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The Next Level of X-Box Modding

nikitin2k writes "A swedish guy did a really sweet xbox mod. He moved the whole thing into an aluminium chassis, changed the dvd and hdd, installed a mod-chip, wireless lan, leds, switches and Linux. Meet the xXx-box. The site is in swedish, but the pics speak for themselves. Lots of pictures here." I gotta ask tho, at what point would it have made more sense just to buy a regular computer? The green lighting is a nice touch tho.

262 comments

  1. Slashdotted! by Lothar · · Score: 0, Funny

    Poor sweedes.

    1. Re:Slashdotted! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Already! With just 2 commments (and none when i first opened the page).

      This must be a new record :-)

    2. Re:Slashdotted! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "It's slashdotted" type comments weren't funny 3 years ago. I just don't understand why they are still modded that way.

    3. Re:Slashdotted! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Isn't that exactly what the original poster said? What are you? Some kind of idiot?

    4. Re:Slashdotted! by taviso · · Score: 5, Informative

      Mirror here.

      wget --page-requisites --convert-links 'http://www.sweclockers.com/html/artikel/art_03022 5_xbox_mod.php?page=15

      --
      ex$$
    5. Re:Slashdotted! by Xandar01 · · Score: 1

      Wow, even the mirror was /.ed

      --
      Life moves pretty fast; if you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it. -FB
    6. Re:Slashdotted! by dmf415 · · Score: 1

      Just goto www.sweclockers.com
      you'll see at lease 1 or 2 pics of it

  2. Cool by Radix999 · · Score: 0

    Looks neat :)

    --
    -- Wireless WaFreenet user since March 2002
  3. Boom by worst_name_ever · · Score: 5, Funny

    Apparently he's serving the images from his Xbox too...

    --

    In Soviet Rush, today's Tom Sawyer gets high on you.
    1. Re:Boom by hype7 · · Score: 1, Funny

      I bet the green lights have all gone red, too.

      -- james

    2. Re:Boom by MaestroRC · · Score: 4, Informative

      Pictures here too... I kinda wanna see what my university's connection and my box can handle... So beat the crap out of it!

      ;)

      --
      I hate sigs...
    3. Re:Boom by SpaceJunkie · · Score: 1

      I am gonna ask why windows users wouldnt look geeky as well? In fact I know at least a few non-computer people who look as geeky as that...
      But then one of them is a die hard Magic fan I suppose.
      Still I like the big "Thanks Slashdot" notice on the dead site... Hehe...

      --
      OrionRobots.co.uk - Robots From sol
    4. Re:Boom by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      the only(?) mirror still up. rock on.

    5. Re:Boom by EvilBuu · · Score: 2, Funny

      I kinda wanna see what my university's connection and my box can handle

      If there was a "+1 Brave" mod option, you would definately get it my friend.

      --

      Green-voting, republican-registered, socialist-libertarian.
    6. Re:Boom by Iffy+Bonzoolie · · Score: 1

      Loaded up fast... universities kick ass. Man, when I was in college, I had to share a dual ISDN line with the whole building. Of course after I left the dorms, fiber was ubiquitous.

      -If

      --
      Run a pencil-and-paper RPG campaign with your far-off friends: Gametable!
  4. I wonder... by darkov · · Score: 4, Funny
    He moved the whole thing into an aluminium chassis, changed the dvd and hdd, installed a mod-chip, wireless lan, leds, switches and Linux.

    ... if the warranty is still valid.

    1. Re:I wonder... by kaytea2k · · Score: 1

      This ia great question you posed. Is the EULA still valid?

    2. Re:I wonder... by mattfish · · Score: 1

      Dude, WalMart will take anything back! :P

  5. Hmm by TheViciousOverWind · · Score: 2, Funny

    Pretty classy look. If I ever made a XBox mod, I'd probably end up making something really unique, like making it look like a toaster.

    --
    My <1000 UID is with a hot chick
    1. Re:Hmm by tolan-b · · Score: 1

      doa3 is the best beat em up i've ever played :)

      do you miss the fireballs and knives or something?

    2. Re:Hmm by Dizzo · · Score: 1

      Unique? Think again:

      http://www.itxpc.com/toaster.htm

    3. Re:Hmm by TheViciousOverWind · · Score: 1

      Well... I can't see it (I get a 403 on all the images).

      --
      My <1000 UID is with a hot chick
    4. Re:Hmm by Hast · · Score: 1

      The XBox DVD does not read "backwards". It's a perfectly normal DVD player, though it's apparently not that good at reading CDRs.

      You're probably thinking of the Gamecube which is non-standard and read the disc from the outside instead of from the innermost tracks first.

    5. Re:Hmm by Anonvmous+Coward · · Score: 1

      "If I ever made a XBox mod, I'd probably end up making something really unique, like making it look like a toaster."

      Ooo when can I get the AMD mod kit?

  6. Dude! by redneck_kiwi · · Score: 3, Funny

    A Dell would have been cheaper!

    1. Re:Dude! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      but it won't have MS DRM 0.0 in it. ;)

      I was quite surprise by how quiet the 2.4GHz P4 Dell machine I have at work is. It is even more quiet than the xbox.

    2. Re:Dude! by MyHair · · Score: 1, Funny

      "Dude!" hehhehe. uhuhuhuh. That's funny. I used to say that on TV.

      Man, I'm so wasted.

    3. Re:Dude! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      so would a 17 inch mac ibook. but dont burst the mans bubble

  7. swedish chef by dizzy+tunez · · Score: 3, Funny

    zee svedeesh meet bull X-Bux.
    bork bork bork!

    --
    "If you loved me, you`d all kill yourselves today"
    Spider Jerusalem
  8. How is this Swedish? by Chewie · · Score: 5, Funny

    I mean, how dumb do you think we are? I checked the site, and there's not a "bork bork bork" anywhere!

    --
    49 20 68 61 76 65 20 74 6F 6F 20 6D 75 63 68 20 66 72 65 65 20 74 69 6D 65 2E
    1. Re:How is this Swedish? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

      'Up'grade to Opera today! Then you'll see plenty of borked sites.

    2. Re:How is this Swedish? by Shelle · · Score: 1

      No, you'll just see MSN.com borked, and only if you download the special "Bork" edition.

    3. Re:How is this Swedish? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Too much time on /. Where's your humor?

    4. Re:How is this Swedish? by MJArrison · · Score: 1

      Everything is in perfect sweedish when you use the Sweedish Chef version of Google :)

    5. Re:How is this Swedish? by JamesSharman · · Score: 1

      53 6F 20 64 6F 20 49 21

  9. damn...... by nebenfun · · Score: 2, Funny

    I'm totally jaded to xbox mods now....

    It won't impress me unless someone manages to cross fruit and an X-box. "Banana Box" "Lemon-Lime Box".....

    or turn the X-Box into a Cray....

    or implant a X-box into an unsuspecting human and unleash him at a Linux fest.....

    otherwise, YAWN!...back to my 'L'-Box.........

    1. Re:damn...... by bsd-mon · · Score: 1

      I won't be impressed until someone gets apache (linux) running on their x-box with SSI so that we can have the hack x-box xbit hack

      --
      To read makes our speaking English good. - X. Harris
  10. Sometimes by dreamchaser · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Sometimes, as most geeks out there know, it's OK do to something silly just because you can. Sure, it probably be smarter to just buy a PC or buy the parts to build one, but many people get into either the 'coolness' factor or the 'because it was there' reasoning. Nothing wrong with that.

    1. Re:Sometimes by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Troll

      But an xbox IS a PC. It's not really that amazing what he did. Now, take a Gamecube or a PS2, put it into an xbox case, hook up a hard drive to it and use it as an mp3/divx player and I'll be more impressed. The "hacks" and case mods on slashdot are rather poor to say the least. Has anyone stuck a PC in a Mac G3 B&W tower case? All these aluminum chassis are crap compared to the design of the Mac tower cases. Anyone know of a PC case maker that has a clone of that? i.e. easy handle, fold down side holding motherboard, everything is easy to get to by just swinging down the whole side, etc? This design is perfect.

    2. Re:Sometimes by simong_oz · · Score: 2, Insightful

      You know a lot of great things have come about because someone, somewhere, at some time has thought "Because it's there". See my sig for the classic (and my favoursite) example, but there are many others.

      In fact, you could say that it is that inquisitive attitude that is the reason we (as a human race) are so successful.

      --
      "Because it's there." - George Mallory, when asked why he wanted to climb Mt Everest, March 18, 1923 (New York Times)
    3. Re:Sometimes by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The slashdot editors aren't geeks any more. They can no longer appreciate a fun hack.

    4. Re:Sometimes by j_kenpo · · Score: 1

      I totally agree with that. Its like Kennedy said, we do it not becauase we can or should, we do it because its there. I personally like this guys mod, as long as it still plays X-Box games as well (I cant read Swedish, but Im pretty sure it does, otherwise it would be a step backwords, not fowards). Id like a case like that for my Freevo box, but Im not all that creative...

