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Week of February 29, 2004
XBConnect build 210 (golden)
>> From xbconnect.com:
[QUOTE]
XBConnect(info) 4.0 is done and ready download. Its taken 4 months of development and testing but its been worth it. The suggestions of our XBC Pro users have really shaped 4.0 into something we are all proud of.
Major points include:
1. New interface with dockable windows and transparency.
2. Multi Xbox support for both sides of the connection
3. Multi Xbox compression
4. Skins for everyone!
5. Greatly improved chat interface with color
6. Plugin ability. (Try our included chess plugin)
7. Support Mac clients using AquaDuct 2
8. Improved game filters
9. Import/Export buddy lists
10. New ping interface, See who is in a game before joining.
11. Improved network code for less lag
12. Tons and Tons more..
Go grab it here: Download XBC 4.0
XBC 3.4 will continue to operate for the next week. We will then shut it down and make 4.0 a mandatory update.
[/QUOTE]
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(Saturday 06 March 2004 21:28 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
New Xbox Live Detection found
>> From hamtitampti on the SmartXX Forums:
[QUOTE]
Team SmartXX is proud to present: The new secret Xbox-live detection code
Xbox Live is now checking each Xbox to see if the hard drive has been replaced. If your hard drive is any different than the one it came with, you will be banned, even if your new hard drive is locked.
This file is a disassembly of Xbox Live's security code as of today (March 6, 2004), and it shows that Microsoft is directing Xboxes to send their hard drives' identification back to Microsoft.
[/QUOTE]
You can get the disassembly code on smartxx.com.
Note: At this moment I don't know if Microsoft is already really banning users. They might just collect this HDD-information for 'internal use'. Several people on the forums report they have been on live the last few days with a bigger HD and haven't been banned, but Microsoft sometimes takes a few days before enforcing a ban. More news about this detection soon ...
Discuss news in Xbox-Scene forums: here.
Thanks to HoRnEyDvL for the news.
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(Saturday 06 March 2004 19:23 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
ccXgui guide and forums
>> Some updates on the official site of the ccXstream Server GUI(info) - a streaming server for XboxMediaCenter(info) and XboxMediaPlayer(info).
The website has been fully updated and now contains a guide that explain how to use ccXgui and a discussion forum where you can find solutions for problems, request new functions, add bug-reports...
Official Site: http://dott.lir.dk/ccxgui/
Official Forums: http://dott.lir.dk/ccxgui/forum/
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(Saturday 06 March 2004 18:36 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
tHc bios modification
>> From xboxdash.net:
[QUOTE]
Well, Jb0nE, Gcue and fuckdb's first tHc bios modification is on xbins.
You may be woundering why its on xbins...
Well - to set the record, this ISN'T the BIOS that will come packed with all the FINAL releases (of tHc dashboards (modified MS dashboard)). Its just a bios with the colour thingy.
Still its damn cool!
Go get your blue-blob bios now! Oh and then get the latest version of xbtool, which now has support for this bios.
[/QUOTE]
Note: for those who didn't follow the story, the tHc bios is a X2 4981 based bios with modified (blue) intro movie.
Official Site: http://www.xboxdash.net
Download: n/a (contains MS copyrigthed code)
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(Saturday 06 March 2004 18:24 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
xlink kai evolution VII
>> From TD/flat235 on the Xlink Forums:
[QUOTE]
Hi all,
Few things here. Firstly, Kai 7 will be the public release - and should be essentially final. Just about everything which people have been asking for has now been implemented - and I'm getting set up for a solid period of testing - especially with the voice stuff - especially across platforms (win32 <--> xbox) etc.
Now, heres another thing. Sony have dropped the iLink port from the new PSX, and future PS2 hardware builds. "GUH?" you say?. Thats gonna prevent it from playing syslink games - right? Well, not quite. A couple of games (timesplitters 2 and midnight club 2) - already support syslink without iLink - by using the network adapter ..
Hmmm.... flat235 smells Etnernet ... let's go
Thats right folks - Kai 7 will support the Playstation 2.. initial investigation indicates that the PS2 tunnels well - as the netcode is just copied from the online modules of the respective games.
We added the (stolen?? ) GCN code to Kai in a matter of days, and that was a more difficult task than this. We can also recycle the built-in-mini-DHCP server which we use on the GCN's to assign the PS2' LAN addresses - so it should all be good..
