Would like to clarify some things

Alright, I read a tutorial posted in a thread (two below this one, I believe), about a softmod using Mech Assualt. I would just like to ask a few things:
1) I have an Xbox already (duh), all else I would need would be Mech Assualt (the original one) and an Action Replay?
2) I have Halo 2... did that auto update my dashboard?
3) Would that method allow me to play homebrew (emulators, etc.)?
4) How do I actually get the homebrew to the Xbox off the PC?


Thanks for the help.