- About This Tutorial
- What Is The Phoenix Loader?
- Required Hardware
- Required Software
- Part 1: Preparing The Files
- Part 2: Connecting To The X-Box, Option 1 (Memory Unit)
- Part 2: Connecting To The X-Box, Option 2 (Action Replay)
- Part 2: Connecting To The X-Box, Option 3 (HDD Swap)
- Part 3: Determining Your Setup
- Part 4: Installing Phoenix Loader, Setup 1 (With Fonts Folder)
- Part 4: Installing Phoenix Loader, Setup 2 (Without Fonts Folder)
- Part 5: Setting Up The MS Dashboard
- Part 6: Finishing Up
- Part 7: Optional Goodies!
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Useful Links

This is a tutorial for installing the Software Mod known as the Phoenix Loader onto an X-Box game console. The information in this tutorial has been bough together from various sources and tested by myself to verify that it is correct.

This tutorial is a WIP (Work In Progress) so check back for updates. If you believe something should be added, removed or edited simply contact the author.

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---WHAT IS THE PHOENIX LOADER?---

The Phoenix Loader is a utility that uses a font exploit in the X-Box game console as a means to boot a completely new rom from the hard drive enabling someone to run unsigned code on there X-Box.

In english it is a utility you can set up on your X-Box that allows you to do anything you would normally be able to do with a Mod-Chip or TSOP flash without installing one.

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---REQUIRED HARDWARE---

- X-Box (not modified, i.e. straight out of the box)
- Crossover Network Cable or Stright Network Cable. (Depending on how you network your pc and XBOX)

OPTION 1 (Memory Unit):
- Modified X-Box (with a modchip or softmod)
- X-Box Memory Unit (memory card)

OPTION 2 (Action Replay):
- Action Replay
OR
- Converted Memory Card/X-Box Controller (see link in Useful Links section)

OPTION 3 (HDD Swap):
- Torx 10 Screwdriver
- Torx 20 Screwdriver

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---REQUIRED SOFTWARE---

- bigfonts25.tbz (see link in Useful Links section)
- Signed_Phoenix_Bios_Loader_V1.3.rar (Phoenix Loader)
- FTP Program (FlashFXP recommended)
- XVI32 Hex Editor (see link in Useful Links section)
- XBE_Dump+font.rar (see link in Useful Links section)

OPTION A (007:AUF):
- 007: Agent Under Fire (original copy only, no backups)
- 007aufsavewithEvoxInstaller.zip (007auf Save with EvolutionX Installer)

OPTION B (Mech Assault):
- Mech Assault (original copy only, no backups)
- mechassultsavewithEvoxInstaller.zip (Mech Assault Save with EvolutionX Installer)

OPTION 3 (HDD Swap):
- HDD Driver (a program for accessing the X-Box HDD in Windows 2000/XP)

NOTE: Option A and B are in no way related to Options 1, 2 or 3 and can be used in any combination.

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---PART 1: PREPARING THE FILES---

1. Unzip either the 007aufsavewithEvoxInstaller.zip file or the mechassultsavewithEvoxInstaller.zip (depending on wether you are using OPTION A or OPTION B).

2. You should now have a folder titled either 4541000d (OPTION A, 007:AUF) or 4d530017 (OPTION B, Mech Assault). OPEN this folder then OPEN the 000000000000 folder.
(Depending on the version you have the 4541000d/4d530017 folder may be in another folder titled UDATA)

3. OPEN the evox.ini and go to the [Network] section.

4. EDIT the appropriate network settings for use on your network.

If your computer is on a network change the network settings to suit your setup. If your network has a router set StaticIP to NO, if to does not have a router, set it to YES and configure the other settings.

If your computer is a standalone machine change the settings to suit the example bellow

NOTE: If you used the above settings make sure you change your computers LAN settings to suit. For help changing these settings see the Useful Links section.

5. SAVE and CLOSE the newly edited evox.ini.

6. GO to one of the following steps:
- Part 2: Connecting To The X-Box, Option 1 (Memory Unit)
- Part 2: Connecting To The X-Box, Option 2 (Action Replay)
- Part 2: Connecting To The X-Box, Option 3 (HDD Swap)

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---PART2: CONNECTING TO THE X-BOX, OPTION 1 (Memory Unit)---

1. CONNECT the Modified X-Box to your computer via the cross over network cable.

2. Using your chosen FTP program, CONNECT to the Modified X-Box.

3. In the Modified X-Box file directory, OPEN the E drive and then OPEN the UDATA folder.

4. TRANSFER either the 4541000d folder (OPTION A, 007:AUF) or the 4d530017 folder (OPTION B, Mech Assault) into the UDATA folder.

