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Week of June 5, 2005
Gentoox Loader v5.10 *updated v5.11 and Resctoox v1.8*
>> ShALLaX released a new version of Gentoox Loader(info) and Resctoox(info):
[QUOTE]
v5.10:
This is a minor upgrade. It fixes a bug whereby a user could not change their video mode via the advanced menu if their EEPROM had become corrupt (for details of this bug click here).
v5.11:
Another Loader release! Once I start, I can't stop... but anyway... This release focuses mainly on cosmetic changes. Since I made the effort to make all of my other software packages v1.6 compliant, I decided to do it to this too... thats right - Gentoox Loader should now display correctly on v1.6 Xboxes! The changelog provides a good summary of changes:
* Cosmetic changes:
* v1.6 support (everything is closer to the centre of the screen)
* The "Gentoox Loader" banner always shows on root screens but is hidden on menu screens. (Previously once a menu was shown, the banner was lost forever).
* Various colour tweaks.
* Changed "MB" to "MiB" on the RAM text.
* Renamed "Stardust" references to "CD/DVD".
- Removed "Net Flash" caption.
* Xbox temperature information error now displayed for v1.6 instead of a blank screen.
* Fixed the LED sequences at some stages.
Resctoox v1.8:
GentooxNo new functionality - just bundled with the new Gentoox Loader.
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://gentoox.shallax.com
Download Gentoox Loader: here (Running magic will upgrade your "E:gentooxx.xbe" but not your modchip/ TSOP!)
Download Resctoox: here
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(Saturday 11 June 2005 21:28 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
XCM Crystal Series For Xbox
>> From TeamXTender.com:
[QUOTE]
Following hot on the heels on the success of our newly launched GC and PStwo XCM series, we are delighted to introduce the Xbox(r) to our prestigious XCM crystal series.
The Xbox(r) XCM crystal series is a whole case replacement for your Xbox (including bottom fixtures), detailed below is the product overview:
Benefits:
* Full replacement shell available in colours including crystal blue and liquid crystal
* Compatible with all Xbox units from JAP/NTSC/PAL regions
* Includes all fixtures required and bottom parts
* Super easy ~5 minute install suitable for even the most novice modder
* Superb quality design in parallel with the 'real thing'
* Unique 'XCM' panel and jewel fixtures
What's more is that when you couple this high quality transparent case with our high-definition neon X-light, you're sure to achieve what can only be described as a truly superb looking Xbox. We are currently offering a very competitive bundle deal on the Xbox XCM crystal series and the x-light to all resellers, feel free contact us on sales@teamxtender.com for more information.
 Now this superb illumination effect is within anyones reach and not just limited edition retail crystal Xbox(r)
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(Saturday 11 June 2005 18:33 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
Xbox 360 Backward Compatibility Details
>> From TeamXbox.com:
[QUOTE]
In an interview with Bit-Tech.Net, Richard Harris of ATI has revealed the very first details on how backward compatibility will work on the Xbox 360. Explaining the role ATI hardware will play in the process, Harris states:
“They have implemented compatibility purely through emulation (at the CPU level). It looks like emulation profiles for each game are going to be stored on the hard drive, and I imagine that a certain number will ship with the system. They already have the infrastructure to distribute more profiles via Live, and more and more can be made available online periodically.”
“Emulating the CPU isn’t really a difficult task. They have three 3GHz cores, so emulating one 733MHz chip is pretty easy. The real bottlenecks in the emulation are GPU calls – calls made specifically by games to the nVIDIA hardware in a certain way. General GPU instructions are easy to convert – an instruction to draw a triangle in a certain way will be pretty generic. However, it’s the odd cases, the proprietary routines that will cause hassle.”
[/QUOTE]
Read the whole article on TeamXbox.com and bit-tech.net.
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(Saturday 11 June 2005 15:37 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
Insolence and Serenity, Halo2 modding and patching apps
>> From halomods.com:
[QUOTE]
Insolence, a modding utility for Halo2, has been released by tjc2k4. You can also pick up Serenity by Iron_Forge. These are some of the old-school Halo modders, which means it is probably worth your time to check out:
So, Serenity has been in it's final form for a while, but we've been waiting so that these could be released together. Well... I finally feel that Insolence has been debugged enough for an Initial Release. Checkout that Programs Link on the Main Menu.
