Guide for Setting Up an Xbox 360 JTAG/RGH Console

 This guide will go over the steps needed to set up an Xbox 360 RGH or JTAG console. There is no other text guide like this to my knowledge so I am creating this in hopes of helping people learn how to configure their new consoles without having to watch 15 videos that assume you will be using specific software (Aurora).

 These instructions will provide you with links to the necessary software and will assume you have a working RGH/JTAG console with a blank hard drive, a Windows PC and a KV.bin file. If you do not have a KV.bin file, you can purchase one for $3 (at the time of me writing this) from https://unshared.shop/

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1. Installing and Configuring XexMenu

 XEXMenu is a file manager / FTP server for the Xbox 360, it can launch for XEX Homebrew, Games, Apps and Emulators from a USB drive, Internal hard drive or even a DVD.

• Download XexMenu 1.1:

https://digiex.net/threads/xexmenu-1-1-download-xex-menu-iso-live-and-xex-file-manager-for-xbox-360.11096/

• View the readme inside the file, it will provide specific instructions on where to place the files on your external hard drive or USB.
• Connect the drive to your Xbox 360.
• Navigate to Settings > Storage > Your Storage Device > Demos > and copy XeX menu to your console's internal HDD.
• Run XexMenu by going to the dashboard > my games. It will have on-screen instructions for its operation. Take a few minutes to learn how to navigate it but be careful not to change or delete anything.

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2. Installing and Configuring DashLaunch

 DashLaunch is a custom dashboard, usually used as a tool for tweaking deep system settings. The most common usage for DashLaunch is to set a custom dashboard to be the default one on system startup, and to manage target fan settings, and install plugins. Keep in mind that you must save your changes if you make any modifications by going to the "Save \ Load launch.ini" menu and pressing X on HDD

• Download DashLaunch:

https://www.realmodscene.com/index.php?/topic/2649-dashlaunch-32-release/

• Copy all of the files to your external HDD or USB, then to HDD:\Applications with XeX menu you will run it with the "default.xex" file in the "Installer" folder in XeX menu, but you do not need to do this yet.
• It also comes with a readme file so reference that if you need to.

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3. Installing Xbox 360 Neighborhood & launch plugins

 Xbox 360 Neighborhood (or Xbox Neighborhood for short) is an official Windows extension tool that is meant to be used with development kits, but also can be used on RGH/JTAG exploited consoles. Using xbdm.xex, the tool allows basic FTP features as well as live peek/poking of values and running XEX files remotely. Xbox Neighborhood is often used for modding as it provides a simple interface into your console that is identical to a Windows folder/file browser with seamless integration between your PC and console.

• In most circumstances it will replace the need for USB file transfer, however it is not recommended to transfer whole games or other large (100MB+) files through this. For that, an FTP client like FileZilla should be used when XeX menu is open, the username and password for that is: Xbox/Xbox.
• Jrpc2.xex is a plugin that works with xbdm.xex to transmit data back and forth between the console and your PC. It's essential for most remote control tools to function at all, and launch.ini is simply a configuration file for Dashlaunch that tells it what settings and plugins to use. You will not need to edit this file or any settings in dashlaunch for this step, it is already configured for you.
• Download/install Xbox 360 Neighborhood, xbdm.xex, jrpc2.xex and launch.ini:
• Note: For the purposes of this guide, we will be using xbGuard stealth server, since it has a free "LITE" mode that works to get you online and because their download ships all the necessary files NOT INCLUDING A KV.BIN FILE WHICH YOU WILL NEED TO BUY FOR YOURSELF!
• All the files needed for this come from the following download link: https://xbguard.live/xbGuard.zip

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 Extract the zip to your external HDD or USB & move the files AND your KV.bin file to the ROOT of your HDD:\ directory with XeX menu.

• Reboot the console before connecting to network. If done correctly, xbGuard will fail to connect & you will get the standard dashboard. If not, check that you have done every above step correctly.
• If successful, now you can connect your ethernet (preferred) or WiFi, then reboot. If done correctly, it will reboot itself again once, this is because it is downloading the latest xbGuard update.

If it fails to boot at this stage after you have seen it fail to connect to xbGuard without network, try using ethernet if you are not, or just simply keep trying. Also, Xbox 360s by default cannot work with 5ghz wifi networks. It MUST be 2.4ghz.

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Xbox 360 Neighborhood: Download XBOX 360 SDK 21256.3

 Install Xbox 360 Neighborhood and make sure to choose full install when it asks you which type. Open it, then click "Add Xbox 360". Enter the console name which is "JTAG" or its local IP address.

You are done, from here you can acquire any other homebrew apps through xbGuard's homebrew app store. They also do have a premium tier that starts at $0.50 USD for one day or $15.00 USD for unlimited access. You can view more about that at https://xbguard.live/