Xbox 360 120 GB Hard Drive Hack
Even though I don’t care for the Playstation 3 all that much, Sony did do one thing right: you can plug in a wide-variety of 3.5″ hard disks.
Microsoft, in their endless, dirty pursuit of money by introducing hoops for consumers to crawl through, decided to create a proprietary interface for the Xbox 360 hard drive. The result? The Xbox 360 120GB hard drive retails for $159.99 (though you can find it for $119.99 and less elsewhere), whereas the same 2.5″ hard drive is $49.99 on Newegg.
Even if you open up the Xbox 360 hard drive enclosure, the Xbox 360 will only communicate with a hard drive with specific firmware.
Thankfully, intelligent hackers have created tools to update said firmware on several Western Digital hard drives. We’re still stuck with 120 GB (Microsoft doesn’t support larger hard drives), but at least we can get it cheaper.
Everything you need to perform this upgrade is written about amongst the internets, but (not surprisingly), the information is often scattered and incomplete. Here are the complete steps I took to update my hard drive.
Physical Requirements
- Compatible hard drive.
I used the WD1200BEVS ($49.99 from Newegg) - T5 and T10 Torx screwdriver ends.
I bought the Husky 36-Piece Precision Screwdriver Set ($4.99 from Home Depot). - USB Flash Drive
- Computer with SATA ports and ability to boot from USB Flash Drive.
- Xbox 360 Hard Drive Enclosure.
Software Requirements
- Hddss.bin – the new firmware you’ll be using.
Google for it, and download it using a torrent, or dump it from your existing hard drive. - hddhackr 0.91 – tool that dumps/flashes/restores Xbox 360 hard drive firmware.
There is a 1.0 version available, but it didn’t work for me, and several others reported issues. - DOS 6.22 Boot Image
- Virtual Floppy Drive 2.1
- HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool 2.06
Create USB Flash Drive DOS Boot Disk
- Run Virtual Floppy Drive, install and start the drive.
- Load the DOS 6.22 Boot Image into the fake floppy drive.
- Plug in your USB Flash Drive (backup any files you wish to save).
- Run HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool
- Create a DOS Startup Disk using DOS System Files located at the fake floppy drive (click Start).
- Twiddle your thumbs for a bit.
- Copy the contents of the fake floppy drive to the flash drive.
- Copy hddss.bin to the flash drive.
- Copy hddhackr to the flash drive.
- Reboot the PC with the flash drive plugged in, and see if it boots into DOS (you may have to fiddle with the BIOS startup order).
- If you see a DOS prompt, congratulations. Don’t do anything yet!
Disassemble Xbox 360 Hard Drive Enclosure
- Use T5 Torx to remove 4 external screws. Remember the one under the security label… I forgot about it, and almost tore the enclosure apart.
- Use T10 Torx to remove aluminum hard drive shield.
- Disconnect cables by holding them with your thumb while sliding drive forward.
- ‘Bend’ the plastic bit at the end so you can get the drive out. It is attached loosely to the rest of the enclosure, and can tilt easily.
Backup 20 GB Hard Drive
If you have a memory card, copy your profile and any save games to it (you can always download things again later). I forgot to do this, and I’ll have to swap the 20 GB drive back in later.
Flash Xbox 360 Firmware
- Shut down your computer.
- Disconnect all SATA drives (so the software has no chance of screwing up).
- Connect your new 120 GB hard drive.
- Plug in the USB Flash Drive.
- Start the computer.
- Enter BIOS. If there is an option for ‘Extended’ or ‘Enhanced’ SATA configuration, you’ll want to choose ‘Compatible’ instead. I got stuck on this point, with my ASUS P5B Deluxe motherboard.
- Boot into DOS.
- Enter the command: hddhackr -f
- hddhackr should display your Western Digital hard drive in a list. If it does not, try another SATA port, or double-check your SATA configuration in your BIOS.
- Enter the number associated with your hard drive, and follow the prompts.