    5. Re:Sometimes by Jethro+On+Deathrow · · Score: 0

      You just described mentality behind the whole OSS movement.

      Thank you.

    6. Re:Sometimes by Tenebrious1 · · Score: 2, Informative

      Its like Kennedy said, we do it not becauase we can or should, we do it because its there.

      At least get the damn thing right. He never said because it was there. He didn't imply man climbed mountains because they were there. He did say

      We choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too.

      Man, a simple google search would have made you look insightful instead of clueless.

      --
      -- If god wanted me to have a sig, he'd have given me a sense of humor.
    7. Re:Sometimes by brokenbeaker · · Score: 0, Troll

      "In fact, you could say that it is that inquisitive attitude that is the reason we (as a human race) are so successful."

      Are you ignorant, arrogant, or trying to raise my ire? There are billions of hungry people, powerful nations bully weaker ones, and it's highly likely that we are seriously damaging the ecosystem of the whole PLANET.

      How in the world does this make us successful?

    8. Re:Sometimes by op51n · · Score: 1

      I hold with it being more sense to buy a PC, but at the same time, if you're wanting to play a bunch of games that you can only get in X-Box, and you have enough time and money to make it look better, which lets be honest, isn't difficult with the Billy-Box, then why not?

    9. Re:Sometimes by killmenow · · Score: 1
      Ahh, such flowing prose...

      ...and what do we get from Mr. Bush?
      "I suspect that had my dad not been president, he'd be asking the same questions: How'd your meeting go with so-and-so? ... How did you feel when you stood up in front of the people for the State of the Union Address-state of the budget address, whatever you call it." -George W. Bush, in an interview with the Washington Post, March 9, 2001
    10. Re:Sometimes by Nazmun · · Score: 1

      Aluminum is hardly used for looks... Mostly used for the heat dissapation and lightness factor compared to steal cases. This is why Lian-Li's cases are doing so well. They have the plainest and most boring looking cases but still sell really well. Especially among overclockers and case modders.

      --
      Hmmm... Pie...
    11. Re:Sometimes by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Or a Google search might have made them look like a nitpick asshole like yourself.

    12. Re:Sometimes by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Well, TechTV's Kevin Rose has put CD-ROM sized PCs in Mac 5.25" bays, but that's not quite the easy access to the PC you're looking for.

      There's also the i-Tee case from LOPE Computer Co., Ltd. DeviantPC has a review. So far, I only know of SpecialTech and Micro Direct offering them for sale, and they aren't in the US. I'd love to know where to get one this side of the pond. (Directron lists it as a future product.)

      The i-Tee has been reported on Slashdot before.

    13. Re:Sometimes by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      well..
      http://www.slcentral.com/articles/01/8/g4p c/
      and btw the Mac-chassis stinks..

    14. Re:Sometimes by User+956 · · Score: 2, Informative

      Has anyone stuck a PC in a Mac G3 B&W tower case?

      Yes. Or was that a rhetorical question?

      --
      The theory of relativity doesn't work right in Arkansas.
    15. Re:Sometimes by j_kenpo · · Score: 1

      Thank you for sucking the meaning and inspiration out of a great mans speech to try and look intelligent and insightful over a syntax error. You must be a teacher, and in that case I pity your students.

    16. Re:Sometimes by Iffy+Bonzoolie · · Score: 1

      Well, we beat out dogs and cats and birds to dominate the planet. Maybe we'll all kill ourselves, but, in terms of the species, we've been pretty successful so far. We haven't found any ruins of ancient technology that surpasses ours, so we've probably come farther than any other race on the planet. So we win, for now.

      -If

      --
      Run a pencil-and-paper RPG campaign with your far-off friends: Gametable!
    17. Re:Sometimes by jshare · · Score: 1
      Holy crap.

      You think that's a syntax error?

      Getting a quote wrong (even if you are only alluding to the quote) is way worse than a syntax error.

      BOOM. You are a foe, and I'll not see your posts again. :)

      Mod me down as offtopic, or flamebait. This guy needs to know that he fucked up, and shouldn't defend a mistake. I'll not take my karma bonus, tho.

  11. Well... by Hellraisr · · Score: 1, Interesting

    I'm behind a firewall so I can't see the pics right now, but Xbox modding is something that is a really interesting topic right now. The whole thing of MS not wanting you to do things to your own system etc. It is refreshing to see someone actually mod their Xbox and not just paint the plastic X on the top red and call it modding or hacking.

    1. Re:Well... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Firewall meaning you got a porn filter?

    2. Re:Well... by PerryMason · · Score: 4, Funny

      Maybe you wouldn't like my mod then....

      I rotated the XBOX decal on the top so it now says XOBX. I tell people its the cheap knock-off of the Xbox made in the Soviet Union (where apparently Xbox pays you...or some such crap.)

      --
      "I'm tired of all this 'Aren't humanity great' bullshit. We're a virus with shoes" - Bill Hicks
    3. Re:Well... by locknloll · · Score: 1

      Are you really sure that it's just the firewall? I'd rather call that "Slashdot effect"...

      --
      -- Power corrupts, but PowerPoint corrupts absolutely.
    4. Re:Well... by Anonvmous+Coward · · Score: 1

      "I rotated the XBOX decal on the top so it now says XOBX."

      Oh I got a mod that you'd be interested in: Flip it up on it's side and XOBX becomes |. Cool. eh?

  12. The point to give up by questamor · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I gott ask tho, at what point would it have made more sense just to buy a regular computer?

    probably at the point where imagination gives up, I think most mods are useless from a practical point of view but feh, you have fun doing it

    1. Re:The point to give up by coopaq · · Score: 1
      And don't forget at the point when you can play
      Xbox games on a 'computer'.

      Not only do you have fun doing it, but
      people also enjoy seeing it. Hence this /. story :)

      Why do I get picked on at work for my case?
      Just because it's nt beige like everyone elses?
      Should I have bought a 'regular' computer?

      -J

    2. Re:The point to give up by goon+america · · Score: 1
      I gott ask tho, at what point would it have made more sense just to buy a regular computer?

      Also, regular computers don't come at a $150 loss to Microsoft.

    3. Re:The point to give up by CoolVibe · · Score: 1
      Should I have bought a 'regular' computer?

      Nah, you should've bought a Mac ;-)

      *ducks*

      (disclaimer: I am the proud owner of an iMac, so no mac zealotry please, I am already a convert )

    4. Re:The point to give up by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It seems as though everyone is missing the point when they say "why not just buy a pc".. well pc's cant play xbox games and yes you can have linux and still play xbox games (including xbox live ). aside from that you can make it into a media player and many many other things (its a great place to back up your pc to just ftp to it a woo ha)

      p.s you can back up games and dvd's onto it which is a great way to store and veiw your dvds.

    5. Re:The point to give up by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I think most mods are useless from a practical point of view but feh, you have fun doing it

      Well adding a bigger hdd and ripping your games onto it is pretty practical.

      other than that though... it's all just eye-candy.

  13. An Xbox because: by Max+Romantschuk · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I gott ask tho, at what point would it have made more sense just to buy a regular computer?

    If you ask me, yes. First of all it's a nice feeling to buy something and give it a personal touch. On top of that a comparable sized PC hardware would probably be hard and or expensive to find (can't look at the pics, /.ed).

    And it's always nice to do something which is supposed to be impossible and or has been made hard to do.

    It's all about the sense of accomplishment :)

    --
    .: Max Romantschuk :: http://max.romantschuk.fi/
    1. Re:An Xbox because: by Dr.Enormous · · Score: 1

      Something impossible: like the little diamonds in the middle of the "XXX" that appear to be floating on thin air? How in the heck did he do that?

    2. Re:An Xbox because: by jandrese · · Score: 2, Funny

      welcome to the 21st century. I would like to introduce you to plexiglass.

      --

      I read the internet for the articles.
    3. Re:An Xbox because: by Alan+Partridge · · Score: 1

      I think it might have something to do mwith the mirqacle of perspex

      really, how stupid can you be? how confusing are windows for a person like you?

      --
      That was classic intercourse!
    4. Re:An Xbox because: by thx2001r · · Score: 1

      Ooh... I know! You could use one of those tiny pc cases like this Shuttle one...

      Of course, the built-in graphics and sound suck (for gaming, okey doke for everything else) so you'd have to get ye a Radeon 9700 (Almost twice the price of an XBOX and with it's own loud cooling fan and extra power attachment to the power supply, but hey, it has video out so you can plug it into your HD-TV) and a Soundblaster Audigy II (only half the price of an XBOX)... then a DVD-Drive... a P-4 (again, about twice the price of an XBOX and boy that poor little power supply! How's it gonna handle all the juice this hungry set of components guzzles), a lot of RAM, USB Controllers (game controllers, it actually includes USB ports)... when all's said and done, for about $1500 - $2000 (TV announcer voice) You could build your own smokingly fast gaming PC about the size of an XBOX, lots louder, lots warmer (you can have your own space heater!)... and that's not even including modding the case so it at least *looks* cooler!

