Playing Xbox 360 backups [Archive]

squirrel

04-09-2007, 04:22 PM

Hi guys,

I've found a second hand Xbox 360 that I might be interested in. Anyways, I believe in a try before you buy system, and I would rather download the games first before going out to buy them. I haven't been following the Xbox 360 scene in terms of the firmware/modding/etc. I want to know, is it possible to load firmware so I can play copied games? I do not want to make any hardware changes..

GavinMannion

04-09-2007, 04:27 PM

You do realise that would be piracy and illegal...

Rather don't be such a cheap ass and buy the games...

The answer to your question is no...

doobiwan

04-09-2007, 04:48 PM

Well, Gav, that's not totally true. There was a way to hack a 360, but you did have to crack open the box.

MS found it, patched it and will brick any console that touches live with hacked firmware. There is also evidence that there is now heuristics software than runs continuous on the 360 to detect new hacks to the firmware, even if you're not on live.

So as as Gav said. No. . . . .

But that should really worry you, most games on the 360 have demo's available for download from Live! marketplace so you can try before you buy. Alternatively 360 games trade really well, so if you're unsure you can just wait for it to come up for trade.

getafix33

04-09-2007, 04:51 PM

Yip, all of my games barring 1 I have bought second hand. That's the way to go.

squirrel

04-09-2007, 05:03 PM

Thank you doobiwan and getafix33 for your contributions. I recall reading about modified firmware that allows you to play backups. Does this simply not work?

teraside

04-09-2007, 05:06 PM

Roadkill! Long time no see man ;) Howzit going bro ? ;) :D :p

Juggy

04-09-2007, 05:09 PM

Hmmm, I think ya'all are talking rubbish. Playing copied games on live will ban your console. If you play on live then you must use an original. I've never heard of it bricking the 360.

Am I wrong?

dablakmark8

04-09-2007, 05:54 PM

well there is custom firmware out there that let cheap ppl do this type of backup...There are some clever okies in america that messes with these things.I dont own a 360 but waht i read is that you cant go online anymore if you have changed/modded your firmware or hardware.....Sorry but its just a matter of time before some one comes up with a better hack.
Its sadbut true.( i give it 8 months..piracy will continue on the 360)

doobiwan

04-09-2007, 06:44 PM

I've been following quite closely and the guys are getting close, but MS have had 20 years of fighting PC pirates and got everything they wanted in the 360. Not to say guys won't find other ways around, but it's a lot more difficult than any previous console.

The history, in short, is something like this - The original DVD Rom firmware was hacked to allow backups, MS pretended to let it go unnoticed and rolled out a few dashboard updates apparently ignoring the matter, but fixing one or two other minor holes.

In reality the updates included scanners that detected all the modded 360's and were only flipped on after most 360's had been updated catching most modders unaware, banning them from live and in some cases bricking the console. And even those that weren't, a 360 with no live might as well be bricked ;) (From Live! I know of at least 2 locals that were banned, and 1 bricked) I suspect the bricking may not have been intentional :p

There was also no way of reverting the firmware, which is what the modders are desperately trying to do now, but MS uses destructible read once silicon keys, that as the name suggest, once the keys used, it's destroyed and can't be hacked.

Conspiracy theory alert: One thing I've always suspected is that the RRoD debacle arose shortly after the new updates were turned on. While there are issues with the hardware, I wonder if there weren't a whole bunch of modders that forced their 360 to fail in order to get back on live ;)

dablakmark8

04-09-2007, 11:43 PM

I think so to.

GavinMannion

05-09-2007, 07:31 AM

Well, Gav, that's not totally true. There was a way to hack a 360, but you did have to crack open the box.

Well Doobi I know, but I'm not going to start pointing the cheap ass pirate in the right direction now am I :D...

Slightly off topic, I still think Microsoft's sneaky banning mechanism was one of the best anti-pirate attacks I have ever seen... Not only did they monitor the boxes they also monitored game saving sites and disabled all those accounts in one shot as well.

M$ are taking piracy on the Xbox very very seriously, that is not to say you won't be able to do it but the amount of functionality you lose by being kicked off live is not worth it.

Retro

05-09-2007, 08:02 AM

lol, I just have to laugh at some of these statements. :)

I've played on Live numerous times on Xbox's with the latest Ixtreme firmware (1.2C), without it getting banned. Maybe it's still coming, but the newer firmware will just follow.

