My noobish questions

[Rageheuuu]

Hey everyone, I do my best to read the faqs and try to search before posting. But I sometimes feel like my questions are too general, or that they haven't been asked/answered before. I figured I'd start one thread for all my questions. If some of my questions have been answered, feel free to bash me, as long as you point me towards the correct answer 8)

1) What is the difference between using a 'modchip' or just getting your firmware flashed. What are the pros/cons for both?

2) Are there any significant differences between which dvd drive my 360 has? I know that the BenQ, and some versions of the Hitachi can't be flashed. Should I aim for the Hitachi-LG, or play it safe and try to get a Toshiba-Samsung? I'm asking mainly about how well it responds to being flashed, and also general performance(load times, noise, etc)

3) What do M$ and retail stores generally check for, to determine if a 360 has been modded? I think there are clamps that get broken when you open it up, but I also remember reading about a tamperproof sticker. Which do they generally check?

I guess that's good for now.. although I know I'll think of more later.. thanks!

 

[yartz]

Number One

2. There is a pretty big difference between the way you flash drives. TextBooks guide goes through all the methods. Your best to go with the Toshiba Samsung because they all can be flashed. As for general performance i dont really know i think there all loud but not really sure.

3. Theres a warranty sticker that you have to break to open up the xbox. As for if Microsoft checks i have heard stories that they forget to check sometimes but dont count on it.

 

[Rageheuuu]

Johnny, thanks for the quick response bro..

I can't tell if that page you linked to is referring to the 360, or the regular Xbox, or if maybe the same rules apply to both. Can anyone clarify?

afew more questions I've thought of:

1) how well does the new iextreme firmware work in terms of playing backups online? If you flash the drive correctly, and use only stealth backups, can you still play online? Are there people that have still been banned using this method? I know nothing is full proof, and there's always a chance you'll get banned.. just want to get an idea of how effective they are.

2) system/dashboard updates - are they mandatory? Will M$ do 'checks' on my system when getting updates? If so, is there any other way to get the updates? Maybe they could send the update out on discs, for people who don't have internet access. Just an idea, don't know if they would actually do that..

3) game updates - are they mandatory? is there anyway to get them, without being banned from live?

Thanks!

 

[hmelo]

1) So far there have not been any issues with iXtreme and live, assuming your backups are made properly. Of course, MS could respond at any time if they find another weakness/flaw in the current firmware/backups. There are no current BANS using this firmware.

2) If you want to use live or new games, updates are mandatory. You dont have a choice. If it is a major update, i would take your system offline for a few days, wait until others have accepted the update or someone with knowledge has downloaded and disected the update just to ensure that you are safe. You can download dashboard updated from m$'s site, usually a month or so after they have released it via Live. You'll then see it start to appear on game discs a couple of months later (typically).

3) Yes. Either accept and play or dont.

Caster.

 

[Rageheuuu]

Caster420, thanks man.. but I am just curious. You're saying the game updates are mandatory.. I assume you mean to play on live, right? I mean, that wouldn't make sense that they're mandatory for everyone.. what about people who don't have internet? Probably a stupid question.. but I can't imagine system or game updates being mandatory.. unless you wanna play online.

Also, thats awesome that people are using iXreme with little or no problems.. lets hope it stays that way.

Thanks

 

[lang]

You're saying the game updates are mandatory.. I assume you mean to play on live, right? I mean, that wouldn't make sense that they're mandatory for everyone.. what about people who don't have internet? Probably a stupid question.. but I can't imagine system or game updates being mandatory.. unless you wanna play online.

The updates are mandatory whether you're online or not. They are included on new game discs to get the people who don't have internet or who simply don't go on Live. If you don't accept the update you can't play the new game.