XenoGC
 | |
 XenoGC modchip | |
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Generation | Drivechip |
| Flash Size | |
| XenoGC | N/A |
| Source Code | |
| Original | GC-Forever |
| fork | GitHub |
Overview
The XenoGC is a drivechip for the Nintendo Gamecube. It is installed directly to the optical drive's logic board and injects patch code into the drive at run time. This enables the execution of debug commands and reading of DVD+/-R/RW media. The original project name of the modchip was Qoob Lite (subsequently discovered in the source code).
Versions
The XenoGC is available in two variants. Version 2.0 (displayed as 1.5) includes support for multi-game discs, while Version 1.0 does not. Version 1.0 has a Green LED to indicate that the drive has been patched successfully, whereas Version 2.0 has an orange LED. As the XenoGC is now effectively an open source modchip, certain clones will defy these color conventions.
Features
- Direct boot of DVD+-RW media
- Compatible with all regions & all versions
- Region-free game loading
- Wireless installation
- Removal of motherboard not required
- PAL/NTSC region force
- Status LEDs
- Switchable read setting adjustment & error retry
- Switchable audiofix
- Anti-static packaging
- Extremely low cost
Settings
General Info
You can adjust a few settings by holding various buttons on controller one while booting a game. This means from just before and during the black screen as the boot menu disappears and the game launches. Settings are applied on a per-boot basis and do not permanently alter the behavior of the console.
[L button] Disable audiofix
If you have previously modified your backup images to work with a BIOS that did not have proper support for audio streaming, this setting will disable that modification.
[R button] Disable DREfix
Disables the native read adjustment and retries. This may be useful if you wish to scan a disc for read errors. The XenoGC will not attempt to correct any errors and will use the default read settings.
[X/Y button] Force NTSC/PAL display mode
This will force the selected region's display mode regardless of the actual game region. Some games are not compatible with this setting.
[START button] Version display
- On a Version 1.0 XenoGC, this displays basic version information (modchip, console and drive).
- On a Version 2.0 XenoGC, this displays the XenoShell in PAL50 (bug?) and is only useful for running multi-game discs (not multi-disc games).
Status LEDs
The XenoGC features two status LEDs to indicate correct function. The red LED is active when the drive resets and the modchip is doing its job. Once the drive has been patched successfully, the green (orange on XenoGC2.0 and certain clones) LED will illuminate. If only the red LED illuminates, check your installation. It should be noted however that some XenoGC clones may only have red LEDs to indicate functionality, if this is the case check to see how many times the LED blinks on and off. If the LED blinks twice, pauses, and stays on afterwards than the installation and patching was successful.
Troubleshooting Installation
The XenoGC doesn't offer much in terms of diagnostics, however there are a number of ways to determine how well it is working. Ideally, you should see a red LED illuminate on the XenoGC when the console turns on and then a green (Version 1.0) or orange (Version 2.0) LED when the drive has been patched successfully. If none of the LEDs on the XenoGC illuminate, then check your solder joints and consider removing it in favor of a wired installation instead.
The following steps should be performed after the XenoGC has been installed and performed in order. If the first step fails, so will those which follow.
- Start the console with an original disc in the drive and the lid closed, don't press anything, if it works, great, the laser isn't dead. Alternatively try tuning the laser and trying this step again.
- Hold the Start button down in controller 1, start the console with an original disc in the drive and hold start until the game is supposed to load. If the game doesn't load and a menu (v2+) or credits screen (v1) loads up the XenoGC is working properly. Alternatively try to run a disc for another region if you have no controller.
- Start the console with a copy of the Swiss ISO or something known to work, use Ritek G05 discs (probably near impossible to get now) or something decent with a dark dye, it seems to work better. If the disc boots then everything works, if it doesn't, tune the laser and go through Step 3 again until it does.
Firmware Updates
Two official versions of software exist which were only available pre-installed at time of purchase. Since the release of the source code, a XenoGC Flashing Utility has been discovered which will enable the user to upgrade and/or downgrade the XenoGC software using the appropriate flashing utility version. In order to prepare the XenoGC to allow flashing, a switch must be installed between GND and any of the letters 'X E N O' which can be found on the circuit board.
Source Code
In February 2011 the source code was made publicly available at GC-Forever
DIY XenoGC Clone
Information on making a XenoGC Clone or to understand how to modify an actual XenoGC for flashing can be found HERE
| XenoGC | |
|---|---|
| Developers | |
| CPU | Atmel Atmega8L |
| Modchip Type | Drivechip |
| Features | Gamecube BIOS |
| Installation | 0 wires (optional 6 wires) |