Original XBOX with Error 16. Fix with Hot Swap and XBOXHDM

Original Microsoft Xbox with error 16.
Error 16 means "clock can not be set". This is often caused by corrupted or missing dashboard files. It may be the result of a failed softmod.
I acquired this Xbox that had been discarded. I was completely unfamiliar with the Xbox. I have never owned one. It had this cryptic error 16. Fortunately several smart people have figured this problem out and shared with the rest of us.

The hardest thing about working on the Xbox is "disk locking". The disk drive in the Xbox is "locked" when it powers down. If the drive is removed from the Xbox and placed in a PC, it can not be accessed. There is key number stored in the Xbox BIOS that is needed to unlock it. Normally the key number must be used to unlock the drive. If the key is not known, one trick to access the disk drive is "hot swapping".
Hot swap: When the Xbox is turned on, the BIOS applies the key and unlocks the disk drive. As long as the drive remains powered up, it will stay unlocked. The trick is to pull the IDE data cable from the Xbox disk drive while it is running and then connect the Xbox drive to an external PC IDE cable. The PC must be turned on ahead of time, but the boot up must be halted before the PC Bios searches for attached peripherals. After the PC is connected to the Xbox drive, the PC is un-halted and completes the boots up.
The PC is booted with a Linux boot CD which contains a program call Xbox HD Maker (XBOXHDM). XBOXHDM can perform several functions, including rebuilding a damaged C partition or creating an entire Xbox disk drive.

Xbox HD Maker V 1.9:

C and D drive files:

The Xbox key can be obtained directly from the system board. It is possible to connect the serial port of an external PC to an Xbox system board with a cable and extract the Bios. Excellent Instructional videos on how to make and use the cable were posted by Slot1Gamer.

How to make serial cable to read EEPROM:

How to use serial cable to read EEPROM:

[zakostendorf]

I ran into this problem about 12 years ago. I could never get the hot swap to method to work, I was missing a pivotal step. I never thought to hit the pause/break key! Of course, there was no video on the topic back then and I was 14, I didn't understand anything about the pause/break key then. Thank you so much this video.

[Rooey]

You're the only person ever I have been able to turn on to 4x speed. Thank you.

[danielvalentine]

Dude! I never knew that unplugging the DVD drive would stop the XBOX in unlocked state. That makes the hotswap a lot easier. The way I used to do it was I would unplug the IDE at the moment the microsoft logo appeared below the xbox logo. The timing had to be perfect though, otherwise the PC couldn't find the XBOXHD. Thanks for teaching the method!

[arsenalcrazy]

Wow, awesome! I thought for sure I ruined my Xbox when I botched a soft mod. I successfully revived my console with this video. Awesome, awesome walkthrough!

[xIPIUIRIEo]

Thanks so much for posting this video as well as the C and E drive contents you posted. You helped me bring alive my error 21 Xbox.

[criticscooby]

If I ask you, can you continue this series? Like, how to update the HDD. This is a really good video, a really slow paste, and detailed explaination.

[KuraV]

hello, when I launch "boot vga console with xbox drive utilities" and type xbox hd and select option 2 it says "invalid option" any solutions?

[kloontje]

thank you it worked with a older PC perfectly .. first i had to set in the bios boot from CDrom, A, C and then disconect the DVD in the xbox and starup the xbox then power up the PC and push the pause/break key disconect the hdd from the xbox and conect the pc then hit enter i follow the steps to the letter and it worked .. thanks a lot .. i messed up may xbox by deleting the files but befor i could put back the softmod files the hole thing freezedup.. i thout i lost my xbox but did keep it .. then i saw your video and tryed it.. and it works :) :)

[jdc]

Greatly appreciated. I've read so much about it and never could fully grasp it but you took it nice and slow and gave all the necessary info. And good editing work too.

[Kawsarmiah]

What if you don’t have eprom will this still work?

[affansonicfan]

EXCELLENT video! I just fixed my xbox by seeing this video! Thank you!

[Erin-mf]

hello i dont expect a reply but im trying to fix my og xbox and the only problem ive run into so far is the part round 11:32 where you have to enter the file directory, how did you find out the correct file directory if that makes sense

[AmilcarVazquez]

Dude, you really help me, I have this issue for along time.

[justinium]

Hi, can you kindly reupload the C & E files please?

[Xt]

So, if am understanding this correctly, if you have an error 16 and it is softmodded, you have to basically create a new disk using XBHDM meaning everything on the previous drive is lost because it's locked. I have two Xbox's that are softmodded and both are giving me er 16. I need the files on the one Xbox as it has so many games on it that you can no longer get.

[darkdoggi]

hello i tried to softmod my xbox and error 16 appears now. i have the backup files . is there any way to use them?

[Hitch]

Please re-upload the C and E files; the link is invalid. Also THANK YOU for the information.

[kenjoh.]

Great video ... I have a question of me using a little bit newer desktop as far as me using an adapter from SATA (newer desktop)to IDE (XBOX) .... will it work by me using an adapter since I don't have an older PC with IDE cables? Thank You.

[metzen]

Thank you sir just brought one back to life with a dead drive. 🙏🙏Much appreciated. Liked and subscribed

[bunkernuts]

Hi. I know that this video is 2 years old now and I'm not expecting a response, but I unfortunately don't have access to any older IDE primarily based PCs. Is there any way a SATA to IDE converter that is the correct pin size for the hard drive would work for this or am i stuck?