- I learned that there are three versions of the Xbox: v1.0 , v1.1 and v1.2. It looks like I have v1.0 because "K:1.00.4034.01" appears in my settings.
Once the chip and hard drive arrive, I'll need to make sure I have the following tools available so that I can open the Xbox and solder in the chip.
- A Torx 20
- A Torx 10
- 15-Watt Soldering Pencil with Grounded Tip (RSCN 64-2051)
- 0.032" Diameter Lead-Free Solder (RSCN 64-025)
- Adjustable Wire Stripper/Cutter (RSCN 64-2129)
- Desoldering Braid (RSCN 64-2090)
- Anti-Static Wrist Strap with Cord (RSCN 276-2397)
- 20 guage wire for an external switch
Friday, May 23, 2003
I've lately taken an interest in modifying my Xbox so that it can do more things than just playing games. It's kind of an underground thing to do and will include challenges like soldering wires directly to the motherboard. There's much for me to learn, but here are a few very useful links that I will be studying
- TechTV Series on Xbox Mods
- This is the article that opened my eyes. A five-part story, this article explains the benefits of modifying your Xbox and includes online videos.
Xbox-Scene Tutorial- A photo walk-through of how to open an Xbox.
X-ecuter2 Lite- The mod chip that I'll likely buy and install.
Evolution X (EVOX)- Next, I'll need to find and install a new operating system. This one is the best.
Install a Maxtor 120GB Hard Drive- Yep. I'm going to take out the 8GB drive and put in a new drive.
Lock the new Drive- In order to play Xbox Live, I'll have to lock the drive.
Install Xbox Media Player- This program lets me use the Xbox as a media player, playing MP3s, DVDs, photos, and much more.
If it sounds like a lot of work, it will be. But I'll learn a lot while doing it and have the satisfaction of owning an Xbox that can do a whole lot more than just playing games.
Sunday, May 18, 2003
This weekend was the weekend for "The Matrix." Although the movie opened Thursday night, I waited until Saturday afternoon to see it.
On Friday, however, I got my hands on a copy of the Xbox video game "Enter the Matrix." While the movie was good, the game is great.
Considered the secret sequel, "Enter the Matrix" is the biggest-budget video game ever. The game features two hours of new Matrix story, including an hour of footage shot on the film's set with much of the film's cast. The Wachowski brothers, who wrote and directed the trilogy of Matrix films, also wrote the dialogue and story for the video game.
According to reports, Atari spent more than $30 million developing the game, making it the most expensive game ever. The game features spectacular martial arts that bend the rules of the Matrix and awesome gunplay. While you don't play as either Neo or Morpheus, you do get to choose between Niobe or Ghost. After all, playing Neo wouldn't be much of a challenge since he is basically a god withing the Matrix (and perhaps, outside of it too).
I likely spent about 10 hours playing the game and watching its additional footage this weekend. It's been great. So if anyone asks you if you are red or blue on buying this game, the choice is yours.
Wednesday, May 14, 2003
Note: I wrote this post on my Palm Pilot on Friday, May 9. Posted on May 14
I'm currently sitting at gate 90 in the Newark airport, waiting to board my filight to San Diego, where I'll be spending the weekend with the family. The funny thing is that next door, gate 91 is heading to Raleigh/Durham.
Getting to the airport was a bit of a challenge. My plan was to leave my car at the Audi dealer for service and repair while I was away. Finding the dealer, located in West New York, NJ, was the difficult part.
I'm a big advocate of using the Interent to almost anything. Heck, I found my job, my residence, my roommates, my car, and even my rental truck online. So when it comes to directions, I amost always put my trust into MapQuest and the like.
This time, however, MapQuest had to be wrong.
No matter which way I turned, I couldn't find the Audi dealer. So I stopped at the Toyota dealer for directions.
Directions I got. Only they were the vague kind that do not include street names or distance. They were along the line of 'take this road all the way to the gas station, an Exxon I think, and turn right.'
One hour and four more stops for directions later, I made it. I hope the flight is much better.
Note: I wrote this post on my Palm Pilot on Tuesday, May 13. Posted on May 14
I have spent the entire day at the Bellavia Audi dealership in West New York, NJ, waiting for them to complete maintenance work on my car that was suppossed to be completed while I was away on vacation. I could have spent this day with the family in Los Angeles and should have spent it at work in Norwalk.
This was such a waste of my time. I'm very dissatisfied with Bellavia Audi but feel there is little I can do.
Hopefully, I'll get out of here before dinner.
Note: I wrote this post on my Palm Pilot on Monday, May 12. Posted on May 14
The family trip has come to an end. Today, we drove into Mexico down the Baha coast. Pretty drive that climaxed with some shopping, a few tacos, and some cervesas. We did enjoy watching some young Mexican children feed some very large - and loud - sea lions.
Most of the trip consisted of eating, napping, movies, and museums. It made for a good extended weekend.
Tonight, I face a six-hour red-eye flight back to Newark. Thankfully, it's an empty flight, so I might get three seats to myself.
Next week, my brother comes to the northeast for a wedding. So it won't be long before we hang out again.
Thursday, May 08, 2003
This weekend I head to San Diego to visit with the family. My dad is there for an architect convention. Since my brother, Cameron, lives in Los Angeles, it made sence for us all to head there for the weekend.
We've vacationed in Sand Diego before as a family and had a good time. Don't know what's in store for this weekend, but I'm sure we'll have fun. We always do.
Things remain good in Norwalk. I've been here a month already and am making new friends, finding some good volleyball players, job keeps me busy and challenged, and enjoy my roommates. Couldn't ask for much more.
Thursday, May 01, 2003
Last night I received a phone call from my good buddy Patrick, who is currently serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Guyana. He and his wife are in LA for a wedding this weekend. They are doing great down there and can't believe that a full year is behind them. As always, we had a good time sharing stories. Thanks for the call.
Oh, and if it wasn't a small world already, he lived close to where my brother currently lives. Patrick is going to stop by my brother's place before he returns back to Guyana. Small world.
I feel like I have graduated, for tonight, I move out of the Winne-the-Poo room and into the second master bedroom.
For the last month, I have been sleeping in a small, nursery room that is smaller than many walk-in closets. We call it the Winne-the-Poo room because it has the loveable bear as a trim along the top of the walls.
The reason I stayed in this room was to wait for Mike to move out of the master bedroom on May 1. Now that he�s out, I can move in.
Before moving in, however, I spent most of the night steam cleaning the upstairs� carpets. After emptying bucket after bucket of black, filthy water, I feel much more comfortable. Not to mention how much better the carpets now look, although there is only so much you can do with toxic green.
Next on my agenda is to buy a mattress and bedroom furniture set. I�m really keen on getting a Scandinavian design, so we�ll see. In the meantime, I will continue to live out of boxes.
Found some good volleyball competition last weekend. I crashed a by-invitation-only indoor event on Friday night at the Westport YMCA. They let me play. While I was weaker than most, I held my own and was invited out for drinks later that night. Nice folks.
I was then invited to join them Sunday afternoon to play some grass volleyball in a nearby park. It was a great afternoon for it. Good level of play. They say they also play Tuesday and Thursday nights. So it looks like I might have found a good venue, although I'm still looking for an indoor USAV team to join.