I was sick of using the onscreen keyboard within minutes - also if anyone else is in the room, there is absolutely no way you can hide your password. I do most of my configuration via ssh from my other PC, which also allows me to display X programs - computer screen is much easier on the eyes when you're trying to read anything...TV's are fine, especially if your aim is to have it as a media box rather than a desktop. You dont need the keyboard, mouse in your list xbox controller works fine, with an onscreen keyboard when needed.
I know I don't 'need' a $150 modchip, but it does allow me to program it via a parallel cable attached to my pc and have 4 selectable bios banks - useful if I ever want to do any programming on the xbox, as you can have a debug bios installed as well as any other bios.C'Mon, you dont need a modchip, and especially not a $150 mod chip! There are cheaper modchips around, too starting at around $20. Its just a peice of flash memory, nothing special. However that $150 can be spent getting linux installed.
I am still able to revert to an unmodded xbox which would be much more difficult if this was done - I can just switch my mod-chip off. This could be useful if I ever want to use xbox-liveThe onboard bios can be flashed once you solder two points on the motherboard together.
If my aim was to have the xbox as just a media box I wouldn't have even installed linux - xbox media player does a great job of playing just about any format.TV's are fine, especially if your aim is to have it as a media box rather than a desktop. You dont need the keyboard, mouse in your list xbox controller works fine, with an onscreen keyboard when needed. There are a few xine based gui's that are designed for TV work, with only a mouse or remote control.
Linux is only allocated 2.5GB of that 120GB hdd...So that only leaves that 120Gb HDD, if you've got a 100Mbit network, and a server, I'd just mount NFS shares all around. Or if you like to cart your media box around places with you it could be useful. Hell I might consider making the xbox my server :)
I don't really put myself in this category :-)
So for the soldering-impaired:
I don't think the advanced AV pack even works with linux. As for the linux install and bios flash, I did all that myself, which almost covers the cost of the mod-chip, and the mod-chip has a lot more functionality.XBox Console - $398 (Dick smith) Microsoft AV Pack - $49.95 (Dick smith) - Samsung 120Gb HDD - $208 (dragonpc) XBox linux install/bios flash - $100 (xboxhacking.co.nz)
Probably dont need the AV pack unless you have a really good TV, and you can enable half the advanced features from under linux (or using xbox media player if you have a evolutionx bios or something.
Anyway, I guess what I'm trying to say is that there is more to the xbox than just linux and I wanted to keep my options open. I think the hdd has come down in price slightly since I bought it - I bought the same hdd from the dragon a few months ago.
cheers
Luuk
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