Gentoox Stardust v1.2
---------------------

-0.5 - DISCLAIMER
 0.0 - Preamble
       0.1 - Whats new?
 1.0 - Installation
       1.1 - Booting
 2.0 - Help, I'm still stuck!
 2.1 - Known Issues
 3.0 - Plans for the future
 4.0 - Thanks

-----------------

-0.5 DISCLAIMER

This Linux distribution contains no copyrighted Microsoft code, no hacked
executables, no illegally compiled executables and no other illegal 
material to the best of my knowledge.  If anything is later discovered
to be illegal, when given reasonable proof, this distribution will be
taken out of circulation and destroyed and you must do the same.

This software comes with absolutely no warranty and I will not be held 
liable for anything bad that comes of using it.  I will not be held
responsible for any losses incurred from using this software.

This software has the potential of ruining all the data stored on your
Xbox including your TSOP or modchip.  You use this software and any 
subsequent software downloaded by this tool at your own risk.

-----------------

0.0 - Preamble

Stardust is the Gentoox Linux installer for the Xbox.  Put simply, its a 
highly automated system that will download and install Gentoox on your xbox.

It is also a new era for Gentoox, it no longer requires the user to use a hacked
BIOS or illegal software (such as EvolutionX or X2/ EvolutionX BIOSes).  
However, it does have XBEBOOT functionality for those using hacks rather than
new BIOSes.


0.1 - Whats new?

v1.3
----

* Added a predefined /etc/resolv.conf file.  This means that statically defined IP users
  can now use Stardust without having to mess around with nameserver entries.

* Updated Cromwell and Xromwell to get rid of a typo (Booting linuxboot.cfg _form_ FATX).

* Added better network failure testing routine.

v1.2
----

* Xromwell Xpad support fixed - didn't work in previous versions.
  Xromwell .xbe files can be found in /Xromwell/ in this archive, but are also automatically
  installed whilst installing your distro of choice.  If you select the wrong xromwell
  during installation, you can replace it with one from the /Xromwell/ directory.

* You can use the Stardust CD to launch an installed Gentoox system.

* 128mb RAM support actually works now (there was a bug in previous release)!

* Remade BIOSes from original source after a bug was found that couldn't be cured.

* More cosmetic enhancements.

* 800x600.bin and 640x480.bin now included in archive for booting Stardust.

* Greater Cromwell/Xromwell Xpad support (more supported Xpads).


v1.1
----

* The following Cromwell BIOSes have been included in this archive and are now selectable
  whilst installing your distribution:

    640x480-64mb
    640x480-128mb
    800x600-64mb
    800x600-128mb

  Note: Pro and Home1 use 640x480.  Home2.0 and onwards use 800x600.  Only use 128mb
        support if your Xbox has 128mb of RAM!  You only have choice over whether to use
        64mb or 128mb, the resolution is selected depending on which distribution you install.

* If you flash the wrong BIOS during installation you can reflash with the right
  one included in this archive.  BIOSes are found in /Cromwell/.

* In addition to the 128mb support, the BIOSes now support both FatX AND CD
  booting all from one BIOS, this means that you shouldn't get stuck if you mess up
  your Linux distribution (i.e. you'll always be able to reinstall from the Stardust CD).

* Also, with this release, there is a Stardust.xbe.  If you can't get the .iso to boot
  then copy Stardust.xbe to C: on your Xbox, then launch it and Stardust should load.

* More Xpads are now supported during installation.

* Less downloading needs to take place as mkfs.fatx is preinstalled now.

* Xpad now rumbles on startup (May be helpful for those on blind startups to know if 
  its working or not).

* Noisy startup fixed - looks much slicker now :).  Generally speaking, you should see
  NO ERRORS AT ALL whilst it is going through its list of Initializations.  If you do
  (notably regarding USB/ OHCI errors), you should turn off your Xbox, then start again.
  It's safe to use the power button in this case!

-----------------

1.0 - Installation

First off, start by burning the Stardust.iso file to a CD.  I use NERO or cdrutils
to do this.  Burn it as a standard ISO disc-at-once with finalisation enabled.  This
should work, if it doesnt - try track-at-once and/or a lower speed.

There are now more methods of installation, the first of which is done by using Cromwell.
Inside this archive you should have received a file named "800x600.bin" and
one named "640x480.bin" (both in /Stardust BIOS/ - Obviously if one doesnt work, use the other,
start with 640x480.bin).

To use this method you will need to either flash your modchip, or TSOP with either file 
(though the installer has been optimised for 640x480).  I'll let you decide how to flash.  
It only requires a 256K bank but you may double it up to take up 512K or even a full 1MB.

