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  • Skeleton Key v1.00 Released: A New Toolkit for the Original Xbox

    GoTeamScotch

    By GoTeamScotch

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    The Original Xbox modding community has just gained a powerful new tool: Skeleton Key v1.00!

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    Overview

    Skeleton Key provides a convenient suite of utilities designed to fit on an Xbox Memory Unit ("MU") or a USB flash drive (via a controller port to USB adapter). This single tool is the result of a collaborative effort by multiple members of the modding community to create a convenient tool that can be used to softmod a stock Xbox console, upload missing DLC to XCAT, register a console with Insignia for online play, and perform other useful maintenance related tasks.

    Along with the regular version, a slimmed-down version called "MU Edition" is also available, which is small enough to fit on an official Xbox Memory Unit. Both versions contain the same list of tools, the only difference being that the MU version has been further optimized to fit on a stock 8MB memory unit.

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    Who Is This For?

    This tool was specifically designed for new/novice users, especially those who have never modded an Xbox before. The idea is that you would load it on a flash drive, connect it to your stock Xbox, and instantly have access to a list of essential and useful tools. The goal is to get more people involved in exploring their console and getting active in the modding community, not to make money.

    Users who want to keep their Xbox stock can use it to backup their EEPROM to a PC, register with Insignia, and upload missing content to the XCAT archive effort and retain that stock experience they love. Or, they can continue on their great journey and softmod their console with Rocky5's softmod tool to unlock the incredible usefulness that a modded Xbox offers.

    If your Xbox is already modded, you can still use this tool, but it's probably easier to just copy the apps to your Xbox and run them as usual instead. You can copy Skeleton Key to your Xbox and launch payload.xbe (or "p.xbe" for MU version) as if it were any other app. If your console is hardmodded, avoid trying to run ENDGAME from the Memory section of the Xbox Dashboard and instead just launch the payload XBE directly.

     

    Benefits of Skeleton Key

    • All-in-One Toolkit: Provides a comprehensive set of utilities for modding a stock console from scratch, backing up its EEPROM, signing it up for online play through Insignia, and managing files on its hard drive.

    • Ease of Use: Compatible with both official memory units and aftermarket USB flash drives, making its use dead-simple.

    • Accessibility: Built-in FTP, web server, and XDON functionality for direct access to your console’s filesystem.

    • Versatility: Includes a robust set of diagnostic tools and utilities for various purposes, from controller/RAM testing to softmodding.

     

    Tools Included

    • PrometheOS Launcher: A lightweight build of PrometheOS Tools featuring EEPROM tools, an FTP and web server.

      • Includes a built-in DLC and Title Update signer. This fixes issues with game content not working after changing EEPROM settings (i.e. after nulling HDD keys) or when copying non-roamable gamesaves from another Xbox.

      • Includes EEPROM editing options, which is particularly useful for people who want to change the video region to NTSC for HD video mode support but keep the console stock.

    • Xbox Content Archive Tool (XCAT) Launcher: A utility to download and run XCAT files. XCAT scans the Xbox's hard drive for long lost DLC, title updates, and related content for long-term preservation and archiving.

    • Insignia Setup Assistant: A trimmed-down version of Insignia's setup assistant for easy configuration to play Xbox Live enabled games online in the modern era.

    • Gamepad Tester: Allows you to test Duke and S controllers to ensure they’re functioning properly.

    • MemCheck: Diagnoses bad memory (RAM) chips within your console.

    • Rocky5’s Softmod v1.2.2: A tailored version of the popular Rocky5 softmod for use with this payload.

    • XDON: A modified Xbox Disk Over Network tool that always resets the console upon exit. XDON is a brand new feature of FATXplorer which allows for mounting of Xbox and Xbox 360 hard drives over a local network, complete with formatting and partition mounting features (similar to if the drive was connected physically to your PC).