5. Insert the Memory Unit into a game controller connected to the Modified X-Box.

6. Restart the X-Box.

7. On the Modified X-Box access the MS DASHBOARD.

8. Select MEMORY.

9. Select HARD DRIVE.

10. GO to the 007: Agent Under Fire (OPTION A, 007:AUF) or the Mech Assault (OPTION B, Mech Assault) game save.

11. MOVE your cursor to the RIGHT so that you are now sub-highlighting the icon inside the rectangle. PRESS A.

12. Select COPY, and then TO MEMORY UNIT.

13. Once the copying process is complete, switch off the Modified X-Box and CONNECT your X-Box (non modified one).

14. REMOVE the Memory Unit from the Modified X-Box Controller and INSERT it into a Controller in your X-Box (or just move the controller over).

15. Switch ON the X-Box.

NOTE: If you are using (OPTION B, Mech Assault) and you have any X-Box LIVE Mech Assault Updates on your X-Box you must remove the before you continue).

16. Select MEMORY.

17. Select MEMORY UNIT.

18. GO to the 007: Agent Under Fire (OPTION A, 007:AUF) or the Mech Assault (OPTION B, Mech Assault) game save.

19. MOVE your cursor to the RIGHT so that you are now sub-highlighting the icon inside the rectangle. PRESS A.

20. Select COPY and then TO HARD DRIVE.

21. Press EJECT and insert the 007: Agent Under Fire (OPTION A, 007:AUF) or the Mech Assault (OPTION B, Mech Assault) Game CD into the drive and close it.

22. Once the game menu has loaded select LOAD MISSION.

23. You should now have the Evolution X dashboard displayed on the screen.

24. CONNECT the X-Box to your computer via the crossover network cable.

25. Using your chosen FTP program, CONNECT to the X-Box.

26. Go to the following step:
- Part 3: Determining Your Setup

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---PART2: CONNECTING TO THE X-BOX, OPTION 2 (Action Replay)---

1. CONNECT your Action Replay USB dongle to your computer.

2. If you have not done so already, INSTALL the Action Replay software that it came with.

3. INSERT the Action Replay memory card into the USB dongle.

4. CREATE a new folder called 'UDATA' and MOVE the 4541000d folder (OPTION A, 007:AUF) or the 4d530017 folder (OPTION B, Mech Assault) into this new folder.

5. CREATE a .zip archive (WinXP - right click, New, Compressed (zipped) Folder) and call it either 'AgentUnder_BONDALL' (OPTION A, 007:AUF) or 'MechAssaul_MechWarrio.zip' (OPTION B, Mech Assault).

6. ADD the UDATA folder you created to the newly created zip file (drag it in).

7. Go to the Action Replay X-Box Saves folder (Default C:\Program Files\Datel\ActionReplay\XboxSaves).

8. Locate Action Replays AgentUnder_BONDALL (OPTION A, 007:AUF) or MechAssaul_MechWarrio.zip (OPTION B, Mech Assault) file and either MOVE or DELETE it.

9. Go back to where you just created the zip file and COPY it, then PASTE it into the Action Replay X-Box Saves folder (Default C:\Program Files\Datel\ActionReplay\XboxSaves).

10. RUN the Action Replay Software.

11. OPEN the middle list section Agent Under Fire (OPTION A, 007:AUF) or Mech Assault (OPTION B, Mech Assault).

12. Click on either the file named BOND:All (OPTION A, 007:AUF) or Mech:All (OPTION B, Mech Assault) and COPY it to your Action Replay Memory Unit (drag and drop it).

13. When it has finished copying, CLOSE the Action Replay Software and remove the Memory Unit.

If an error occurs during copying ensure that the zip file is correctly named and that the folder structure within the zip file is correct (UDATA/451000d/000000000000/...).

14. INSERT the Memory Unit into a controller that is connected to the X-Box.

15. Switch ON the X-Box.

16. Select MEMORY.

17. Select MEMORY UNIT.

18. GO to the 007: Agent Under Fire (OPTION A, 007:AUF) or the Mech Assault (OPTION B, Mech Assault) game save.

19. MOVE your cursor to the RIGHT so that you are now sub-highlighting the icon inside the rectangle. PRESS A.

20. Select COPY and then TO HARD DRIVE.

21. Press EJECT and insert the 007: Agent Under Fire (OPTION A, 007:AUF) or the Mech Assault (OPTION B, Mech Assault) Game CD into the drive and close it.