- Shut down your computer for 10 seconds.
- Start up, boot into DOS.
- Enter the command: hddhackr -f
- hddhackr will display something a different hard drive name, something with ‘Hitachi’ in it, if successful.
- Shut down the computer.
- Disconnect your new Xbox 360 120GB drive.
- Re-connect your old drives.
- Unplug the USB Flash Drive.
Final Steps
Re-assemble the hard drive enclosure. This is pretty simple, just plug the new drive in, screw things together, re-assemble the latch mechanism, and you should be all set.
Startup your 360 with the new hard drive. Once you’re booted up, go to System Settings, and your hard drive should be listed as ‘Unformatted’. Select it, and select Format.
Tada!
December 25th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
thanks alot for the detailed post!!
Here, I found a youtube video about xbox live hacks, that I would like to share- Xbox Live hacks.
But seriously, amazing post and thanks so much !
i look ahead to your next post !
April 12th, 2010 at 1:31 am
appreciated this article!
May 1st, 2010 at 6:52 am
Hi there, awesome site. I thought the topics you posted on were very interesting
May 1st, 2010 at 6:52 am
Thanks for sharing, I will bookmark and be back again
May 9th, 2010 at 6:22 am
I own an Xbox and a Playstation and both are really good game consoles. Let’s see what are Microsoft’s future updgrades on its Xbox game console.~*’
June 1st, 2010 at 1:59 pm
There’s nothing more relaxing than a video game marathon.
June 11th, 2010 at 7:18 am
Found you on Yahoo, exactly what I was looking for!
September 5th, 2010 at 2:07 am
I found your blog in the “Trackback” section of another blog. You write excellent content. I subscribed to your rss feed so I’ll definitely come back later. Keep up the good work!
September 13th, 2010 at 10:06 pm
Similar to your own self I’ve been writing related to this a tad and additionally you have provided me a number very good methods for my next blog post. Thanks a bunch
September 22nd, 2010 at 9:45 am
Fed up with obtaining low amounts of useless visitors to your website? Well i wish to share with you a brand new underground tactic that produces me personally $900 each day on 100% AUTOPILOT. I really could be here all day and going into detail but why dont you just check their site out? There is really a excellent video that explains everything. So if your serious about producing quick money this is the site for you. Auto Traffic Avalanche
September 28th, 2010 at 3:05 pm
Awesome Post, thanks for the great Post. I will come back later . Great information about ps3 hack: PS3 Hack
October 21st, 2010 at 3:05 am
Xbox 360 is beaten by Nintendo Wii when it comes to functionality and ergonomics*,”
November 2nd, 2010 at 5:42 pm
Hello, just doing some browsing for my Hitachi site. Amazing the amount of information on the web. Not what I was looking for, but very nice site. Cya later.
November 13th, 2010 at 12:01 pm
Awesome post mate.
January 8th, 2011 at 9:11 pm
Haha this guy says he discovered some Runescape hacks… think he’s kidding? Is that doable since RS is a client side game?
January 30th, 2011 at 6:20 pm
Geeze, great article! How are you able to make such high-quality articles this much? I’m impressed
March 10th, 2011 at 9:30 am
The previously mentioned approaches will absolutely get the job done if the PS3 is only overheat. This is absolutely a single of the options to the problem of how to fix PS3 Yellow Light of Death. If the above method does not function, a single of your selections will be taking the console to Sony to have it fixed. However, you may possibly need to have to expend up to $150 in buy to fix the dilemma if the guarantee period of time has ended. You may well also require to wait for a thing like a month in advance of you can get the console back again.
Learn more PlayStation 3 tips
May 7th, 2011 at 9:39 pm
But also remember, the harder competition there is for just a keyword, the harder it really is to achieve top ratings.
