Build a homemade PMT probe

A working do-it-yourself PMT probe

Purpose
To modify an Xbox 360 DVD power cable to be used with JungleFlasher’s PhatKey function to extract the unique
information (DVD Key, dummy.bin, etc) from a Liteon PLDS-16D2S (Phat Liteon) DVD drive

Process overview
There are two primary goals to this modification; 1) create a means to open and close the 3.3v supply line without
interfering with the other lines of the cable, and 2) create a means to ground a specific point on the DVD drive’s Printed
Circuit Board (PCB).

What you will need:

1. The DVD power cable for an Xbox 360
2. A switch. Any switch. One that can open and close one wire reliably.
3. A bit of wire. Doesn’t need to be more than a couple of inches long
4. Something relatively sharp that can conduct a small amount of electricity. A sewing needle is perfect.
5. A tool that can cut and strip wire
6. Solder, tape, or whatever else you need to make reliable connections between electrical components

1
Identify the correct wires
This is an untouched Xbox 360 DVD power cable.

You will need to identify two specific wires; Wire 6 (3.3v), and Wire 5 (Ground)

These two pictures tell you basically the same thing: which wires are which. Notice which ones are labeled 5 and 6. Be
sure to note the little plastic key prongs on the top and sides of the connector. These are important for reference.
Finally, note that positions 1 and 2 on the connector are empty; they have no wires in them. Do not let this confuse you.

2
Build it!
Start first with Wire 6 (3.3v). Once you identify this wire, cut it and install the switch on it by whatever means you like,
as long as it is secure and electrically sound. Here are some pictures for clarity:

Wire 6 (3.3v)

Wire 6 (3.3v) with switch installed

3
Next is Wire 5. All you should have to do is strip a small part of the insulation on it and secure a piece of wire to make a
good contact. Again, here are some pictures:

4
Done!
That’s all there is to it. Once constructed, your PMT probe will allow you to extract the unique, console-specific
information from your Liteon PLDS-16D2S using JungleFlasher, regardless of the firmware version on the drive. See the
JungleFlasher tutorial for the procedure to use this probe.

Final notes and links:

This is just the way worked for me. The finished probe pictured in this guide took me about 5 minutes to construct half-
drunk. Here is the original thread that brought the Cap-less PMT probe to the masses.

If you don’t feel like doing this, still feel intimidated by the process, or just want a clean, professionally manufactured
solution, check out the Team Xecuter Probe3. Conceptually the same, but includes nice features like a longer DVD
power cable and probe wire, a status LED, pogo probe pin, and very easy push-button operation.

Homemade PMT probe troubleshooting:

Where JungleFlasher tells you to wait 5 seconds with the 3.3v line open, DO NOT. Only open it for about ½ second each
time. This is the single most common problem people have with using a PMT probe. The 5 second wait is for a
Capacitor-based PMT probe. This is a Cap-less PMT probe.

Ensure that you have the probe on line 5, and the switch on line 6. See the photos above for reference.
With a multimeter, ensure 0 ohms from Pin 5 to probe tip.
With a multimeter, ensure the switch makes Line 6 go from 0 to infinite ohms

Gently clean or scrape the MPX01 point, taking care not to break it off. There is sometimes a bit of lacquer on the point
which prevents the ground probe from making good contact.

Thanks to Geremia and Team Xecuter for the original concepts, the owners of the diagram and connector-end pictures
on page 2, wwJFnet48 (whoever you are) for giving me the idea to make a relatively fool-proof pictorial guide, Spudnutz
and jsinger47 and the rest of Team Jungle for your mentorship and guidance, and Nerander for the rest of the photos!