It's easy to install if you have the right make of SATA card in your pc, just know that there's a risk playing on Live.

GavinMannion

05-09-2007, 09:23 AM

Dang, we converted the rabid PS3 fanboy into a Xbox 360 follower and then he chips the box... sad...

Enjoy the next dashboard update Retro :p

squirrel

05-09-2007, 10:01 AM

GavinMannion, why do you have to come in here and question my ethics? My reasons for testing games before I buy (or copying them, hell it doesn't make a difference) does not matter, so go away! I was looking for help, you can either help, or not help. You attacking me is not going to make me start buying legal computer games, legal software, legal xbox 360 games, original nike clothing, legal music cds, legal dvds, and so on.

GavinMannion

05-09-2007, 10:41 AM

Aw shame does the pirate not like being called a pirate?

I put a lot of effort into improving console gaming in SA and then people like you unilaterally decide that the industry doesn't work the way you want it to, and somehow you think that justifies you becoming a criminal and then publically asking other people to help you with your crimes.

It makes me sick that people will bitch and complain about every crime under the sun and then openly and publically gloat about their own criminal exploits... You think people don't get hurt by your piracy and that makes you happy...

Don't feel special either I attack every pirate who posts about pirating console games...

Your excuse (try before you buy) holds no water as all the games have demo's available through the Xbox live marketplace. You are just to cheap to pay the retail price of the games...

How about buying second hand games or classics instead...

[Edit] Just so you know there is a report bad post button if you want to call the mods over ;)

doobiwan

05-09-2007, 11:00 AM

Because you show regret and guilt. At least Retro is completely without conscience.

;) (j/k!)

squirrel

05-09-2007, 12:07 PM

GavinMannion

05-09-2007, 12:10 PM

Awesome one less person pirating console games...

What a loss to the industry... oh wait, the hardware is sold at a loss so if you pirate games you not only don't give anything to the industry but you actually make them lose money...

Yeah I can hear them crying all the way from over here :rolleyes:

Your point is weak and you know it... refreshing to see that at least

bwana

05-09-2007, 12:22 PM

I for one would welcome a way to play backed up games.

And before anyone pulls the sanctimony card wait and see what a 2 year old can do to a disk or a drive.

GavinMannion

05-09-2007, 12:30 PM

I also have a two year old and those sorts of backups would be much appreciated...

It is just a pity that normal people's lives are disrupted once again by criminals. Such is life though...

Microsoft do have full intentions of moving to digital distribution completely one day and that would then fix the backup problem once and for all... We just need lines big enough to download 20Gb games though....

doobiwan

05-09-2007, 12:43 PM

Not quite disagreeing, but Microsoft is prepared to replace any damaged disc in almost any state (provided you supply 90% of the disc :o) Which negates the need for backups.

GavinMannion

05-09-2007, 01:07 PM

Not quite disagreeing, but Microsoft is prepared to replace any damaged disc in almost any state (provided you supply 90% of the disc :o) Which negates the need for backups.

Yeah but at a cost, the material only costs them max R10 so why the heafty price tag?

I make sure I keep all my discs far out of reach of the kids...

getafix33

05-09-2007, 02:36 PM

I make sure I keep all my discs far out of reach of the kids..

I taught my 4 1/2 year old from a baby not to touch any remote, tv, hifi etc.
Today, she asks if she can help turn on, plug in, eject etc and that way she is part of what I do and my stuff remains in one piece. It's called discipline.

My 2 cents worth.

bwana

05-09-2007, 03:02 PM

I taught my 4 1/2 year old from a baby not to touch any remote, tv, hifi etc.
Today, she asks if she can help turn on, plug in, eject etc and that way she is part of what I do and my stuff remains in one piece. It's called discipline.

My 2 cents worth.Like my parents I'll take undisciplined inquisitiveness over Stepford any day.

In the meantime, much like Gavin, I'll merely keep the discs out of harms way. :)

My tuppence worth.

arf9999

05-09-2007, 03:10 PM

I taught my 4 1/2 year old from a baby not to touch any remote, tv, hifi etc.
Today, she asks if she can help turn on, plug in, eject etc and that way she is part of what I do and my stuff remains in one piece. It's called discipline.

