Hacking the Xbox 360 controller

$D:\Documents and Settings\klee27x\Desktop\mod360\2007-04-06-1547-40\004 glue down the chip.JPG$

$D:\Documents and Settings\klee27x\Desktop\mod360\2007-04-06-1547-40\005 bend and clip the resistor.JPG$

$D:\Documents and Settings\klee27x\Desktop\mod360\2007-04-06-1547-40\006 solder the resistor.JPG$

$D:\Documents and Settings\klee27x\Desktop\mod360\2007-04-06-1547-40\007 connect chip to the optocoupler.JPG$

$D:\Documents and Settings\klee27x\Desktop\mod360\2007-04-06-1547-40\008 connect chip to the optocoupler.JPG$

$D:\Documents and Settings\klee27x\Desktop\mod360\2007-04-06-1547-40\009 connect to Vdd.JPG$

$D:\Documents and Settings\klee27x\Desktop\mod360\2007-04-06-1547-40\011 connect X button right trace.JPG$

$D:\Documents and Settings\klee27x\Desktop\mod360\2007-04-06-1547-40\013 connect Y trace.JPG$

$D:\Documents and Settings\klee27x\Desktop\mod360\2007-04-06-1547-40\014 connect ground.JPG$

$D:\Documents and Settings\klee27x\Desktop\mod360\2007-04-06-1547-40\002 putting in the buttons.JPG$

$D:\Documents and Settings\klee27x\Desktop\mod360\2007-04-06-1547-40\015 wiring the button.JPG$

$D:\Documents and Settings\klee27x\Desktop\mod360\2007-04-06-1547-40\017 wiring the buttons.JPG$

$D:\Documents and Settings\klee27x\Desktop\mod360\2007-04-06-1547-40\001 unopened controller.JPG$

$D:\Documents and Settings\klee27x\Desktop\mod360\2007-04-06-1547-40\018 attach the buttons.JPG$

$D:\Documents and Settings\klee27x\Desktop\mod360\2007-04-06-1547-40\019 attach the buttons panout.JPG$

$D:\Documents and Settings\klee27x\Desktop\mod360\2007-04-06-1547-40\020 put the pcb into the top plastic.JPG$

$D:\Documents and Settings\klee27x\Desktop\mod360\2007-04-06-1547-40\021 put the motors back in.JPG$

So you read my Xbox S controller tutorial, then you went out and tried to mod a 360 controller. Well, it's a little bit different.

Here I highlight the differences and show you how to get a microcontroller to perform different button functions with the new controller. And more importantly, I show you how to stuff it all into that sleek little case.

This tutorial covers the wired controller.

If you look at the pictures below, you will see step by step how to install using the smt optocoupler. But refer to step 4 to see how to make the smt optocoupler.

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Step 1: The Buttons

Here, I show your the places where to access the X and Y button signals. The switching is different, so we need to switch these with use of optocouplers. Unlike relays, optocouplers are unidirectional, so we have to pay attention to how we hook them up.

What's an optocoupler? An optocoupler is a little light emitting diode placed next to a phototransistor in a plastic chip package. Here, I'm using the 4n27, which is a 6 pin device. I am using the DIP package, meaning it's full size with through-hole pins. Could I save a lot of space by using a surface mount part? Well, sort of. Surface mount mainly reduces the height of your circuit, rather than the width... especially considering the extra circuit board you would need. As you will see if you open up your controller, there isn't a lot of space here, but just south of the B button, there is a very tall space that we can utilize.

You can see that I placed a 1k axial resistor onto the R trigger potentiometer output so that it sticks str8 up. This makes it easier to acess after we have glued on the other chips, and if you clip it right, there's just barely room enough inside the case for it to stand str8 up like that.

The chip on the bottom is a microcontroller. It is deadbugged, with the notch pointing up.