Shortly, I will be posting instruction for joining a planned PS2 beta crew - it will be a tight unit of users from both PAL and NTSC areas, who will need *good* knowledge of stuff like ethereal.. more soon on that.
As concerns the client itself, I've completed the SpeeX (www.speex.org) integration at my end using a narrowband, VAD setup - and im gonna hook it up with TJ's ava client very soon.. Then theres not a lot left to do, apart from trialing the new orbital software, and, of course, giving dfunked the time he needs to complete the new website layouts.
Thanks to everyone who has supported XLink(info) for, what will be, on the 13th march, 1 year exactly since the first xbox data was tunnelled over the xlink network. We have built, in my opinion, one of the most diverse and interesting gaming communities around - and the credit for that must go to you guys, the users. As we begin to open up Kai fully to users of the GCN and PS2, I hope and expect that the things which have made the XLink community so strong in the past will continue through this transitional period.
Again, thanks for your continued support..
TD & The XLink Kai Crew
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://www.xboxlink.co.uk (check out 'Kai evolution VII' announcement)
Official Forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
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(Saturday 06 March 2004 08:51 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
XBtool 1.0.22
>> A new version of XBtool(info) has been relased. What's new/fixed:
* Updated Kernel ID code so that JbOnE's flubber modded kernel (X2 4981 based) will be recognized.
(That's right, another update. JbOnE released his fubber modded BIOS and I assume some people may need to edit them. If you don't use JbOnE 4981 then you don't need this update. 1.0.22 does not add any editing functions, just recognizes the bits changed by JbOnE.)
Official Site: http://home.alltel.net/nghtshd/xbtool.html
Download: here
News-Source: xbins.org
Xbox Next game plan at GDC?
>> From gamespot.com:
[QUOTE]
TOKYO--The consensus in the industry is that the Xbox Next probably won't be released until 2005--at the earliest. However, it looks like attendees of the 2004 Game Developer's Conference might get a sneak peak at the next-generation console's games in two and a half weeks.
Bloomberg quoted Microsoft Japan's Asako Miyata as saying that Chief Xbox Officer Robbie Bach will appear at the San Jose, California, conference on March 24. According to Miyata, Bach will outline Microsoft's software strategy for the Xbox Next by discussing games that will run on the console and revealing some technical aspects about the console's format.
Miyata also commented that Microsoft has not yet decided when to reveal the specs for the Xbox Next. However, he did hint that the console's hardware will most likely not be unveiled during the Game Developer's Conference.
[/QUOTE]
XBtool 1.0.21
No Hard Drive in Xbox 2 Confirmed *updated*
>> From teamxbox.com:
[QUOTE]
In an interview with Globe, M-Systems President and CEO Dov Moran confirmed what gamers have been speculating for months. Xbox 2 won't have a hard disc. When asked about its technology development agreement with Microsoft Corporation, Mr Moran said:
”It’s a cooperation agreement. The potential isn’t clear, but it’s in the billions of dollars. Microsoft has taken the hard disk out of its Xbox. The only thing left will be a CD; that’s all. At some point, when users want to save their e-mail messages, copy music, or anything like that, the only storage they’ll have is what we give them. It’s worth hundreds of millions to the company, spread over a few years, and we’ll be the main supplier for it; and I hope the sole supplier.
[/QUOTE]
More on teamxbox.com.
Thanks to BiCx for the news.
Update from gamespot.com:
[QUOTE]
When contacted by GameSpot, Xbox group product manager David Hufford said Moran was "talking way over his head." He continued, "Mr. Moran is aimlessly speculating, and we never comment on speculation. We've made no such announcements about future Xbox products and services. And we don't intend to for quite a while. Until we do, we suggest people take guesswork for what it is."
However, if Moran's statements are true, the Xbox Next will likely not be backwards compatible, since it would be almost impossible for it to emulate how some games dump data onto the Xbox's hard drive.
[/QUOTE]
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(Thursday 04 March 2004 19:19 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
XBtool 1.0.20
>> A new version of XBtool(info) - a BIOS Packing and Patching Tool - has been released.
What's new/fixed:
* Animation glow set to match X inner glow.
(Above change is probably temporary pending a flubber color patch.)
