Reformatting Xbox Hard Drive

Examples and photos provided by XboxKing www.TheKingz.com

If you call 1-800-4MY-XBOX and ask for it, level one will say it does not exist yet some have received this code from level 2 support after stating they receive the call customer service error in English only, rather than in multiple languages.  The code is different for every Xbox and from what I can see there is no obvious way to figure out what the code is.  The code does exist and may solve problems on some of the Xboxes out there.  If you can get to the system status screen you should be able to enter the code.  

What is it really?  Some sort of software reset.  It will blank out your saved games and blow away any saved songs.  This is sometimes useful for consoles with error 07 that occurs after boot up (i.e. you can get to system info) and possibly other errors 

Enter the code, some examples below, most likely none of these will work on your Xbox.

Derek's Xbox (XboxKing)
2nd Generation Xbox (May 25, 2002) 
K:1.00.4034.01 
D:1.00.4920.01 
Setting -to- System Info - and PRESS Y, X, L (Left on Left Analog Stick) 3 times 

Chuck's Xbox (King-Chucka79)
1st Generation Xbox (Nov 02, 2001) 
K:1.00.3949.01 
D:1.00.4920.01 
Setting -to- System Info - and PRESS Y, X, L (Left on Left Analog Stick), X, Y 

Two others, users and kernel unknown
Go to Settings > System info > Press Y , Up (left stick), Down (left stick) , X , A
Go to Settings > System info > Press Y, Right (left stick), Left (left stick), Y, X

Reported working on:
K:1.00.4034.01
D:1.00.4034.01
Go to Settings > System Info > Press  Y,  Y,  A,  Down (left stick)  A

Once code is successfully entered you will see the following screen.

Choose yes

When complete all game saves and songs have been deleted and hopefully some problems have been resolved.

Original posting - None of these codes did anything on any of my test machines let me know if you have any luck let me know which one worked what it did and what Kernel you are using 4034 or 3944 if you know of any tricks to make them work that would be appreciated.  I'm beginning to think these codes are some sort of urban legend.

Update 4/11/03 It looks like each code is specific to the xbox it is used on, you would need to call 1-800-4MY-XBOX to get the code for yours.  If you go through the process with support I would be interested in finding out what they ask for as information to determine the code and what code they give you.  If we get a long enough list of codes and information we may be able to figure out what the secret is.

Update 10/4/03 Xbox King has provided some screen photos of the reset process and the Llamma has updated this page.  If there is anyone out there that can provide some method of determining the codes without the assistance of M$ support I would definitely be interested in hearing about it.

The Llamma