Reddit reviews NEORTX USB Adapter Cable for Xbox (Black)

It is called a ferrite bead, it helps prevent interference along the cable
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferrite_bead

You can also purchase a premade cable if you'd like
https://www.amazon.com/Generic-Adapter-Cable-XBOX-Black/dp/B00SMCJB4Y

First of all, before anything else, the single most important thing to take care of is to identify which revision your Xbox is. If it is not a v1.6/v1.6b, you MUST open it and remove the clock capacitor IMMEDIATELY! If you don't, it will destroy the motherboard.

Now, onto your questions:

• 1. It will not affect the BIOS, but it does install new files to the HDD. Mainly, the new dashboard.
     
• 2. Yes. In fact, it is incredibly important that you do so because the DVD drives are very, very old and are failing. Try to preserve it by using it as little as possible and play everything from the HDD instead.
     
• 3. Modded or not, you can always swap it with another Xbox drive, but when it comes to using PC DVD drives, it's generally not possible, though there are some units that can be modified to work with the Xbox. But like I said, generally speaking, no, it has to be another Xbox drive.
     
• 4. Never seen one, but you can easily use a flash drive with the Xbox via a USB to Xbox adapter. The Xbox can't work with any flash drives that are over 4GB and the vast majority of them won't work at all. This one is confirmed to work though.
     
• 5. There are no drawbacks and the benefits are many. You can run homebrew applications, you can rip games to the HDD and can upgrade the HDD to up to 2TB, you can get all of the old Xbox Live DLC, you can mod games, you can play emulators, the region lock will be disabled so that you can play import games, you can null the EEPROM's HDD key, making it easier to save the Xbox if something ever happens to the HDD, etc., etc.
     
• 6. It's basically impossible for a softmod installation to go wrong. You have to be intentionally trying really hard to screw it up in order for it to screw up. You can potentially mess it up afterwards though, if you don't know what you're doing, but that's part of why nulling the EEPROM is a very good idea, as it will make it easier to fix the problem. Once the softmod is installed though, yes you can extract all of your game saves for safe keeping on your PC, or wherever else you'd want to keep them.
     
     Make sure you softmod with JCRocky5's Xbox Softmodding Tool though. Stay away from all the older softmods that you'll see being used in YouTube tutorials and the like. This one has a way more straightforward installation procedure and is much better overall. Plus it has a much cleaner look and is still regularly updated. Once you have installed this softmod, run the included NKpatcher Settings application and null your EEPROM's HDD key.
     
     If your Xbox is a 1.0-1.5, you should also upgrade to a hardmod, by doing a TSOP flash, which will replace the original BIOS with a much better one, making the Xbox even better than it is with just a softmod.

For anyone else who wants one of these, you can also buy these for about $10 on Amazon:

NEORTX USB Adapter Cable for Xbox (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SMCJB4Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_jl17CbPQ70D2T

They have adapters for both male/female connectors.

I think nowadays you can use this and a thing called UnleashX but I'm gonna look into it.

No, but you can get an original Xbox (proper 1) to USB cable adapter: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Generic-Replacement-Adapter-Cable-Black/dp/B00SMCJB4Y/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1457048944&sr=8-6&keywords=xbox+to+usb

Don't forget the lighting up stuff the Tekki /Steel Battalion controller does!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krA-eDnlOK4&sns=em

I'd avoid the hotswap method as it's a bit risky. You can purchase a usb cable for use in transfering the saves for under $5, and MechAssault (the first found softmod exploit that seems to not be featured in any of the tutorials I find online) can also be found for cheap-- as in, much cheaper than a used copy of 007 or Splinter Cell, and provides the same results.

This video explains the steps from beginning to end.

Tools:
Xbox to USB Cable: $3.75, free shipping
MechAssault: Under $5.00 used with Shipping -- Ask the seller to confirm that it's NOT the "Greatest Hits" release as the softmod WILL NOT work with that.
USB Flash Drive -- Most will work, but you may need to try a few. If you have a USB drive that comes with "U3" or other built in software, it probably wont work. But any 1GB stick is MORE than enough space. Be aware that you will need to format the USB stick during this process.

Good luck! If you follow this method, let me know if you have any questions. I just finished my first mod this week and I found this method easy and reliable.

To be fair you can just get this and save yourself a lot of time, but I can respect the DIY.


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SMCJB4Y/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I don't remember, it's been a while lol

From what I remember, you should be able to take any old USB cable, like a printer USB A to B cable, hack the end off, solder it in, and then plug it into something like this.

https://smile.amazon.com/NEORTX-Adapter-Cable-Xbox-Black/dp/B00SMCJB4Y/

I once cut the end off an OG Xbox controller and connected the wires to a USB cord. Worked without issue on my PC. I can't remember what drivers I used.

Since wired 360 controllers are USB connections you might have some luck getting it to work on your OG Xbox. I imagine this is the adaptor to do it.

If you have a USB Type-A female end to play with and a spare OG Xbox connector cord to you could probably hack one together that will do the same thing.

No guarantees that it will work but let us know here the result!

https://www.amazon.com/NEORTX-Adapter-Cable-Xbox-Black/dp/B00SMCJB4Y/

EDIT: Sorry, I didn't read your question properly. You definitely can do this as I've said I've done it before.

This has a tutorial about how to connect the wires if you want to hack it yourself. It also has the drivers and how to install them on your PC with Windows 10.

https://www.s-config.com/xbcd-original-xbox-controllers-win10/

EDITx2: If you have a 360 wired controller you can should be able to connect that directly to your Windows based PC and it should work with far less hassle than messing with modding or buying an adapter for an OG Xbox controller.

If you're doing what I did and wanted to use an OG Xbox controller for emulation for the 6 button configuration then I understand. Good luck!

Max you will spent is like $45

If the 500 is a sata, you will need this
StarTech.com IDE to SATA Hard Drive or Optical Drive Adapter Converter - 40-Pin PATA to 2.5 inches SATA HDD / SSD / ODD Converter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EOJNGC2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fG9SBb9279YFR

Power splitter
CY IDE 4p to dual IDE Y Splitter 10cm hard disk Power supply Extension Cable https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K06XEK2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_PH9SBbJ9E0XFK

USB to Xbox
NEORTX USB Adapter Cable for Xbox (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SMCJB4Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_tI9SBbXZK36D0

The hardest part is getting a jump drive that will work... If you have something that can be measured in MBs not GBs it pretty much gaurenteed to work... I went to a mom and pop PC store who also fixes pcs to find one

Anyone know if random antiquated cables
like
http://www.amazon.com/Generic-Adapter-Cable-XBOX-Black/dp/B00SMCJB4Y/
can be found at SLS or somewhere else?
I'd prefer not to buy stuff online

Easiest method, get a USB adapter

Then find a thumb drive that will work. The smaller the better (think 64 megabytes).

You’ll need splinter cell. Easy to find. Look up the splinter cell hack and follow the directions. Good luck!