I heard that tic tac containers make for good housing for Ardunio Nanos. So I did the obvious thing:
Power for test Xbox
On my bench I have a test mains power input for testing Xboxes along with a test AV cable connected to a TV.
Today I wired an Xbox power safety device into the mix. There’s a tear down of this highly over-engineered device on the EEVBlog video: EEVblog #1164 – Xbox Engineering Baptism Of Fire.
Microsoft made this to cover for defective mains power connector in their earliest hardware versions. The problem was that the socket was only soldered into the board and didn’t have sufficient mechanical support. The solder joints could wiggle around, become loose, get hot, and then let go the magic smoke.
Anyway this device is both a fuse and an earth leakage detector, so very happy to have it as part of my setup.
How to remove stripped screws
Good to know! How to remove stripped screws – 7 different ways.
Xbox USB Device Compatibility List
So today I found this Xbox USB Device Compatibility List. Gonna get myself an old 2GB iPod Nano for the task!
Brass vs. Phosphor Bronze
Today I learned about Brass vs. Phosphor Bronze. There’s more to know. My guess is that Phosphor Bronze is probably best for Contact, Commercial MATE-N-LOK, Socket, Crimp, 18 AWG, Tin Plated Contacts.
Update: actually looks like tin plated brass is more common/standard/cheaper? than phosphor bronze. I think it’s a technical detail that probably doesn’t matter much. Some products just say “copper alloy”, and they’re both copper alloys.
Picking a 16-channel external power connection
So I’m planning to put an Xbox power supply,
in a box,
I wasn’t sure exactly which box, so I got four, hoping one would work.
The sockets and pinouts vary,

So I will need to make three different types of cables, one for each version range: v1.0-v1.1, v1.2-v1.5, v1.6. But those vary only on the “motherboard side”, the connector that connects to a power supply in a box can be anything, and I can pick it. By my count the maximum cable requirement is 16 cables. So I’m looking for a recommendation for what power connector to install the on the box. Ideally something I can bolt into the box that can handle a couple of amps of DC and into which I can plug my custom cable. Craig? :)
Update: from here maximum observed current 8.6A. I would like to use D Sub Connector Housing, 25 Ways, D Sub, 3, AMPLIMITE HDP-20, Receptacle, Steel Body but I’m not sure if they’re rated high enough for the current.
v1.0-v1.1 motherboard power connector
So I’m fishing for an answer to the type of power connector used on the v1.0 and v1.1 Xbox motherboards: v1.0-v1.1 motherboard power connector so hopefully someone knows and can help me. It’s some type of “ATX” thing I’m sure but what I really need is a DigiKey part number. :P
Linux
Did some Linux related reading:
p.s. Linux has just bumped to major version 6!
How To List All Packages In A Repository On Ubuntu
There’s some good info about working with the Ubuntu APT repository over here: How To List All Packages In A Repository On Ubuntu, Debian Or Linux Mint [APT]. I’m finally starting to get my head around how the repositories actually work. This and this were helpful.
Declarative Diagrams
Some diagram generators to check out: