Xbox as Vicious Cruncher

[trevinom]

Has anybody tried to use either and modded Xbox or PS/2 to do some crunching. I figure my Xbox and PS/2 are always one for some reason or other. If I could install Linux on them, I could probably have some more crunching power. I don't know how fast they would be though...

 

[CXGJarrod]

From http://www.xboxusersgroup.com/modules.php?s=&name=NS-Specs

* Intel Pentium III 733MHz processor technology with Streaming SIMD Extensions.
* 233Mhz custom-designed X-Chip NV2a, developed by Microsoft and nVidia.
* 64 MB of RAM (unified memory architecture).
* Custom 3-D audio processor.
* 8GB hard drive.
* 5X DVD drive with movie playback.
* Four game controller ports.
* Expansion port.
* Proprietary A/V connector.
* 10/100 MBps Ethernet.
* Broadband enabled.
* Modem enabled (optional).
* 6.4GB/sec Memory Bandwidth.
* 150 million micropolygons/particles per second.
* 150 million transformed and lit polygons per second.
* 100 million polygons per second sustained performance (shading, texturing).
* 4 simultaneous textures.
* Compressed textures available at 6:1 compression.
* Full-scene anti-aliasing.
* DVD movie playback.
* 1920x1080 maximum resolution.
* HDTV support.
* 256Audio channels.
* 3D Audio support.
* Midi/DLS2 support.

 

[Silverthorne]

You can install Linux on the Xbox, read here. I was just at Best Buy today looking for the game Mechassault, here's the reason why., but they didn't have it.

 

[Coolkid]

Someone over at BBR had an xbox crunching SETI, the times were pretty slow tho...

 

[trevinom]

Originally posted by: Coolkid
Someone over at BBR had an xbox crunching SETI, the times were pretty slow tho...

I do F@H, I wonder if it's even worth hacking it. Maybe when Microsoft comes out with Xbox II

 

[FatAlbo]

New versions of MechAssault are already patched, so you can't use the savegame hack.

 

[trevinom]

So do any of you anandtechers have the tools/knowledge/ability to perform this hack? If I can fold my Xbox into my fleet, I can help out F@H a bit more. I might even be tempted to set up a rack of Xboxes, if I can buy them used...

 

[aberant]

i get 30% discount or trade in price for xboxes here in UK........

 

[Silverthorne]

Originally posted by: trevinom
So do any of you anandtechers have the tools/knowledge/ability to perform this hack? If I can fold my Xbox into my fleet, I can help out F@H a bit more. I might even be tempted to set up a rack of Xboxes, if I can buy them used...

This forum has some info but I believe your Xbox has to have a mod chip.

 

[CyGoR]

the Xbox II will be much better for crunching F@H or Seti.. Although it's always nice to have a Xbox crunching
But what I just read, you can connect a Xbox controller to the PC! With just a little modification to the cable
and a little soldering it's capable of USB-connection.. Only thing is, the site who has a very nice USB driver for the
controller is down (codeunderground)

Anyone with any experience? I'm searching for a mod to make a PSX or Xbox controller capable of USB to PC connection
(I don't have a parallel port on my pc )

 

[bunnyfubbles]

you can just buy an adapter, I believe $20 will allow you to plug 4 Xbox controllers into 1 USB port

 

[CyGoR]

I looked for such an adapter, but couldn't find it anywhere here in the Netherlands..
So I bought a PSX->Xbox adapter which I modded to USB works perfectly!

 

[Silverthorne]

Well I did finally manage to get linux on my Xbox. Here's where I got the install from. Now I just need to see if I can get a DC client running. If you're going to try it make sure you download the home edition.