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Week of October 1, 2006
Xtreme Boot Maker v0.3.1
>> From Klutsh on forums.xbox-scene.com:
[QUOTE]
Xtreme Boot Maker is a simple program that will prepare a floppy or USB drive for use with X360SAM(info).
Features:
* Auto-detects your SATA/RAID controller and hex-edits MTKFlash (if needed) for your chipset.
* Formats your floppy/usb drive and copies all necessary files over.
* Uses X360SAM 0.4.
* MD5 checker when selecting your firmware lets you know your firmware is legit
* Updateable Firmware definitions.
* Renames the firmware you load to xtreme.bin, uses custom .bat files.
* Will work with all existing Xtreme fw's and future releases. (I Hope)
* Can be used with NTFS cd's, creates a folder on your hdd.
This program contains no firmware or patches.
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: n/a, by Klutsh
Download: here
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(Saturday 07 October 2006 16:34 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Fantasy360 Console Shells in the Works (Part III)
>> Xtreme Enterprise posted Part3 of their series about their upcoming Fantasy360 Console Replacement Cases:
[QUOTE]
In Part II, we talked in detail about the overall shape of the 360 and how it did not support the inclusion of jewels, dualfan and cooling issues. We had some really good feedback on the second article such as the part about pouring water on the 360 shells to test the water pooling effect. Another excellent suggestion (if you did not want to take apart your 360) is to lay the 360 on its side, and roll a marble on it and you will find it settling down quite nicely in the center.
By now, we presume that everyone who owns a 360 will have completed its 3 month warranty and is familiar enough with 360 casemods that involve not only faceplate replacements, but also the full console case dismantling process. Various tools can be used, as long as it is slim and sharp enough to contact the clips that hold both the top/bottom vents as well as the rear of the console. Fortunately, the original 360 case is made from durable composite plastic that flexes without breaking when one attempts to snap open the console shells. The same cannot be said for aftermarket replacements (faceplate and console shells alike).
Casemodding on the original 360 case is easy enough once you get the hang of it. It is common for users to open up their cases more than once during the casemod process. What we don't like is the 360's tricky design which makes it difficult and sometimes frustrating to do just that. This is even more so when using copy cases of inferior quality that either does not fit correctly or snaps/breaks when a slight pressure is applied on it.
If you take a closer look at the interior structure of the screw-less console case, you will find that the rear clip-on points follows the curved shape of the console and becomes excessively difficult to enable a tight fit. This explains the multiple clip-on points created to ensure that both sides of the console case snap tight, a sore point for many casemod enthusiasts. Moreover, the RF cage does not follow the curvature of the rear, thus creating a space in-between that resists airflow, thus lowering the cooling effectiveness of the dualfans. As modders place a high premium on ease of dismantling/assembling, as well as space utilisation, we found that such a design did little to assist in those departments.
We have already talked about how removing the bottom cage will be impossible based on the present design of the stock console case. Is there a way the motherboard can be removed and attached to the console case direct, as was the case in the first Xbox? How would it affect the installation of the rest of the required components? Will the alignment of the rear end wire attachments and the front end faceplate/DVD drive be drastically affected? Will the top/bottom vents have any attachment problems? To put it simply, once all these issues have been solved, one can retain/remove the RF cage freely. Why do we harp so much on this? The answer lies in space.
Anyone who has taken apart the 360 will know that space is a luxury in that tight little box. Keeping all stock parts intact will mean little to no space being available for other add-ons like additional fans or lighting options. Hence the fury in the modding community to push for more space within the 360. We understand the constraints and as such, are working hard to get around the present stock console case and transform it into a mod-friendly console case that will give users all the possibilities for innovation.
The easiest way to release space is achieved by simply removing the RF cage cover. The second way is to remove the fans and heatsinks in exchange for a watercooling solution. All other solutions require some kind of drastic structural change with the stock case. The kind that requires a total redesign of the inner space usage while retaining its functionality and external look. Yes, after the Fantasy360 console facelift, your neighbors and friends will still know that the game console sitting in your living room is an Xbox360. A 360 that is more spacious, better ventilated and full of mod options.
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://www.e-linksoft.com and http://www.xbox-central.com
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(Saturday 07 October 2006 11:16 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Maximus-Garyopa Hitachi-LG Xtreme v2.2 Stealth 8in1
>> Maximus released a new version of the GaryOPA Xtreme Firmware package for the Hitachi-LG Xbox 360 DVD drive that includes his latest "Stealth Firmware" patch, Geremia's "Media Detection v2" patch and support for ROM VER. 59B:
[QUOTE]
Maximus-Garyopa_XTRM-HITACHI_v2_2_Stealth 8in1
MOST OF THE WORK IS FROM garyOPA, even most of this Readme File
TESTED MANY TIMES ON 46/47/59/59B, other versions not tested
FEATURES (my contribution on this release):
* Removed old media detection and replaced with better media detection (media detection ver 2) from Geremia.