22. Once the game menu has loaded select LOAD MISSION.

23. You should now have the Evolution X dashboard displayed on the screen.

24. CONNECT the X-Box to your computer via the crossover network cable.

25. Using your chosen FTP program, CONNECT to the X-Box.

26. Go to the following step:
- Part 3: Determining Your Setup

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---PART 2: CONNECTING TO THE X-BOX, OPTION 3 (HDD Swap)---

NOTE: By opening your X-Box you forfeit any warranty that you may have. There is also a chance of causing serious damage to both yourself and the X-Box. At no time should you touch the X-Box Power Supply Unit.

1. With the power OFF, REMOVE the case of the X-Box using a Torx 20 screwdriver (for a guide see the Useful Links section).

2. UNSCREW the X-Box HDD using a Torx 10 screwdriver (not necessary but it makes things easier).

3. With the power OFF, REMOVE the case from your computer so you have access to the IDE Cables.

4. REMOVE any attached devices from the IDE-1 cable (this is the 2nd Cable, IDE-0 is the first).

5. Turn ON the computer and CHECK that the BIOS is set to AUTO find devices on IDE-1, then SHUTDOWN the computer again.

6. Make sure that the IDE-1 cable from the computer is able to reach the X-Box HDD.

7. Turn ON the X-Box with a game in the DVD drive and let it boot to the games main menu.

NOTE: It is VERY important that you choose a game that will sit at the menu screen indefinitely (i.e. will not load demos or random music). There are alternatives to this such as pausing stored music files during playback. It is NOT recommended that you leave it sitting idle at the Xbox dash due to the random background noises that it plays.

8. Leave the X-Box IDLE until the X-Box HDD spins down (this can take anywhere from 5-45 mins).

NOTE: If after 45 minutes the drive has NOT stopped spinning, REBOOT the X-Box and try again.

NOTE 2: I did not have to do this, was able to boot right away even though the HD was still spinning. Just make sure you use the PAUSE-BREAK key on the keyboard before the computer starts the drive detection process.

9. UNPLUG the X-Box HDD IDE Cable and CONNECT the PC IDE-1 cable.

10. Turn ON the computer and watch to see if the HDD is detected while booting. If it is go to 11.

If the X-Box HDD is NOT detected SHUTDOWN the PC and REMOVE the PC IDE cable from the X-Box. CONNECT the X-Box IDE cable back into the X-Box HDD and SHUTDOWN the X-Box. Now follow the ABCDE steps bellow.

A. Turn ON the computer and press the PAUSE-BREAK key on the keyboard before the computer starts the drive detection process.

B. Turn ON the X-Box without any CD Media in the drive.

C. Leave the X-Box IDLE at the X-Box Dashboard until the X-Box HDD spins down (this can take anywhere from 5-45 mins).

If after 45 minutes the drive has NOT stopped spinning, REBOOT the X-Box and try again.

NOTE: I did not have to do this, was able to boot right away even though the HD was still spinning. Just make sure you use the PAUSE-BREAK key on the keyboard before the computer starts the drive detection process.

D. UNPLUG the X-Box HDD IDE Cable and CONNECT the PC IDE-1 cable.

E. Press ENTER on the keyboard so the computer resumes booting.

F. Go to step 11

11. Once Windows has finished booting let the computer sit idle for a moment so that Windows can add the X-Box HDD then go into My Computer and see if the HDD has been added. (May not appear on all computers, check with HDD Driver before trying again! If it's visable in HDD driver then it was detected.)

If it has been added go to step 12. If the X-Box HDD is NOT detected SHUTDOWN the PC and REMOVE the PC IDE cable from the X-Box. CONNECT the X-Box IDE cable back into the X-Box HDD and SHUTDOWN the X-Box. Attempt the process from the begining again.

12. RUN HDD Driver. Press OK once it has loaded.

13. If you are presented with multiple ‘Invalid File Size’ errors, keep pressing OK until there are no more errors and continue to step 14.

If you are presented with an Infinite amount of Invalid File Size errors see the Useful Links section of this tutorial for a link to a possible fix.

