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Week of July 15, 2007
First Hands-On: Xbox 360 Messenger Kit and ChatPad
>> From gamespot.com:
[QUOTE]
We now know that anxious texters will be able to get their very own Xbox 360 Messenger Kit for $30 on September 6, 2007.
The pad feels a little awkward as you fit it into place, but it snaps on with a satisfying click as the pad's plastic retention pegs find their corresponding holes on the gamepad. The snug fit makes the pad feel like it's a part of the gamepad. The unit adds some weight to the controller, but the heft seems manageable. We played a few games with the chatpad installed and found that it didn't interfere with game controls. The edge of your palms will rest on the left and right sides of the chatpad, but you'll still be able to use the buttons and analog sticks just fine.
The chatpad itself feels solid. The keys provide adequate, clicky feedback and are spaced well enough for fast typing.
For players who like to game in the dark, the pad has a built-in backlight that will illuminate the keyboard whenever a key is pressed.
The chatpad has a headset pass-thru jack at the base of the unit, but the single 2.5mm audio jack can't accept the triple-pronged connector on the old headset. That's probably why Microsoft bundled a new headset with the chatpad.
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Full Story: gamespot.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Six Reasons The Xbox 360 Is in Trouble
>> From gamepro.com:
[QUOTE]
The PS3 isn't the only console with problems. Microsoft has an equal share of issues with the Xbox 360 that could prove just as harmful as Sony's. Here are six reasons why the Xbox 360 is in trouble, though not necessarily doomed.
1. It's unreliable.
2. It only sells marginally better than Xbox.
3. A recent string of bad publicity.
4. It has limited appeal.
5. It bleeds money.
6. It still doesn't sell in Japan.
Looking ahead to fall of 2007, the Xbox 360 has the biggest games lineup in recent memory, a lineup that includes BioShock, Mass Effect, Madden 08, Assassin's Creed, and more in addition to the hugely anticipated Halo 3. Master Chief's last adventure could easily be the best-selling game of the year and shift hundreds of thousands of 360s in the process. If there's one thing that sells consoles, it's great games, and Xbox 360 has them. Sadly, Microsoft's ongoing string of mishaps may keep them from truly ending the year (or the season for that matter) on a high note.
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Full Story: gamepro.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
iPrep 101 v0.0.2
>> Klutsh released a new version of iPrep 101(info) a .NET application and collection of MSDOS applications for use in flashing Samsung TS-H943A DVD drives with iXtreme and Xtreme firmwares.
What's new/fixed:
* Added Xtreme 5.2 & Xtreme 5.3 Support.
* Added loading from Archives.
* Added Menu Bar.
* Fixed Application closing.
* Fixed File Does not exist error.
Official Site: www.x-projects.org
Download: here
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
XCM HDMI DVI Crossover Selector
>> Team Xtender announced a new product in their XCM-range:
[QUOTE]
This is 5 in 1 selector (4 HDMI,1 DVI input) 1 HDMI and 1 DVI output, with audio socket to connect to extra loud speaker, so the HD 1080p can be run on both TV and PC.
Release date: In the early of August 2007
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Official Site: www.teamxtender.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
iXtreme firmware 1.2 RevC for TS-H943 Xbox 360
>> A new firmware is released for the TS-H943 xbox360 drive..
[QUOTE]
(v1.2 RevC) Failed Stealth backups report normal disc information
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This release patches the stealth information from NON-stealth disc's, so that the invalid info is not sent over live when the disc does not boot.
Official Site: n/a (by commodore4eva)
Download: n/a (May be illegal under EULA/DMCA)
News-Source: xbins.org
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Xbox Warranty Drives 1.9usd bln Loss - 11.6 million 360s Shipped
>> Next-gen.biz posted more details about the Q4 results of Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices Division (EDD):
[QUOTE]
Xbox 360 warranty charges drove Microsoft's Xbox division to post a $1.89 billion operating loss for the fiscal year.
Losses for the Entertainment and Devices Division (EDD) increased by 47 percent for the year ended June 30, due primarily to a $1.06 billion charge stemming from the extension of the Xbox 360 hardware warranty.
Microsoft said reduced console manufacturing costs partially offset the charges caused by the upgraded warranty.
Microsoft shipped 700,000 consoles during the quarter compared to 1.8 million for the same period a year prior.
The firm has shipped 11.6 million consoles to date since the Xbox 360's November 2005 launch.