     

    How to Load Skeleton Key Onto Your Device

    1. Download Skeleton Key from the download links below and extract the ZIP file to a folder on your PC.

    2. Connect your USB flash drive (or Xbox Memory Unit) to your PC and open FATXplorer (beta 3.0 or newer).

    3. Format your flash drive with FatXplorer 3.0 Beta using the "Formatting Tools" button at the top of the program. Choose "Original Xbox MU" when asked what type of drive you'll be formatting. FATXplorer will then search for connected drives. Pick the drive you wish to format and continue.

    4. When FATXplorer asks if you want to preload files onto the newly formatted drive, choose "Browse for folder" and select the Skeleton Key folder contained with the ZIP file.
      Hint: The ZIP you extracted in step 1 contains a readme file, a ".bin" file, and a folder called "Skeleton Key" (or "Skeleton Key MU"). You'll want to give FATXplorer this "Skeleton Key" sub-folder and not the parent folder that contains the readme and everything else!

    5. Click next and allow FATXplorer to format your drive and copy Skeleton Key onto it.

    You can mount your flash drive to double check that everything is laid out correctly. You should see 3 files on the root of your flash drive: an XBE and two folders.

    Raw drive images are also included for users who wish to use raw drive imaging/copying tools instead of FATXplorer.

     

    Using Skeleton Key

    To load Skeleton Key, simply connect your flash drive (or MU) to your Xbox. If you're using a USB flash drive, you'll need to use an adapter (hint: Xbox controller ports are just oddly shaped USB ports). Once connected, select the "Memory" tab from the stock Xbox Dashboard. The dashboard will begin trying to load your gamesaves and at this point will trigger the ENDGAME exploit to run. After a few moments, the PrometheOS Launcher will appear and you can select a tool from the menu to run.

    The ENDGAME payload is automatically deleted from your hard drive so that your stock dashboard will work as usual. The rest of Skeleton Key will remain on your hard drive, but can optionally be deleted from the game saves ("Memory") area of the stock dashboard. To load Skeleton Key again, insert the flash drive and navigate to Memory in the dashboard again.

    Note: The backup EEPROM utility found within the PrometheOS launcher app will save a copy of your Xbox EEPROM to E:/PrometheOS/Backup/EEPROMs on your console. You can download your EEPROM to a computer by connecting over FTP or via the PrometheOS Launcher Web UI by connecting your Xbox to your local network (i.e. your WiFi router) and typing in your Xbox's IP address into a web browser from a PC on your network.

     

    Important Warnings

    • File Transfers: Only use the built-in FTP server if you are experienced with Xbox file management. Moving or deleting files from your C or E drives can render your console unusable.

    • XDON Usage: Improper use of XDON can damage your console’s file system. It allows for remotely mounting and formatting Xbox hard drives from a PC. Proceed with caution.

     

    Download Links

     

    Support

    Discuss on Xbox-Scene.info / OGXbox.com / Xbox-Scene Discord

     

    Credits

    This payload was made possible by the efforts of CrunchBite, Eaton, EqUiNoX, GoTeamScotch, Harcroft, JRocky5, xbox7887, and others.

    Special thanks to cheato, darkone83, Derf, dtomcat, hardly, HostsServer, Siktah, urbanracer34 for testing and insight.

    Special thanks to ConsoleMods.org, Team Resurgent, Team XLink, the Insignia Development Team, Ryzee119 (XMU Dumper), and the creators of the ENDGAME exploit.

    This is the obligatory shout-out to kl0wn.

     

    Free Software

    Skeleton Key is free software. The goal of this project is to increase accessibility for newcomers who have no experience modding an Xbox. If anyone should offer pre-made kits with Skeleton Key, we ask that you keep costs as low as possible. Several community members will even be giving these out free of charge.

    All that is needed to run this tool is a USB adapter and a flash drive with the software copied onto it. USB adapters are available on AliExpress, Amazon, and eBay for under $10. You can also have adapters made for incredibly cheap using open source adapter designs such as this one.

    Compatible flash drives are also cheap and widely available. Here are a few known-compatible flash drives:

    Hint: the smaller and older the flash drive is, the more likely it will work on Original Xbox. Aim for USB 2.0 drives under 4GB.

     

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