View source for Xbox Hard Disk Partitioning

{{retrieved|https://web.archive.org/web/20100617023145/http://www.xbox-linux.org/wiki/Xbox_Hard_Disk_Partitioning}}


by ''Michael Steil'' (original version: 8 May 2002)

The Xbox uses a hard disk partitioning scheme that is hardwired into the kernel. The hard disk consists of a header, 3 game cache partitions, a system partition and a data partition:


{| class="wikitable"
|-
!  Offset
!  Size
!  Description
|-
|  0&nbsp;MB<br /><code>0x00000000</code>
|  0.5&nbsp;MB
|  '''Disk Config Area''' <br />This partition contains no filesystem. Various configuration data is stored on fixed offsets.<br />Linux device: <code>none</code>
|-
|  0.5&nbsp;MB<br /><code>0x00000400</code>
|  750&nbsp;MB
|  '''Game Cache A''' (Drive X:)<br />FATX volume containing temporary data of a game for faster access.<br />Linux device: <code>/dev/hda52</code>
|-
|  750.5&nbsp;MB<br /><code>0x00177400</code>
|  750&nbsp;MB
|  '''Game Cache B''' (Drive Y:)<br />Linux device: <code>/dev/hda53</code>
|-
|  1500.5&nbsp;MB<br /><code>0x002EE400</code>
|  750&nbsp;MB
|  '''Game Cache C''' (Drive Z:)<br />Linux device: <code>/dev/hda54</code>
|-
|  2250.5&nbsp;MB<br /><code>0x00465400</code>
|  500&nbsp;MB
|  '''System Files''' (Drive C:)<br />FATX volume containing menu code, graphics, sound, DVD player, music import,&nbsp;...<br />Linux device: <code>/dev/hda51</code>
|-
|  2750.5&nbsp;MB<br /><code>0x0055F400</code>
|  4895&nbsp;MB
|  '''Data''' (Drive E:)<br />FATX volume containing saved games and imported CD audio tracks.<br />Linux device: <code>/dev/hda50</code>
|-
! 
! 
!  '''Non-Standard partitions on disks &gt;8GB'''
|-
|  7645.5&nbsp;MB<br /><code>0x00EE8AB0</code>
|  1896&nbsp;MB<br />- 130&nbsp;GB
|  '''Unused/Additional''' (Drive F:)<br />The first xboxes had a 8GB disk, later versions came with a 10GB disk. This the space difference between the two and not used. Some tools allow it to be used as additional FATX filesystem<br />Linux device: <code>/dev/hda55</code> (only present if signature of formatted FATX found)<br />Linux assumes that all remaining space on the disk belongs to this partition unless another FATX filesystem is detected at the LBA28 boundary. See below.
|-
|  137&nbsp;GB<br /><code>0x0FFFFFFF</code>
|  remaining space
|  '''LBA28''' (Drive G:)<br />If you install a very big disk some tools are limited by the LBA24 boundary. The drive G allows this space to be used in a separate drive, only accessible to LBA48 capable tools and BIOS'es.<br />Linux device: <code>/dev/hda56</code> (only present if signature of formatted FATX found at LBA24 boundary)<br />Linux assumes that all remaining space on the disk belongs to this partition.
|}

This table has been completed by Markus Baertschi with lots of stuff. There might be errors and misconceptions, caveat emptor&nbsp;!


{| class="wikitable"
|-
! '''Missing image'''<br />''Icon-admonition-tip.png'' <br />Tip<br /><br /> | For a more detailed description of the format and contents of the partitions see [https://web.archive.org/web/20100617023145/http://www.xbox-linux.org/wiki/Xbox_Partitioning_and_Filesystem_Details Xbox Partitioning and Filesystem Details].|}