Insolence's Features:
* Drag & drop tags from Map to Map for a recursive move.
* Imports all raw data from Single Player Shared to local map (prevents linking issues)
* Right click tags to dupelicate, then rename them.
* Automatic Update system for IFP and Native plugins.
* Versitile Plugin System including IFP, XML, and Native plugins.
* Dual Modes for IFPs -- "Edit Mode" & "Dev Mode"
Serenity's Features:
* Generate small patches for rebuilt maps
* Generate small patches maps with new tags added or duplicated.
* Automatically add an entry, including a preview bitmap, to mainmenu.map for the new map (optional)
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://insolence.epgservers.net
Download: Insolence v1 - Serenity v1
News-Source: halomods.com
Unified architecture gives Xbox 360 the graphical edge, claims ATI
>> From GamesIndustry.biz:
[QUOTE]
Microsoft's Xbox 360 will have better graphics performance than the PlayStation 3 despite the better on-paper specifications of the Sony console, according to graphics chip designer ATI's Richard Huddy.
"That mere 10 per cent clock speed that RSX [note x-s: Nvidia's PS3 gfxchip] has on Xenos [note x-s: ATI's Xbox360 gfxchip] is easily countered by the unified shader architecture that we've implemented," he claimed. "Rather than separate pixel and vertex pipelines, we've created a single unified pipeline that can do both."
"Providing developers throw instructions at our architecture in the right way, Xenos can run at 100 per cent efficiency all the time, rather than having some pipeline instructions waiting for others," Huddy explained. "For comparison, most high-end PC chips run at 50-60% typical efficiency. The super cool point is that 'in the right way' just means 'give us plenty of work to do'. The hardware manages itself."
[/QUOTE]
Read the whole article on GamesIndustry.biz.
Surreal64 XXX beta4
>> FreakDave released a new version of Surreal64(info) XXX - a N64 emulator for Xbox (combining 1964, Project64 and UltraHLE) based on the original Surreal64 by oDD and Lantus.
What's new/fixed:
* Added: Press right thumbstick to Pause/Resume background music
* Added: Reset Rom option
* Changed: Removed Vertex Mode option from ingame menu
* Changed: Removed MaxVideoMem option as the plugins don't need it anymore
* Fixed: Minimized lockups (if entering ingame menu or taking screenshots)
* Fixed: Lockup if launching Surreal from CD/DVD (not tested)
* Fixed: Filters were not applied on startup (Rice 5.10/5.31)
* Fixed: Controller did not rumble properly
* Fixed: Debug output was incomplete (Rice 5.10/5.31/UltraHLE)
* Fixed: Minor bugs in the launcher
Official Site: http://freakdave.xbox-scene.com
Download: n/a (built with XDK)
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(Thursday 09 June 2005 23:41 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
X2 Config Maker v5035-0.3 [PC]
>> Klutsh released a new versions of the PC build of X2 Config Maker(info) - a tool to easily generate the x2config.ini for the new X2 5035 Bios. It allows you to easily configure all the X2 bios features.
What's News/Fixed:
* Fixed: Loads LED cycle settings.
* Fixed: Loads X2Logo and Colour Preset Settings.
ToDo:
* Preview Flubber screen.
Notes:
a) When saving Logo\Flubber Presets do NOT add a file extention.
b) Loading of LED cycle, x2Logo, and Colour Preset setting's only works with x2config's generated with x2 Config Maker.
Official Site: http://www.x-projects.org
Download: here
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(Thursday 09 June 2005 21:31 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
Xbox consoles in further safety recall
>> GamesPaper.com is reporting that Microsoft have issued a further safety recall in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland on Xbox power cables:
[QUOTE]
Previously Microsoft had stated that fewer than 1 in 10,000 consoles were affected by the problem, but had been replacing the powerleads on all machines built during a set period. They have now advised customers that all machines built before January 14th 2005 (note x-s: originally it was those before October 23, 2003 for UK/IE) may need their power lead replaced.
[/QUOTE]
Read the whole article on GamesPaper.com.
Xbox Replacement Cord Programme: replacements.webprogram.com.
