The guys at llamma.com posted a really simple tutorial, which explains how to add additional storage to the 360 via a standard USB external hard drive. The 360 can read FAT32 partitions, which can be create up to 32 GB with Windows or all the way up to 2 TB with a 3rd party partition utility like Partition Magic. Although Xbox Live Marketplace items cannot be added to the 3rd party drive, this is a simple way to extend the storage capacity of your 360. I’ve been using it for my MP3 collection (instead of ripping albums one-by-one the old fashioned way). Check out llamma’s full tutorial here.

Links: llamma.com
Type: Tutorial
Title: USB Hard Drive Mod for Xbox 360
Author: TheJT

Textbook really gives us the most exhaustive guide for flashing your 360’s firmware, so that it can play backup (i.e. burned) games. His new “2008 Edition” release includes a separate tutorial for the newer, quieter BenQ VAD6038 drives, which were shipped with newer systems beginning in November ‘06.

The most difficult part of the whole “flashing” process for many people has to do with their SATA card’s compatibility. Textbook lists a known compatibility chart for several different chipsets. He does; however, recommend using a VIA VT6420 PCI SATA card if you don’t have a compatible chipset. The VIA card will run you about $20 at most places.

If you’re thinking about flashing your 360 with a hacked firmware, download a free copy of Textbook’s guide here.

The image above from xbox-scene.com is useful to determine which drive you have. If you don’t have the quieter BenQ, try and take your 360 back to the store for a new one (if you still can).

Links: 360mods.net
Type: Tutorial
Title: Textbooks Xbox 360 Firmware Flashing Tutorial 2008 Edition
Author: Textbook
Size: 12.35 MB
Download: 360mods.net