Ok I have a xeno gc chip, a cold heat soldering iron, solder, a gamebit screwdriver, and a cross-over cable. What are the additional things that I need? Thanks in advance.
Good miniDVD-R if you haven't gotten it yet. More specifically, RiDATA miniDVD-R. This might just be my opinion, but cold heat soldering irons are horrible. Use a real soldering iron since they are much more reliable. If you must have a cordless, quick heating/cooling soldering iron, I suggest grabbing one of these. It worked great when I used it to install my brother's XenoGC and my qoob Pro. http://www.amazon.com/Weller-Soldering-Battery-Powered-BP645/dp/B000EJ30HW
ok so I soldered in my xenogc, but I can't get a green light to save my life! I have been back inside four times now. The first time I got a rolling black and white screen, the second I got a slightly clearer rolling black and white screen the third time I got nothing, and this time nothing. I think maybe I have manipulated the solder too much at this point? It is definately looking pueter-ish and dull? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!
A rolling black and white? Sounds like a video output issue. More specifically, it's outputting a signal that your TV isn't compatible with. For example, many NTSC TVs can't display PAL signals. Does it always have a rolling image or is it just with games? You might have to try out the XenoGC's video forcing to see if it makes a difference. If you hold X or Y while turning on the GC, it'll force the video to either PAL or NTSC depending on which one you held. It didn't work on the first XenoGC as far as I could tell, but you might have the second version if you bought your chip in the past month or two. Oh, and make sure you haven't created any unwanted solder bridges. The connections for the XenoGC are tiny, so only a small amount of solder is necessary.
It only had a rolling black and white screen when I held down start w/ a game in. Now I can't even get the rolling screen with any button holding, with a game in or out. I have read about a green light? I bought the chip less than a month ago. This may be a noob question but- is there any way that I can test individual soldered connections with a multi-meter? Thanks for your help!
Bummer. It really does seem like you've bridged some connections. If you can, try to remove some of the excess solder. Although, it'd probably be a pain in the ass considering the chip is mounted right on the board and you risk damaging or desoldering something you shouldn't. http://www.xenogc.com/settings.html Holding start brings you to the version screen, which as I recall defaults to PAL. Meaning, it's normal for you to get a black & white (also rolls depending on the TV) with an NTSC TV. Out of curiosity, why were you holding start? Oh, and the green light is actually on the chip itself, so you won't see it unless you turn on the GC while it's still disassembled to the point that you can see the chip.
I was holding start to see if I could get any function out of the chip. I tested the solder connections with a multi-meter using a screw in the board as a ground (black) and got different results (about half and half) I see the light on the chip now, it was flickering red, and now after my 6th re-solder it is just red. I am becoming a professional assembler/disassembler. I really think that I had it right the first time I just didn't know about the light and the hold x/y button. Sorry for such a long post just frustration my friend, just frustration.
Yeah, chances are that it was right the first time since you got the PAL signal from the version screen. Unfortunately, I'm all out of ideas. Oh, and I understand frustration. A while back I tried chipping an old PS2 with a crappy soldering iron and ended up bricking it. Now it lives in my closet since I ended up buying a slim PS2 and fitting it with a flip top.
Well I sincerely appreciate the help! I guess my only option now is to try some de-solder braid. At least the original function of the cube wasn't sacrificed. Thanks again....until the next mod!
I was told 15watt soldering irons is the best for doing mod chips, since it's not as hot, it will take a little longer to screw things up if you slipped or something. Is that true? Is 15w better then a 25w for doing mod chips? I'm going to be modding mine after the new year also. But i think i'm going with a Ninja Mod since I can use it & bba to run dol files. almost forgot, does all the Xeno GC mod chips boot up in pal mode? because I am recommending this chip to a friend, and I don't think his kids are going to want the hassle of having to hold a button down while they boot up games.