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Full Story: next-gen.biz
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
OXM rumor: MGS4 on 360 a few months after PS3
>> From xbox360fanboy.com:
[QUOTE]
While the MGS4 360 rumor has yet to come true, a reliable tipster tells us that Official Xbox Magazine has taken it upon themselves to toss another log on the fire. In the most recent Rumor Mole section, OXM declares that a "bankable source" told them that Metal Gear Solid 4 is definitely coming to Xbox 360. The game is reportedly being ported by a separate team -- which isn't headed by Hideo Kojima -- and should ship "a few months" after the PS3 version.
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Full Story: xbox360fanboy.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Microsoft Posts Higher Q4 Profit Despite Xbox Charges
>> From gamesindustry.biz:
[QUOTE]
Microsoft has announced revenue of USD 51.12 billion for the fiscal year ended June 30, a 15 per cent increase over the prior year.
Revenue growth was driven primarily by Windows Vista and Microsoft Office 2007.
Despite taking a USD 1.15 billion charge related to Xbox 360 warranty issues, Microsoft finished the quarter ending June 30 with revenue of USD 13.37 billion and net profit of 3.04 billion.
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Full Story: gamesindustry.biz
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Second Class Action Lawsuit Filed against Microsoft for Scratched Discs
>> From next-gen.biz:
[QUOTE]
Two Californians have filed a class action suit against Microsoft alleging the Xbox 360 is prone to scratching discs.
The class action seeks no less than $5 million in damages.
The suit says "Microsoft improperly and/or negligently manufactured the Xbox 360 console in a manner that causes the expensive game discs ... to be scratched, rendering the games unusable."
Microsoft was hit with a similar lawsuit in Florida last week. Microsoft denied the allegations.
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Full Story: next-gen.biz
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
UK set to get own event instead of X07, says Microsoft
>> From gamesindustry.biz:
[QUOTE]
Following the news that this year's X0 event has been cancelled, a Microsoft spokesperson has told GamesIndustry.biz that the UK will get its own Xbox 360 event instead.
"X07 is not going ahead," the spokesperson confirmed.
"We're looking at doing something here in the UK. It will be from a UK point of view, not from a European point of view." He did state that it is set to take place "before Christmas".
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Full Story: gamesindustry.biz
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Reaction: Moore's departure 'a huge loss for Xbox'
>> From gamepro.com:
[QUOTE]
"Ultimately, I don't think who is running the company will help or hurt gamers, but I do believe losing Moore hinders the image of 'hip with the kids' that the Xbox team has pushed since its start," said Game Informer editor Andy McNamara in an interview with USA Today. "Mattrick [incoming president] is very skilled, but I don't think he portrays the same swagger that Moore brought to Microsoft."
Geoff Keighley, a Spike TV host, thinks Microsoft's image will take a hit from losing Moore. "This is a huge loss for Xbox... Gamers will no doubt wonder what this means for the future of the platform. Xbox 360 will be fine. Peter's not the visionary behind the platform, but he was the voice and the soul of that whole division of Microsoft and the public cheerleader. Xbox will continue on without Peter, but I have a feeling that his departure will knock some wind out of the platform," he said.
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Full Story: gamepro.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Halo 3 co-op heads offline
>> From computerandvideogames.com:
[QUOTE]
While a two-player co-op mode has been confirmed for Halo 3 (player two assumes the role of the Arbiter) it looks like it'll be available in LAN or split-screen only as Bungie struggles to get the mode running over Xbox Live.
In the latest issues of EGM, it's reported that online co-op isn't happening, yet. "We're not dumb," says Bungie's Frank O'Conner. "We know that people want it and we're trying to make it happen. I think the biggest problem for us for online co-op is that we have a situation where you can be in a Warthog with five troops, almost a mile away from the other player. That's a significant challenge. And there's lots of design things you could do to prevent that from happening, but they would make it not feel like Halo anymore. If we can make it happen in a way that works well, we will - and if it works badly, we won't."
Bungie didn't rule out that online co-op could become a possibility via downloadable content post release.
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Full Story: computerandvideogames.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Microsoft Dissmisses Chances of X07 Event
>> From 360.advancedmn.com:
[QUOTE]
In the latest Squad XP podcast, Xbox group product manager Aaron Greenberg spoke on the likelihood of seeing Microsoft's annual press event later this year, which would presumably fall under the title of X07.
"There is not a real X07 this year, but I think we'll figure out some way to talk about 2008 sometime at a different event or a different type of program," Greenberg stated.
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Full Story; 360.advancedmn.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Microsoft in for the Long Haul in Japan
>> From next-gen.biz:
[QUOTE]
Speaking to Game | Life, Shane Kim, corporate vice president of Microsoft's Game Studios, acknowledged that the company was not going to win in Japan, in this generation at least.