* Incorporates Maximus Firmware Stealth (Full Firmware Stealth)
* Added support for 59b firmware (what a stupid fw)
* Not yet Media Stealth... I have not heard news on this topic
Three Commands (for flashing use only one: Flash15s or Flash22s, no both):
FLASH22S.BAT: Flashes your drive with 2.2 Fw Stealth (Media Detect 2, F900 core and Firwmare Stealth
FLASH15S.BAT: Flashes your drive with 1.5 Fw Stealth (Media Detect 2, and Firwmare Stealth, (NO F900 Core)
RESTORE.BAT: Return your drive to original State, even if you have firmware stealth in your drive
*RECOMENDATION: If you have flashed your drive in the past use RESTORE
first. If it is a brand new drive use directly the Flash command you
like. If you dont plan to use your drive to dump games use the
flash15s.bat
* ALL NEW XTREME V2.2 FIRMWARE FOR ALL BUILDS OF THE HITACHI DRIVES! [except the new 78FK of course]
* Now includes "Security Sector Extraction" for all Hitachi Drives
* Included media detection 2 from Geremia and Maximus Firmware Stealth, this release just supports SS Extraction within Windows without the need to re-flash your drive back and forth between PLAY & RIP!
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: n/a (by Maximus, Garyopa and Geremia)
Download: n/a (could be illegal under DMCA/EUCD)
News-Source: xbins.org
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Maximus Hitachi Firmware Stealth-Maker v1.3
>> Maximus (carranzafp) released a new version of the Hitachi Firmware Stealth-Maker that allows to make any Xtreme Hitachi-LG FW 100% 'Firmware Stealth'. That's not the same yet as C4E's Xtreme v3.0 FW for Toshiba-Samsung drives, that next to 'FW stealth' also includes 'Media Stealth'. This new version comes with support for ROM VER. 59B drives:
[QUOTE]
Maximus 1.3 Hitachi Firmware Stealth-Maker - ALL VERSIONS
It is a tool to take any hacked xtreme version for the hitachi and patch it to make 100% firmware stealth (appears like 100% original when you dump it) including the CHECKSUM!!!
The only way to know if it has the hack is de-soldering the flash chip and read with external programmer, so the console will dont know !!! (I hope)
It is NOT MEDIA-STEALTH yet, garyopa is already working on that side but when he finish that part he can implement this hack on his version.
I first do the stealth hack mannually, but then I realized that it is a pain in the ass to calculate the differences by hand, and when a new xtreme release appears it will need to be calculated again so instead of that I have done a tool that do the necessary calculations and patches to make it stealth.
I have done the tests only on 46 and 47 drives but is the same principle for every others.
What's new/fixed:
* Added support for 59B versions
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: n/a, by Maximus (carranzafp)
Download: n/a (might be illegal under DMCA/EUCD)
News-Source: xbins.org
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Insurance Firm Sues Microsoft over Xbox House Fire
>> From theinquirer.net:
[QUOTE]
An insurance company acting on behalf of Melvin Young has sued Microsoft because his house suffered an extensive fire because an Xbox malfunctioned on January 5th last year.
Allstate is demanding Microsoft shell out $250,000 to cover the insurance costs on the house. The case was filed in a circuit court for Prince George's County. An earlier case, linked below, was settled between the Weatherfords and Microsoft last year.
[/QUOTE]
Free hint for the lawyers of the insurance company: it's the Xbox PSU itself, not the cable. But well, that issue has been covered enough on our pages.
Read More: theinquirer.net
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Slax v2.0 alpha1
>> Probutus released a new version of specially adapted Slax PC linux-bootdisc that allows you to switch the Xbox360 Hitachi-LG GDR-3120L DVD-drive to mode-b without connectivity kit (crossed-wire trick), so you can flash the DVD FW and dump discs in Windows:
[QUOTE]
Time for an update ;) Since Kernel 2.6.18 is out and the SATA subsystem got improved I gave it a try and implemented SATA support for the slax disc. To avoid confusion we now have a versionning scheme:
Here is a list of improvements:
1) plscsi and modeb command now integrated in baseimage (no dvd_base-mo package needed anymore)
2) usb and sata->pata adapter works as usual
3) modeb-cdb now integrated into generic scsi driver (which is used by libata)
Since I can't get my drive out of my box anymore (please dont ask... ;)) I have not been able to test it. If you have problems please PM me your dmesg output that I can help.
