The Xtender Hydra (or v2) kit for the Microsoft XBOX was created for you to install up to two additional hard drives for
the purpose of extending your storage capabilities and still keep the functionality of your original factory drive. This
kit is a must have for anyone who wishes to have an XBOX Live account and run Linux or XBMC at the same time. With the use
of two additional hard drives you are left with the ability to use your XBOX as a Linux machine and needing not to worry
about space limitations for installing applications and/or use your XBOX as a full fledged media center not dependent on
an Ethernet link to another computer as you can store your media files locally.
Contents of the Box
Xtender Control Panel Hydra IDE Cable Interface Cable Side and Rear Extension Plates Hard Drive Mounting Plate & Screws Extension Screw Posts (x6) Hard Drive Screws (x8) Replacement Case Screws (x6)
The Installation Process
Disassembling the XBOX will require Torx 10 and 20 bits as Microsoft decided to make it a little more difficult to open
compared to other video game systems. One of the nice things about the Xtender kit is that when you're done you can
reassemble your unit using the replacement case screws which you can use an ordinary Phillips head screwdriver.
After studying the instructions on Xtender's webpage I took the top of the case off of the XBOX. Remember that taking
apart your XBOX will void it's factory warranty. The first thing that needed to be done was to solder on three wires
from the interface cable. The RED wire was cake, but the other two required you to solder onto small resistors so I would
recommend tinning two two wires and using flux as those pesky little resistors like to pop off if you apply too much heat
to them and can be a pain to put back on. Additionally, you will want to tape up the end of the other three wires as
they are not needed.
Next it came time to prepare the top of the case which was simple, but did take a little bit of time due to the extension
screw posts had to be threaded properly. To thread the posts screw them down as far as you can until they get tight then
unscrew them and repeat the process until they are screwed all of the way down. The last thing you need to do to the top
of the case is to bend or remove (which I did) the two right most front metal ground points. Simple job with a pair
of wire cutters.
Now I moved onto the Hydra cable installation. As you can see in the picture (below) the single IDE cable plugs into the
motherboard, the large connector into the DVD and the others into it's respective hard drive. Before you can connect
these to the hard drives you must mount them using the included screws onto the Hard Drive Mounting Plate. I would
suggest to avoid current passing between the devices to put electrical tape over each screw and then also over the
top of the DVD drive where it connects with the Hard Drive Mounting Plate.
Once this is done you will connect the power cable from the Control Panel into the corresponding drives. Each molex
connector is numbered so all I had to do was match the number with the IDE cable. You also have to plug the unlabeled
molex connector into the one coming from the motherboard. Now I simply placed the plate over the original drive housings
and screwed them to the sides.
Finally I placed the Side and Rear Extension Plates in place, connected the Interface Cable with the Control Panel
and gently slid the top of the case down into place. After this I simply used the replacement screws to secure the top
and was all done. I would estimate the complete installation time would take only twenty minutes if I had not of been
taking pictures and playing with my cat.
Operating the XBOX
Using the Control Panel is pretty much cake. All you do is press which hard drive you would like to boot using one of
the three buttons and that drive will boot up. I tested both an original stock hard drive and a 200 one with both
Linux and XBMC on it and everything worked fine. Now there are issues with using multiple hard drives and can easily
be avoided by purchasing hard drives of the same brand or avoided all together if you purchase two additional hard drives
of the same brand and size. The stock XBOX hard drive I had was a Western Digital so I used another Western Digital and
had no issues at all.
Negatives
No Instructions Included Metal Extension Plates Must Use Hard Drives of the Same Brand
The Positives
Ease of Installation Simple to Use LED Hard Drive Selection Buttons Supports Three Hard Drives!
Final Words
The lack of proper installation instructions which should of included how to install the Hydra Cable and that you need
to use electric tape to avoid shorts would cause some people with the lack of common sense to spend more time then
necessary installing the kit or get a little shock now and then. Besides these two negative points I believe the Xtender
Hydra XBOX Kit is the best, easiest to install and operate multiple hard drive solution for the Microsoft XBOX and is
something that every serious XBOX modder should purchase.
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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).
Xtender Control Panel
After studying the instructions on Xtender's webpage I took the top of the case off of the XBOX. Remember that taking
apart your XBOX will void it's factory warranty. The first thing that needed to be done was to solder on three wires
from the interface cable. The RED wire was cake, but the other two required you to solder onto small resistors so I would
recommend tinning two two wires and using flux as those pesky little resistors like to pop off if you apply too much heat
to them and can be a pain to put back on. Additionally, you will want to tape up the end of the other three wires as
they are not needed.
No Instructions Included
Ease of Installation