Xebian
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Xebian is a Linux distribution based on Debian for the Xbox.
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[edit] Preparing the Xbox for Xebian
Installing Xebian requires that the Xbox be modified, which can be accomplished through a number of ways.
- Font Exploits
- Audio Exploits
- Replaced Dashboard
- Mod chip
- Reflashed TSOP
[edit] Font Exploit
The Font Exploit, Also called the "Software Method" and the "MechInstaller Trick", was pioneered by the Xbox Linux team with the intent of allowing one to run Linux legally, and without having to install a mod chip, or perform other physical changes to the Xbox. The Font Exploit is accomplished by booting the game Mechassault, loading a special "saved game" fileset created by the Xbox-linux team on either an Xbox memory unit or a modified USB stick that will boot a minimal Linux system from one of the "saved game" files. This will install a set of modified fonts which include Xbox executable code, and allow for a Linux option to replace the option normally labeled Xbox Live. The major downside to this is that it is known to cause the Clock-Loop Problem and disables use of Xbox Live. This exploit is also known to not work with newer versions of the Xbox.
Further, official, instructions can be found at [1]
[edit] Audio Exploit
It is currently unknown who came up with the original audio exploit, but current audio exploits are accomplished with methods similar to those of the font exploit. However, this exploit is not officially endorsed, supported, or condoned by the Xbox Linux team. More information can be found at Tutorial for Font/Audio Exploit at Xbox Scene.
[edit] Replaced Dashboard
One replaces the dashboard with a save exploit, as mentioned above, but instead of installing new fonts with executable code, the applications launched by the save exploit will allow for the outright replacement of the Microsoft dashboard. Most, if not all, dashboards allow for the launch of unsanctioned code, which includes many Linux installers. Again, this method is not endorsed, supported, or condoned by the Xbox Linux team.
[edit] Mod Chip
This requires the use of a Modchip which is, for the most part, self-explanatory. The Xbox Linux team has their own How-To for this method, located at [2], which includes multiple methods, including some methods requiring flashing of the TSOP.
[edit] Installing Xebian
Once the Xbox has been modified, depending on the method, one should be able to simply boot a home-burned Xebian disc. This point, however, can cause issues since there are three models of Xbox DVD-ROM drives, and two are infamous for having issues with reading burned discs. However, one may find moderate success if one attempts to burn a Memorex CD-RW at 4x or slower (One may still have to reboot the system multiple times before the disc is read 100% successfully).
After booting the Xebian disc successfully, the system should load a Xebian Live system. At this point, the user has the option of using a USB keyboard and mouse, if one has a USB adapter. If not, one can use the Xbox Controller and an on-screen keyboard (Also known on the Xebian disc as xvkbd and Virtual Keyboard). One should change to root (su command, password is xebian) and run the XBOXLinuxInstaller program.
The user is then given an on-screen menu which should step them through the rest of the process. This can also be done via SSH (the Xebian default IP is 192.168.0.10 if you are using Xebian 1.10 or later) since the menu system is done through the terminal.
The options provided to the user are
- Install to the SaveGame partition (E:)
- Install to unused space (F: Partition, space not formatted due to the Xbox Dashboard only using the first 8GB on hard disks, and some Xboxes having 10GB hard disks installed)
- Reformat the hard disk and install Xebian (Should only be used with hardware methods)
[edit] Using Xebian
Because Xebian is a Debian distribution for Xbox, and because it runs on a standard PC architecture, one can use Xebian for anything one would use a Debian system for. This includes the Debian application apt-get for installing applications. One can also compile their own software once the system is installed on the hard disk.
Xebian can be used either directly (devices directly connected to the Xbox) or through networked interfaces.
It's also generally recommended that people mount the Xbox Game Cache Partitions because the information in all the Cache Partitions is non-critical, and can be used to temporary storage.
Xebian can also be used for emulators, because any existing Linux application can be run on it. However emulators made for the Xbox specifically instead of Linux will probably run better on the Xbox's limited RAM and make better use of the controller.
Xebian is useful as a networked media player, given that the Xbox outputs to a TV. This setup allows for easy viewing of video files stored on a Windows PC, or any another computer, using Samba software, on an ordinary television. the distribution comes with several media players, including a copy of Freevo, which can be used in a similar way to the XBMC. There is, however, no TiVo-like DVR functionality because the Xbox does not have a video tuner/input. But a MythTV frontend can be run under Xebian and connect to a separate backend. Certain USB video tuner devices are known to work with Linux & MythTV and should allow the Xbox to operate as a full PVR in theory.
