SmartXX LT-OPX SE Review

SmartXX LT-OPX SE Review
Written by Brakken
Febuary 2006 Introduction

It’s time once again to take out the good old Torx drivers and get to installing another one of the SmartXX Teams creations – the SmartXX LT-OPX SE. It’s a budget mod and the predecessor to the SmartXX v2.0 chip which I have already reviewed. The chip itself lets you take full advantage of the SmartXX BIOS, but only comes with 2Mb of space which should be enough for anyone who wants a quick solution for booting unsigned code such as Linux or turning their XBOX into a full fledged multi-media center.

Features

Flash Size 2 MB
Useable Flash Size 1,75 MB
High Speed Hardware Protected Flash ROM
Ultra Highspeed SYSCON (UHSC) Logic Chip
Warrenty 1 Year
Works with Solderless Adapters on 1.0-1.5 Box
Works with Smartxx 1.6 Solderless Adapter
Change Video Mode
Change Game Region
Works with all Video Cables
Eeprom Diagnostic
Eeprom Repair
Eeprom Backup / Eeprom replay
Protect Xbox-live modchip detection
Skinnable OS
Upload New languages/fonts
HDD unlock / lock
HDD copy
HDD format
New HDD Prepare
Flash with CD/HTTP/TFTP/Remoteflasher
Can run ED@chip from RAM
Supports USB keyboard
Ships with Pinheader
Ships with SmartXX Support CD
Ships with SmartXX Sticker
Status LED Programmable external
External Dispplay Solder Pads
Software Controlled Backlight for Display
General I/O Port´s
Software upgrade possible

Contents

SmartXX LT-OPX Modchip
SmartXX Xebian Linux CD
SmartXX Sticker
Pinheader
Mounting Post
Short Wire

Installation

Depending on your console version there are various ways you could install the SmartXX LT-OPX SE modchip. If you have a v1.6 or v1.6b you are presented with the easiest solution where you can simply solder the chip onto the bottom side of the motherboard. Additionally, you could opt to use SmartXX’s Spider Solderless adapter, but this would actually take you more time then soldering in the chip. Of course as any solderless solution it could come loose and you would be stuck with an unworking console. If you have a v1.0 – v1.5 you’re going to have to solder the chip in using the included Pinheader.

Installation – v1.0

To install the chip you simply remove one of the pins from the Pinheader and then place it on the LPC bus. Once this is done you solder it on using the points on the underside of the motherboard. Next, you simply solder the d0 wire onto the top of the motherboard and connect it to the d0 point on the Smart XX LT-OPX SE modchip.

The d0 point is quite small so I would recommend soldering the included wire onto it using this process:

First, take a needle and put some flux onto the end of it. Next put the flux into the d0 point (small hole).

Second, put some solder onto the end of your iron and touch the d0 point until the solder bonds to it and it turns a bright silver color.

Lastly, put some flux on the end of the wire then with a clean iron tip touch it to the d0 point for a second or two and it will bond. Gently pull on it to make sure it doesn’t come loose and then cover it with a small bit of electronic tape.

Installation – v1.5

If you’ve got yourself a v1.5 console you will also need to solder on two additional wires – the power and ground. Sadly, the wire isn’t supplied, but you can use 30-26 gauge wire to get this done with.

Installation – v1.6

This is the easiest console to install the chip into. You simply flip over the motherboard and solder the chip directly to the bottom over the LPC bus. The LPC rebuild is built into the chip so you simply connect all of the points and you’re good to go. I would suggest putting the chip into place, covering all of the points with a little bit of flux and then start on opposite ends – solder the points and go from there.

After the chip is soldered in you will notice a plastic peg that holds the motherboard up is in the way of the chip. You will need to cut this peg off as if you leave it on the motherboard wont make contact with the ground points and your console will refuse to boot.

Installation – v1.6 Solderless

Personally, I find all of these solderless solutions to be a pain in the butt. Why? You have to put some small legs into the LPC holes and then hope they don’t pop out. Moving and/or dropping your XBOX could result in these legs coming out of the holes. Also, I’ve had clients who at random times they just pop out or snap off and break.

At any rate, to install the LT-OPX SE with SmartXX’s Wireless Adapter you simply place the adapter over the LPC bus on the top of the motherboard (it is secured by double sided sticky tape) and then with a small tool move each leg into its proper hole.

If you’re unfortunate enough to have a v1.6b console these holes will be covered with a layer of lacquer. To get the stuff out of the way take a small razor and scrape at it. If you accidentally scrape the outer metal lining of the holes themselves you will have broken your XBOX. Didn’t I already mention that Solderless solutions suck?

Usage

When you start up your XBOX you’ll be presented with the SmartXX BIOS. For this reviews sake the BIOS is almost the same as the one that comes with the SmartXX v3. So instead of retyping off of its features your best bet would be to read my review of the SmartXX v3 to get a feel of what the BIOS offers.

In a nutshell you can manage your 3rd party BIOS files, prep new hard drives to use in your console and change the LCD settings (that is if you’ve soldered and LCD onto it – see my review of the xLCD for more information regarding this matter.)

Conclusion

Due to the low price of the chip along with it’s vast amount of features which are present in the BIOS, the ease of installation and the fact it’s backed by a manufactures warranty I would suggest adding the SmartXX LT-OPX SE to your list of cheap solutions. It’s a breeze to install on v1.6 consoles as the LPC rebuild is built into it and you won’t be disappointed with the results. Additionally, the build in LCD functionality adds to the overall quality of the chip.

Positives Very Cheap Price Easy v1.6 Install Solderless Options SmartXX BIOS Features Quality Hardware

Negatives 2Mb Flash Spider Sold Seperately Moderate Install Physical Size

Links

SmartXX's Webpage
SmartXX xLCD Addon Review


-=[ Review Discussion Thread ]=-

Product(s) can be purchased from the website above.