Official Site: http://home.alltel.net/nghtshd/xbtool.html
Download: here
News-Source: xbins.org
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(Thursday 04 March 2004 16:04 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
More about the modified intro movie
>> JbOnE posted on xboxdash.net more screens and a video of the current progress in the modifying of the MS intro movie:
[QUOTE]
once again... woooooo hooooooo
donwload blueboot2.avi video(4.4MB) *divx 5.01 video*
that glow is the only color left to go :-)
[/QUOTE]
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(Thursday 04 March 2004 13:28 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
Apache v2.0 (plus)
>> Tribemods released a new version of their Apache 'Power Converter' (ATX -> Xbox).
New in this v2.0:
[QUOTE]
- Smaller in design, has on chip installation instructions, and has a front red LED light. This light lets you know that the power is being inverted properly and your Apache is working. This is useful for diagnostic testing (to see if it is the PSU or the motherboard that is acting up). Also, it just looks cool!
[/QUOTE]
More info on Tribemods.com
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(Thursday 04 March 2004 00:12 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
MXM Logo Contest nearing conclusion, Vote Now!
>> Time is running out.. with just days left. Vote for your favourite Logo.
Official MXM Contest Site: (MXM Logo Contest)
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(Wednesday 03 March 2004 22:02 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
CloneXB v2.0
>> A new version of CloneXB(info) has been released. What's new/fixed:
* The media check flag is now removed from all .xbe files during the copy process, not just the default.xbe
* Fully integrated burning engine so you no longer need to use another program to burn your xISO's. Just select your destination burner, tick the 'Burn Image' box and it will do it all for you. (Thanks Lightning UK)
* No longer need GDFImage.exe as there is now an internal xISO creation engine which is also faster than GDFImage and has a little impressive feature which I will make use of in the next version. You can still use GDFImage if you want, just tick the box.
* Finally got around to adding an online help system.
* Just bought my 1st XBOX, it's amazing how I even got to v1.1 without even owning one.
* Added tooltips to all the dialog controls.
* Fixed a bug where CloneXb would report that an image was too big to fit on a DVD when in fact it wasn't.
Official Site: n/a, by CloneXB
Download: here
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(Wednesday 03 March 2004 17:37 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
Phoenix Bios Loader 1.4 (unofficial - by Yoshihiro)
>> Yoshihiro of gueux.net released a version of the Phoenix Bios Loader with support for the Focus chip (Xbox v1.4 and v1.5). Ofcourse the sourcecode is also released (GPL).
You can see some screenshots of this release on the gueux forums.
Official Site: http://phoenix.maxconsole.com & http://www.gueux.net
Download: n/a (contains bios and RC4 key)
Thanks to Legueux for this news.
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(Wednesday 03 March 2004 15:32 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
True Fantasy Live Online Delayed
>> Normally no game news on xbox-scene, but I'll make an exception for this one as many people (including me :)) have been waiting for this game.
From xbox.ign.com:
[QUOTE]
Just arriving in our mail boxes as we left the office today was a press release from Microsoft Japan announcing a delay in the Japanese release of True Fantasy Live Online. The title, originally scheduled for Japanese release in the Spring, has been delayed until the coming winter. This could place the game anywhere from the end of this year to early 2005, with an American release presumably following that.
[/QUOTE]
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(Wednesday 03 March 2004 10:58 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
Update about 'X-CHIP'
>> From easybuy2000.com:
[QUOTE]
March 2: We are almost finished production of the X-CHIP. We have discovered a bug and are working to fix it. The new ETA will be set to March 21st. We apologize for the inconvenience, and thank you for your patience!
[/QUOTE]
There's also a small clarification about the size of the chips as there was some confusion after the first announcement. The Flash Memory will be 4MB (mega bytes) and the SRAM will be 2Mb (mega bits).
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(Wednesday 03 March 2004 10:20 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
Gentoox update: ext3
>> From gentoox.shallax.com:
[QUOTE]
* Reiser FS has proven to be a problem since day one, so I've finally got round to changing the filesystem (and newfs script) to use ext3. This whilst this means greater filesystem stability, it it NOT an invitation to just power off with the power button! I will have to make another release of sparkle that caters for reiserfs and ext3.
Also, since the optimisation flag in the next version of Home is -O2, binaries are considerably bigger so I have decided to raise the rootfs size to 4GB, which is the maximum allowed on the 32bit FatX filesystem!