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(Thursday 09 June 2005 20:51 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
X-Changer v2 Sample
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(Thursday 09 June 2005 00:26 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
Seagate will provide 20GB drive to Xbox 360
>> From punchjump.com:
[QUOTE]
Hard drive manufacturer Seagate Technology will provide the 20GB hard drive for Microsoft's next-generation console, Xbox 360. The new LD25 series drive will be housed in a compact 2.5-inch form factor that provides a small footprint and cooler performance for game consoles.
[/QUOTE]
Read the whole article on punchjump.com and the pressrelease is available on here.
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(Wednesday 08 June 2005 23:57 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
Kutaragi: Xbox 360 is Going After the PlayStation 2
>> From TeamXbox.com:
[QUOTE]
In a new interview with Japanese news site Impress PC Watch, Ken Kutaragi took once again a swipe at the Xbox 360 by saying that Microsoft is going after the PS2 with the Xbox 360.
"This time, Microsoft has stated clearly it is going after the PlayStation. However, they are not going after the PlayStation 3, but the PlayStation 2. Because they looked at 2, the Xbox 360 became what it is." said Kutaragi.
"The PS1 was misunderstood in the same way," said the father of the PlayStation. "Even after we said that the PS1 was able to perform 3D calculations while the 3D0 could not, people still insisted both [consoles] had CD-ROM drives and 3D graphics."
[/QUOTE]
Read the whole article on TeamXbox.com.
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(Wednesday 08 June 2005 23:37 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
Real-life murder in online gaming dispute
>> From cbc.ca:
[QUOTE]
A court in China has sentenced an online gamer to death for the real-life murder of a fellow player after a confrontation over a virtual weapon.
But the court suspended the death sentence for two years and good behaviour might ultimately reduce the sentence from death to 15 years.
Zhu sold the virtual "dragon sabre" used in the online game "Legend of Mir III" after Qiu had only lent it to him.
Qiu reported the loss to police in February, but they said the computer sabre wasn't a real thing protected by law.
He then demanded the money Zhu had earned from the sale, 7,200 yuan, or about $1,000, but couldn't wait for payment. He attacked Zhu in his home, stabbing him repeatedly in an early morning assault.
Qiu turned himself in to police, saying he did not intend to kill Zhu.
[/QUOTE]
Read the whole article on cbc.ca.
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(Wednesday 08 June 2005 20:34 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
Xbox 360 Beta Kits Ship
>> From computerandvideogames:
[QUOTE]
Word seeps out today from that leaky old barge known as the games development community that dev are finally getting their grubby paws on Xbox 360 beta development kits right about now.
Actually these kits may be about a week behind schedule as major 360 developers we talked to at E3 expected to have the kits within a week or so of show close.
At E3, Xbox 360 devs were having to show off their games running on Macs (Alpha Dev Kits) at what they were saying was only 30 percent of the 360's total power.
[/QUOTE]
Read the whole article on computerandvideogames.
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(Wednesday 08 June 2005 13:51 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
Pandora's Cube case: Retailers plead guilty
>> Back in December 2004 we brought you the story that three 'Pandora's Cube' Washington, D.C.-area video game stores were raided and people were arrested for selling what they called "Super Xboxes", modified xbox consoles 'preloaded' with 15+ pirated video games on the HDD and sold for $500.
More news about the case is now available from the US Department of Justice:
[QUOTE]
Four commercial retailers have pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit felony copyright infringement and conspiracy to violate the Digital Millenium Copyright Act, related to the illegal modification of Microsoft Xbox video game consoles, the Justice Department announced today.
“The commercial manufacture and sale of circumvention devices like the Super Xbox serves only one purpose: facilitation of large-scale piracy,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General John C. Richter of the Criminal Division. “Such piracy and the resulting illegal windfall for these few comes at the expense of the many Americans who labor to keep our nation at the forefront of technological advance.”
In pleading guilty, each of the defendants admitted to participating in the scheme to manufacture, market, and sell the Super Xbox as a means to defeat the Microsoft Xbox’s copyright protection system and to commit copyright infringement on a relatively large scale and to facilitate the commission its others. They further admitted to conspiring with each other and others to manufacture, market, and sell the Super Xbox as a copyright-protection circumvention device and to commit copyright infringement for the purpose of commercial advantage and private financial gain.