The chips on the right are two stacked photocouplers.

blahblah01 says: Nov 3, 2009. 5:38 PM

yes I agree, hacking things can be totally fun and esciting, but what was the purpose/intention of this instructable?

mgarvin in reply to blahblah01Aug 7, 2011. 3:46 PM

I am also wondering what this does... Soldering and confusing work for no apparent result.

Satella in reply to blahblah01May 1, 2011. 12:37 AM

Im agree with you.... what was all that?

dumdog927 says: Jan 31, 2011. 5:10 PM

alright so dont the connectors forthe buttons have a film on it do i need to scratch it off?

puddingpants says: Nov 11, 2010. 4:37 PM

i took it a step further and upgraded the thumbsticks by takeing the old tumbstick assemblely out and soldering a playstation one in. its alot smoother and easyer to aim in bfbc2 now.

aiden120000 says: Jan 8, 2008. 9:48 AM

i have a set of torx drivers, and i have the right size, but the screws have a little pin in the middle. where can i get a driver that can open thewese screws

julioamezaga in reply to aiden120000Aug 30, 2010. 9:17 PM

snap off the nipple with a tiny flat then use the star screwdriver

mythen in reply to aiden120000Jun 23, 2010. 3:57 PM

The screws are tamper proof torx. You can bypass the need for this set by using a drill and drilling the nipple off but be careful not to damage the threading.

ubr.bzkr in reply to aiden120000Mar 14, 2009. 5:47 PM

i got a neat security screwdirver bit set from harbor freight. it has the right bit for this. it comes in a red rubber like case.

codydean in reply to ubr.bzkrMar 22, 2011. 10:42 PM

but are they long enough. I think i have the same set that dosent work.

ubr.bzkr in reply to codydeanApr 16, 2011. 4:23 PM

Well they are a little short, mostly because they are too fat. you can get most of the screws out with the bit but i remember i needed to use another bit for two of them in the handles.

KevinSaw in reply to aiden120000Jan 28, 2009. 11:06 PM

http://www.instructables.com/id/A_Solutions_to_Xbox_360_Screws_Open_up_for_Rapid/

Bazooka_Rob in reply to aiden120000Mar 10, 2008. 12:38 PM

What I did to solve this problem was Take a small drill bit, small enough to fit in the torx slot, then put it in the trusty old dremel and drill out the "tab" inside the torx. I know it sounds hard but the tab will instantly break off. now you can just use the regular torx without a hitch. good luck

Dr.Paj in reply to aiden120000Feb 17, 2008. 10:37 AM

I just used a small flathead and used the pin in the middle to get a good grip on it and just used the flathead to unscrew it.I think I used a 5/64" flathead. Either that one or one size smaller. An added bonus of the flathead is sometimes it just breaks off the pin and you can use a normal Torex to finish up (size 8'ish).

klee27x (author) in reply to aiden120000Jan 8, 2008. 10:55 PM

You can take a dremel to a regular torx driver. Use a regular cutting disk, the thin kind. Cut a str8 line into the end of the bit. Aim the cut so that it completely obliterates one pair of opposing teeth. This leaves 4 teeth intact.

klee27x (author) in reply to klee27xFeb 23, 2008. 5:13 PM

And, in case you missed the obvious point of doing this, it creates a channel wide enough to pass the security post!

aiden120000 in reply to klee27xJan 12, 2008. 11:17 AM

what kind of elelectric saw thing would you recommend i do this with?. because i dont own a dremel, but my school has an excellent resistant materials departmant

klee27x (author) in reply to aiden120000Jan 13, 2008. 10:07 AM

It has to have a cutting disk thin enough that it can slot the end without ruining more than one set of teeth. It doesn't have to cut very deep. I think any industrial grade saw will be too big. Dremel is probably the only way to go.