      Ok, so the XBOX is mondo cheaper, in fact, cheaper than the parts it's made of (damn, that's a cheap box, not like what you'll find on the street!). My question is: Why is it that on a message board that so THOROUGLY hates MS (even more than MS the degenerative muscular disease) ANY mod to the XBOX is such a huge deal! Next up, the MS XBOX super toaster mod... install a P4, sans heat sink and accompanying refrigerator. Turn on modded XBOX and put toast on the melting plastic... replace melted plastic case with Iron (ooh... a case with substance, not like those *wimpy* aluminum cases, this puppy weighs a ton and can really keep its heat ((homer simpson voice) stupid efficient, lightweight aluminum!)) to create a lovely skillet!

      --

      -Joe
      If we're all god's children, what's so special about Jesus? - Jimmy Carr

    5. Re:An Xbox because: by Max+Romantschuk · · Score: 1

      My question is: Why is it that on a message board that so THOROUGLY hates MS (even more than MS the degenerative muscular disease) ANY mod to the XBOX is such a huge deal!

      Microsoft doesn't like Xbox mods.

      A vast majority on Slashdot doesn't like Microsoft.

      (bad for Microsoft = good for Slashdot)

      That's the binary logic translation anyway, let's not take any fuzzy logic into account, shall we? ;)

      --
      .: Max Romantschuk :: http://max.romantschuk.fi/
    6. Re:An Xbox because: by thx2001r · · Score: 1

      As they say: There is NO bad publicity. Everytime you say Microsoft it appears on a web page... or even MS or M$... If people hate Microsoft so much they shouldn't say their name so much on these bulletin boards. It just improves their Search Engine rankings... where quantity of a word used creates a weighted score in a web search on most search engines.

      Therefore mentioning Microsoft and all their products, even if it's surrounded by trash talking and bad words and whatever, is just free advertising for MS. If people truly hate them, they shouldn't even mention their names.

      Besides, I'm sure Microsoft secretly loves Xbox mods... they're developing quite a following nowadays. How long do you think it'll be before Microsoft sells its own mod chip? Remember too that their saying NO, don't do this only makes people want to do it more... don't people realize that they are being manipulated?

      Sigh, as much as we all hate Microsoft, they are pure genius in marketing and even reaping free marketing from people that hate them.

      --

      -Joe
      If we're all god's children, what's so special about Jesus? - Jimmy Carr

  14. Why? by DarklordJonnyDigital · · Score: 5, Insightful

    You ask why? I think the question is, why not?

    Running a webserver on an X-Box or a GBA, we geeks do it because we can. It was the same with the Linux Dreamcast and the laptop Amiga 600 before it. I mean, at least now the X-Box is good for something - heaven knows it's already the SIZE of a server case... ;)

    1. Re:Why? by morgajel · · Score: 2, Funny

      Another good example- this guy's portable computer.

      --
      Looking for Book Reviews? Check out Literary Escapism.
  15. The point is... by MojoMonkey · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I gott ask tho, at what point would it have made more sense just to buy a regular computer? The green lighting is a nice touch tho.

    What's the point? Well, since the site is slashdotted, I was unable to read the article.... but, the point is, to have a nice looking machine... that, get this, plays X-BOX games. I'm sick and tired of the "buy a $300 Walmart PC", for most people a $300 Walmart PC doesn't DO what the want to do. Believe it or not, hardware doesn't mean squat if it doesn't run the software you want.

    --

    ----- "Blame the guy who doesn't speak English." -- Homer J. Simpson
    1. Re:The point is... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What's wrong with the X-Box's original case? It looks far cooler than any PC case.

    2. Re:The point is... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Actually it does not play Xbox games as he switched the DVD drive.

  16. The slashdot effect strikes again by termos · · Score: 4, Funny

    He changed the DVD!
    He changed the HD!
    He inserted a wireless network card!
    He installed Linux on it!

    .. But he got slashdotted.

    --
    Note to self: get smarter troll to guard door.
    1. Re:The slashdot effect strikes again by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      He changed the DVD!
      $50.
      He changed the HD!
      $100.
      He inserted a wireless network card!
      $200.
      He installed Linux on it!
      Priceless!
      But he got slashdotted.
      Doh!

    2. Re:The slashdot effect strikes again by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      New DVD ROM... $40
      New HDD... $100
      New Network card... $50
      Installing Linux... $0

      Getting slashdotted... Priceless

  17. XBox "Rest in Peace" process ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Is MS about to RIP the XBox ? Some rumours sais that loss around asia and europe are so high that MS decided to slow-down things ...

    Hard time for people betting on xbox world domination ? Fun time for PS/2 ?

    Donno ... but looking after losses seem hint.

    Yoze

    1. Re:XBox "Rest in Peace" process ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      xbox is doing okay in america, okay in europe, TEH SHITZ in asia.

      xbox isn't going to die any time soon, but that alone is no reason to bother with purchasing one.

    2. Re:XBox "Rest in Peace" process ? by Clatter · · Score: 1

      I see Xbox as a(nother) failed attempt by the M. Cool idea, but PS2 and GCN do it better

  18. Case by nycsubway · · Score: 1

    The case actually looks like an old JVC receiver case. And why would you take an X-box and place it into another chassis and turn it into a Linux box... wouldn't it be cheaper and easier to just use regular PC components?

    1. Re:Case by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'm just gonna have to post AC. Seems most of the /. crowd says this, so this post will get modded down for disagreeing.

      I think there are a few good reasons. Some of the irrational but human natured ones would "because I can". Also the fact the this is a M$ machine, they don't want people modding it and putting linux on it. Cleary the most logical reason would be that they can have a nice console gaming machine that can boot Linux and behave like a normal PC as well.

    2. Re:Case by i+chose+quality · · Score: 2, Informative
      The case actually looks like an old JVC receiver case.
      but it is, if i'm not completely wrong a Lian Li PC-9300 computer case ...

      i'm sorry; but i'm informative, too... ;)
      --
      the computer is online
      i am not at it
      what a waste of ressources
    3. Re:Case by Fig,+formerly+A.C. · · Score: 1

      Wll then, the mod seems like a waste of a really nice computer case. To me, anyway... :-)

      --
      Murphy was an optimist.
    4. Re:Case by i+chose+quality · · Score: 1

      you got a point there.

      im currently scetching out the specs for a fanless home entertainment pc. doesn't seem impossible to me to combine the trashy x-box with some mATX-based system... now that would make for a nice box!

      so long

      --
      the computer is online
      i am not at it
      what a waste of ressources
    5. Re:Case by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Read the article in this month's CPU mag. It explains a lot of the differences between an xbox and a cheap pc, and why the xbox is faster

  19. Point in case by G3ckoG33k · · Score: 2, Funny

    "[...]at what point would it have made more sense just to[...]"

    Huh? Think Mt Everest - because it is there.

    1. Re:Point in case by slimak · · Score: 1

      so right, i can't even begin to think how many times i've seen and x-box and though - wow, everst. i hardly think its fair to compare a mountain and a mod

    2. Re:Point in case by Tenebrious1 · · Score: 1

      Huh? Think Mt Everest - because it is there.

      Do you even understand that statement? How such a flippant comment says so much about a killer mountain that takes lives without mercy, taking some of the best (and some of the not so best) mountaineers mankind ever produced.

      There's a world of difference between pitting yourself against mother nature, knowing that even the smallest mistake can lead to the the deaths of you and your entire team; and being out $200 because you shorted out the GPU of the xbox.

      --
      -- If god wanted me to have a sig, he'd have given me a sense of humor.
    3. Re:Point in case by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "...[N]ot because they are easy, but because they are hard...."
      "Because it's there."
      "Because I can."
      "I don't like Mondays."

      All those have existing contexts that don't quite apply. Almost all the flippant responses to the question "Why?" that could work have been taken. Is there a short phrase that isn't pre-loaded with other greater meanings that we can use that alludes to the same concept without making someone angry about belittling the original/famous context?

      "Because I wanted to"?
      "Because I was bored"?

      It's the same motivation being voiced, so he should be able to use the same words to describe it, regardless of the discrepancy in the scale of risk or ominousness.

  20. sweet ... by mbennis · · Score: 0

    A swedish guy did a really sweet xbox mod. He moved the whole thing into an aluminium chassis,....
    And slashdot moved his site into the Xth dimension

  21. Ummm.... by corporal_clegg · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I gott ask tho, at what point would it have made more sense just to buy a regular computer?

    Since when did heavy case modding ever make sense? Isn't the point to do something frivolously cool?

    --


    public void karmaWhore(String url){addSlashdotComment(fetchContent(url));}
    1. Re:Ummm.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Insightful

      Since when did Slashdot have anything interesting to post to the front page anyway? 1999? It's been going downhill ever since. Jesus Christ, xbox case mods? Who the fuck cares? Does this look like Toms Hardware or some fucking gamer site?