TO AVOID confusion: There are some sata-raid controllers out (e.g. sil 3112 and 3114) which do not support sata-atapi drives so please check if your controller supports atapi devices before complaining
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: n/a, by Probutus on xboxhacker.net
Download (58MB): rapidshare.de (mirrors: file.sc | dwl.xbox-scene.com)
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Real Arcade Controls for Xbox 360 and Xbox Live Arcade
>> From retroblast.com:
[QUOTE]
You Xbox 360 folks that have been trying to relive classic arcade games on Xbox Live with the poor substitute of a gamepad might just be in luck. We just got word that Ed Farias of Arcade-in-a-Box has created a controller for that system with real arcade controls and a sourced and modified Xbox gamepad.
Check out Ed's snappy handy work in the image above. The prototype you see pictured is a wired version based using a Mad Katz controller PCB. The unit can also be used on a PC using Windows XP.
Here's the rub, Ed's not sure he want's to create these as there is a good deal of time involved soldering the connections properly. His current thought is to sell it as a kit for home users to finish. I think there's a load of demad out there so prove Ed wrong. If you would be interested in a kit or in a completed controller, drop Ed a line at Arcade-in-a-Box and let him know.
[/QUOTE]
The DIY tutorial (posted here long time ago already) is available on gamersreports.com and you can find another DIY build on arcadecontrols.com.
Official Site: http://www.arcadeinabox.com
News-Source: retroblast.com
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(Thursday 05 October 2006 23:09 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
SmackTalk Automates your Xbox Live Profanity
>> From gear.ign.com:
[QUOTE]
As anyone who's spent a little quality time in Halo 2 on Xbox Live knows, smack talk can be an essential tactic in any encounter. While some people seem content with a quick running tea-bag and the stereotypic "you suck, nyuk nyuk," there's an elite crew online who, emboldened by the anonymous qualities of Xbox Live, have raised the trash talking bar to new and impressive heights.
Snappy comebacks can save your life and reputation if you're unfortunate enough to run into one of this crew, but annunciating coherently can often be difficult in the cacophonous heat of battle. As such, GameDr and Digital Innovations have developed the SmackTalk, a smallish voice-recording dongle that hooks into the 360 controller and headset. Users can record up to five clips via their headset's microphone, which become immediately accessible for playback via the five buttons on the SmackTalk unit on Xbox Live's voice service.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: gear.ign.com
Official Site: http://www.digitalinnovations.com
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(Thursday 05 October 2006 20:55 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Mod Chip Sellers Ordered to Pay 9M USD in US Piracy Case
>> From gamasutra.com:
[QUOTE]
The ESA, the video game industry's trade body, has announced that a federal court in California has ordered defendants to pay in excess of $9 million in damages for Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) violations, including trafficking of mod chips and a device called HDLoader, which allows copies of games to be downloaded directly onto the hard drive of a game console [PS2].
The ESA reports that the ruling came down on September 11 from Judge Claudia Wilken of the U.S. District Court in Northern District of California. Judge Wilken awarded $3,750,200.00 in damages against corporate defendant Divineo, Inc., and Canadian resident Frederic L. She also awarded $5,791,400.00 in damages against corporate defendants Divineo U.K. and Divineo SARL, and French resident Max L.
[/QUOTE]
However, what other sites fail to mention is that Divineo is not based or operating in the US, so this judgement doesn't really have much to do with their business.
Kinda weird to see a Japanese company sue a French/Canadian company using the US court ...
Read More: gamasutra.com, next-gen.biz, biz.gamedaily.com, arstechnica.com
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(Thursday 05 October 2006 18:14 EST) - (Category: GamingGeneral) - (Posted by::
)
Microsoft: 'Xbox 360 Platform Flexible Enough to Support a Digital Connection'
>> IGN.com updated their Xbox360 HDMI article because they finally got an answer from Microsoft about a possible digital signal for the Xbox360. Sadly it's still not very clear if this means the current Xbox360 could have a HDMI cable or if they mean they could easily make a new version of the 360 with a HDMI port (As we reported a while back, MS has been working on prototypes of an Xbox 360 with HDMI port):
[QUOTE]
IGN: Can the X360 send out a digital signal now, or ever?