"I still am a believer in our ability to do well in Japan. We're not going to win in Japan. We know that. That was never our goal, this generation, to win in Japan. We can win this generation without winning Japan. But we can do well in Japan. Now that's going to take a long time."
Jeff Bell, Microsoft's corporate vice president of global marketing, was also frank in his assessment of how the Xbox 360's been performing in Japan.
"We are not happy with our situation in Japan. We've got a great team though. Sensui-san is doing a great job at making things better. We launched Blue Dragon and our sales have doubled. Now granted that's a thousand a week, so that's not enough. We are at least making progress," he said.
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Full Story: next-gen.biz | blog.wired.com | siliconera.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Moore: Xbox 360 Warranty Unrelated to Move
>> From gamesindustry.biz:
[QUOTE]
Peter Moore has said there is no connection between his departure from Microsoft and the recent announcement that the company is to spend USD 1 billion on Xbox 360 repairs.
Speaking in a podcast hosted by Microsoft's Larry Hryb - otherwise known as Major Nelson - Moore said his decision to resign is "completely and utterly unrelated to anything that's gone on within the business... It's purely about my family".
"This agreement between myself and EA was signed about five weeks ago, way before any of the final work that was done on the warranty," he continued. "It was completely unrelated."
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Full Story: gamesindustry.biz | majornelson.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Europe: 360 Elite Gets Priced: 329GBP / 450EUR ?
>> From t3.co.uk:
[QUOTE]
After Microsoft finally announced we'd be getting a taste of the Xbox 360 Elite from August 24th, three shops have brought word on how much they'll be charging for the memory heavy box of goodness.
HMV, Play and GAME will be flogging the hub for Ł329. That's fifty spots more than the Premium pack, but almost a whole ton cheaper than the new PS3 starter kit. However, there's no news as yet on whether any games will be included.
Microsoft themselves haven't confirmed a UK price, but it seems now they've been held to ransom.
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To know the EUR-price I called a few (3) mainland EU stores, they all told me 449.99EUR (that's 50EUR above the Premium price), so I guess that will be the EUR-price. Converted to USD that puts the GBP-price at 676USD and the EUR-price at 622USD incl. sale taxes.
Full Story: t3.co.uk
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Change DVD key and Game Region Code on Xbox360 (CPU key required)
>> Hackers on the XBH forums managed to change DVD key and Game Region Code in the Xbox 360 'Key Vault' (that stores on flashchip: console certificate(s), per-box private keys, DVD key, however NOT any code-related encryption keys).
However you should know the 'Key Vault' is encrypted with the per-xbox360 'CPU key', so that means this hack is only possible on Hypervisor exploitable Xbox360s (kernel 4532 and 4548) for now. You will of course also have to read/flash the Xbox360 flashchip (by desoldering it and read/flash it with programmer or for example use the versatile Infectus dev chip)
From SeventhSon on xboxhacker.net (free reg. req.):
[QUOTE]
I successfully changed the DVD key and region code of a 360. So it's all confirmed.
As for landmarks and interweb fame. All I did towards this was to reverse the plaintext KV signature to figure out how to modify and resign the KV contents. And even this work was built on the efforts of other hackers. For example, I didn't locate the region code in the KV and a lot of the SHA1 and RC4 encryption code was reversed and documented by others way before I started looking at it. *If* the region code tests are successful, then the following people contributed *much more* to this achievement than me.
Takires, TheSpecialist, Robinsod, tmbinc.
The following assumes you have the correct 1BL key and CPU key set in the flashtool.
1. Dump the NAND from the US 360 (528-bytes-per-page)
2. Open in the latest flashtool (v0.8) and click [extract]
3. Edit extracted KV.bin and change 16-bits at offset 0xB8 from 0x00FF to 0x02FE
4. Open in flashtool and click [patch], check the "patch keyvault" box and select the KV.bin modified in step 3
5. Click [OK] and choose output file
6. Flash output image back to the NAND of the US 360
7. Try an EU game or two.
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Arakon tested this successfully:
[QUOTE]
My USA 360 just booted a PAL (non-regionfree) game. the region patching WORKS.
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News-Source: xboxhacker.net
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Peter Moore Resigns From Microsoft, Goes to EA. Don Mattrick Replaces Him.
>> From the press release:
[QUOTE]
Microsoft Corp. today announced that Don Mattrick, a former president at Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), will lead the Interactive Entertainment Business (IEB), which includes overseeing the Xbox® and Games for Windows® businesses. Peter Moore, who currently serves as corporate vice president of IEB, has decided to move his family back to the Bay Area for personal reasons and has secured another opportunity in the video games industry.
