Do i need to softmod an Xbox original to transfer games to it via ftp?

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Xbox+Hard+Drive+Replacement/1450

Is it possible to replace the existing hard drive?

It's an IDE/PATA drive though if you Google there may be solutions using an IDE/Sata converter for newer drives. I don't have time to look further but I'd investigate this way first.

I see the "softmod" mentioned however I don't see why you would deal with FTP:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Original-XBOX-Hard-Drive-Upgrade/
 
Solution