Once you have this BIOS installed, boot your Xbox.  A Gentoox screen will appear, make sure
the right hand "DVD" icon is selected then wait 10 seconds on press 'A' on your Xpad.
Your CD tray will then open automatically - if it doesn't, reboot and try again.  Once
the tray is open, place the Stardust install CD in the tray and either press 'A', push
the tray closed, or press the 'eject' button on your Xbox.  The installer will then load.
If at any point it gets stuck (sometimes happens at "Starting Linux") or the LED goes
a constant red colour, turn off the Xbox and repeat the proceedure.  If you have DHCP 
support - after a few seconds a welcome screen will be displayed with instructions.  If
you do not have DHCP you will be assigned the following IP information:

IP:      192.168.1.13
Netmask: 255.255.255.0
Gateway: 192.168.1.1

If this is the case (i.e. you do not have DHCP support), configure your network to work
with the Xbox so that it has internet access, then login to it via SSH and the 
installation will resume.  The login details for the Stardust installer are the same
as Gentoox:

Username: root
Password: xbox

Either way, the process from here on is fully documented via onscreen prompts.

If you cannot get cromwell to work, or flash your BIOS, you can use your existing BIOS
to boot the CD, simply place the CD in the drive and reboot your Xbox and follow the
above proceedure.

If you cannot get the CD to boot at all , copy Stardust.xbe to C: on your Xbox, then 
launch it and Stardust should load.


1.1 - Booting

If you have a flashable TSOP or modchip, you can tell the installer to flash it with a
modified Cromwell BIOS for Gentoox.  This BIOS will make Gentoox autoboot each time
the Xbox is turned on (after a 10 second delay or when you press the 'A' button on your
Xpad).  Gentoox is launched by selecting the left 'FatX' icon.  Again, this BIOS only 
takes up 256K so you can still have other BIOSes on a 1MB chip.  If you have a Matrix 
modchip and later decide you no longer want this BIOS, you can reflash it from within 
Gentoox using raincoat.  You will never be stuck with just Linux on your Xbox.  

If you cannot use the BIOS solution, you can launch Gentoox by running:

"E:\gentooxx.xbe"

Again, this works with font hacks (needs signing first!!!)

If you can boot the Stardust CD, you can use it to launch Gentoox.

-----------------

2.0 - Help, I'm still stuck!

If you cannot get this CD to work, dont worry.  The previous installation methods are 
still supported.  Just check the website or the README files included with the releases.

If you messed up your Gentoox installation, you can always get back into linux by
selecting the "DVD" icon in Cromwell/ Xromwell and placing the Stardust CD in the tray
to restart the Gentoox installation (although this WILL wipe out your installed Gentoox
system excluding any 'newfs' partitions you made).

Your most valuable resource regarding Gentoox is its homesite: http://gentoox.shallax.com
If you need some dynamic assistance, feel free to drop in to the official channel on irc:
Server : irc.freenode.net
Channel: #gentoox

( Windows mIRC users can run the following url: irc://irc.freenode.net/gentoox )


2.1 - Known Issues

* Sometimes cromwell will lock-up during boot.

* When booting from Cromwell or Xromwell, sometimes USB/ Xpad doesnt get initialized 
  correctly, if this happens simply reboot, then try again!

* Unrar progress % is inaccurate.

* If the script is interrupted, you may lose space on drives which cannot be reclaimed until 
  you format.

* If mouse-drift occurs, hold down the right trigger to improve accuracy

-----------------

3.0 - Plans for the future

There are no plans to update this CD unless something SIGNIFICANTLY changes that means
it will no longer work.  The CD should never need updating as it downloads patch scripts
from a central server.

-----------------

4.0 - Thanks

Thanks goes out to everyone who has supported me, offered suggestions and criticised 
(constructively!!!) my work.  You are the people who motivate me in my task to product
(what I feel) is the best Xbox Linux distribution around!  Without you, I probably would
not have bothered going beyond the initial "FINAL" release (as the name would suggest,
I didn't plan on releasing any updates, hehehe!).  

I'd also like to thank Xantium from Xbox-Scene for posting news relating to Gentoox.

Thanks to the Xbox-Linux team for Cromwell

HUGE thanks to the creator of BusyBox - that is an amazing piece of work!  Also, thanks
to the creators of Slackware and Slothbox, this CD was originally largely based upon Slothbox 
but had to be changed due to an outdated BusyBox - I learned a lot from it though!

Thanks to Soundgarden and The Beastie Boys for providing me with something to listen to :)

Thanks to Hellimod, Pedro, Dave, Blake, tytyty, Disp, Byte, Xolution, Genlee, Pb, Pi, jat
def, wik, Ziekke, Coolberg, nitra, h3inrich, Rocketeer, xboxmastr, Bucko, paulproteus, Xenia
bioterror, Turdhat, Jester, Artifex....

And THANKS to everyone else I've forgotten (Sorry!  Your help and support was much appreciated!)

Thanks to you for taking the time to read this instruction manual!

Remember - feedback is the only way I'll know when there is a problem




					- ShALLaX ([email protected])

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