Xbox troubles

[Midget]

My brother just switched on the xbox only to get this error message.

http://Serv1.imagehigh.com/files/ih000001/23084_balls.jpg

Also, when it's starting up it makes a weird clicking/scraping sound. Is this the sound of the HDD giving up?

We have an executer chip in it by the way and obviously this is what's gone wrong, so I'm looking at you, architect. :p

Help!

[Lewiji]

It is probably the hard drive indeed, however google suggests you should try reflashing the chip as it can be caused by missing files - the "scraping" noise could be the hard drive trying to find the files.

[Martinus]

Have you just installed the chip or has it been in a while?

What model is the xecuter?

[the architect]

21 - anywhere - This error says that the machine was booted to display a error, basically someone told the machine to reboot (or launch a xbe) with this flag, and the error code just means its been rebooted by the flag
have you rebooted again after this error occurs?

Also, upon other research, this problem can occur if you tried to switch xbox harddrives incorrectly... have you done something like this?

Another site says that the dashboard is corrupted, so you could just try putting a different dashboard on (I suggest Evox or UnleashX)

Also, this error occurs if the hard drive cannot be read, which could cause the dashboard to not be read correctly.

possibly harddrive failure (especially if coupled with scratching noises) or incorrect installations...

[Martinus]

The likeliest scenario is that his HDD has failed and the chip is unable to find the default.xbe file to boot from (the dashboard you chose).

Simple way to verify this is to remove the top of the xbox casing, put your ear close to the HDD and switch the thing on.

Fixing it (should the HDD be the culprit) is either somewhat easy or a little tricky, it depends on your Xecuter version and whether or not you've backed up the MS dashboard (you should always do this regardless).

[the architect]

yea... but i'd wager that most recent xecuters are quite good at replacing harddrives

(if you have any trouble whatsoever, add me on msn at s.occer_hawk10@hotmail.com obviously without the period)

[Martinus]

Yeah, that's what I'm trying to ascertain. The newest Xecuter's have a built in FTP function and HDD preparation tool that will allow Midget to partiton, format and copy files onto the HDD.

By comparison I have an Xecuter 2.3 which simply allows you to upload BIOS'es so you have to use other methods to get the dashboard and applications set up not to mention a blank HDD.

The newest chips make setup quite straighforward, the older ones make it sort-of tricky as you have to do things in a fairly particular order. The only thing I can say is that I'm almost 100% sure he'll be unable to play on Xbox Live now if the data is irretrievable from the C: partition of his old HDD.

[the architect]

usually if you mod, you don't play XBL as much anyway. I use my 360 for live now...

[Midget]

Well... this has gotten a rather... confusing response. :p

I really don't know a thing about modding consoles. My dad said he had a mate who chipped xboxes and so I sent it off for him to mod.

I have no idea what model the executer is... Sure you can find it somewhere on the dashboard but obviously I can't get to that. It was fitted about 2 years ago though so it's nothing incredibly new.

Other answers to Qs:
- I have tried rebooting several times, removing cables etc, nothing happens
- I haven't done anything to it since I got it modded, still has the same HDD as originally.
- As for replacing the dashboard... I have absolutely no idea whatsoever how to do that and my dad has no idea what happened to his "mate" ie the only console modding guy we knew IRL.
- Reset the chip? How?? :p
- My chip isn't really new so I have no idea if it does all this FTP business
- I don't have anything of value on the HDD, it got accidently wiped a while ago so if theres any easy way to just format it and start over that even an idiot like me can do, any help would be appreciated.

Thanks for the help so far, guys. :)

[Martinus]

Ok you have to decide if you want to fix this yourself. If so then I can guide you through what you need to do. I cannot speak authoritively without knowing the full extent of the problem but I can say that it's likely that there's nothing wrong with the chip or motherboard.

If the HDD is busted you will have to buy a new one and set it up. What do you think?

[Midget]

Mehhh... I don't play on it enough to shell out for a new HDD.

If it's somthing simpler and cost-free then I am willing to give anything a shot, but I can't afford to spend at the moment, especially on a console which I barely play anymore.

[the architect]

an 8 gb harddrive is roughly 10 dollars. a 20 is about 15... it's not that bad

[Martinus]

Bear in mind that a new HDD is pretty damn cheap these days.

Maxtor Diamondmax 10 80gig for 32 quid: Link (http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=3XRJ&CategorySelectedId=11154&PageMode=1&NavigationKey=11154,4294960494)

[Midget]

I really don't have that money to spare though, I've just started driving lessons which cost money and I'm also saving up for a car.

Is there anyway I can just bypass the chip and the play games as normal? Just so it completely ignores the chip and the HDD and just runs like an unmodded xbox would?

[Martinus]

Nah, you kinda have to understand a bit about how the hardware works to know why.

It's pretty much dead in the water.

[the architect]

major xbox pricedrops are on the way though. if push comes to shove, you can get a new one for less than 100 dollars the rumor is

[Midget]

Alright then, well I'll just leave this thread for now and if I do decide to get a new HDD any time in the future, I'll bump this thread.

Thanks for allyour helps. :)