- ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - _ _ / \ / \ / \ / \ \ \ / / \ \/ / \ / B O X / \ / /\ \ / / \ \ \ / \ / \/ \/ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - XBOX HARDWARE FAQ written by: paranoidxe date: 4/13/03 - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - This FAQ was pretty much slapped together because of sheer boredom, I'm just hoping someone out there will find some use of this FAQ. Microsoft's XBOX marks the first gaming console introduced by microsoft. XBOX offers top-of-the-line hardware specifications that surpass the gamecube and playstation 2. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- X-BOX HARDWARE SPECIFICATIONS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 733Mhz Processor 233Mhz Graphics Processor developed by MS/Nvidia 64MB Memory 116.5 M/Sec Polygon performance 4 Simultaneous Textures 4 G/Sec Pixel Fill Rate 6:1 Compressed Textures 2-5x DVD Drive 10GB Hard Drive, 8MB Memory Cards Ethernet 10/100 4 Game ports 256 Audio Channels 3D Audio Support Hardware audio filtering/EQ Broadband Enabled DVD Playback (Accessory required) HDTV Movie Support HDTV Gaming Support 1920x1080 MAX resolutions -------------- THE HARD DRIVE -------------- The XBOX marks the first console to have a built-in hard drive. Its purpose you may ask? Store gaming files of course! Forget those annoying memory cards (though you can buy them seperately) you can now store it directly to your console. Unlike the old days it doesn't rely on battery power. The biggest benefit is the hard drive can hold approx. 50,000 game saves without losing all its space. Second, the hard drive can be used to rip music onto the XBOX hard drive, which could be useful for temp. use. -------------- THE CONTROLLER -------------- Depending on the year you bought your XBOX, the first models were to include the large controller, featuring a joystick on the left, analog stick right below it. In the center a Back/Start button, on the right 4 buttons (Yellow, Green, Blue, Red). What makes the controller different from the smaller controller is the white and black buttons are located ABOVE the 4 buttons. If you bought your console more recently you will get the smaller controller which features the black and white buttons below the 4 buttons. Depending on which one you use first, thats the one you will most likely want to use..I personally find the larger controller to be easier to use. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- GENERAL XBOX CARE =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 1. Do not place the XBOX on the floor, it should be in a position in which it will not get stepped on. 2. Flat surfaces are highly recommended, as the carpet can prevent the system from getting air causing it to over heat. 3. Surge protection should be another priority, if the power suddenly cuts out it could fry your console..considering it does have a hard drive thats not something you'd want. 4. According to Microsoft you should never use unlicensed products with your XBOX and should only use manufacturer hardware...I don't particularly agree with this..this is more of a ploy to get more money to the company..unless you are buying products on the black market and aren't brandname parts. 5. Keep controllers out of the way when done playing, perferably roll the cord up and put it on top of the console. 6. Tray should NEVER EVER be left open, it is a accident waiting to happen. Not only could the tray get bumped and make your console useless..it could also cause damage to others. 7. Don't store the XBOX in a hot room, XBOX is much like a computer and will work better in cooler environments. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- BASIC XBOX "DASHBOARD" NAVIGATION =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- This is a basic overview of the XBOX Dashboard navigation, dashboard is the GUI of the menu system for the XBOX. 1. Memory - access your hard drive and delete or copy saves/files. 2. Music - gives the ability to play music cds straight from the XBox's DVD Drive. 3. Settings - gives you the ability to change audio/video/clock and more. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- XBOX ACCESSORIES =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- In this section I'll explain various accessories you can pick up for your XBOX console..microsoft branded or not. LOGITECH WIRELESS CONTROLLER (2.4Ghz): One of the best wireless controllers you can buy, this beast gets as good of reception as some of the best phones do. This wireless controller gets about 20ft of distance from the XBOX console before it'll lose it's signal. PRICE: approx. $80 MAD CATZ CONTROL PAD PRO: This controller is licensed for use on the XBOX in case you happen to care. This controller features two expansion bays for memory cards or other game enhancement devices, rubberized grip for improved grip, 9ft cable, programmable move buttons, and improved vibration over the standard controllers. PRICE: $30 ACTION REPLAY: essentially the game shark/code breaker of the xbox, action replay allows you to cheat on your favorite games. Thats not the only feature, you can also download saved games or upload your saved games online to be used with your games! PRICE: $35 MicroCON CONTROL PAD: A smaller controller from the regular, this controller offers rubberized grips to improve gripping. It also can accept programming of certain movements made on the controller. PRICE: $35 LYNX WIRELESS CONTROLLER: Wireless controller featuring ruberized grips, as well as the ability to be 40FT from your console! PRICE: $68 XCONNECTION PS2 DUAL SHOCK CONVERTER: This little device gives you the ability to use your Playstation2 controller on your XBOX! PRICE: $25 HD AV PACK: This will improve your video if you use it on a TV that have a S-Video plug. This is a MUST for anyone with a HDTV and want superior quality pictures. (Note: games must support it) =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- XBOX LIVE! FAQ =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [1. WHAT IS XBOX LIVE!?] XBox Live! is a online system for gamers. XBox live allows you to voice chat online, download files, and allow you to link to play with gamers all over the world. XBOX LIVE! is NOT a ISP, it is a online gaming community essentially. [2. HOW DO I CONNECT?] XBox Live requires you to get high speed internet connection and a XBox Live Starter Kit. You'll be asked to choose a method of connectivity (DIRECT, ROUTER, WINICS)..direct is the best for one XBOX unit. You can then create your account and you'll be off into the world of XBOX LIVE! [3. WHERE CAN I FIND A XBOX LIVE! STARTER KIT?] Circuit City Best Buy CompUSA Electronic Boutique FYE Gamecrazy GameStop KB Toys Sam Goody Target Toys'R'Us Walmart Media Play [4. DOES AOL HIGH SPEED WORK WITH XBOX LIVE?] No, do to AOL's nature of having to have its application open to connect..it is incompatible with the XBOX LIVE network. [5. DOES DSL/CABLE WORK WITH XBOX LIVE?] Yes, the XBox Live service will work with either cable or DSL. [6. WHAT ARE THE CURRENT TITLES FOR XBOX LIVE?] (04-13-03) Capcom VS SNK 2 EO Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon MechAssault Sega NCAA College Basketball 2K3 Unreal Championship Sega NBA 2K3 Sega NHL 2K3 NFL Fever 2003 Sega NFL 2K3 MotoGP:Online Demo Whacked! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- MISC. QUESTIONS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [1. WHEN WAS THE XBOX RELEASED?] November 15th, 2001 - United States February 22nd, 2002 - Japan March 14, 2002 - Europe [2. IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE RELEASES?] The only known difference is that the Japan releases came out with the small controllers initially since it has been shown the population there generally has smaller hands than Americans. [3. CAN XBOX PLAY PC GAMES?] No, while XBOX does have PC charactistics (Pentium III, GeForce) it cannot play your standard PC games. [4. CAN XBOX PLAY MP3 CDs?] Yes, but the MP3s MUST be burned to a CD-RW Disk and not a standard CD-R. [5. CAN I HOOK THE XBOX TO MY MONITOR?] Yes you may, you need to get the VGA adapter for the XBOX so you can do this. [6. DOES THE DVD PLAYBACK PACK SUPPORT OTHER REGIONS?] No it doesn't, when you insert the infra-red unit into the XBOX it will write a tag on the hard drive, giving it the ability to play REGION 1 DVDs. [7. CAN I NETWORK TWO XBOX'S TOGETHER?] You bet, you need a standard CAT-5 cable..and if you wanted to network more than two XBOX's you can use a hub just like a PC. [8. CAN I BROWSE THE INTERNET WITH THE XBOX?] No, the only service available internet-wise is XBOX LIVE! which is a gaming ONLY feature and will not let you browse the internet or check email.