My 2 cents worth.

Like my parents I'll take undisciplined inquisitiveness over Stepford any day.

In the meantime, much like Gavin, I'll merely keep the discs out of harms way. :)

My tuppence worth.
I think there may be a middle road...

bwana

05-09-2007, 03:11 PM

I think there may be a middle road...I hope so - she's long since figured out where we keep the stepladder. ;)

GavinMannion

05-09-2007, 03:32 PM

I agree with arf... I take the middle road and avoid negative side affects.

My discs are kept in a CD holder bag which is then put in the cupboard, she knows she isn't allowed to open the bag but she can play with the boxes if she doesn't break them..

Generally everyone is a winner... also 4 1/2 year olds are much easier to control than 2 year olds.. I know I have both ;)

doobiwan

05-09-2007, 03:46 PM

I use "meat shield" tactics. My 360 games are stored at the top of the rack where my sons DVD's are stored so he doesn't even notice them. He's 3, but we've taught him how to remove a DVD carefully from it's case and not touch the shiny side. He does it really well.

He can also handle the basics of the DVD player, but DVD menu's are a bit over his head. He's just learned to use a PC mouse, but the 360 controller is still a bit g(r)eek. He'll get there. We'll be playing Halo co-op by the time he's 4 . . . :p (My wife would KILL me, and she's the one adverse to violence)

So my 'middle ground' is - educate and inform.

bwana

05-09-2007, 03:48 PM

Perhaps I could have phrased my ethos with a bit more care. Trying to apply an previously untested workflow to the 600+ photos I took last night is clearly driving me to distraction. :)

brevity

05-09-2007, 04:02 PM

My kids are locked up in a cupboard and told they have to use their imaginations for fun until their imaginations run out like daddy's - then they can come out and be entertained by the excito-licious-machine - that's what I call the TV and console. I make sure to woop a lot when I play. Doing this, I think they will learn that envy is a sin and also it stops them from breaking anything.

GavinMannion

05-09-2007, 04:04 PM

lol, let me know if that works for you in 10 years :D

brevity

05-09-2007, 04:14 PM

I think so, the kids are 15 and 17 and I haven't heard from them since they were 5 and 7.

getafix33

05-09-2007, 04:14 PM

also 4 1/2 year olds are much easier to control than 2 year olds

The educating started when she was mobile, and no I never beat her. :eek:

At least now my dvd's and games don't get fiddled with at all and they are not locked up in Fort Knoxx somewhere away from sticky little fingers.

The joys of parenting. :D

bwana

05-09-2007, 04:16 PM

I think so, the kids are 15 and 17 and I haven't heard from them since they were 5 and 7.Let me guess - you only feed them flat foods such as pizza and toast that you can slide under the door?

doobiwan

05-09-2007, 04:22 PM

I agree smacking only teaches kids violence is a form of solution to your problems.

I find duct tape is much more useful . . .

bwana

05-09-2007, 04:30 PM

I agree smacking only teaches kids violence is a form of solution to your problems.

I find duct tape is much more useful . . .I prefer Duck Tape.

doobiwan

05-09-2007, 04:33 PM

I don't have any of those.

I've got Womble tapes, Paddington tapes and Bob the builder tapes but nothing from the duck family.

Which is better, Daffy or Donald? For discipline of course . . .

bwana

05-09-2007, 04:36 PM

I don't have any of those.

I've got Womble tapes, Paddington tapes and Bob the builder tapes but nothing from the duck family.

Which is better, Daffy or Donald? For discipline of course . . .I believe its the Henkel family. :)

dablakmark8

05-09-2007, 06:21 PM

3m tape will really kick the bucket.

noxibox

05-09-2007, 06:31 PM

Not quite disagreeing, but Microsoft is prepared to replace any damaged disc in almost any state (provided you supply 90% of the disc :o) Which negates the need for backups.
So they'll replace any game for the cost of the materials?

Charging GBP10 as companies do for PS2 games is not acceptable.

doobiwan

05-09-2007, 06:49 PM

Well no, the actual policy is free replacement of the media, the only cost is shipping it to them. That could be negated if MI pulls finger, I've heard conflicting results.

Worst case - you ship you damaged disc to europe. A coupe of bucks to replace a R600 game? I think it'd be worth it.