    2. Re:Ummm.... by Tarpan · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      So stop reading?

  22. The old switcha-roo by VitrosChemistryAnaly · · Score: 2, Funny

    So the Xbox is a PC made for console gaming.

    He switched the Xbox into a PC.

    Wow...you just blew my mind.

    --
    "It's a tarp!" -- Dyslexic Admiral Ackbar
  23. Not Slashdotted! by Alan+Partridge · · Score: 1

    ...not when I looked after 35 comments, anyway.

    maybe you aren't prepared to wait more than half a second for the server to fill you request ?

    oh yeah, the mod? Nice neat job, certainly better looking than an X-Box case - but it's still an X-Box, and now it takes up 3 times as much space.

    Eeeeewwww! Microsoft!

    --
    That was classic intercourse!
    1. Re:Not Slashdotted! by FinalCut · · Score: 1

      Or maybe you got lucky (and are just grumpy) since plenty of other people have found the site to be suffering the /. effect..

      Of course, your whole post kinda has a grumpy feel to it.. Even your compliment is balanced with a gripe. sheesh.

    2. Re:Not Slashdotted! by Alan+Partridge · · Score: 0, Flamebait

      well.... that's coz it's an X-Box.

      As far as I'm concerned, the only positive things about the X-box are any good games that happen to get written for it - even though they would have almost certainly been released for other platforms had the X-Box not been released. many still consider Halo to be the X-Box's finest hour, and we KNOW that would have been released for both PC and Mac (and quite possibly PS2) if MS hadn't bought out Bungie.

      Talk about a fucking Trojan horse! The only thing worse than lovers of free software drooling over the next MPAA blockbuster is them buying X-Boxes because Halo is a fun game!

      Yeah, I'm grumpy about MS taking over the world, why aren't you? You can either fight the Nazis or be enslaved by them - it's your choice.

      --
      That was classic intercourse!
    3. Re:Not Slashdotted! by vrocket · · Score: 1

      Did you just compare Microsoft to the Nazis??
      bit of a stretch, don't ya think??

    4. Re:Not Slashdotted! by BlackHawk-666 · · Score: 1
      You must be confused with IBM, which is a different comapany.

      http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0609 607995/qid=1046189792/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_1/103-991000 4-0236611?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

      --
      All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain.
    5. Re:Not Slashdotted! by Alan+Partridge · · Score: 0, Flamebait

      nope, IN THEIR FIELD I think they're actually worse.

      maybe a "Springtime for Microsoft" musical would do the trick...

      --
      That was classic intercourse!
    6. Re:Not Slashdotted! by Hast · · Score: 1

      Yeah, last I heard they were building concentration camps for OSS programmers.

      Or not. And according to old Usenet laws anyone who makes an analogy to Nazis regarding whatever they are opposing automatically lose the argument.

    7. Re:Not Slashdotted! by Alan+Partridge · · Score: 1

      tell that to GWB and Donald Rumsfeld

      --
      That was classic intercourse!
    8. Re:Not Slashdotted! by FinalCut · · Score: 1

      Wow your pretty heated in your disdain for MS and the MPAA it seems. I guess Im just not seeing this from the same angle you are. Sure there is plenty of things MS does that I don't like as a company - but some of their software is useful - even if they did just buy another company to make it - The software industry isn't the only one that works like that. Im just not as opinionated about these issues as you are and frankly I don't think MS = Nazi. That is just plain extreme. There is no real correlation you can make between the actions of MS and Nazi Germany to support that statement. MS may be a dirty cheating backstabbing company - but they dont kill people, practice genocide, or genomic cleansing. They make software/hardware or buy other companies that do it better. That is about it.

  24. AGAIN? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Ok, I understand everyone hates M$ and that modding an xbox is cool. But do we need an article every single time someone does it?

  25. no vacuum cleaner? by cribb · · Score: 1

    i can't believe noone has made an xbox-powered vacuum cleaner yet...

    --
    Hostes alienigieni me abduxerunt. Qui annus est?
    1. Re:no vacuum cleaner? by jpetts · · Score: 1

      i can't believe noone has made an xbox-powered vacuum cleaner yet...

      I was going to that, dude, but I figured it would really suck...

      --
      Call me old fashioned, but I like a dump to be as memorable as it is devastating - Bender
    2. Re:no vacuum cleaner? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They did.. it's called Antz Extreme Racing for X-Box, and it really sucks.

    3. Re:no vacuum cleaner? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      i can't believe noone has made an xbox-powered vacuum cleaner yet...

      Well, the problem seems to be getting Linux to run on it. Due to the nature of the hardware, it seems like Windows is embedded.

  26. Point? by freeweed · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I gott ask tho, at what point would it have made more sense just to buy a regular computer?

    Right about when a regular computer is capable of playing Xbox games.

    --
    Endless arguments over trivial contradictions in books written by ignorant savages to explain thunder in the dark.
    1. Re:Point? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I still don't get console gamers. I bought a PS2 for Christmas and about 6 or 7 games and honestly the thing has sat unused for the last 3 months. Sure, it was fun to play Vice City for a few weeks but then I got bored. It's a pain in the ass to enter the cheat codes (Right, down left up right down left up, x y x y r2 r1 r2, etc.) I'd rather just play PC games and that's what I always fall back to. Much better controls on the PC, better RPG games, etc. I bought SOCOM Navy Seals thinking it might convert me from Counter-Strike on the PC but I always fucking die on the first level on the ship. It's impossible to play with the gay ass controller instead of a keyboard and mouse! How do you aim? Consoles SUCK compared to real PCs. Anybody want to buy a lightly used PS2, SOCOM, Vice City, a bunch of sports games, etc.? $150.

    2. Re:Point? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      Consoles are great if you have friends in meatspace. A PC is a very single-user toy, while a console can have up to 8 people playing some games, and most games support at least two.

      For some of us, gaming is something do to because it's fun and a good laugh. I never play games on my own, it's boring and anti-social.

    3. Re:Point? by wolrahnaes · · Score: 1

      Right about when a regular computer is capable of playing Xbox games.

      But he changer the DVD drive, thus removing ability to play original xbox games (he still can play burned games)

      --
      I used to get high on life, but I developed a tolerance. Now I need something stronger.
    4. Re:Point? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      thats not true you can replace the dvd drive and still play xbox games you just need to connect the original power cord from the xbox to something so that you dont get an error

  27. CmdrTaco != Geek by ackthpt · · Score: 5, Funny
    I gott ask tho, at what point would it have made more sense just to buy a regular computer? The green lighting is a nice touch tho.

    Kathleen has finally done it. She's turned Rob into a normal guy. Let this serve as a warning to all you geeks out that, this is what marriage will do. It'll strip you of your desire for case mods, installing Linux on anything with an electronic pulse or ability to see if articles have already been posted! *shudder*

    Rob. Put the mouse down, move away from the computer, leave the room, turn the lights off, get your sixpack and ride your lawnmower around the yard (or w/blade, plow driveway.)

    I knew this day was coming. I've also noticed Gabe at Penny Arcade has begun to lose his hand to eye coordination, so vital in video games. Next thing you know, he'll be playing strategy games.

    Come to think of it, loss of hand to eye coordination is probably as good an excuse as any to convert that old Xbox into a server.

    --

    A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
    1. Re:CmdrTaco != Geek by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Is you are a devout reader of Penny-Arcade you will know that they do play strategy games... 'Moonbase Commander' has been mentioned a few times. great strategy game... oh and I believe gabe is blaming everything on 'The Game'...

  28. Re:Txt Msg Editing? by mirko · · Score: 1

    Imagine how difficult it was if he typed it using an Xbox controller on a slashdotted Xbox ? ;-)

    --
    Trolling using another account since 2005.
  29. WTF by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    He moved the whole thing into an aluminium chassis,

    snip...

    I don't find this the least bit impressive. I mean come on how hard can it be to whole thing into a computer chassis when it's already a f$@&ing computer.

  30. Why must you ask... by Clay+Mitchell · · Score: 1, Funny
    I gott ask tho, at what point would it have made more sense just to buy a regular computer?
    Because then he couldn't get it on slashdot?
  31. Problems ahead by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    One Finnish XXX site called "XXX-Box" just got into trouble because of their name. MS lawyer contacted them insisting that the name needs to be changed. This poor Swede will most likely face the same problem very soon.

    1. Re:Problems ahead by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This is a Xbox-mod. Not a site. I can make a nice mod on my computer and call it Lucasfilm-Starwars-Micro$oft-can-all-blow-me and then post pictures all over the net and get away with it.

  32. GEEKS != ARTIST AND ART = FART - F by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ...

  33. Looks nice actually . . by bedouin · · Score: 1

    This would fit in nicely with a home entertainment center, especially if some of your other components have the classic 80's silver finish.

  34. Almost, but not quite. by war3rd · · Score: 5, Funny

    He forgot to add the 8-track!

    --
    Got sushi? The Sushi FAQ
  35. Enough with all the congratulations by EpsCylonB · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Enough with all the "why not ?" and "cause it's never been done before" justifications.