May 10th, 2011 at 10:36 am
hey my super cool buddy, quite frankly obtained kinds of romantic blog about msn to came down to motivated specifically how quite their website is truly. first class qualty at this point with lots of pleasurable things. appropriately have you modify an excellent world wide web appropriate? properly well picked n’ t simply would definitely have any answer to the problem from your website which would mean that i’m also able to ensure these types of fantastic oppinion. whom look maybe you have put to use in the foregoing optimistic type this individual? possible perfect when you can diagnose this type of areas. meets
June 7th, 2011 at 11:08 am
I was actually considering doing something like this on my blog do you have any references?
June 14th, 2011 at 3:56 pm
I’m extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your blog. “Red Recondite » Blog Archive » Xbox 360 120 GB Hard Drive Hack” is a good broadcast. A little aside, is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself? Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it’s rare to see a nice blog like this one nowadays..
June 25th, 2011 at 4:59 pm
Thank you for this valuable information, so nice seeing the community post this kind.
July 17th, 2011 at 2:13 am
whats up guys has any one heard about xbox 720 games is this really going to be released by microsoft, if so when? Thanks
August 8th, 2011 at 4:53 pm
You made some first rate points there. I searched on the web for the difficulty and located most individuals will associate with with your website.
August 8th, 2011 at 4:56 pm
I’m experiencing a difficulty with your rss feed . Don’t know why I am not able to subscribe to it. Is there anyone getting an identical rss problem? Anyone who is aware of kindly respond. Thanks
August 27th, 2011 at 3:59 am
You make more employed for that state most of the time rather than starting work for yourself. Either way, there’s not much recruitment safety.
September 12th, 2011 at 12:57 pm
Thanks for another great post. Where else could anybody get that type of information in such an ideal way of writing? I’ve a presentation next week, and I’m on the look for such info.
September 13th, 2011 at 8:18 pm
Fantastic internet site. Loads of helpful data right here. Therefore i’m sending it to a couple of associates ans also revealing in delicious. Not to mention, thanks for your sweat!
September 21st, 2011 at 7:20 pm
Thanks your beneficial deal merely with regard to many!
September 21st, 2011 at 11:18 pm
I like what I see so i am just following you. Look forward to looking into your web page for a second time.
September 24th, 2011 at 8:06 pm
NICE PRODUCT THANK YOU
September 28th, 2011 at 7:44 pm
Hey. Very nice blog!! Man .. Excellent .. Amazing .. I will bookmark your website and take the feeds additionally…I’m glad to find so much useful info here in the article. Thanks for sharing .
October 1st, 2011 at 5:26 am
Very wonderful info can be found on blog .
October 4th, 2011 at 2:05 am
I was just looking for this info for a while. After 6 hours of continuous Googleing, at last I got it in your website. I wonder what’s the lack of Google strategy that don’t rank this kind of informative websites in top of the list. Usually the top sites are full of garbage
October 8th, 2011 at 7:04 am
Thanks for the sensible critique. Me and my neighbor were just preparing to do a little research on this. We got a grab a book from our local library but I think I learned more from this post. I am very glad to see such fantastic information being shared freely out there.
October 9th, 2011 at 6:19 am
I am only commenting to let you understand of the brilliant encounter my cousin’s daughter experienced using your web site. She picked up such a lot of issues, which include what it’s like to have an incredible teaching heart to let many others completely master selected complicated subject areas. You really exceeded her expected results. Thanks for imparting these effective, dependable, informative and fun guidance on that topic to Mary.
October 9th, 2011 at 9:48 am
A person essentially lend a hand to make critically articles I might state. This is the first time I frequented your web page and to this point? I amazed with the research you made to create this particular post incredible. Fantastic task!
October 9th, 2011 at 4:29 pm
I wanted to post you the little bit of remark just to thank you once again for these breathtaking techniques you’ve shared here. This is so shockingly generous of you giving unreservedly all a few people could have sold for an e-book to help make some dough for their own end, principally since you could possibly have done it if you desired. Those secrets also served to become fantastic way to be certain that most people have a similar dream much like my personal own to find out a lot more around this matter. I think there are numerous more fun situations up front for those who take a look at your site.
