X-Box Controller Modification to Work on PC/Mac

Electrical modification to make your Classix X-Box controller work on your PC under Windows XP or on your Mac under OS X.

Step-by-step instructions for rewiring that even a beginner can follow.

SOFTWARE:
On OSX install Xbox HID Driver for Mac OS X from http://xhd.sourceforge.net/

For Windows XP install XBox Controller Driver (XBCD) from http://www.redcl0ud.com/xbcd.html

Step 1: What You'll Need

1. Heatshrink - I used 6mm, but I would recommend something slightly bigger
2. USB Extension cable - I used grey for the purposes of the tutorial, but black obviously looks a lot better
3. X-Box controller - pictures is a Japanese Controller-S
4. USB Extension cable - I used grey for the purposes of the tutorial, but black obviously looks a lot better
5. Cutting tools - something capable of cutting through the cables and something smaller for stripping wires.
6. Electrical tape

Step 2: Cut

Cut both ends of the USB extension cable off about 4" / 10cm from each end.

Step 3: Remove Cable Casing

Remove the outer rubber casing from the cable by cutting it with your smaller blade. Expose approximately 1/2" - 1" (1-2cm approx) from the end.

Step 4: Remove Cable Shielding

Inside the cable will be some highly annoying shielding to protect the cable, some is silver foil and the other is silver wire. Simply discard of all of this.

Step 5: Remove Wire Casing

Now expose a short piece of wire from the end of each of wire. Be careful, some of the wires are quite fine and will break easily.

Step 6: Discard Yellow Wire on X-Box Controller Cable

Discard the yellow wire from the X-Box Controller, it's only necessary for some of the X-Box light guns.

Step 7: Pair Your Cables

Pair your cables up. The FEMALE USB matches up with the X-Box end of the cable and the MALE USB matches up with the controller end.

Step 8: Pair Femable USB to X-Box Adapter End

This is reasonably obvious. The female end of the USB extension cable goes with the X-Box end of the cable. The reason for this is that we want the male end attached to the controller in order to plug it into your PC/Mac.

Step 9: Cut Your Heatshrink to Length

Cut off approximately 3" / 7.5cm of heat shrink, enough to cover all of the exposed wire.

Step 10: Place Your Heatshrink

Put the heat shrink over the cable BEFORE joining the wires or else you won't be able to get it on. I made this mistake once and it was highly annoying.

Step 11: Twist

Twist the wires together at the end. Black to black, red to red, green to green and, amazingly enough, white to white.

Step 12: Cover Twisted Pairs With Tape

Place a tiny amount of tape over each of the twisted pairs to ensure that none of the wires can touch each other.

Step 13: Cover Exposed Parts With Heat Shrink

Push your heatshrink down so that it is covering the exposed wire. DO NOT bond the heatshrink until you've tested the cables are working.

Step 14: Pair Male USB With Controller End and Repeat

Step 15: Step 15 - Almost-final Product for Testing

Test your cables. Use the controller with both your X-Box and your PC/Mac in order to confirm you've done everything right. Even though it's unlikely that you've messed up such an easy mod, it would be annoying to have to strip all that heatshrink.

On OSX install Xbox HID Driver for Mac OS X from xhd.sourceforge.net/
For Windows XP install XBox Controller Driver (XBCD) from www.redcl0ud.com/xbcd.html

Step 16: Final Product

Finally, blast the heatshrink with a hairdryer or use a cigarette lighter to bond the heatshrink with the exposed pieces. Suddenly you have the final product ready to go.