The maximum penalties are five years in prison, a fine of $250,000, and restitution to the victims. The four are scheduled to be sentenced on August 17, 2005. Hitesh Patel is scheduled to be sentenced on July 19, 2005. Biren Amin is scheduled to be sentenced on August 17, 2005. Hitesh Patel is scheduled to be sentenced on July 19, 2005. Mrugesh Amin is scheduled to be sentenced on August 9, 2005. Herbie Walker is scheduled to be sentenced on August 4, 2005.
[/QUOTE]
Read the whole 'pressrelease' on usdoj.gov[US Department of Justice]
BioGraphic's AI.implant SDK to Support Xbox 360 Platform
>> From TeamXbox.com:
[QUOTE]
BGT BioGraphic Technologies, Inc., the leader in real-time artificial intelligence (AI) tools and middleware, announced today that its AI.implant SDK will enable unmatched functionality and performance for game developers targeting the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. As a result, users of the Xbox 360 will be able to interact with the most intelligent NPCs available on any platform.
[/QUOTE]
Read the whole article on TeamXbox.com.
X2 Config Maker v5035-0.2 [PC]
>> Klutsh released a new versions of the PC build of X2 Config Maker(info) - a tool to easily generate the x2config.ini for the new X2 5035 Bios. It allows you to easily configure all the X2 bios features.
What's New/Fixed:
* Added FTP Username, Password options.
* Loads an x2config.ini from App dir on load. (Usefull for keeping changes, Just over-wright with another ini file to keep changes).
Known Bugs:
* Does not set Colour Preset or x2logo selection when loading config file.
* Does not load LED cycle settings.
ToDo:
* Preview Flubber screen.
Official Site: http://www.x-projects.org
Download: here
Interview: Intel ISEF Awards $105k for Xbox Project
>> About a month ago, the news of the recipients of the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair became public...
From Science Service:
[QUOTE]
Phoenix, Arizona USA -- Science Service, in partnership with the Intel Foundation, this evening announced awards at the 2005 Intel ISEF Special Awards Ceremony Presented by Ricoh. Student winners are ninth through twelfth graders who earned the right to compete by winning top prize at a local, regional, state or national science fair. Special Awards are presented by scientific, professional and educational organizations and include scholarships, summer internships, book and equipment grants and scientific field trips.
Over 70 organizations had the opportunity to reward the most talented young scientists in the world. The top prize at the Special Award Ceremony, the Ricoh sustainable Development Award was awarded to Tyler Glen Lyon and Daniel Rees Winegar of West Jordan, Utah for their project "The Peltier Effect: Eliminating the Use of Freon in Automobile Air-conditioning Systems".
The International Science and Engineering Fair is sponsored by Intel and has been administered by Science Service since its inception in 1950. Science Service is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the understanding and appreciation of science around the globe through publications and educational programs.
Drexel University
For projects in the categories of Computer Science, Engineering, Medicine and Health and Physics.
Tuition Scholarship of $105,000
CS053 Reverse Engineering the Microsoft Xbox to Enable Linux-based Clusters: Analyzing the Efficiency of Processing Distribution Over an Xbox Cluster Bennet Grill, 17, Rio Rancho High School, Rio Rancho, New Mexico
[/QUOTE]
Xbox-Scene.com had an opportunity recently to speak to Bennet, regarding his Award…
Pic 1
HSD: Tell us a little about yourself.. as I’m sure people would love to know who earned $105k for school, and how he did it.
BENNET: Well, I’m 17, a Junior (well, just finished grade 11) currently at Rio Rancho High School, in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. I purchased my first Xbox (one of many) in December of 2002 due to some aggressive persuasion from my friends who loved the box. Most of my circle of friends were formerly PS2 fanboys, but they’ve long since been converted over to the box.
At the time, I’d have considered myself a casual gamer, with only a passing interest. I of course grabbed the popular titles.. Halo, Tony Hawk 3, Midnight Club II, GTA.. etc. My collection is large by any stand, and I doubt I have more than 8 or 10 titles altogether.
HSD: As a casual gamer, and with only a passing interest, what made you take the next step?
BENNET: My Interest in Gaming on the Xbox had peaked a while ago, so I shifted gears into what was then starting to get my attention: Modding the Xbox. My first stab at modding my Xbox, I became a victim of the Softmod Exploits. I screwed up my box with an “installer” and blew away some of my C drive. To get it fixed, I had it sent away and done by a professional. Later, for my project, I needed 3 others xbox’s, so I decided to get my hands dirty and mod the Xbox properly. I had some soldering experience, that I picked up from a family friend. I decided Xecuter(info) 2.3 Lite was the way to go and haven’t looked back since.