Microsoft: Xbox 360 currently doesn't include a digital out connection for video. Our platform is flexible enough to allow support of a digital connection in the future should we choose to do so. When the Xbox 360 was being developed HDMI was nascent and with our current connections we support what the overwhelming majority of consumers have available to them. It's important to note that the market penetration of 1080p displays is in the single digits. Regardless, for those early adopters who have displays and projectors that support 1080p over VGA and component we have a solution and it is a free upgrade for them. We are watching the market closely and will continue to evaluate our solution in the face of consumer demand, but have no announcements regarding additional cables or connections.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: uk.gear.ign.com
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(Thursday 05 October 2006 17:42 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Xbox Backup Creator v2.1
>> Redline99 released a new version of his tool that will allow you to easily dump, create/patch and burn Xbox and Xbox 360 images with full support for SS, DMI and PFI using Xbox/Xbox360 drives with an (C4E/OPA) Xtreme SS-extracting FW or with the SH-D162C PC-drive using Kreon's latest alternative FW.
What's new/fixed:
* Removed - SDG-605B from being able to create a Complete Backup Image (Will bring back and fix later)
* Removed - Most of the "Wait For Ever" CDB code options. This was causing what looked like a App hang.
* Removed - Speed Boost check box. It is now controlled by the drop down box in the Drive Specific settings
* Changed - Log File will always get the Detail Log Level unless logging is turned off
* Changed - Reduced executable file size
* Changed - Improved installer
* Changed - Read Me file to reflect common questions and current status.
* Fixed - ToolTip text for the Merge/Extract on the Image Tools Tab
* Fixed - Burner didn't write at selected speed
* Fixed - Error on Windows 2000 related to "uxtheme.dll"
* Fixed - DeviceIoControl Error when extracting Security Sector with SH-D162C (Experimental; not proven)
* Added - More detailed logging of operations and results
* Added - Hopefully some better writer compatibility (I can't really test)
* Added - New logo by jhyphinwill, Thanks looks nice and it got me away from the Microsoft logo Smiley
* Added - New Read error reporting that will tell you the file name of the data it can't read
* Added - Check of the OS before using theme dll (uxtheme.dll)
* Added - Additional Inquiry data (Nice for Kreon's SH-D162C, shows version info)
* Added - New dialog when a read error occurs (Allows Retry, Fill with zeros, Cancel)
* Added - Should a file buffer error occur during writing, it will retry 10 times before failing
* Added - Code to prevent multiple instances of the application
* Added - Warning if the drive is already unlocked when doing a Complete Backup
* Added - Better overall retry strategy when Initializing/Writing/Finalizing)
* Added - A detailed Security Sector log
* Added - Check of image file size before writing
* Added - Optimum Power Calibration before writing
* Added - Log file will now reset if larger than a 512KB
* Added - New method for reading Xbox One disks. This should greatly improve the process.
This uses a technique I called the "Sector Mapper" It uses the XDVDFS to read only the data referenced by the file system. In theory this should do two things:
1. Speed up the process by not trying to read the Security Place Holders
2. Speed up the process by only reading the data, not the entire disk.
Please be aware that although this has been tested and is working the concept has not proven itself on a large scale. It currently does not work on Xbox 360 disks.
* Added - Feature to save the XDVDFS structure to a comma delimited text file (mostly for research)
* Added - XDVDFS File system entry details (if a read error is in the file system area)
* Added - Feature that if user selects to fill read errors with zeros, but a read error occurs in file system data they will get prompted again as this could be a media defect error in game data and shouldn't just be filled with zeros.
Official Site: n/a, by Redline99 on xboxhacker.net
Download: here
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(Thursday 05 October 2006 11:19 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Kreon Alternative FW for the Samsung SH-D162C drive v0.81
>> Kreon released a new version of his firmware for the Samsung SH-D162C PC DVD-drive. This modified firmware allows you to dump original Xbox and Xbox 360 discs (including extracting the Security Sectors (SS)) with the cheap SH-D162 PC DVD drive (no Xbox(360)-drive or disc hot-swap required).
[QUOTE]
XBOX 360 enabled alternative FW for the Samsung SH-D162C drive - V0.81
The time has come for a small update. A few bugs/problems was identified in the V0.80 release, so a lot of effort has gone into testing V0.81 in order to provide a more stable and reliable experience.
Changes/fixes in this release..
* Fixed: Wrong disc size was reported following a SS extraction when in 'lock' mode.
* Fixed: SS extraction for XBOX game discs didn't work as expected, causing incorrect data in response table.
* Added: The speed of the drive is set to 6x prior to extracting SS data just like the TS-H943 does 5x.