sudmah says: Apr 25, 2010. 7:55 AM

i modded my 360 last year. thing is i made it RROD check out my Xbox 360 hackz

caco caco says: Oct 4, 2009. 12:59 PM

your instructables is very good i would change the color of my xbox controller

Colonel88 says: Sep 9, 2009. 5:34 PM

lol what does this do? I think the thing is just supposed to be "pressing" the x or y button continuosly but im not sure... You could just hookup a 555 timer chip for a rapid fire switch

quad_man10 says: Mar 19, 2009. 2:11 PM

what does this do?

nave in reply to quad_man10Jul 20, 2009. 4:27 AM

dude i dont think it says!

randomguy96 says: Mar 17, 2009. 6:14 PM

What does this do exactly? I don't have time to read the whole thing to figure it out.

benz_z says: Jan 31, 2009. 8:26 AM

can you use a 555 timer its more complicated than some wire and a switch but less complicated than this... right (i don't know anything about micro controllers but i do know they can get expensive)

T.E.A. says: Sep 11, 2008. 5:49 PM

what does it do?

Hellchild says: Jul 19, 2008. 7:30 PM

will it work on the wireless controller too?

klee27x (author) in reply to HellchildAug 14, 2008. 12:32 AM

yeah, but there's two different kinds of wireless controller, now. And some of the logic is reversed. You gotta know which kind you're dealing with.

Hellchild in reply to klee27xAug 14, 2008. 8:57 PM

something like the Halo 3 limited edition controller

timmy1234s in reply to HellchildAug 21, 2008. 11:05 AM

dont mess that one up. You cant get them anymore and cost around 60 or 70 bucks.

Hellchild in reply to timmy1234sAug 22, 2008. 10:17 PM

yeah

Cadaoryn says: Apr 17, 2008. 3:27 PM

Did you use a picaxe micro-controller?

klee27x (author) in reply to CadaorynAug 14, 2008. 12:34 AM

picaxe is a microcontroller, isn't it? yeah, my first modded controller used a picaxe. They have 1 fewer pin to play with, are slower, more expensive, and have very limited program memory, though.

SpartanXx666xX in reply to CadaorynJul 19, 2008. 10:56 AM

hey any idea where i can buy the micro controller? also can you provide me with the model or the serial please? I understand i need a 8 pin PIC microcontroller but i need the model or a specific make. thank you

klee27x (author) in reply to CadaorynApr 20, 2008. 6:55 PM

I have used PicAxes on some of my earlier mods. It's a good chip for this. But literally any microcontroller that can be ICSP'd can be substituted.

SpartanXx666xX in reply to klee27xJul 19, 2008. 10:57 AM

pdawg says: Aug 11, 2008. 9:46 AM

Do you have experience programming chips for an xbox 360 controller? I was wondering if there are controller specific commands or identifiers to learn because I would like to do a rapid fire mod witha 12f683 chip and am trying to figure out how to write the progam. I have a C PIC compiler and a BASIC PIC compiler and a programmer.

klee27x (author) in reply to pdawgAug 14, 2008. 12:31 AM

There are no specific xbox commands. Just use the ones that come with your software/compiler.

jlk says: Aug 13, 2008. 10:03 PM

Great tutorial, although it would really help us newbies if you mentioned in the "intro" the goal of the hack. After completing step 6 and reading some of the comments I understood (?) you are trying to boost X and Y buttons for fast-firing, pre-programmed sequences, etc., depending on PIC firmware. Right?

klee27x (author) in reply to jlkAug 14, 2008. 12:30 AM

Yeah. I actually made this as instructions for a chip I programmed and sold a long time ago. But it still provides some insight as to how to take control of an xbox controller. The specific mod I created this way was a quadshot/rapidfire/quick reload chip for Halo2. I also made a doubleshot BXR chip. And now I have a chip that you can even record 4 of your own macros, right on the controller! I found Instructables a great way to post detailed instructions at the time. I'm sorry if this isn't in the spirit of "Instructables," but I was mindful not to include any commercial links! I believe a lot of people look at it to figure out how to do their own modding, so I think it still has some value, otherwise I woulda taken it down a long time ago.