HSD: So.. you used 4 of your own Xbox Consoles for a school project?
BENNET: Not exactly. The first was mine.. a second was a broken donation I fixed, and the rest were on loan from friends. I agreed to mod their consoles and they allowed me to do my witchcraft on them. (smiley)
HSD: Given that you can’t just walk into ISEF and put your project up on display.. when did this process start?
Pic 2
BENNET: Last fall, I did the bulk of the work in October and November of 2004. It was for our School based Science Fair at Rio Rancho High, supported by Intel. The Fair is mandatory for all students taking honors math or sciences courses. I loved my Xbox.. and with my interest in modding and running homebrew, I figured the Xbox would figure highly in anything I’d come up with.
HSD: Ok.. you had consoles available to you.. a looming deadline for a project for the High School Fair, and an interest in modding. Where did you go from there?
BENNET: I had a basic passing knowledge of PC networking, and of all thing PC in general. What I wanted to do, was Cluster the Xbox’s on hand into a Distributed Computing Node, and have them tackle some tasks in some manner. I researched Linux, and decided Shallax’s Gentoox was the way to go. To tell you the truth, I didn't know a thing about Linux before I started the project- lots of the research was just teaching myself how to use Linux.
I got a lot of help from the Xbox-Scene Forums (which I discovered in summer of 2003), and from others with Gentoox experience. Shallax’s Gentoox works like a charm. I did have some e-mail back and forth with Daniel Robbins, the founder of Gentoo and former chief software architect.
He was very friendly, and just happened to live in New Mexico
HSD: 4 Xbox Consoles, Gentoox, some modchips… what did you do with all of this hardware and software?
BENNET: This project could be best defined as a computer engineering experiment. Officially, I tested the efficiency of an Xbox functioning as a node in a Linux Cluster. What the actual experiment did was test compile times of a single Xbox, and then a cluster of four Xboxes. I actually wrote no code for this project, but it still ended up in the Computer Science category. :-)
Anyways, I ran tests compiling the kernel with a single Xbox and then a cluster of four, I compared the times. I came up with a formula which basically translated the "time" the compiler spit out into processing speed in Mhz. Each additional Xbox in a cluster contributed about 80% of its processing power, or around 586Mhz. I used a ratio of the actual processing speed over the ideal processing speed, which would mean no network overhead, etc. Ideally, in a perfect physics classroom world, without air resistance or friction, four Xboxes would function four times as fast as one Xbox. But due to the nature of distributed processing and the network overhead, the actual performance was a bit lower.
This project tested how efficient an Xbox was in a cluster, i.e. if it was worth forming a cluster with your desktop in order to reduce compilation times. I knew that a cluster (with Xboxes) was possible, but I hadn't seen any results of tests on how well the Xbox performed. I picked compilation because that process require a relatively low amount of RAM, and seeing that the Xbox had 64MB, it seemed fitting.
The actual results showed that the Xbox actually had an efficiency of around 80%, a bit lower than I had expected, but still very usable. I did a bunch of statistical analysis on my results, T-Tests, Interval Tests, with a 99% rate of confidence to make sure my results were reliable. To keep the project legal, I used the Cromwell(info) bios, instead of a hacked M$ one.
Pic 3
HSD: So, in the final analysis of your research, was the xbox cluster worth the effort? And was it cost effective as a distributed computing solution?
BENNET: The judges asked the exact same thing regarding cost effectiveness. With the popularity of the Xbox worldwide, it would be well worth it for a programmer who already has an Xbox in his living room to form a cluster with his desktop to increace compiling efficeincy. But, now that the Xbox is only $149, it still seems like a viable option for a cheap hardware addition to a cluster. The dual-use of the Xbox was a key point, if it's lying in the living room, you might as well hook it up and use it for work too.
I wouldn’t necessary pass on a full powered PC and use an xbox cluster, but if you got the Consoles handy, they will make a make a significant contribution, so if you already have one, you might as well use it. I wasn't suggesting that everyone go out and buy 4 to use as a cluster :-) but more to suggest the usefulness of an Xbox as a node in a Linux cluster AND at the same time being a gaming console.