* Added: A sense error 03/11/00 (Media Error - Read Error) will now be reported, if an unrecoverable read error occurs during SS extraction.
* Fixed: A few other minor fixes to improve overall performance an reliability.
This is what you get..
* Full challenge/response functionality.
* Two types of unlock for XBOX 360 game discs. One for making xtreme style images and one for making wxripper style images. Both types of iso can be made using isobuster. Ripping using wxripper isn't supported for the time being
* A 'lock' function that will cancel any enabled unlock state. This can be very useful for custom applications.
* 'Error skipping' which basically speeds up the error handling of the drive. A complete wxripper style image (including video) can be obtained in 15-16 minutes, when error skipping is enabled. Getting through the critical area of LBA 19408-20479 will take you more than 20 minutes alone, if error skipping is disabled :(
* A much more streamlined command interface which is good news if you intend to write an application that makes use of the drives extra features.
* The drive will default to unlock state 2 and error skip enabled when a 360 media is inserted. You can in other words use isobuster to obtain a wxripper style image without issuing any commands to the drive :)
* RPC1 support (RPC-2 actually but with automatic change of drive region and RCE support)
This is what you'll have to wait for..
* Hardware correct timing for response types 5 & 7.
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: n/a (by Kreon on xboxhacker.net)
Download: n/a (could be illegal under DMCA/EUCD)
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(Wednesday 04 October 2006 20:34 EST) - (Category: Xbox_Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Schtrom360Xtract v3.0
>> Schtrom released a new version of Schtrom360Xtract(info), a tool that will allow you to easily dump Xbox/Xbox360 gamedata, extract/patch the Security Sectors, PFI and DMI and fully prepare the image for burning in 1 step.
What's new/fixed (since v2.1):
* extraction speed on SH-D162C is now 10 minutes for Xbox360 discs
* app also starts if no supported drive is found (to do image extraction/injection)
* on cancel the incomplete extracted file can be deleted
* support of kreon's GetFeatureList command, to check if the firmware of SH-D162C supports c/r data extraction, this is also available from the tools menu
* send custom cdb commands to drive can be used from the tools menu to send all possible cdb's to the drive
-we added predefined cdb presets
-you can add your own custom cdb presets which are saved in the Schtrom360Xtract.ini file
-the hexdisplay can be saved to a file
* sector re-read settings can now be changed per drive type and disc type, this could be important if your discs are scratched or if you have problems extracting XBOx1 games
* if your SH-D162C or compatible drive isn't detected you can configure a custom drive in the options menu, the choosen drive type determines how the drive is handeled by the app, so if you have problems detecting the SH-D192C or compatible drives configure this to be SH-D162C and choose the mapped system drive letter
* on problems you can activate a debug log and a ss debug log
-the debug log logs the extraction process
-the ss debug log logs only ss extraction and writes down the important sections of the ss like c/r data
-the logs reside in the program directory
-the extraction debug log is named Schtrom360Xtract.log
-the ss debug log is named SSDebug.log
* if read errors occur a msg is displayed where you can continue writing blank sectors or abort extraction, after the extraction is finished the complete number of errors is displayed for blocks (16 sectors * 2048 bytes) and single sectors (1 sector * 2048 bytes)
- all available ini settings can be edited in the options dialog you can set the following global values:
-debug mode on or off
-ss debug mode on or off
-sound on or off
-custom drive type you can set the following drive and disc specific values:
-eject tray after extraction yes or no
-speed boost on or off
-max read speed and idle speed of the drives
-single sector read on error can be turned on or off
-the number of block and sector re-reads on error
* added kreon firmware revision level in drive combo box for SH-D162C
* common control style for windows xp added
Official Site: n/a, by Schtrom on xboxhacker.net
Download: here
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(Wednesday 04 October 2006 20:28 EST) - (Category: Xbox_Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
HD era arrives, nobody tells Microsoft South Africa
>> From joystiq.com:
[QUOTE]
Not content with merely launching the Xbox 360 in local game stores, the South African and somewhat fidgety arm of Microsoft also shoved the next-gen console into the spotlight at rAge -- that's a really awesome acronym for "Really Awesome Gaming Event."
Perhaps it was the fuzzy graphics, odd aspect ratios and the indecipherable text that gave it away, but it became abundantly clear that those lovely HD visuals were being strangled by a hissing composite cable. A quick inspection of all the consoles revealed a disturbing truth -- Core systems running at a paltry 480i, the mistake magnified for all to see on Samsung LCD screens.