Mattrick will take over as the senior vice president of IEB at Microsoft, effective July 30. Mattrick was the founder of Distinctive Software Inc., which operated as a private company from 1982 until its merger with EA in 1991. Mattrick held various senior positions within EA, most recently as president of Worldwide Studios, until his resignation in February 2006. In February 2007, Mattrick began working with the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft as an external advisor.
"Peter has contributed enormously to the games business since joining Microsoft in 2003 and we are sad to see him go," said Robbie Bach, president of Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft. "Since that time, he presided over the global launch of the Xbox 360™, spearheaded a revitalized and rebranded Games for Windows business, and helped steer the console's ascent."
Moore has decided to return with his family to Northern California, where they lived until he took the position at Microsoft. Moore will remain at Microsoft to assist in the transition through August and will then return to the San Francisco Bay area.
"While Peter will certainly be missed, we are delighted to have one of the industry's most talented and passionate veterans on board to lead the business," Bach said. "Don is well-known and respected throughout the industry for his deep knowledge, technical expertise and management savvy. Under Don's leadership, the games team is looking forward to embarking on our biggest holiday ever, with a wide-ranging roster of some of the most highly anticipated titles."
Mattrick brings 23 years of games industry and development experience to the strong Microsoft management team, having helped bring to life such celebrated game franchises as the "Need for Speed," "Harry Potter" and "The Sims" while at EA.
"Over the past two decades, and the past few months in particular, I've worked closely with many of Microsoft's top leaders and I've always been impressed by their talent, passion and commitment," said Mattrick. "I'm thrilled to join an already strong team that's delivering truly amazing gaming experiences to customers around the world. I've never been more excited about the future of the industry, and firmly believe Microsoft will lead the next great innovations in gaming."
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Peter Moore will join EA as President of their sports division.
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Peter Moore on AO-rated games: 'You have to draw the line somewhere'
>> From arstechnica.com:
[QUOTE]
Would Microsoft ever consider putting Adult Only (AO) games on the 360? The answer is icy: "No. As it currently stands, no." But the issue to me is, if you want to be an accepted and respected part of the media, you have to take risks, I've seen plenty of NC-17 rated films that were incredible pieces of art. Why not allow that sort of content in games?
"There is a line that we draw, and we draw... if the ESRB says it's M-rated, then we're in. If they say AO, no."
I'm a little skeptical, and he seems to pick up on it. "It's a hard decision; you have to draw a line somewhere. And Microsoft has a position in the community, and with corporate, and due diligence with content, and we draw that line. That's where it's at."
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Full Story: arstechnica.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Moore and Bell: We want Final Fantasy on the Xbox 360
>> From siliconera.com:
[QUOTE]
In two separate chats I asked Jeff Bell, Corporate Vice President of Global Marketing, and Peter Moore the head of Microsoft's interactive entertainment division if they could have one third party Japanese franchise on the Xbox 360 which would they pick. Mr. Bell immediately responded with Final Fantasy. Mr. Moore let out an optimistic roar for Mario and I mentioned that since it's Nintendo's that is probably not going to happen. After Mario, Mr. Moore picked Final Fantasy. Mr. Moore said he would "go all the way to Japan" to make Final Fantasy an exclusive on the Xbox 360 and he mentioned that there have been talks about bringing Square-Enix's RPG series to the Xbox 360.
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Full Story: siliconera.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Pachter Predicts N-American June Sales: 200k 360s, 100k PS3s, 435k Wiis
>> From next-gen.biz:
[QUOTE]
Pachter forecasts sales of $480 million for June 2007, compared to $444 million for June 2006. He predicts that $325 million of this will come from new platforms, while $155 million will be from current generation software sales.
In terms of new hardware sales, Pachter estimates that 435,000 Wiis sold in June, compared to 200,000 Xbox 360s and 100,000 PS3s.
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Full Story: next-gen.biz
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
XboxMediaCenter (XBMC) 2007-07-16 SVN rev9578 build - T3CH
>> T3CH released a new SVN compile (rev9578) of XboxMediaCenter(info) for Xbox1.
This T3CH-compile is a complete snapshot of what is in SVN at the time the build was compiled, with just a few small additions.
Special Notes and Noteworthy/XML/Script changes:
* XBMC Lyrics updated to 1.5.4 and also AMT has been updated to latest SVN revision per Nuka1195's recommendation.
* I'm including the XBMC Win32 PC environment.exe that is meant for skinners & python developers, read more about the concept here. It was built using Microsoft DirectX Summer 2004 SDK.
* I've tweaked the win32 run_me_first.bat so it runs and then unmounts the virtual drives when you exit.
