Cromwell (computing)

If programmed onto the onboard flash chip of the Xbox or a modchip, it can boot the Linux operating system and practically convert the Xbox into a full PC.

In light of this, many Xbox modchip manufacturers ship this firmware with their chips to avoid litigation and copyright infringement claims.

The main function of this firmware is to load the Linux operating system, although it also supports other features, such as the ability to reprogram the hardware with another firmware image, lock and unlock the hard disk, and change video mode (PAL/NTSC).

This is because the original Microsoft firmware image contains the kernel of the Xbox operating system (widely believed to be a stripped-down Windows 2000 derivative) - that is, the firmware is the operating system.

Cromwell includes code from other open source projects, but combines them in a unique way.