HSD: With the Project done, and analysis complete, how well did you do at each level?
BENNET: I received 1st place in my category at my School Fair, and also a "Best of Show" award- total awards: $350. With that money in hand, I then had my project submitted to the Regional Fair. There, I also took first place in my category, with prizes and corporate awards totaling another $250.
I then ran into some snags. I went on to the State Science Fair, with the same project. There, I met some resistance, as all the judges were a lot older than at previous fairs. Worse, the judge for my category did not even know what an Xbox was. I walked away from that fair with Honorable Mention, there, totaling $0.
However, I didn’t need a good showing at State, but it would have been nice. My showing at Regionals was good enough to earn me a spot in the ISEF.
At the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, I didn’t win top prize in my category, however, I did win a full ride scholarship to Drexel University totaling $105,000.
HSD: well.. You started as a casual gamer, modded a few boxes, produced a working linux cluster with Gentoox and got yourself a number of Fair awards totaling over $105k. Where do you see yourself in the near future and what are your plans?
BENNET: As for now I'm not totally commited to Drexel; I'd like to keep my options open for a while. I'm also looking at Duke, University of Virginia, and Vanderbilt. I still have around 6 months to make a decision (application deadlines.) As for an intended major, I would like to get a degree in Electrical Engineering while fulfilling all the premed requirements. I would like to go to medical school and become a radiologist, but thats pretty far off. This all could change, of course, but it's the temporary master plan :-).
HSD: Last Question… what do you do to relieve stress or boredom?
BENNET: I run track, used to play soccer. I play the piano as well as guitar. Sometimes I hop onto KAI or XBConnect(info). My tag is Bgrill27 on those and LIVE.. but I’m currently banned from LIVE.
HSD: Congratulations on the awards. It’s always great to see people pushing modding into the mainstream. Even better when the results equal a full ride at a major University. Hope to see you on LIVE again soon. Anything you wanted to say as a final comment?
Pic 4
BENNET: To all the devs- thank you- everyone, all the XBMC, dashboard, and homebrew guys- you're great! I personally use XBMC as my main dash. I use my Xbox mainly as a media center in my room. The emulators are great, especially all of xport's stuff. I’d also like to thank the guys behind the IR remote did an awesome job- its so nice to turn the box on with the remote. As a final note.. I would encourage all users, a friendly attitude on the forums, treat others with respect. Thanks to Xbox-Scene.com! -fin
Xbox360 Backward Compatibility: Microsoft will pay Nvidia royalties
>> From gamedaily.com:
[QUOTE]
Some details have trickled out, courtesy of Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst Michael Pachter. In a recent research note, Pachter confirms that Microsoft "has agreed to pay a small royalty to Nvidia to allow the Xbox 360's ATI chipset to emulate the performance of the Nvidia chipset in reading certain Xbox games."
Apparently, for Xbox games that are written in a single layer (which MS management believes to be most of the Xbox library) the emulation should be pretty smooth. The smaller percentage of Xbox titles that are written in multiple layers will require "patches" (separate emulation programs) in order to work. Pachter says that Microsoft currently plans to sell the 360 with these patches already pre-loaded on the included 20GB hard drive. It is also conceivable that any additional patches for other Xbox games could be easily downloaded over Xbox Live.
[/QUOTE]
Read the whole article on gamedaily.com.
Apple to Use Intel Microprocessors Beginning in 2006
>> With the Xbox 360 we will now have a WindowsNT kernel running on the IBM PowerPC ... which has been the CPU used by Apple for many years now. But today Apple announced they will move Mac OS to Intel microprocessors.
From an Apple Pressrelease:
[QUOTE]
At its Worldwide Developer Conference today, Apple announced plans to deliver models of its Macintosh computers using Intel microprocessors by this time next year, and to transition all of its Macs to using Intel microprocessors by the end of 2007. Apple previewed a version of its critically acclaimed operating system, Mac OS X Tiger, running on an Intel-based Mac to the over 3,800 developers attending CEO Steve Jobs’ keynote address. Apple also announced the availability of a Developer Transition Kit, consisting of an Intel-based Mac development system along with preview versions of Apple’s software, which will allow developers to prepare versions of their applications which will run on both PowerPC and Intel-based Macs.
“Our goal is to provide our customers with the best personal computers in the world, and looking ahead Intel has the strongest processor roadmap by far,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO.
[/QUOTE]
Read the whole pressrelease on apple.com.
X2 Config Maker v5035-0.1[PC]
>> Klutsh released a new versions of the PC build of X2 Config Maker(info) - a tool to easily generate the x2config.ini for the new X2 5035 Bios released yesterday. It allows you to easily configure all the X2 bios features.
What's New/Fixed:
* Updated for X2.5035
* New version structure (Self Explanatory Really)
* Preset Files Removed until they are updated with the extra colours. (SavingLoading works though)
Known Bugs:
* Does not set Colour Preset or x2logo selection when loading config file.
* Does not load LED cycle settings.
ToDo:
* Preview Flubber screen.
Notes:
* If anybody would like to contribute Presets for X2CM v5035 please upload them on x-projects.org.
* Now to start on an update for the Live and MAC versions
Official Site: http://www.x-projects.org
Download: here
Why IBM Should Buy Electronic Arts
>> From TeamXbox.com:
[QUOTE]
According to Forbes magazine publisher, Rich Karlgaard, IBM should buy Electronic Arts. Karlgaard believes that “military-caliber supercomputers disguised as toys” have arrived in the form of the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 and soon enterprise software will resemble games.
Karlgaard gives his word of advice to IBM:
"Memo to Sam Palmisano: You make chips that run the world's coolest games. Now put some game into IBM's Global Services. Buy Electronic Arts."
[/QUOTE]
Read the whole article on TeamXbox.com and forbes.com.
Analysts predict $75 launch subsidy on Xbox 360 hardware
>> From GamesIndustry.biz:
[QUOTE]
Microsoft's Xbox 360 will be priced at $299 when it hits shelves later this year, according to analysts at major investment bank UBS, with Microsoft subsidising each console to the tune of $75 in order to meet that price point.
Predictions by the analysts, reported last week in the Toronto Globe and Mail, suggest that Microsoft will pay $375 per unit to its manufacturing partners, with the final retail price of the console pegged at $299.
[/QUOTE]
Read the whole aticle on GamesIndustry.biz.
Microsoft warns of possible Xbox 360 shortages
>> From GamesIndustry.biz:
[QUOTE]
Retailers struggling to deal with the poor supply of current-gen Xbox consoles could have more problems when the Xbox 360 launches later this year, according to UK Xbox boss Neil Thompson.
Speaking to trade paper MCV, Thompson said shortages will be down to high levels of consumer demand rather than manufacturing problems.
"Will we execute well so retail will have good volume? Yes. But I don't think we're going to meet demand as people are going to come into this platform in a big way."
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Read the whole article on GamesIndustry.biz.
Gentoox Pro v2.0, Resctoox v1.7, Sparkle v1.5 and new Stardust
>> From ShALLaX on gentoox.shallax.com:
[QUOTE]
I proudly present:
* Gentoox Pro(info) v2.0 - readme - download
What's new/fixed (since v1.5):
-Gentoox Loader(info) v5.9.
-Updated software as of 04-Jun-2005.
-Fully synced with magic as of 04-Jun-2005.
-Sparkle v1.5.
-Removed LED tutorials - its now part of the Loader.
-Switched to 2005.0/2.4 profile.
-Stardust is more friendly to v1.6 Xboxes with overscan.
* Gentoox Resctoox(info) v1.7 - download
* Gentoox Sparkle(info) v1.5 - download
What's new/fixed:
-Removed the separate Sparkle kernel - it now shares Gentoox's.
-Fixed the "Fixed" filesystems counter.
* Gentoox Stardust vX.XX
Note you don't need to download Sparkle if you are installing Gentoox Pro v2.0 since it's already included. As always: read the manuals and give me feedback!
Note: Gentoox Home(info) v4.0 is coming, but it's likely to be a couple of weeks.
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Official Site: http://gentoox.shallax.com
Downloads: here
X2 Config Live Build 5035
>> From teamxecuter.com:
[QUOTE]
No MD5's, no teasers, no boring news about nothing. Here's something to get your teeth into right now - enjoy.
A new release to our powerful X2 Config Live series. We have now added *16* further options for you to play with - and we are still working on even more!!!