We spoke to several people involved with the distribution of the console, all of them pointing the blaming finger at an amorphous "miscommunication." It seems that Core systems were deemed suitable for the show and were promptly sent out to the organizers -- the fact that the Xbox 360 Core does not contain HD AV cables was apparently overlooked until it was too late. Thankfully, one brave man made the connection and, in the final moments of the first day of the expo, arrived with a collection of VGA cables and rescued several (but not all) consoles from standard definition peril. The resolution (OOF!) came a bit late, but it certainly defused some of the embarassment that would have been an entire weekend of non-HD HD gaming.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: joystiq.com
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(Wednesday 04 October 2006 13:30 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
XDVDRebuilder
>> A new region/stealth checker for the Xbox360:
[QUOTE]
XDVDRebuilder is a program that doesnt rebuild xbox dvds(actually it would work for xbox 1 isos ripped with garbage but not for 360 isos because they have magical hidden data and until someone works out where it might be its doomed to failure)
Note: this program is not complete and as such has options that dont do anything and buttons which are disabled, dont panic though, its easy.
What it DOES do is quickly and easily allow you to check the region code of an iso(more specifically the default xex/xbe of an iso) and tell you if its stealthy or not, and if it has been patched with SS. Works with both xbox1 and xbox360 isos.
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: n/a
Full readme: xbins.org
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(Wednesday 04 October 2006 03:34 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
XboxMediaCenter (XBMC) 2006-10-03 CVS T3CH build
>> T3CH released a new CVS compile of XboxMediaCenter(info), the first after the v2.0.0 point-release.
This T3CH-compile is a complete snapshot of what is in CVS at the time the build was compiled, with just a few small additions.
Special Notes and Noteworthy/XML/Script changes since the September 29th T3CH release (v2.0.0 point-release):
* Here we are, 2.0.0 is out in the wild. Bugs have been found and fixed. Rumour has it Team XBMC is planning a 2.0.1, so if you want an issue fixed, same old rules apply, you must report it.
* If you want to report bugs, please do it the PROPER way, see here.
For the full changelog since the 2006-09-29 T3CH CVS release click here.
Keep in mind this is a CVS snapshot of the current development tree. It's not an official (stable) point release. Use only if you know what you are doing.
Official Site: www.xboxmediacenter.com (manual and FAQ)
Download Binaries: n/a (built with XDK) | Download SourceCode: here
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Gamerscore for Sale?
>> From Ozymandias' Blog (alias Andre Vrignaud, Microsoft's Director of Technical Strategy for Xbox Live):
[QUOTE]
Saw a post over on Joystiq that's talking about power leveling, or the ability pay someone real money to buff up your Gamerscore. To quote:
For years now, companies have offered to level your Everquest and World of Warcraft characters for a fee. By catering to the whims of players who want that level 60 mount but don't really have the time to obtain it on their own, firms that farm rake it in.
Therefore, 'twas only a matter of time before farmers that specialize in taking the grind out of virtual gruntwork made the leap over to the Xbox 360. A site called "Level My 360" has jumped in (har) and now offers 3,000 XBL gamer points for the low, low price of $300.
The thing that struck me as most interesting about this is that Achievements (and the Gamerscore associated with them) have become a currency... one just as valuable as virtual currency in MMOs, and one some people might be willing to pay real dollars for. I certainly don't condone it, but it does support my belief that competitors will need to have their own Achievements/Gamerscore system in the future as it's definitely a tipping aspect for some folks. (For the record, I now believe the rumor of PS3 "Entitlements" to be false; however, I fully expect a similar solution within the next year or so once the online service has launched.)
For what it's worth, I'm not too worried about this sort of thing damaging the Achievement "market." Since games each decide how/when to give out Achievements, there's plenty of slack in the system to help iron out spikes. On top of that, we're seeing developers getting more and more invested in Achievements and thinking harder about how to give them out. With every passing month we have more and more titles with Achievements and Gamerscore to deepen the ocean. Over time I honestly doubt we'll see this as anything more than noise across the entire system.
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(Tuesday 03 October 2006 22:46 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
GDC London: Epic's Rein - 'Gears Way Ahead of PS3 Launch Titles'
>> From gamasutra.com:
[QUOTE]
The ever-entertaining Epic Games VP Mark Rein, sassing "Don't take my picture!" at the photo-hungry crowd before the start of his GDC London talk on Unreal Engine 3 and Gears Of War, was bombastic as usual, commenting of the imminent debut of the X360 title: "Sony says the next generation starts when they say so - bullshit!" He also opined that Gears, as a second-gen Xbox 360 title is likely to look better than PS3 launch titles.
