Xbox Hacks

Microsoft's Xbox video gaming console was released in 2001. The Xbox was the precursor to the Xbox 360, which was released about four years later. The Xbox gaming system was the first to feature a hard disk drive, making the use of memory cards unnecessary. Xbox also allowed players to connect to Xbox Live, Microsoft's online multiplayer service.

Since the Xbox's release, hackers have figured out a number of different kinds of "hacks" which allow the system to function in ways not originally intended by Microsoft. This page provides links to information on ways to hack the Xbox and the Xbox 360.

Hackers have found many creative ways to modify the Xbox, including mods that make the gaming system function just like a personal computer using the Linux operating system. A German student developed the Xbox Linux Project for this purpose. In May 2003, Project founder Michael Steil said 150,000 copies of the program had been downloaded.USA Today: Hackers use Xbox for more than games (May 15, 2003)

On May 27, 2003, Massachusetts Institute of Technology student and hacker Andrew "Bunnie" Huang's book Hacking the Xbox: an Introduction to Reverse Engineering, was released. In the book, Huang details how users can modify their Xbox systems, including step-by-step instructions on turning the console into a PC. Huang's book was self-published, and hugely popular.BW Online: 'Banned' Xbox Hacking Book Selling Fast (May 12, 2003) Amazon.com: Hacking the Xbox: an Introduction to Reverse Engineering