It is a good idea to test the media first before burning Linux on it. One way to test the reliability of the media is to first burn an audio CD on it, then try ripping the tunes to the hard disk (using the standard WMA ripping tools available on the Microsoft Dashboard.) If you can do this without any problems, the same type of CD-RW will probably also work for installing Linux.

General

The Xbox DVD drives can be very picky about CD and DVD media. Thomson and Philips drives can read most media, while the Samsung and HL-DT drives can read almost all media. For reviews on these drives, drive firmware, and upgrade options. The following table summarizes how well the Xbox drives read burnt media:

What Drives Read What 

• * Media can be read if bitset to DVD-ROM
• ** Can be modified to read CD-R media

Legend:

Choosing the right media

Some brands works better than others. Also, DVDs generally work better than CDs, and CD-RWs work better than CD-Rs.

If you don't have access to a DVD burner, use CD-RWs, not CD-Rs.

Testing for compatibility

It is a good idea to test the media first before burning Linux on it. One way to test the reliability of the media is to first burn an audio CD on it, then try ripping the tunes to the hard disk (using the standard WMA ripping tools available on the Microsoft Dashboard.) If you can do this without any problems, the same type of CD-RW will probably also work for installing Linux.

Burning the Install Disc

The best way to actually burn the installation image is to first completely erase the CD-RW (do not use quick erase) and then burn with "Disc-at-once" and "Finalize" settings on. While you are at it, also consider using the lowest possible burning speed.

• Never burn the ISO image as a single file on a CD/DVD.
• Never extract the ISO image and burn the individual files on a CD/DVD.

Instead, there should be a separate option in your CD/DVD authoring application that is specifically designed for burning CD/DVD images and not regular files. Use it. When burning is done, you should see several files on the disc - not just a single file.

Burning the CD under running Linux

Virtually all distributions of Linux included the command line program cdrecord. Other burning programs are available, including GUIs, but cdrecord is the only one almost guaranteed to exist no matter what.

cdrecord (command line)

To use cdrecord, type in the following syntax with everything in brackets replaced with what's needed:

cdrecord -dev=[device num] -dao -driveropts=burnfree -speed=[speed] [image name].iso

For example, to burn the ISO file 1.1.0-xbox.iso at a speed of 4x, use:

cdrecord -dev=0,0,0 -dao -driveropts=burnfree -speed=4 1.1.0-xbox.iso

If you do not know the device number of your burner, use this to find it and then use it's outputted device number (x,y,z) in the instructions above:

cdrecord -scanbus

Burning the CD while running Windows

Windows XP has a built-in burning functionality, but it cannot burn images. Window's built-in burning software by Roxio just does the basics, and ISO burning (typically used for installing operating systems other than Windows) is not included.

Most third party burning applications can use ISO images. If you have specific instructions on how to use them, please add them here.

Nero 5 and 6

• Open Nero
• Go to Recorder -> Burn Image...
• Choose the image
• Choose type of disc in top left of window
• Size
• Then Burn!

ISO Recorder

Adds ISO burning functionality to Windows XP Homepage:http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/

• Go to the homepage (http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/isorecorder.htm)
• Download
• Simply right click ISO file and select copy to cd

BurnatOnce

BurnatOnce is a free (non-commercial) ISO burning application, avaliable at http://www.burnatonce.com/.

• Go to File, load new image
• Select image
• Click on write, then OK

MagicISO

MagicISO is a ISO burner/creator/editor/extractor. Homepage: http://www.magiciso.com/

• Run MagicISO
• Go to "Tools"->"Burn CD/DVD with ISO"
• Choose the image (support burning ISO,CCD/IMG,NRG,MDS/MDF,CUE/BIN,etc.).
• Choose the writer.
• Click "Burn it!"

DVD Decrypter (DVD Burning)

• Run DVD Decrypter 3.5.4.0
• Go to "Tools"->"Drive"->"Change Book Type..."
• Select the Tab appropriate to your DVD Burner Brand
• In the Drop-down menu, choose the media you are burning to.
• In the New Setting: Drop-down menu, choose DVD-ROM
• Click Change, then OK on the "Success!" Dialog Box.
• Then click OK. Go to "File"->"Browse". Locate the iso file and click Open.
• Click in the "Verify" Box (Make sure it's checked).
• Change the write speed to the lowest possible for your drive.
• Click the big write button! (Hard drive > DVD)

Burning the CD while running Macintosh OS X

Built-in Tools

Mac OS X can burn ISO images, although the functionality is a bit hidden. This solution works with all all Apple-supported burners, unless Mac OS X has been patched to support more. (Even if OS X is patched, it cannot burn DVD+R/RW).

Run Applications -> Disk Utility, drag and drop the ISO from the finder to the pane on the left or select it using Images -> Open..., and press Burn.

Roxio Toast

Select Copy -> Image File and select the image. Hit the red button.

Fink

Since Mac OS X is essentially a BSD distribution, many Linux programs are easily available. The best way to go about this is to use fink (http://fink.sourceforge.net/) to install cdrecord, and follow the Linux directions. The only difference is when you insert the CD, tell the Finder to Ignore the newly inserted disc.

It didn’t work. What do I do now?

Connecting a PC CD/DVD-ROM drive to your Xbox

If you have a bad DVD drive in your Xbox, it is possible to install Linux by connecting a PC CD-ROM/DVD-ROM to your Xbox, using a Molex splitter (http://www.google.com/images?q=molex+splitter).

1. Open the case.

2. Disconnect the data cable from the Xbox DVD drive (leave the power cable connected).

3. Place the PC CD/DVD-ROM drive on top of the Xbox DVD drive and connect the data cable to it (also check its master/slave settings).

4. Remove the power cable from the back of the Xbox HDD.

5. Attach a Molex splitter (http://www.google.com/images?q=molex+splitter) to the cable. Connect the two remaining ends to your HDD and to your PC CD/DVD-ROM drive.