Written by Zelion
Photography by Kyriptic
Editing / Proofing by Brakken
February 2007
Introduction
Well I ordered the Xecuter X360 USB from eXtreme-mods
and I got it a day faster than I thought I'd get it. I was really excited to be able to
tweak up my currently sole next-gen console. Ok First and foremost, this device is only
intended for a Hitachi drive! So if you want to flash the firmware of any drive other
than this you're out of luck. Inside the box I found everything promised to me when I
purchased the product.
Features
Backup HDD Game Saves - Back up all your Xbox 360 HDD Game Saves and media files onto your PC with ease and comfort. Utilize your Xbox 360 Hard Disc storage space to the max by transferring files onto your PC.
Update DVD Firmware - You can now read and write to your DVD drives firmware chip. Get the latest updates to keep your drive running at its peak performance, no more SATA frustrations and incompatibilities. Compatible with all programs such as Birdy & Garyopa.
Portable - X360 USB does not require the XBOX to be powered while in use. You can detach the Xbox 360 HDD & DVD and connect directly to your USB port (DVD Powered by Xecuter 360 Connectivity Kit). The X360 USB is the first and only device in the world that converts both the Xbox 360 HDD & DVD to USB.
No Sata?, No Problem! - Will also work for ANY Sata hard drives to use them on your PC if it lacks Sata ports, or no ports are available.
Extremely Compact - Can be easily hidden away behind your computer.
Clearly Visible LED's - Power, Activity, and Status LED's clearly visible on top of the unit.
SS Dumper - Dump X360 Disc SS's with appropriate firmware flashed DVD's.
All Cables Included.
Power On/Off for ease of hotswapping.
PCB Design eliminating risk of shorts.
Cool LED Design (Why? who cares - it looks cool).
Better connectors to eliminate risk of cable damage.
All the standard Mode b / Eject Features are still there of course.
We are also STILL throwing in the 360 HDD adapter for FREE!
World's First Xbox 360 HDD, DVD** & ANY SATA Hard Disk to USB Converter All-In-One. You can now connect your Xbox 360 HDD & DVD** to USB on your PC. You can also connect ANY SATA Hard Drive. The X360 USB is a "plug and play" device that is easily recognized by Windows. The X360 USB supports USB 2.0 for super fast file transfer with speeds up to 480 mbps.
Notice: Currently compatible with (HITACHI-LG GDR-3120L) DVD Drives Only.
Contents
Xecuter X360 USB to SATA Converter
HDD Connector and DVD Drive Power Converter
Sata Connector Cable
Appearance
The USB to SATA converter is sleek and sexy. Its small, deep blue and is rectangular
in shape. The plastic casing seems durable as I'm not able to warp it much at all with
my hand. It has plenty of Status LED's and the words are small, but are able to be read
clearly. The three stickers on it give it a nice professional look. The SATA cable is a
normal SATA connection cable and is about eight inches long in total.
The HDD Adaptor seems to have two ways to be powered, by molex or through a USB cable.
You can simply just plug the adaptor onto your Xbox360 HDD with it needing to be hooked
up to your Xbox360. But alas, you will need to get a program to explore the HDD. I used
Xplorer360beta5 and I got a copy of Hexic HD from a friend (formatted my HDD once and
lost it). It works perfectly now when playing off my HDD.
The DVD Drive Power Converter can only be powered through molex. It has an Eject
Button (which I believe tricks the drive into Mode B or partially does. Otherwise
it doesn't actually eject the tray) and a Mode Button (Mode A, Mode B). This device
is an alternative to leaving your DVD Drive power connected to the 360 system and
tricking your 360 into ModeB. Strangely enough this device has two power switches and
only one is labeled.
All of the parts including have numerous LED's (except the SATA cable) to help
prevent people from getting confused to what the devices are doing.
Installation
Well first of all you have to take apart your Xbox360. I will not write up my own
guide since there are plenty of fine ones out there's, and even I used them. Here
is the one I used.
Now if you got into part2 I'll assume you have your Hitachi DVD Drive removed from its
cables and from the Xbox360.
You will need a molex power connector, so you will either need your PC open or an external
molex power supply.
You will need to turn your computer off, for safety of not blowing anything out.
Plug the USB cable into the X360USB and to your PC.
Then plug the SATA cable into the X360USB and the Xbox360 Hitachi DVD Drive.
Plug the small power cable into the power converter included with the set, make sure
the cutouts align so its fairly easy to press in. Then plug the other end of it into
your Hitachi Drive.
Plug the molex power connector into the power converter(make sure your PC is off before
doing that!)
Check to make sure the on/off switch on the power converter is ON.
ModeB button should be DOWN, indicating it is ON.
Eject button should be UP, indicating it is OFF.
Turn your PC on and the LED lights on the power converter should come on as red.
Pretty much from that point I can't tell you much more, you'll have to check out
this guide.
Usage
There are a few different firmware hacks, I used
Maximus-Garyopa_XTRM-HITACHI_v2_2_Stealth firmware
and it seems to work great so far.
Positives
 Clear LED Indicators.
Small Compact Size.
Allows you to flash you DVD Drive and copy files to and from your Xbox360 HDD.
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Negatives
 Only works with the Hitachi Drive.
Comes with no instructions.
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Links
Team Xecuter's Website
-=[ Xecuter's X360 USB Review Discussion Thread ]=-
Product(s) were received from the website above. ISO-420 will always link back to whomever sent the
product(s) *respect*, but please remember that the reviews are independently written by our staff
and are not subject to alteration by whomever supplies us with the review product(s).
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