    He changed the DVD, the HDD, he added loads of extra hardware.

    It's no longer a friggin XBox!

  36. Sorry but ... by ascii · · Score: 5, Funny

    ... whenever I see one of these modding projects I get this odd taste in my mouth and it all reminds me too much of my gawky teenage years and the mech-geeks that would mod Puch Maxi mopeds to go 100km/h either by using illegal german tuning kits or by drilling or filing various parts of it.

    To those who don't know the Puch Maxi let's describe it as a ... pratical vehicle. With its slim bycyclish appearance it looked kinda stupid with a death-defying teenager on top of it at a hundred kilometers per hour.

    Whenever modding is brought up I come to think of these things.

    Sorry, flame me to death now.

    --
    naah sig schmig
    1. Re:Sorry but ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That's still actually a hobby that is alive and well today. http://www.mopedarmy.com

  37. My Dell 550 never made it to Slashdot by Titusdot+Groan · · Score: 1, Redundant
    I gott [sic] ask tho, at what point would it have made more sense just to buy a regular computer?
    Hmmm, my pictures of my stock Dell 550 never made it to the front page of Slashdot, earning me tons of rep with my geek friends ...

    I'm I going to get modded as redundant for that [sic] I put up there :-)

  38. link redirection.. by ciupman · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    This might be offtopic .. but wouldn't be an improvement to the slashcode if the links could be redirected (wrapped) to a system that could queue the requests (there could be a max limit depending on the remote server's capacity) to the actual link.. this way remote servers wouldn't "die" like this..

    --
    I fuse with Mercer every single day...
    1. Re:link redirection.. by tx_mgm · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      This might be offtopic .. but wouldn't be an improvement to the slashcode if the links could be redirected (wrapped) to a system that could queue the requests..........this way remote servers wouldn't "die" like this..

      oh come on, now! where's the fun in that? a good portion of slashdot comments are new and witty ways to say that the site is gone! for example, i read the most hilarious comment earlier that said the modder was "obviously using M$" since the site was down! brilliant!
      if slashcode were improved to eliminate this "slashdot effect", then we wouldn't be enriched with comments such as these anymore.
      /sarcasm

      --
      Gentlemen...BEHOLD!
      -Dr. Weird
    2. Re:link redirection.. by Deton8 · · Score: 1

      A better question would be how the /. servers can routinely deal with the user traffic, while those of much larger organizations cannot. Screw selling banner ads, you guys, sell the secret technology you use for serving up so many freakin web hits!

  39. RIAA by lposeidon · · Score: 0

    oh shit. is RIAA going to get into the xXx logo?

    --
    Lizard "Never let them set limits on your mind!"
  40. Re:The Next Level of Human Skin Lampshade Modding by phuturephunk · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    ...Um, patronizing gaming hardware from the evil empire and trying to aquire a lamp born out of pure human atrocity and evilness on an unheard of scale isn't the same f*cking game ...Its not even the same f*cking Sport!..C'mon now...

  41. Re:I converted an X-Box into... by Dark+Lord+Seth · · Score: 1, Funny
    An xBox Sun you say?

    I really should be stoned for this one...

  42. Umm... no... by MarvinMouse · · Score: 0

    Because the RIAA (Recording Industry Artists Association?) is for music, not movies.

    Now the MPAA... that's a different matter.

    If the RIAA gets involved, I'll have a good laugh, and tell them something that includes "and the horse you rode in on."

    --
    ~ kjrose
    1. Re:Umm... no... by lposeidon · · Score: 1

      my bad. i was half asleep when i wrote that.

      --
      Lizard "Never let them set limits on your mind!"
  43. I got myself all excited... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ...until I realized it wasn't REALLY an XXX-Box.

  44. Learn thyself, fool by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    gott = gotta

    "gotta" = "got to". Sadly, for someone complaining about "Basic English", YOU FAIL IT

  45. Erm... by arvindn · · Score: 5, Funny
    Meet the xxx-box. The site is in swedish, but the pics speak for themselves.

    Er, CmdrTaco, are you quite sure this is about hardware?

    Being at work, it put me into a dilemma: to click or not to click?

    1. Re:Erm... by moc.tfosorcimgllib · · Score: 1

      Meet the xxx-box. The site is in swedish, but the pics speak for themselves.

      Er, CmdrTaco, are you quite sure this is about hardware?
      It sure isn't about being Microsoft!

  46. Oh No! by MarvinMouse · · Score: 2, Funny

    Slashdot has done it, They've melted his X-Box modded box!

    Oh the Humanity!!!!

    --
    ~ kjrose
  47. Ikea by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Seeing as this is in Sweden, the home of Ikea, the guy probably had to do this so that his X-box wouldn't look out of place in his 'showroom.'

    Now, if he can mass-produce it, keep costs down and write instructions in Engrish...!! ;-)

  48. Re:Hoo is thees Svedeesh? by MyHair · · Score: 4, Funny

    I meun, hoo doomb du yuoo theenk ve-a ere-a? I checked zee seete-a, und zeere's nut a "bork bork bork" unyvhere-a!

    Translation courtesy of The Dialectizer". For effect, here's the Slashdot summary:

    Zee Next Lefel ooff X-Bux Muddeeng Herdvere
    Pusted by CmdrTecu oon Tooe-a Feb 25, '03 08:04 EM
    frum zee noo-veeet-a-meenoote-a dept.


    Um de hur de hur de hur. neekitin2k vreetes "A svedeesh gooy deed a reelly sveet xbux mud. Bork bork bork! He-a mufed zee vhule-a theeng intu un eloomeenioom chessees, chunged zee dfd und hdd, instelled a mud-cheep, vureless lun, leds, sveetches und Leenoox. Meet zee xXx-bux. Zee seete-a is in svedeesh, boot zee peecs speek fur zeemselfes. Um gesh dee bork, bork! Luts ooff peectoores here-a" I gutt esk thu, et vhet pueent vuoold it hefe-a mede-a mure-a sense-a joost tu booy a regooler cumpooter? Zee greee leeghting is a neece-a tuooch thu.

  49. Typical /. crowd... by nautical9 · · Score: 3, Insightful
    Figures that when a case mod article is posted like this one where the editor says "at what point would it have made more sense just to buy a regular computer?", almost every response is "because it's cool, you dolt!".

    Yet when a case mod is posted without that disclaimer, everyone claims "this is sooo non-news... why, oh why would anyone bother doing this?"

    Poor /. editor's ain't gettin' no respect...

  50. uh.. well.nice, but.. by gl4ss · · Score: 3, Interesting

    ..why did he waste xbox on it? he wanted to play halo?

    after so extensive modding he could just have used a proper smallish motherboard for the job(mATX/itx/whatever), and then he could have also had more memory than xbox's 64mb.

    yea i'm bitchin and it yes it does look nice and is a cool project, but it's like modding a dodge neon into viper and leaving the neon's engine block in it.

    --
    world was created 5 seconds before this post as it is.
    1. Re:uh.. well.nice, but.. by Rew190 · · Score: 1

      I dunno, maybe so he could play X-Box games?

  51. Too bad you can't rack-mount it. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It looks like the right shape for a rack-mount; I could put it under my stereo, CD player, and DVD player.

  52. Well good thing he's running Linux, since a real xbox DVD drive has weird microsoft stuff[tm] in it, like provision for reading backwards I think? And it isn't on a normal ATA channel.. it's probably some weird abstracted serialized ATA

    So this wouldn't play games.. which, lets face it, the x-box does reasonably well.. except the DoA ones (dead on arrival, not dead or alive ;p)

  53. when is an x-box not an x-box? by corsetboy · · Score: 1

    at what point does an x-box mod stop being an x-box? how many components do you need to change before it looses the quintessential element of x-boxyness? is it the processor? the case? the BIOS, perhaps? all seems a bit silly to me.

    1. Re:when is an x-box not an x-box? by RatBastard · · Score: 1

      When it can't play XBox ganmes, or it gets banned from XBox Live.

      --
      Boobies never hurt anyone. - Sherry Glaser.
  54. With all this modding.... by mraymer · · Score: 1

    can it still play XBox games? ;)

    --

    "To confine our attention to terrestrial matters would be to limit the human spirit." -Stephen Hawking

    1. Re:With all this modding.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Not with a swapped DVD drive - the original xbox drive is the only way to read xbox originals.

      The replacement will play backup/homebrew only.

  55. Uck by whmac33 · · Score: 0

    A cool Xbox mod would be awesome. The xXx on the top is nice with the green light in the dark. But during the day that thing is ugly. Would have been sweet if he picked a cooler case to start with.

    If I were to ever mod an XBox with a standard electronics case, I think I'd get a Sony case. That would just be funny I think, plus it would match all the other Sony stuff on the shelves. My GC and XBox just look out of place right now.

  56. Pictures mirror by Karl+Cocknozzle · · Score: 4, Informative

    Pictures only here. Please be gentle...

    --
    Who did what now?
    1. Re:Pictures mirror by RTPMatt · · Score: 1

      you bastards can break anything!