14. Ensure that you have at least 7.5GB of free space on your HDD 15gb if you had to use the Invalid File Size Fix. Then go to Tools menu in HDD Driver and CLICK Backup HDD. This will take up to 1 hour to complete and HDD Driver will close when it has finished.

15. RUN HDD Driver.

16. Go to the following step:
- Part 3: Determining Your Setup

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---PART 3: DETERMINING YOUR SETUP---

1. In the X-Box file directory, OPEN the C drive (HDD Driver users see Frequently Asked Questions section for drive naming questions).

2. Looking at the files and folders in the X-Box's C drive, see if there is a FONTS folder. If there IS a FONTS folder proceed to PART 4: INSTALLING THE PHOENIX LOADER, OPTION 1. If there is NOT a FONTS folder present, proceed to PART 4: INSTALLING THE PHOENIX LOADER, OPTION 2.

NOTE: If you do NOT have a FONTS folder then it is recommended that you UPDATE your dashboard to Xbox LIVE with an Xbox LIVE compatible game.

16. Go to one of the following steps:
- Part 4: Installing Phoenix Loader, Setup 1 (With Fonts Folder)
- Part 4: Installing Phoenix Loader, Setup 2 (Without Fonts Folder)

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---PART 4: INSTALLING THE PHOENIX LOADER, OPTION 1 (With Fonts Folder)---

1. Extract the files from the bigfonts25.tbz file.

2. Using your either your FTP program (OPTIONS 1, 2) or HDD Driver (OPTION 3), go to the X-Box's C drive.

3. OPEN the FONTS folder.

4. RENAME the XBox.xtf file to XBox.xft

5. RENAME the Xbox Book.xtf file to Xbox Book.xft

6. TRANSFER bert.xtf and ernie.xtf (extracted from the bigfonts25.tbz file) to the X-Box FONTS folder.

7. Go back to the C drive on the X-Box

8. EXTRACT the files from the Signed_Phoenix_Bios_Loader_V1.3.rar.

9. OPEN the evox.ini file and adjust the AudioPlayer and MSDashBoard settings as shown bellow:

Afterwards EDIT the settings under NETWORK to suit your setup (see step 4 in Part 1: Preparing The Files).

10. TRANSFER all the extracted files (from the Signed_Phoenix_Bios_Loader_V1.3.rar) to the X-Box C drive except for the phoenix_project.nfo and history.txt (if they were included in the Signed_Phoenix_Bios_Loader_V1.3.rar).

11. Go to the following step:
- Part 5: Setting Up The MS Dashboard

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---PART 4: INSTALLING THE PHOENIX LOADER, OPTION 2 (Without Fonts Folder)---

1. Extract the files from the bigfonts25.tbz file.

2. Using your either your FTP program (OPTIONS 1, 2) or HDD Driver (OPTION 3), go to the X-Box's C drive.

3. RENAME the XBox.xtf file to XBox.xft

4. RENAME the Xbox Book.xtf file to Xbox Book.xft

5. TRANSFER bert.xtf and ernie.xtf (extracted from the bigfonts25.tbz file) to the X-Box C drive.

6. EXTRACT the files from the Signed_Phoenix_Bios_Loader_V1.3.rar.

7. OPEN the evox.ini file and adjust the AudioPlayer and MSDashBoard settings as shown bellow:

Afterwards EDIT the settings under NETWORK to suit your setup (see step 4 in Part 1: Preparing The Files).

8. TRANSFER all the extracted files (from the Signed_Phoenix_Bios_Loader_V1.3.rar) to the X-Box C drive except for the phoenix_project.nfo and history.txt (if they were included in the Signed_Phoenix_Bios_Loader_V1.3.rar).

9. Go to the following step:
- Part 5: Setting Up The MS Dashboard

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---PART 5: SETTING UP THE MS DASHBOARD---

1. COPY the file xboxdash.xbe from the C drive on the X-Box HDD to your computer.

2. RUN XVI32 and OPEN the xboxdash.xbe that you copied to your computer.

3. In XVI32 go to Search and then click Find.

4. Search for ONE of the following codes (make sure case sensitive is switched OFF):

- Text String: XTF (as Unicode Latin TICKED)
- Text String: XTF (as Unicode Latin NOT TICKED)
- Text String: X.T.F. (as Unicode Latin NOT TICKED)

NOTE: While there may be two or even three of these types of instances present in the xboxdash.xbe, change only one type. If the dash Microsoft Dash does not load after doing this, try one of the other codes. Do not try changing more than one instance type at a time untill you have tried all three on there own without success.