The Epic VP then took the stage, commenting that Gears Of War ships in around 6 weeks, commenting: "We're trying to counteract all the hype the game has" by keeping a lot of the game features concealed and fresh. He also revealed that Gears Of War itself will take twelve-and-a-half hours to complete (not a recently cited ten hours, he made sure to point out), and that there is "plenty of replayability" after the fact.
As Gears Of War ends, Rein explains that the concentration is changing to making the Unreal Engine 3 engine for PlayStation 3 better. He notes: "We have a couple of worried customers" regarding the PlayStation 3 and UE3, who are asking: "How are we going to get it to perform as well as the Xbox 360"? But this is now what Epic is concentrating on, as it moves toward the completion of Unreal Tournament 2007 "some time in 2007."
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Read More: gamasutra.com
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(Tuesday 03 October 2006 14:37 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
MS Replies to FW Hacks: Hitachi GDR-3120L v0078FK
>> There's a thread on our forums about a new version (0078FK) of the Hitachi-LG GDR-3120L Xbox360 DVD drive found in newly manufactured (starting end august 06 anyway, maybe earlier too) consoles (mostly found in Australia and UK atm, but soon probably everywhere).
The drive has many changes to try to make FW hacking harder. Garyopa posted a great summary of all discoveries found so far about this new drive version:
[QUOTE]
There has been many changes done to the new Hitachi GDR-3120L - Version: 0078fk drive:
* 1: No "memdump" command works, totally new program needed
* 2: Chip type has been changed to a 39VF020, so new "flashsec" program needed
* 3: Black hard glue has been added covering all the chip pins and the controller pins.
* 4: External "debug" triggering into ModeB has been removed.
What does all mean:
* 1: The Team-X kit will no longer work on this drive.
* 2: Dumping the firmware by software is currently not possible
* 3: Wiring in a patching-on-the-fly "mod" would be very hard due to the "new black glue"
* 4: Removing the flash chip to externally be read will destory the drive due to the "new black glue"
What options are left to us:
* 1: Get more people working on this new drive, currently only in UK and Aussie.
* 2: Destory at one drive to be able to dump the firmware, using a external programmer.
* 3: Afterwards sitting down and re-writing all the programs: "memdump, firmcrypt, flashsec".
* 4: If you can't wait, buy an older produced x360 console (Before Late July/Early Aug. dates).
 Inside of the Hitachi-LG GDR-3120L 0078FK drive  You can find back what Hitachi-LG drive version you have by looking at the "ROM VER." on the front sticker of the DVD drive
That's all for now....
We are working on it....
Hopefully some poor soul will give us one personally...
So we can destory it and play with it for everyone else....
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News-Source: Garyopa on forums.xbox-scene.com. Pictures by foaley77.
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(Tuesday 03 October 2006 00:37 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Cops and Robbers - New Xbox 360 TV Commercial in Europe
>> The new and original TV-commercial for the Xbox360 was already announced a while back. It's been running on TV channels and in cinemas all across Europe for about a week now as last 'push' for Microsoft's console before the holiday season.
If you didn't see it yet (or don't live in Europe), check the video below:
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Burger King Promo: Three Exclusive Xbox/Xbox 360 Games
>> From the press release:
[QUOTE]
BURGER KING restaurants invite guests to give and get the gift of games this holiday season with three ground-breaking Xbox/Xbox 360 video games available exclusively at BURGER KING restaurants nationwide. For a limited time only, starting Sunday, Nov. 19, the BK Xbox Game Series - a collection of three authentic Xbox video games - will be available at participating restaurants for a recommended price of $3.99 per game with the purchase of a Value Meal.
Compatible on both Xbox and Xbox 360 platforms, "Pocketbike Racer," "Big Bumpin'" and "Sneak King" are based on some of the most popular video game genres - racing, action and adventure - and rated "E" for everyone. All three exclusive titles blend the popularity of BK brand icons, such as the King and Subservient Chicken, into visually rich, three-dimensional environments that give players of all ages an entertaining, interactive experience on one of the most popular video game platforms in the world.
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Read the whole press release here.
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(Monday 02 October 2006 16:47 EST) - (Category: Xbox_Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Dead Rising Selling Out In Japan?
>> From kotaku.com:
[QUOTE]
There are few to no in-store displays. The title carries a restrictive game-as-porn Z rating. It is an exclusive for a largely unpopular American console. And, it looks like Dead Rising is going to be a hit in Japan.
I head over to Yodobashi Camera in Umeda. It's one of the largest electronics stores in north Osaka.