    2. Re:Pictures mirror by Garridan · · Score: 1

      Please be gentle...

      Sure, we'll be gentle. Unfortunately, there's not a whole lot of room for "gentle" when you're swinging a sledge hammer.

  57. Re:Hoo is thees Svedeesh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ...instelled a mud-cheep, vureless lun, leds, sveetches und Leenoox.

    Do you know what this means? We finally know the true pronunciation of "Linux"!

  58. Nonsense. Nobody has the Xbox to play games... by alexhmit01 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    The game selection is far inferior in quantity to PS2 (if you dig quantity) or quality to the Gamecube. It's an oversized mess with lousy games and decent graphics. BTW: I have an Xbox, it was a gift. The gaming experience is SO inferior to by Gamecube (4 Wavebirds vs. a couple of clunkers). The games are inferior. And everything is built to appeal to sex-starved teenagers.

    Compare Beach Spikers (GCN), a really fun volleyball game with some over-the-top scenes, to DOA X Extreme Beach Volleyball, a collection of gratuitous scenes with casino, "hopping game," and volleyball miniggames.

    You get the Xbox as a gift, or the "wow, it's got a powerful video card" factor. Nobody gets the Xbox for the software, unless they already have a PS2 and GCN and wanted to play a particular game (Buffy is pretty cool).

    Alex

  59. Pr0N?? by Beetjebrak · · Score: 1, Troll

    ..what other use could an XXX-box have?? ;-)

    --
    Learn from the mistakes of others. There isn't enough time to make them all yourself.
    1. Re:Pr0N?? by Fig,+formerly+A.C. · · Score: 1
      Troll? WHAT?!?

      Funny for most people, overrated maybe if you have no sense of humor, but troll? Not really.

      Bad moderator, no donut!!!

      --
      Murphy was an optimist.
  60. If you don't get it, that's fine... by TellarHK · · Score: 3, Insightful

    But I just don't understand why people who don't get the concept of modding a case as fun keep posting about it every time something like this makes the front page. Sure, there may have been other more technically inclined posts that could have made the front page instead, but why worry? If they're really important enough, they'll get posted whether this goes up or not.

    I like to see this kind of news, I find it amusing and kinda cool. I haven't gotten into the case mod thing yet myself, but have been seriously considering a few ideas that come very close. I'd like to propose a new section of Slashdot for the kinds of news that don't quite fall under the other categories. The "It's funny, laugh." category here doesn't seem quite right. How about a "Geek Culture" section to catch the items that keep getting responses like this? Sure, some people will debate the specifics of Geek Culture, but I think it's pretty easily defined.

    Unfortunately, I'm at work so can't really put the time into it (started this paragraph three times already) so maybe someone else can pick up the slack?

    I'd like to point out that modding the Xbox would be quite fun. I've wondered just how much I could get away with on mine since I just got it. Perhaps trying to build a megaconsole might be in the cards soon, taking the boards from a PS2 and an Xbox and seeing what I can stuff in one case...

  61. Re:Hoo is thees Svedeesh? by Big+Mark · · Score: 1
  62. Jeez... by Cpt_Kirks · · Score: 1

    Here I thought I was pretty hardcore chopping up old cases for mounting parts to build a portable mini-itx box into a toolbox.

    This guy is the poster child for "too much time on your hands".

    Snow Day, Snow Day, no work today, I wish my fscking gp32 would come in from the UK today...

  63. I got another mod! by Rutje · · Score: 0, Troll

    He moved the whole thing into an aluminium chassis, changed the dvd and hdd, installed a mod-chip, wireless lan, leds, switches and Linux. I did something else: I moved the whole thing into a chassis made of bread, and replace some electronics by some meat. The result was a delicious hamburger! How about that? Yummy

    --

    I want my karma, and I want it now!
  64. $300 Walmart PC by sparkhead · · Score: 5, Insightful
    I'm sick and tired of the "buy a $300 Walmart PC", for most people a $300 Walmart PC doesn't DO what the want to do.

    For most people, a $300 Walmart PC does do everything they want it to do.

    Slashdot readers are not "most people".

    1. Re:$300 Walmart PC by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Slashdot readers are not "most people".
      Thank (insert whatever deity you worship.)

    2. Re:$300 Walmart PC by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Slashdot readers are not "most people".

      Thank God!

  65. yep I bet it is... by Dukebytes · · Score: 0, Flamebait
    "The green lighting is a nice touch tho."

    Taco - I'll take your word for it. Because I can't see it... And no, "I'm not blind you insensitive clod" - its ./'d... Imagine that - gheesh why cant we cache this stuff - at least the pics??? eh????

    Duke

    --

    FreeBSD: Nothing runs like a daemon with a pitch fork.
  66. Tho? by HomeGroove · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    At first I thought, what is Taco doing? Using 'tho' for though? Just seemed like bad grammar (and no, I'm not a grammar nazi. Hell, i'm the reason they invented grammar and spell checks). Then I checked. Accoriding to the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Ed., it's a variation on how to spell though. To me, tho just looks stupid.

    --

    ----
    Spam subject of the moment: Offshore account secrets -nashville disrupt

  67. Still won't touch it. by HaloZero · · Score: 1

    'A rose by any other name would still smell just as sweet.' - Applies for bad(ish) things, too. Like the Xbox. You can dress it up all you want, I still won't go near it.

    But that's just me, and my pesky preferences. *hugs his PS2, GameCube, and Game PC*

    --
    Informatus Technologicus
  68. The REAL xXx-box by zsazsa · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Guys, we really know that THIS is the real XXX-box.

    Or maybe THIS is the real one!

  69. Open letter to Kathleen Malda by wowbagger · · Score: 5, Funny

    Dear Mrs. Malda,

    Please do the community a favor. Tomorrow, stand behind your husband with a large foam bat, and every time he misspells a word, or uses a non-word like "tho", club him.

    I gottTHWACK ask thoTHWACK, at what point would it have made more sense just to buy a regular computer? The green lighting is a nice touch thoTHWACK.

    1. Re:Open letter to Kathleen Malda by ethx1 · · Score: 1

      Wow! By the time Kathleen is done, Rob will be dead....

  70. Gotta ask... by Bobman1235 · · Score: 1
    I gott ask tho, at what point would it have made more sense just to buy a regular computer?


    More importantly, when does it cease to be a mod and actually just become taking a piece of hardware from once place and 90% of your other hardware from elsewhere? Great, he has the XBOX CPU.... and that's it. New case, peripherals... if you've ever taken any courses in cognitive thinking, at some point this ceases to be an XBOX... I believe this passed that point.

  71. Step aside... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Step aside Panasonic Q. Now introducing the all new RCA X.

  72. Why I made the xXx-BOX by MjOxXxBOX · · Score: 1

    Ok guys, I made the xXx-BOX, why ? I can sit here I day talking about how cool it is, and you modify thing just becuase it can be done and so on. But the real reason is probably just to little sex :-D Seriously, I know it's crazy, it's expensive, it's totally fucked up really, but hey it's casemodding. I don't need more computers, I don't need the extra harddrive, I probably won't even play the darn thing :-D I just wanted to build one....

    1. Re:Why I made the xXx-BOX by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Moron.

  73. Live? by lowe0 · · Score: 3, Informative

    Bullshit. I have an Xbox, and I've got more games for it than for my PS2 and Gamecube put together. Sure, there's one or two crap titles, but I've got crap games for the PS2 as well (The Bouncer - WTF was I thinking?)

    On top of that, Xbox Live is a lot of fun. Load up MechAssault, Ghost Recon, or Unreal Championship and blast away with full voice support, so you can talk trash while you're lighting people up.

    And, there's Splinter Cell, which isn't even out for the other two consoles yet.

    In short, don't dismiss the Xbox just because you think people don't play games on theirs. I don't even have a modchip in mine, let alone Linux, and I'm perfectly happy with it.

    1. Re:Live? by Gulthek · · Score: 1

      Four good games (Mech Assault, Ghost Recon, Unreal Championship)?

      Seriously, what good games does X-Box really going that are exclusive? Splinter Cell I would've given, but now it's going to be ported to PS2 and Gamecube, so what's left?

  74. point by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "I gott ask tho, at what point would it have made more sense just to buy a regular computer?"

    At ANY point... if you want to make sense. you must not have every played the Xbox.

  75. At what point? by abcxyz · · Score: 1
    I gott ask tho, at what point would it have made more sense just to buy a regular computer?


    Right before he started.....

  76. Mac Mini-tower cases... by MamasGun · · Score: 1

    Yeah, those rock. Dell uses a similar design for its cases but you can't run a Dell with the door open like you can a Mac tower.

    I suspect you could put a PC mobo in one of those, but you would probably have to recable everything. And it wouldn't be as neat on the inside because the cabling inside a Mac Mini-tower is specifically designed for it. Much of the wiring is routed under the motherboard.

