Source
r/originalxbox•
NaturalWonder

Crystal Xbox 1.5!?

So, I recently bought a Limited Edition Crystal Xbox (PAL region) from eBay (the clear one, not the green one). I have read in all sorts of threads that all Crystal Xboxes are of the 1.6 revision. I have checked both the manufacturing date (February 2004) and the Kernel number (5713) and they seem to indicate that I have indeed a 1.5 revision. (Alltough I am aware that those factors do not identify a 1.5 or 1.6 revision with 100% certainty. For that I would have to open the case and have a look inside...)

I have also been able to find out that 1.5 revsions are rather rare. If that was the case I would rather not open the Xbox up (because of the rarity), but then again if it is in fact a 1.5 and not a 1.6 I would probably be advised to remove the clock capacitor.

The console seems to work flawlessly, so far. I haven't done any hour-long stress tests but as of now it has read every disk that I tried.

 

Can someone a little more familiar with the subject please shed some light onto it? What sould I do? I have no plans of hardmodding the console.

 

Softmodding on the other hand... That leads me to my second question:

Can I install the softmod via the savegame exploit (Splinter Cell) then use the Enigmah NTSC-PAL (Region Switcher) to change the video output to NTSC and then uninstall the softmod, to have a vanilla-esque PAL-Xbox with NTSC video output?

(Please forgive any issues in my logic if there are any. I am quite new to this whole thing. In fact I only started researching just after buying the Xbox this week.)

Posted Apr 13, 2017, 7:22 AM UTC

315
ForlornPenguin•

You could softmod it, install XBMC and use that to check which version it is, though I don't know if XBMC can identify a 1.5. It might say 1.4 instead. I honestly have no idea, but it will definitely tell you if it's a 1.6. Also, JCRocky5's softmod shows your Xbox version in the dashboard, without you even needing to install XBMC. Though again, I don't know if it can identify a 1.5.

If that Xbox is NOT a 1.6, you definitely need to open it and take out the cap though, as far as I'm aware. Rarity or not.

The rubber feet can be reattached with new adhesive, or you could even just not take them off completely and just lift them up enough to reveal the screw. As for avoiding breaking the stickers, you could maybe try using a hairdryer to loosen the adhesive, so that they lift up, or try to peel them up with a knife or something.

2
NaturalWonderOP•

So, I should softmod to check the version number... See I didn't even know you can do that, makes sense, though. Good thing I asked.

And also thank you for the disassembling tips. I will try my best to keep it looking smooth. But if I can't get inside without breaking the seal, so be it. I'd rather have a working cherry-popped Xbox than a virgin one with a corroded mainboard...

Thank you! That was helpful?

1
JCRocky5•

There is indeed versions of the crystal that are 1.4/5, I personally have never had one as all mine have been v1.6., but they are all after March 2004.

If the system is unmodded and the kernel is lower than 5838 you don't have a v1.6 period. ( all v1.6 Xboxs have kernel 5838 )

So that means you will need to remove/replace the clock cap at some point. As it will eventually leak.

2
Derf_Jagged•

Will BIOS version checkers (standalone, XBMC, your softmod) detect 1.5, or will it just show as 1.4?

2
NaturalWonderOP•

I guess I will soon be able to find out. It will take some time for the USB-Xbox adapter and Splinter Cell to arive, but I will report back. Hopefully I won't forget. (I know this was addressed to JCRocky5 but I hope to be able to answer it soon.)

2
Derf_Jagged•

Cool, I'm interested in knowing :)

2
ForlornPenguin•

I'll definitely like to know if it can identify a 1.5 too. I'll be looking forward to it. In the meantime, I've heard it's better to keep the Xbox upside-down, that way if the cap has already started leaking, you can help stop some of it from getting on the board.

2
NaturalWonderOP•

That is a good idea but wouldn't that mess with the DVDs inside the drive? I will probably open the bad boy up in a few days, maybe even today. The sooner the better.

1
NaturalWonderOP•

You know what? Screw "in a few days"...

Here is the little motherfucker. Fortunately I wasn't able to spot any leaks, so I was just in time, I suppose! :)

1
ForlornPenguin•

Just checking in. Were you able to test if the version checker can identify a 1.5?

1
NaturalWonderOP•

Thanks for checking back. I would probably have forgotten by now. The USB cable is shipped from China to Germany. For the cheapest shipping option. That unfortunately means that it hasn't arrived, yet. :(

1
NaturalWonderOP•

That's a shame for me on the one hand. On the other I guess there were advantages of the versions prior to 1.6, right? Certain game requiring workarounds to work in 480p? The ability to hardmod (which I don't plan to do, at this point) And... well... The rarity, I suppose.

1