5. When a result has been found you will see XTF (or a variant) selected in the right hand panel. CHANGE it to xft (do this by clicking on the letter you wish to change and typing what you want it changed to).

6. When you have changed the string PRESS F3 on the keyboard to search for the next xtf string, and then do the same.

Repeat this process until a String Not Found error is shown then go to step 7.

7. SAVE the file and close XVI32

8. EXTRACT the files from XBE_Dump+font.rar into the same directory as your newly edited xboxdash.xbe file.

9. RUN the sign.bat file and let the process complete.

10. You will now have a folder named out.xbe. RENAME this file to xboxdash.xbe (you will have to move or delete the pre-signed xboxdash.xbe before you can rename it).

11. Using your either your FTP program (OPTIONS 1, 2) or HDD Driver (OPTION 3), go to the X-Box's E drive.

Note: The E: drive did not show up for me in HDD driver and I had to use FTP even though I was using the (OPTION 3) method.

12. Once in the E drive TRANSFER the newly edited xboxdash.xbe file to the drive.

13. Go to the following step:
- Part 6: Finishing Up

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---PART 6: FINISHING UP---

1. Close either your FTP program (OPTIONS 1, 2) or HDD Driver (OPTION 3)

2. If you are using OPTIONS 1, 2 (Memory Replay, Action Replay) go to step 3. If you are using OPTION 3 (HDD Swap) follow the ABCDE steps bellow.

A. SHUTDOWN the computer.
B. UNPLUG the computer IDE-1 cable form the X-Box HDD.
C. CONNECT the X-Box IDE cable to the X-Box HDD.
D. Turn OFF the X-Box and SCREW the HDD back into place.
E. SCREW the case back onto the X-Box.
F. Go to step 3.

3. REBOOT (OPTIONS 1, 2) or TURN ON (OPTION 3) the X-Box and you will see a short Phoenix Project animation then the EvolutionX dashboard.

4. Finished.

---PART 7: OPTIONAL: INSTALL EXTRA GOODIES!---

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Downlaod SlaYer's EvoX Auto-Installer v2.5FINAL.iso and burn this to a CD+RW or a DVD-R. This is loaded with lots of goodies for your xbox. Once you have this burned stick it in your XBOX and you'll be confronted with all the goodies you can install. Goto option 5 and then select either 5-1 or 5-2 depending on your Hard Drive.

NOTE: You may need to reedit your Evox.ini file to point back to the original MS Dash as installing this will overwrite your previous Evox.ini ( no big deal )

---FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS---

Q - Where Can I get Files?
A – If I have not listed a link on this tutorial then it is most likely that the file is illegal and therefore I can not tell you where to get it.

Q - What versions/model/kernel does the Phoenix loader operate on?
A – As of this moment the Phoenix Loader AND this tutorial are compatible with ALL X-Box’s regardless of versions and kernels.

Q - Why doesn’t my X-Box boot every time?
A – This is a known bug in the Phoenix Loader when it is used on an Xbox that does NOT have LIVE software installed. To fix it, remove the Phoenix Loader, install LIVE (from a LIVE supported game) then reinstall the Phoenix Loader,

Q - Where can I get additional help?
A – You can post in the Max Console forums for help with either this tutorial or any other console related questions.

Q - I'm using HDD Driver and I cant see any drive letters, what's wrong?
A - Nothing is wrong. HDD Driver just lables the drives differently. C=System and E=User Save. There are also other drives labelled Game Cache but they are not used (for the Phoenix Loader anyway).

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---USEFUL LINKS---

bigfonts.tgz
(Bigfonts Ernie and Bert files)

XVI32
(Hex Editor)

XBE_Dump+font.rar
(XBE Dump with a specially made bat file for automating xboxdash.xbe signing)

XBINS
(Required Files)

Using Xbins
(A guide on getting files from Xbins(PDF format))

Error Messages
(Detailed explanation of Xbox Error messages)

Opening The Xbox
(How to fully open an Xbox console)

Infinite Invalid File Size error FIX
(Lord Atherons possible fix for people who experience an infinite Invalid File Size error with HDD Driver)

Change IP
(A guide for changing your computers network settings)

DIY Action Replay
(A tutorial for converting your X-Box controller and Memory Unit into an Action Replay Device)