    There have been several instances where Mac Logic Boards have been put into ATX cases. It does work, but to do it right you really have to have to drill new holes in the motherboard tray to accomodate the different hole pattern. That mickey-mouse job that the guy who was featured on The Screen Savers did won't cut it. Plastic cable ties? Please. You need to ground a logic/motherboard to the case in specific places. I'm sure that kludge job had nasty shorting problems.

    I was at a CrapUSA and saw a whole bunch of micro-ATX minitower cases which were vague ripoffs of the Apple case. Smokey plastic with beige plastic, internal metal infrastructure, cheaply built with the finest Chinese slave labor. I would have grabbed one but it seems to use a non-standard size power supply...not an ATX, not a SFX-L or SFX-S, but something weird. I decided it would be too much of a hassle to chase a decent replacement down, so I gave it a miss.

    And why did someone do this? The classic Geek reason: "Because I can." I think the person who did this would be happier with a nice ASUS A7N266-AA motherboard in there and an Athlon XP with a Thoroughbred core, but there would be nothing remarkable about it. This guy did the mod for the hack value alone.

    --
    "But you've already got a DVD. It lasts forever....In the digital world, we don't need back-ups..."
    -- Jack Valenti
  77. Toaster PC by Beltway+Prophet · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I like this one:

    http://www.mini-itx.com/projects/toasterpc/

  78. Why he didn't buy a computer... by wumarkus420 · · Score: 1

    I am dumbfounded by these posts and comments that constantly ask "why not buy/build a regular PC?" VERY SIMPLE ANSWER - A REGULAR PC DOES NOT PLAY X-BOX GAMES. There are other things you can do with this other than run a crappy port of Mandrake. We would like to "ignore" the backup scene, but simply put, you can store TONS of x-box games on a replacement hard drive. The replaced optical drive does the trick for reading CD-R rips that the X-Box wouldn't normally read. A PC would be pointless if you were actually interested in playing any real x-box games.

    1. Re:Why he didn't buy a computer... by Cid+Highwind · · Score: 1

      "why not buy/build a regular PC?" VERY SIMPLE ANSWER - A REGULAR PC DOES NOT PLAY X-BOX GAMES.

      And, after the release of X-Box Live, NEITHER DOES A MODDED X-BOX! So the question remains, if you modchip it and lock yourself out of all the cool online games, why bother with an X-Box at all? Is single-player DOA Beach Volleyball really *that* cool?

      --
      0 1 - just my two bits
    2. Re:Why he didn't buy a computer... by wumarkus420 · · Score: 1

      Actually, you simply install a switch to turn the modchip on and off. Then your x-box works fine with X-Box Live. And yes, single player DOA volleyball is *that* cool.

  79. Re:Nonsense. Nobody has the Xbox to play games... by FallLine · · Score: 1

    Wrong, I do. I'm not a fan of MS, but I actually bought an Xbox for the select few games that it can run. While I will not argue that there are more games on Xbox or that those games are overall higher quality, you should keep a couple things in mind:

    a) some people (like me) will buy xbox just to play a few games that they really like, even if they don't play them all that often. In other words, I'm willing to pay a premium and accept (much) fewer choices in games if those few games that I do choose play better or are offered only in Xbox (or at least with unique features, i.e., internet play).

    b) xbox live (internet/multiplayer support) is far superior to what is offered on for playstation and gamecube. For some people (again, like me) the ability to play online games is HUGE, especially since I find most single player games absolutely mind numbingly dull.

    c) the graphics are in fact substantially better on xbox. Although I hate most single player games, I do enjoy Splinter Cell, in large part because of the graphics. It's not just "oh wow I have a powerful video card", but that it adds depth to the environment and contributes substantially to playability. I don't believe that you'll see a good port of it on PS2 or a game approaching that level of graphics on the other platforms.

    Now this is not to argue that this constitutes a successful business model for MS. Most kids may be deterred from buying xbox because of the relative lack of games and the prices. Players like me (i.e., those that will opt for xbox for xbox live, graphics, and those select few games) are probably too small of a niche to profit from on this sort of venture, but that still does not mean that it is not the best choice for players such as myself. Frankly, I'd love to see MS fail here, even if I did purchase Xbox :)

  80. Re:Nonsense. Nobody has the Xbox to play games... by Jace+of+Fuse! · · Score: 1

    This is probably the best "pro" XBox argument I've ever seen, and the only one I actually agree with.

    It's no secret I actually like my GC and PS2 over my XBox, but I will say that I would never get rid of my XBox (though it did die on me and I had to send it in for warrenty work).

    Really though it only has a few good games, I do actually LIKE those few games, and I like them quite a bit. So the system does have it's uses.

    I personally would not recommend it as someone's sole system, though.

    --

    "Everything you know is wrong. (And stupid.)"

    Moderation Totals: Wrong=2, Stupid=3, Total=5.
  81. An Asshat is a person by YorkshireONE · · Score: 1

    who puts "MOD this person down!!!!AAA++++" in the subject of their post. Then proceeds to troll using foul language out of context, whilst posting as anonymous user.
    In summary the lowest form of life.

  82. You got to admire his style... by dragontooth · · Score: 1

    This is a very nice piece of work. Not to mention I have "modded" a few things in my lifetime. Well maybe not so much modded as built something just for the cool factor. Well that almost true. I mean the one thing that I have thought in the past few years that needed to be produced but still hasn't was a really good set top box for the PC. This device is almost what I was thinking although I will not pay the X-Box game prices.

    I built a nice little set top out of a very small flex case, ATI All-In-Wonder, Linux, wireless LAN etc. It works unbelieveably well but I wish I could build something as nice as this. I am not the hardware geek that this guy is but I wish I were because I think I would be building some (non-proprietory systems and selling them. I'd buy his work. The level of craftmanship is beyond reproach in this case.

    --
    "Laugh, and the whole world laughs with you. Cry, and they still think its funny." - Mr. Boffo
  83. The reason by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The reason for the box being so expensive is that the guy that did it won the lottery last year and built a kickass fileserver for ~$4000 and he probably had some money left. The total cost of the xXxBox was around $800.

  84. The critics of the critics are not infallible by Graspee_Leemoor · · Score: 1

    "gott = gotta

    "gotta" = "got to". Sadly, for someone complaining about "Basic English", YOU FAIL IT"

    Actually your correction of his correction would still leave the original sentence as "I got to ask though...", so we're looking at:

    gott -> gotta -> got to -> have to.

    FINAL EVOLUTION! CORRECT ANSWER! I WIN! BRING ON THE SCHOOLGIRLS!

    graspee

    1. Re:The critics of the critics are not infallible by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      gott -> gotta -> got to -> have to -> must

      The schoolgirls are mine.

  85. OH! I get it! by Jace+of+Fuse! · · Score: 1

    OH! I get it!

    He modded it to make the case smaller, right?

    --

    "Everything you know is wrong. (And stupid.)"

    Moderation Totals: Wrong=2, Stupid=3, Total=5.
  86. Looks kind of like an Apple by poweroff · · Score: 1

    Doesn't it?

    It's the PCI slots that made me think so.

  87. Nobody has an Xbox to play the games? by Inoshiro · · Score: 1
    • Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance
    • Capcom VS SNK 2 EO
    • Fatal Frame
    • Gunvalkyrie
    • Ghost Recon
    • Jet Set Radio Future
    • Mech Assault
    • Robotech
    • Sega GT 2002
    • Serious Sam
    • Shenmue 2x
    • Splinter Cell
    • Timesplitters 2
    • Unreal Championship

    In addition to their great single and multiplayer modes, some of those games also have online multiplayer and online new missions (without PC-patch-upgrade-Windows hell), and a lot also support system link (without the LAN-party PC-patch-upgrade-reinstall-new-hardware-Windows hell). The Xbox is a better gaming PC, and the best console for multi-platform releases.

    If you don't have an Xbox to play the games, sell it. Or go to an EB and ask someone what games are good. Don't whine about it like a spoiled brat.

    Note: I own almost every console (next-gen, first-gen, etc), and have over 200 games. If a console has more than 7 good games, I buy it and the games. Very, very few consoles actually can't reach that limit; the Xbox had no problem doing it (although the GCN does have ~20 great games).

    --
    --
    Internet Explorer (n): Another bug -- that is, a feature that can't be turned off -- in Windows.
    1. Re:Nobody has an Xbox to play the games? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Don't forget Rally Championship.
      Also, the xbox is going to get some awesome PC games. Including Deus Ex 2 and Doom 3 and they will run on $200 hardware and now a $1000 PC. Sounds sweet!

    2. Re:Nobody has an Xbox to play the games? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Oh yeah and Midtown Madness 3 with multiplayer; I can't wait for that one.

  88. Dude, get a Dell! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I'd rather give my money to Dell than M$. No Xboxes in my home! I definately dont want to be a part of/or help them in their plans for beating Apple for the "Digital Hub" war.

  89. Where's the mod that makes a PC into an XBOX? by What+is+a+number · · Score: 3, Interesting
    So we can PC-ize an XBOX, and, up to the point that it still plays XBOX games, I would still call it an XBOX. So the next obvious mod is a chip (or whatever is necessary - software in a VM?) to enable a PC to play XBOX games. Come on, where is it?