[/QUOTE]
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(Wednesday 03 March 2004 00:06 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
Modified intro movie *updated*
>> From xboxdash.net:
[QUOTE]
We here at xboxdash.net are very informal so this news tidbit is best summed up as wooooooooooooooooohooooooooooooooooo :-)
x2 4981.06 color modded bios - step one - blob color...
clearly there's more to come/do - but like the topic says - step one
[/QUOTE]
Download: not yet released.
Update: SniperKilla also posted a video of the modified intro movie on forums.xbox-scene.com, you can watch it here
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(Tuesday 02 March 2004 23:55 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
Xecuter Bios Manager v2.1
>> A new version of the Xecuter2 Bios Manager(info) has been released.
What's new/fixed:
* Bios Load / Save Corruption Fixed
* X2 Pro Optimized Programming
* X2 Lite Various Bug Fixes
* Bank Erase Now Working Correctly
* Bank Programming Now Working Correctly
Official Site: http://www.teamxecuter.com
Download: here
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(Tuesday 02 March 2004 18:43 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
XBMC CVS Ludo/Gueux build 2004-03-02
>> Ludo of gueux.net compiled a special version of XboxMediaCenter(info).
From readme (translated from french to english):
[QUOTE]
This package is not a complete release. It is particularly targeted to TV streaming fans as it does provide better streaming abilities.
Beware : there are some 'new' bugs like the weather feature, some subs etc have problems or are not working.
For those who don't care about TV Streaming, stick with the previous 12.02.2004 CVS as it does a good job...
As usual this is still beta release so forgive bugs.
If you want to obtain best TV streaming results :
- install XBMC as a dashboard
- fill the IP settings with your appropriate IPs at the beginning of xboxmediacenter.xml (as the file in this pack)
- set the sound output to analog mode
- thick the video post-processing filter
This way you should be able to stream on your xbox about everything that you can stream on your PC (apart some webcams maybe).
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://www.xboxmediacenter.com
Download: binaries n/a (built with XDK) - Sourcecode CVS
News-Source: gueux.net
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(Tuesday 02 March 2004 16:22 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
XBtool 1.0.20 b2 *updated*
>> A new version of the XBtool(info) - Bios Packing, Unpacking, and Patching Tool - has been released.
What's new/fixed (1.0.20 b1):
* Embedded HD Key patch for Evox M7 and X2 4981.
Causes the hard drive key to be read from the kernel rather than calculated using the EEPROM & hard drive info. Only applies to unlocking. If you lock your drive while using this patch, the password will still be generated from the EEPROM and HD info.
Could be used to recover a locked hard drive. Could also be useful if you use an embedded EEPROM to help prevent your Xbox from being banned from Live! Using this patch you can embed a fake EEPROM and still keep your HD locked.
What's new/fixed (1.0.20 b2):
* Fix: bug disabled HD key embed in X2 4981.
Official Site: http://home.alltel.net/nghtshd/xbtool.html
Download: here (Beta! Use at your own risk!)
News-Source: xbins.org
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(Tuesday 02 March 2004 13:27 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
New Xbox videochip : Xcalibur ?
>> From gueux.net (translated from french to english):
[QUOTE]
In the last version of the Xbox XDK, released in December, the presence of a new reference for the AV has appeared.
Indeed, in addition to the reference to the Conexant and Focus videochip, 'Xcalibur' is also mentioned.
This new chip would seem to make its appearance in the Crystal Limited Edition Xbox. A German contact explained us that he had been able to get a Crystal Xbox and that the video chipset had the inscription "XLB".
Always according to this person, the installation of X2.3b and Xenium had as a consequence a beautiful black screen, which would confirm the integration of this new component.
However, as we can't see that from our own eyes you must take this information with caution.
[/QUOTE]
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(Tuesday 02 March 2004 13:16 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
SmartXX Software Developer Datasheet
>> From smartxx.com:
[QUOTE]
For all developer we offer our first Datasheet in the Download section, the Demo Sourcecodes will follow soon.