Similar to the store near my house. No in-store advertising, save for a tiny description shoved next to Aqua Zone. No posters. And, there were no boxes. I ask, and the clerk tells me the game is sold out. Sold out last Thursday, when the game launch. And according to this clerk, it sold out pretty quick. Thirty copies in all, he guesstimated.
Down south, Bic Camera is king. There's a massive store in Osaka's Nanba neighborhood.
Me: "How many copies of the game did you get in?"
S.T.W.B.T.C.W.G.: "Forty."
Me: "And when did the game sell out?"
S.T.W.B.T.C.W.G.: "They sold out on the 28th. When the game went on sell."
[/QUOTE]
Read More: kotaku.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
XCM 360 Full Case New Colors: Smoke Black and Ruby Red
>> From Team X-tender:
[QUOTE]
Team X-tender is proud to present 2 new colors for our XCM 360 Full Case Line; Smoke Black and Ruby Red. If you are interested in reselling this product, please contact us at: sales -AT- teamxtender.com
[/QUOTE]
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Zune to use Microsoft Points
>> From gamesindustry.biz:
[QUOTE]
Microsoft's portable media player, Zune, will accept Microsoft Points as currency in exchange for music downloads.
Already a system in use for transactions via Xbox Live Marketplace on the 360, users will be able to purchase songs at a price of 79 points per track, or around US $0.99 (EUR 0.77).
Zune will go on sale in North America on November 14th, priced US $249.99 (EUR 197).
[/QUOTE]
Read More: gamesindustry.biz
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
MC360 0.99b for XBMC 2.0.0 - Full 16:9 and Tentative HD Support
>> Team BlackBolt posted some details about the latest version of their MC360 skin for XboxMediaCenter(info) (this skin build is already included in fridays T3CH 'fat' release):
[QUOTE]
After a long long time, Xbox Media Center finally gets that all important update to version 2.0.0. On Friday night with the point release of the 2.0.0 build of XBMC, Team Blackbolt released a new updated version of MC360, version 0.99b packaged in with the T3CH full 'fat' release. This was the first time that our Widescreen conversion had been seen by public eyes. The entire Widescreen conversion was, and still is headed by our good man, Jezz_X. He has spent ungodly hours these past months painstakingly reworking our XML code for widescreen televisions. He has also gotten through alot of the work needed to bring MC360 to Hi-Def. With the 0.99b build you can see the beginnings of what will ultimately be the best version of the skin possible. When the final 1.0 build of MC360 is released, you will see higher resolution textures optimized for HD screens as well as better font optimization and all the other great features MC360 has. Visit our download section to get the UPDATED 0.99b build, which includes some small font fixes for HD compared with the T3CH released one.
Apart from all the small bug fixes which we still work through, there are two major elements of production that need to be completed before we do finally release our 1.0 build. These are true Hi-Def support and the XBMC Live Place, which is our own version of the Xbox Live Marketplace found on the Xbox 360. Because most of Team Blackbolt work in different timezones, the production is not lightening quick, but we all sacrifice lots of our spare time to bring you this amazing skin for free, so if you would like to say thanks, you can donate to us, using the paypal button just below. We truly thank the community for helping us with ideas and bug fixes these past months.
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://blackbolt.x-scene.com
Download: here
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
ZsnexBox v2.98
>> Nes6502 released a new version of ZsnexBox(info), a port of the Zsnes Super Nintendo emulator to Xbox on our forums.
What's new/fixed:
* Added Xbox Lightgun support for Super Scope games. The buttons are mapped to the lightgun A (the trigger) and B Buttons.
* Added lightgun support without having to flash the screen in white. So when you fire the lightgun, there will be no (distracting in my opinion) screen flash. I don't think the Super Scope makes this flash on a real SNES, so this way should be more accurate.
* Added Lightgun calibration for 480i, 480p, 720p, and 1080i. The calibration settings are saved to the Xbox hard drive in the TDATA folder. On my Xbox it is the E:\TDATA\00000000 folder. I haven't tested the lightgun in HD modes, but it should work fine. If not, please post what happens, and I will look into fixing it.
* Added support for the lightgun in any of the 4 Xbox controller ports.
* Added option to use the crosshair with the lightgun.
* Added option to enable/disable force feedback for the lightgun. This is connected to the trigger.
* Added options to control the Lightgun rumble strength and time
* Added support for 10x11 pixel aspect ratio for the GUI and the emulation
* Added a loading screen for switching skins.
Official Site: n/a, by Nes6502 on forums.xbox-scene.com
Download: n/a (built with XDK)
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