For the full changelog (all added/fixed/changed/updated stuff) since the 2007-07-01 SVN Rev9489 build click here.
Keep in mind this is a SVN snapshot of the current development tree. It's not an official (stable) point release. Use only if you know what you are doing.
Official XBMC Site: www.xboxmediacenter.com (manual and FAQ)
Official T3CH Site: http://t3ch.yi.se (release RSS feed)
Download Binaries: n/a (built with XDK) | Download SourceCode: here
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Analyst: There was no Xbox360 Price Drop at E3 Because of RRoD
>> From next-gen.biz:
[QUOTE]
Pachter also speculates that Microsoft opted not to choose E3 to announce an Xbox 360 price cut for fear of sending out the wrong message to consumers in light of recently acknowledged problems with the system.
"The company did not cut the price of its Xbox 360 despite our speculation that Microsoft would feel compelled to do so after Sony's price cut. It appears to us that the company is trying to deal effectively with its warranty issues, and was concerned that a price cut so soon after the announcement might send an unintended signal that discounts were required to move hardware."
However, Pachter goes on to state that an Xbox 360 price cut is still "appropriate" and that it should occur later this year.
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Full Story: next-gen.biz
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
New Pictures of Xbox360 Design Prototypes Surface
>> From technabob.com:
[QUOTE]
Chiaki Murata's Xbox 360 design is now commonplace in living rooms around the world. But back in 2003, the system was still just in the conceptual stages. Now, the Japanese industrial designer has released some great images of a couple of his original design concepts that didn't make it.
I've never seen a picture of this first prototype. Like the final version of the Xbox 360, the first prototype was all white. However, it featured a glossy, pillow-like square case design, with a large glowing green "X" on the side.
The second prototype was seen floating around the Microsoft campus before the final design was announced in 2005. It featured a metallic-looking industrial case that almost looked like the wheel of a car.
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Full Story: technabob.com
Official Site: www.hers.co.jp
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Peter Moore on Recall Versus Warranty
>> From kotaku.com:
[QUOTE]
Whoops, this wasn't our justify your warranty piece at all. Instead it's me asking Peter Moore why they didn't just jump in with two feet and do a recall instead of an extended warranty. I don't think he liked the question.
[/QUOTE]
Check out Moore's answer on the video at kotaku.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Xport WinSTonX v7
>> Xport released a new version of WinSTonX(info) - an Atari ST emulator for Xbox1 - earlier this month. I kinda missed it, but better late than never ;)
What's new/fixed:
* Bug fix for Automation version of R-Type
* Brought up to date with most recent core UI features (garbage directory, slo-mo, video fixes, etc, etc, etc)
* Rewind disabled because there is too much data to save for each frame
so it's slow to the point of being un-usable.
Thanks to Alexh for the news.
Official Site: http://xport.xbox-scene.com
Download: n/a (built with XDK)
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Rumor: EB Games Australia Issues Total 360 Recall due Faulty HDD?
>> From kotaku.com:
[QUOTE]
EB Games Australia have issued a recall on their Xbox 360s. Not just their own personal display or demo units. Every single Premium Xbox 360 they had in-stock. Sources within the company have confirmed that two weeks ago (approx June 29) store managers were first asked by Head Office to test every unit in-stock for errors, but were then ordered last week to return their entire inventories of the console, as well as remove all 360 promotional material and dummy boxes from their stores. The recall is believed to be due to a faulty batch of HDDs, as it did not include Core units.
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Full Story: kotaku.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
79 Pass Key: Reduced to 9 wires, Installation Diagrams
>> Maximus has just posted some news and the installation diagrams for his '79 Pass Key' device, that will allow you to the read/flash a Hitachi-LG v79 drive on PC:
[QUOTE]
Latest touches to the 79 Passkey allow us to reduce the quantity of wires from 11 wires to now only 9 wires, (If you choose the FFC option then only 1 additional wire is required). This 9 wire feature will be available from first shipments.
We have also published the Installation Diagrams. We will have step by step tutorial very soon!
[/QUOTE]
Official Feature List of the 79 Pass Key:
* Start Drive in ModeB automatically (Bonus Feature)
* Enable Software Reading and Flashing (Main Feature)
* 2 Options for Mounting: Wires or Flat Cable
* ONLY 9 Wires to Solder (Choosing FFC cable: only 1 additional wire)
* Support all models of Hitachi 79 drives
* Onboard Activity Blue Led
* Onboard disable jumper
* Can be leaved in place (recommended) for future firmware Upgrades
* Device Code Developed 100% by Maximus
Official Site: http://www.maximusgames.net/79passkeyinfo.php
Installation Diagrams: here
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
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