No doubt Nghtshd and klutsh will be working over time to add to their excellent X2 Config Apps :-)
http://home.alltel.net/nghtshd/x2ool.html
http://www.x-projects.org
Added to 5035 x2config.ini :
* colorFlubberScene1 + colorFlubberScene2 + colorFlubberScene3 -> these 3 colors replace the colorFlubberScene parameter
* blobPulse -> enable/disable blob pulse
* fastAni -> faster animation
* iFilter -> apply interlace filter on startup
* msLogoTransEn -> enable transparency for microsoft / custom logo
* msLogoTransColor -> microsoft / custom logo transparency color
* noFlubBg -> disable the flubber machinery
* noSound -> turn off bootsound
* showMsEn -> show microsoft / custom logo
* showXEn -> show x logo
* spikeyBlob -> turn on spikey blob
* slowMoBlob -> whole anim in slow motion (not recommended)
* useAllMemory -> release all debugkit memory after xbe launch - this still doesnt fix the halo/debug nonboot-issue... :-(
* noLightEn -> disable x logo upper-right corner lightsource
* xLightColor -> x logo upper-right corner lightsource color
We always expect bugs. Please post bug reports HERE
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Official Site: http://www.teamxecuter.com
Download: n/a (contains MS copyrighted code)
Xbox360 to have downloadable games?
>> From gamesarefun.com:
[QUOTE]
The official word from Microsoft on downloadable content for Xbox 360 is that it will have downloadable game content, trailers, and demos, some free and some for a price. What has not been mentioned before is that the Xbox 360 will have downloadable games.
This bit of information was revealed in a press release sent out today from GarageGames about its new President, Mark Frohnmayer. Frohnmayer had this to say: "GarageGames now has three powerful engines, and we're constantly improving our development toolset. We've got several exciting projects on the horizon including a killer casual game being developed in partnership with another company and a downloadable title for the upcoming Xbox 360."
It seems the Xbox 360 Live service will allow purchases of games online. Microsoft has yet to release official information on this, but we'd speculate this would be an opt-in style delivery service. GarageGames has always used online purchasing for their games and it's likely that companies such as Sega, Microsoft Games Studios, and others will continue to make sales through retail. Still, cheap games that can be tried in demo form and purchased without ever leaving your living is not a bad thing.
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News-Source: gamesarefun.com
Team Xecuter: v1.7 Smokescreens and Comedy
>> From teamxecuter.com:
[QUOTE]
Some weeks ago the flamboyant and sometime comedian Franz from the noted group Smartxx made some announcement about a new v1.7 that worked with Smartxx, didnt work with Xenium(info) and they didnt test X3 because it was too complicated for them (yes we hear all the first time successful installers of X3 / X2 mods giggle at their own inferred brilliance)
What they should have said was that they couldn't get the Xenium OS(info) to work but all mods worked no problem at all with a hacked bios. Nice hype attempt but the scene ain't that stupid (although a few fanboys kinda embarrassed themselves)
Now onto today's post giving a lot of huff and puff again about v1.7 - but what do they say now - something about no solder adapters not working because the holes are blocked ??
So these motherboards - which have no different bios or video encoder or any motherboard changes that affect any mod installs whatosever are supposed to be very secretive and very new and they are to be called the next generation of v1.7 ?? and of course it is suggested that only Smartxx works on these new amazing boards.
Forgive us for being bemused but we kinda spent the last hour laughing at Franz's blatant and incredible perception of all Xbox users being THAT stupid.
The truth is these Xbox's are nothing special, nothing new, We know many of our users and customers have them - I have two on my desk right now. The only thing different from v1.6 I see is that 3 of the holes for no solder mods are filled in with resin. Erm thats it - here's a picture to prove it (Pic was taken on May 11 for referance on amending a no solder adapter idea - sorry no MD5 bullshit - wtf was THAT all about ?)
the fact is these Xbox's have been floating around for a while. They are nothing new and very few in number and nothing to wrry about.
ONCE AGAIN another scaremongering and desperate tactic by Smartxx to make the scene paranoid about something in order to gain publicity for themselves and in order for you to buy their products.
Before lame fanboys start - we are not bashing we are exposing - there is a difference. This bullshit has to stop as it blocks ALL forums with irelevant paranoia and nervousness.
Forum discussion about this news: teamxecuter.com
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