    ....

    I type this every time.
    1. Re:Where's the mod that makes a PC into an XBOX? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Once the original DVD drive is removed it becomes a PC not a Xbox. It will not play xbox games.

    2. Re:Where's the mod that makes a PC into an XBOX? by What+is+a+number · · Score: 1

      Is that it? I thought (without reading the slashdotted article, of course) that this mod changed the DVD and still played the games.

      Also, is that vice-versa? ie If I take the DVD *out* of an XBOX and *into* a PC, can the PC play XBOX games? I doubt it.

      ...
      I type this every time.

  90. Mirroring idea... by s88 · · Score: 1

    In the abscence of slashdot doing what they should (mirroring small sites prior to posting links to them), I suggest they add top level support for supplying a mirror. I am sick and tired of read through all thr crufty comments looking for those one or two external links which are mirrors. Why not give a submitter the ability to mark a URL as a mirror to the posted story, then list the mirrors near the top, by the story.

    Oh wait, I retract my suggestion because, after all, this is slashdot. I don't want to see 15 links for every story that all point to goatse.cx

    Scott

    1. Re:Mirroring idea... by SpiffyMarc · · Score: 1

      Just attach mirror links to comments and moderate them accordingly. +4 or better and bamf, mirror link at da top. Top three moderated get listed? Sounds good to me.

    2. Re:Mirroring idea... by 1u3hr · · Score: 1
      I am sick and tired of read through all thr crufty comments looking for those one or two external links which are mirrors

      I just do "ctrl-f mirror".

  91. LMAO!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I find it pretty funny when I click on either link, all I get is a blank page with this:

    "Thanks slashdot. :-) Check mirrors in thread."

    He knows! He knows ALL about us!

    jwf

  92. Re:Thanks alot... by Fig,+formerly+A.C. · · Score: 1
    Oh, is that what Slashdotted means?

    I thought it meant that the same story or article kept getting posted over and over and over... :-)

    --
    Murphy was an optimist.
  93. Why not buy a computer? by Control-Z · · Score: 1


    I'll tell you why. You need Xbox innards to play games like Halo. And Halo. And oh yeah, don't forget Halo!

    That's about it.

  94. Oh, gawd, not in Texas! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Here you can get a 2 Ghz Athon with 512 meg RAM(!), fast CD, 100mps Ethernet, 56K modem, Good Enough video (unless you are a Gamer), Good enough sound (unless you got to have 5.1) and a slow 20 gig HD (5400 rpm) for $300!

    Upgrade the HD, add a DVD burner, and a good video card and I bet you STILL come out ahead.

    Of course, I have no idea what this would cost in Sweden.

  95. Functioning? by rpillala · · Score: 1

    How about a picture of it doing something other than sitting there being lit? Like playing a game? My xbox doesn't work at the moment, but I can still make a nice green light in it.

    Maybe there was a picture of this and I missed it?

    Ravi

    --
    When the axe came to the forest, the trees said, "Look out - the handle was once one of us."
  96. Bad Name by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Lemme get this straight- the dude guts the box, throws in a mod chip, some lights, a new hdd, and installs linux.

    Shouldn't this thing really be called an ex-XBox?

  97. Re:How is this Swedish? [ot] by patter · · Score: 1

    Quote from a Swedish friend of mine to an American one:

    Bork! Bork! Bork! is Swedish for OMFG! We make the best food! :P

    --
    -- If at first you do succeed, try to hide your astonishment. -- Harry F. Banks
  98. Re:Bush v. Kennedy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    For sure, Bush is pretty incoherent sometimes, and Kennedy's speeches were great. Apart from that, I'm appalled by the way Bush goes back on his promises and tries to bully those who don't agree with him. Nevertheless, I think it's unfair to compare a speech with an interview. A speech is simply much more carefully scripted and thought through than the other.

  99. New Mirror by MikeBabcock · · Score: 3, Informative

    Thanks to comment http://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=55018&cid=5378 313 I've set up a mirror of his/her mirror at http://www.fibrespeed.net/~mbabcock/mirrors/www.to mmarsh.net/xmod/

    It is still downloading from the original site, so some pictures may not come up when you initially visit.

    Good luck. I'll be throttling it in case it gets Slashdotted too badly. And yes, the server penalizes rapid reconnections.

    --
    - Michael T. Babcock (Yes, I blog)
    1. Re:New Mirror by MikeBabcock · · Score: 1

      Yes, yes, its tacky to correct your own post instead of just previewing in the first place, but the URI should have been http://www.fibrespeed.net/~mbabcock/mirrors/www.to mmarsh.net/xmod/, without the space. However, the original (misspelt) URI will also work.

      --
      - Michael T. Babcock (Yes, I blog)
  100. Re:Nonsense. Nobody has the Xbox to play games... by blincoln · · Score: 1

    It's an oversized mess with lousy games and decent graphics

    Two words: Steel Battalion.

    Of course, if you think the XBox is oversized, you probably couldn't stand the custom controller =).

    --
    "...always new atoms but always doing the same dance, remembering what the dance was yesterday." -Richard Feynman
  101. original time of purchase by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I gotta ask tho, at what point would it have made more sense just to buy a regular computer tho.

    at the store...

  102. Yay, Switches by billcopc · · Score: 1

    I like how the guy went for an Altair look with those switches, but all in all doesn't his rig look kinda dull ?

    "Hey man, look what I did to my Acura; I turned it into a Yugo!"

    --
    -Billco, Fnarg.com
  103. hmmmm by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    too bad i cant read swedish...

  104. Your response confuses me by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Q: "..at what point would it have made more sense just to buy a regular computer?"
    A: "If you ask me, yes."

    Yes is the point where he should've bought a regular computer?

  105. Godwin's Law by RatBastard · · Score: 1

    That's Godwin's Law.

    --
    Boobies never hurt anyone. - Sherry Glaser.
  106. they are great cases by zogger · · Score: 1

    ..they are great cases! I think why many geeks don't do that is that the hardware already installed is quite good as well, and is upgradeable, cpu, drives, expansion cards, etc. I guess if you could find a for-real busted one it would make more sense to snag it for the case. The stock config could run 3 or 4 OS's,too, so that would probably be enough for most folks, you could run mac os classic, 10.x whatever, linux, and doze with virtual PC. That covers a lot.

    Tell ya what I want to build, a super tough portable for camping and emergency use. I am accumulating pieces for it now. It'll be built into one of two briefcase things I have (haven't decided which one yet though yet) have multiple non stock just generic 12 volt rechargeable batteries and some removable solar panels (I have two lightweight flexible ones now for this project I could use, Unisolars) with long enough wire that the computer can be put in the shade but the panels run out to the sunshine. Used components now are so cheap, I want to try this sometime. Some very low electrical requirements mobo and chip (cruesoe?), lotsa ram, I'll sacrafice cpu speed for that. I want a good large lcd monitor, a normal keyboard and a real mouse as I am fumble fingered and don't like laptop keyboards, and a variety of drives-2 hdd, 1- cd/rw- and a wireless net connection obviously. Plus storage in the case for extra cd disks, etc. I'll probably have a small multiband radio in there as well, and my sony watchman TV, call it my portable communications kit. I know some companies already make this sort of rig (kinda sorta, at least the computer parts), but fresh out of "spare" thousand dollar bills for those industrial models I have seen.

  107. Damnit, I was gonna do this... by Hummercash · · Score: 1

    Looks like he beat me to it. Oh well, mine will have multiple hard drives as well as two DVD drives (original M$ drive to play games and standard $40 drive to play divx on cdr).


    .//chris

  108. X-Box Mod by DJ+Mc+Hugh · · Score: 1

    I like the mod changes. Green light kicks a$$ however I'll be really impressed if someone can take an a aluminum case in the shape of the Linux Penguin and get a XBox in it :)

  109. Re:link redirection..(Getting way offtopic now) by tx_mgm · · Score: 1

    sell the secret technology you use for serving up so many freakin web hits!

    oh i think the "secret technology" is the appropriate use of text over graphics....something that web designers out there (especially the ones that get slashdotted) seem to need more practice with. mind you, this is a very general comment and i am well aware of exceptions. also, there have been times where slashdot loads fairly slow and im guessing its due to traffic.

    --
    Gentlemen...BEHOLD!
    -Dr. Weird
  110. You're right :) It just has a weird power cable. I thought that was a data cable :)

  111. sexy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I modded my xbox so it streams porn. I call it the sex box.

  112. Re: Why the controllers then? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Hmm...I do believe the system is chipped...therefore I don't believe the DVD swap is a problem. Why else would they put controller ports in the front?

  113. Last Post! by alpg · · Score: 0

    The true way goes over a rope which is not stretched at any great height
    but just above the ground. It seems more designed to make people stumble
    than to be walked upon.
    -- Franz Kafka

    - this post brought to you by the Automated Last Post Generator...