[/QUOTE]
Download the SmartXX Software Developer Datasheet here
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(Tuesday 02 March 2004 11:17 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
ZXBTools 1.5a
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(Tuesday 02 March 2004 09:58 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
News from Team Xecuter
>> From teamxecuter.com:
[QUOTE]
Many rumours we were dead heh :) - We're still here and still working on new stuff. Obviousley not as fast as expected but RL issues kinda overtake mod stuff sometimes. X3 stuff: there are a couple of bugs with USB and some software issues that need resolving - we want to make sure the Bios release is final and not needing a dozen fixes. We're also in the middle of setting up tooling for a cool Xbox Case style clip on device for the external controller. Also been playing with the X2 bios - some bug fixes and a couple of features that were tinkered with over a couple of doobies at the weekend. May release it over next week or so if we get time. Will try to keep the scene updated with new stuff if its relevant - now off to hook up my trusty G5 :)
[/QUOTE]
The OpenXDK Project is not dead
>> From Ben_3D on xboxmediaplayer.de forums:
[QUOTE]
Well the OpenXDK(info) is still being developed! Where keen to see it make it...the openxdk has great potential, and myself an caustik are always grateful for feedback.. ideas... bugs... code improvements.
The more people who tinker with it, the better the openxdk will get
Happy Coding
Ben_3D.
We now have basic usb support and are working on some adding some gpu code to try and take advantage of the xbox graphics card
[/QUOTE]
Thanks to Gamester17 for the news.
Interview with The Joker
>> Here's a new interview for all those who like it. This time I asked a few questions to The Joker (also known as TJ_CRS) of Team avalaunch, one of the authors of the Avalaunch(info) dashboard.
The interview talks about his opinions and experiences and also about the goals and future of the Avalaunch project.
Check it out: Interview with The Joker.
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(Sunday 29 February 2004 19:04 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
Updates from XboxDash
>> From xboxdash.net:
[QUOTE]
* A new code snippet, courtest of ImOkRuOk has been posted, allowing you to "power down after dvd stop" without the poweroff.xbe file!
* Some update news on the tHc Auto Installer Disc:
It's release date will be approx 1 week, just a few minor bugs to kill and sort the hosting details and it can be yours!!
I'll let ya know as soon as it is available and where ya can find it.
[/QUOTE]
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(Sunday 29 February 2004 18:52 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
Unleashx V0.31.0229A
>> A new version of UnleashX(info) - an Xbox replacement dashboard - has been released.
What's new/fixed:
* Fixed: Full USB keyboard functionality when in Text editor. Keys should act like they should. Press L/RWinkey to bring up the menu.
* Fixed: Menu list gets messed up when going in and out of submenu if done quickly.
* Fixed: Buggy menu items alignment when using the free form layout.
* Fixed: True-Widescreen support. Somehow, it got messed up during one of the updates.
* Added: Passcode using just the gamepad. Valid characters for Passcodes are: A, B, X, Y, W(hite), L(eft), R(ight), U(p), D(own) and 0~9 (using the IR). Passcodes are case sensitive and have a maximum of 15 characters. Note that Password and Passcode can't be use in the same function/action together, and Password takes precendence over passcode.
[Passcode MaxTries="3"]ABXY[/Passcode] -for system passcode or
[Item Action="LaunchDVD" Passcode="1234567890"]Launch DVD[/Item]
* Added: DelayLoad attribute to submenus/automenus with a default value of True. Setting this to "False" will instruct the dash to scan all related files on boot up, adding a little delay while booting up.
[List Text="Applications" Sort="On" Auto="On" DelayLoad="False"]
* Added: EnableMusic attribute to the "Preview" element so you have more control about how the BGM behaves.
* Added: Forced video mode switching for multi-region titles.
* Added: When video mode autoswitch is enabled, all titles can be force to boot to specific video system by editing config.xml/items.xml by adding/editing the Region attribute. Valid values are 1, 2, 4, and 7(multi).
Official Site: http://www.unleashx.com
Official Forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Download: n/a (built with XDK)
News-Source: xbins.org
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(Sunday 29 February 2004 15:09 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
XBC 4 build 199
>> A new version of XBConnect(info) has been released. From xbconnect.com:
[QUOTE]
What's new/fixed:
1. Chat names mixed (room count)
2. Welcome message formatting fixed.
3. XBox sync problem fixed. This was most notable in Rainbow Six dedicated servers.
4. Prettied up login screen
5. Fixed minor control positioning in options screen
In other news, the switch to the backup server went well this morning. The primary server is getting some much needed maintenance. Fan replacement, new case and a new SCSI raid controller. We plan to put this box back in service first weekend in March.
Aquaduct(info) 2 is alro progressing well. Still no word on a release yet. The postpose guys are working on adding the hosting code and zero config port forwarding. My guess is they will have a beta ready shortly after XBC 4 is released.
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://www.xbconnect.com
Download: here
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(Sunday 29 February 2004 10:54 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
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