October 14th, 2011 at 11:33 am
Hey very nice web site!! Man .. Beautiful .. Amazing .. I’ll bookmark your site and take the feeds also…I’m happy to find a lot of useful information here in the post, we need work out more techniques in this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .
October 15th, 2011 at 6:14 am
free money…
[...]Red Recondite » Blog Archive » Xbox 360 120 GB Hard Drive Hack[...]…
October 20th, 2011 at 5:04 pm
Some truly howling work on behalf of the owner of this web site , dead great subject matter.
November 2nd, 2011 at 2:14 pm
Totally indited content , Actually enjoyed searching at .
November 8th, 2011 at 2:47 pm
I ‘m quite disappointed of the fact that I actually had gotten PS3 and not Xbox. Xbox 360 includes way more awesome video game titles like Halo.
November 12th, 2011 at 9:50 am
A língua portuguesa é a melhor. Esse texto é maravilhoso. Gostei muito. Realmente excelente. Continue assim. Meu compaheiro.
November 13th, 2011 at 9:42 am
Admiring the time and energy you put into your weblog and in depth info you offer. It is great to come across a blog every once in a whilst that isn’t the same old rehashed material. Wonderful read! I’ve bookmarked your web site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.
November 21st, 2011 at 6:01 am
smith syndrome…
[...]Red Recondite » Blog Archive » Xbox 360 120 GB Hard Drive Hack[...]…
November 23rd, 2011 at 4:11 am
Another important component is that if you are an older person, travel insurance intended for pensioners is something you must really consider. The more mature you are, the more at risk you will be for allowing something bad happen to you while in foreign countries. If you are never covered by quite a few comprehensive insurance cover, you could have many serious complications. Thanks for discussing your good tips on this web blog.
November 30th, 2011 at 4:05 am
Ive meant to publish about something like th is on one of my blogs and th is gave me an notion. TY.
December 2nd, 2011 at 10:16 am
I am glad that I found this blog, precisely the right info that I was searching for!
December 6th, 2011 at 6:55 am
I’m very happy to read this. This is the kind of manual that needs to be given and not the random misinformation that’s at the other blogs. Appreciate your sharing this greatest doc.
December 7th, 2011 at 9:56 pm
I have never been so eager to read, if not for your blog I would still end up as a couch potato
December 17th, 2011 at 1:19 am
Your writing has really inspired me to really change my way of writing. I want to thank you for your hard work.
December 17th, 2011 at 1:38 pm
comedic actor Tom Truong’s world famous dog (Dakota) aka the Google dog is so cute. The celebrity’s dog sued Google on behalf of over 5 millions Gmail users world wide.
December 17th, 2011 at 5:32 pm
Hello, Neat post. There’s a problem with your website in web explorer, would check this… IE still is the marketplace chief and a large section of other folks will omit your excellent writing due to this problem.
January 2nd, 2012 at 9:41 pm
You really make it appear so easy with your presentation but I in finding this topic to be actually something that I think I’d never understand. It kind of feels too complex and extremely large for me. I am having a look ahead to your subsequent publish, I
January 11th, 2012 at 7:35 pm
Woah! I’m actually digging the template/theme of this website. It’s simple, however effective. Lots of times it is hard to get that “perfect balance†between usability and appearance. I should say you might have done a awesome job with this. Also, the blog loads really quick for me on Internet explorer. Outstanding Weblog!
January 14th, 2012 at 12:51 pm
Honestly, if you don’t want your personal information in the hands of China, then how can you trust Facebook with it?
January 14th, 2012 at 12:55 pm
I’ve long wished i could do something more with the data ?
January 17th, 2012 at 8:13 am
hey, umpteen thanks on behalf of the aggregation concept in bing. the part is extremely professionally graphical. i relish mensuration bountiful url!.
January 19th, 2012 at 7:47 am
What a nice post! Love your sharing! Please keep moving, I will follow your blog.
January 23rd, 2012 at 7:07 am
Much water runs by the mill that the miller knows not of