Halo 2 no fun for hackers

[budz]

I was surfing the net and ran into this article about XBOX and HALO 2. I thought I'd share this.

http://news.com.com/Is+Microsoft+using+Halo+2+to+thwart+Xbox+hackers/2100-1043_3-54491...?tag=nefd.lede

[Faustus]

I refuse to use xbox live. I understand paying for an MMO game. But I will not pay yearly fees just to take an FPS game online.

[handyguy]

Thats not news. That's been around for years. They just put a switch in the box so you can turn off your chip.

Or use xbconnect.com

Funny to see people who got the game early via special means trying to logon to xbox live.

[budz]

Funny to see people who got the game early via special means trying to logon to xbox live.

I have no clue cuz I don't own a xbox. Just thought I would post that info.

[hech54]

I had one of those "Pong" games once....

[ps2daddy]

Thats not news. That's been around for years. They just put a switch in the box so you can turn off your chip.

Or use xbconnect.com

Funny to see people who got the game early via special means trying to logon to xbox live.

Right now turning the chip off might not help anymore either for xbox live

From xbox-scene.com

Ever since Xbox Live came out officially, people who accessed Xbox Live with their modchip on were banned. Live detected the modified BIOS that was loaded, and the Xbox's EEPROM (the unique identity of each Xbox) was banned. However, their Xbox Live account was still safe. So, these banned users got a different EEPROM from various sources, and they were back onto Xbox Live.

That has been the way for a long time, and was the way to get banned, unless you used a Xbox Live cheat or was a disruptive gamer.

However, until recently, it seems MS is taking extreme measures to stop people with modified Xboxes from accessing Xbox Live, even with their modchip off. It appears now that MS is banning modders who changed their HD from the way it was when their XBox was stock, to a larger HD or whatever. MS is detecting a change in the HD, and thus banning the Xbox. However, again, the modder's gamertag is fine, just that their Xbox is banned.

[smearbrick1]

So turning off the mod chip does work (as it should), but XBox Live now checks for larger HDs. So, turn off your modchip and don't install a larger harddrive. If you do, make sure you swap it with the original before going on xbox live.

[yoda313]

So turning off the mod chip does work (as it should), but XBox Live now checks for larger HDs. So, turn off your modchip and don't install a larger harddrive. If you do, make sure you swap it with the original before going on xbox live.

Hello,

WOW! Microsoft got smart for once

So just don't reconfigure your xbox for a 400gb harddrive and turnoff your modchip and you'll be fine!

Kevin

[ps2daddy]

So turning off the mod chip does work (as it should), but XBox Live now checks for larger HDs. So, turn off your modchip and don't install a larger harddrive. If you do, make sure you swap it with the original before going on xbox live.

Pretty much pointing out that a switch is not the complete answer to the solution.

Also people that have softmods with original HD are being banned aslo
so not changing the the HD also isnt the only answer either.
(its safe to say thet they are not just checking for a modfied bios boot also)

I dont know what they are looking for exactly but the info keeps changing and xbox-scene is trying to get a handle on it

Switch off and orignal hd should be safe I have to go and read through some posts to see if any user were banned playing halo 2 with the mod off and orignal HD

MS is banning modders who changed their HD from the way it was when their XBox was stock, to a larger HD or whatever

[ps2daddy]

For anyone interested this sounds like this could be the complete answer to the xbox-live banning dillema

The first time you log on to Xbox live it marrys the EEPROM with the HD. If you have logged on in the last 8 months or so(Live 2.0 update) and then changed the HD they know and on the 9th they banned you.

However if you logged on to Live for the first time with your upgraded HD thats the one that gets married to the EEPROM so you should be gravy.

Im currently rocking a 250 gig with an Xecuter 2.3 pro and not having any problems with Live. It was just blind luck that I logged on Live with the 250 gig initally.

We are pretty certain they are not scanning the HDs or checking size.

If you logged onto live with your stock HD then anytime you want to go on your going to have to swap back to the stock HD.

[yoda313]

For anyone interested this sounds like this could be the complete answer to the xbox-live banning dillema

The first time you log on to Xbox live it marrys the EEPROM with the HD. If you have logged on in the last 8 months or so(Live 2.0 update) and then changed the HD they know and on the 9th they banned you.

However if you logged on to Live for the first time with your upgraded HD thats the one that gets married to the EEPROM so you should be gravy.

Im currently rocking a 250 gig with an Xecuter 2.3 pro and not having any problems with Live. It was just blind luck that I logged on Live with the 250 gig initally.

We are pretty certain they are not scanning the HDs or checking size.

If you logged onto live with your stock HD then anytime you want to go on your going to have to swap back to the stock HD.

Hello,

What about so called softmods??? You know, mod chips only????

Are those being sought after even if the chip is turned off??? With no harddrive changes????

I'm thinking of getting a mod chip in January after my warranty expires but if I can't go on LIVE it probably isn't worth it...

Kevin

[Faustus]

Softmod mods the actual Xbox bios. Softmod AFAIK means you can never use Live.

[yoda313]

Softmod mods the actual Xbox bios. Softmod AFAIK means you can never use Live.

Hello,

Huh???? I thought an external mod chip that can be turned off would let you go on LIVE????

So does that mean if I ever want to go on LIVE I shouldn't get a mod chip?????

Kevin

[Hardcoreruss]

I have a modchip and a 160gb, I registered for live after the mod, I am not banned.

Halo 2 is shit though, Street Fighter Anniversary all the way.

[yoda313]

I have a modchip and a 160gb, I registered for live after the mod, I am not banned.

Halo 2 is shit though, Street Fighter Anniversary all the way.

Hello,

Streetfighter is available for the XBOX??? SWEET!

Kevin

[ps2daddy]

For anyone interested this sounds like this could be the complete answer to the xbox-live banning dillema

The first time you log on to Xbox live it marrys the EEPROM with the HD. If you have logged on in the last 8 months or so(Live 2.0 update) and then changed the HD they know and on the 9th they banned you.

However if you logged on to Live for the first time with your upgraded HD thats the one that gets married to the EEPROM so you should be gravy.

Im currently rocking a 250 gig with an Xecuter 2.3 pro and not having any problems with Live. It was just blind luck that I logged on Live with the 250 gig initally.

We are pretty certain they are not scanning the HDs or checking size.

If you logged onto live with your stock HD then anytime you want to go on your going to have to swap back to the stock HD.

Hello,

What about so called softmods??? You know, mod chips only????

Are those being sought after even if the chip is turned off??? With no harddrive changes????

I'm thinking of getting a mod chip in January after my warranty expires but if I can't go on LIVE it probably isn't worth it...

Kevin

Softmods (software modifcation) allow you to mod your xbox without opening it up it uses a coomand in the fonts to boot up from a bios other than your orignal to use your backups

If you have a newer xbox and you never wanted to use live I would recommend this 100% (its free if you do it yourself, also upgrading your hd afterward is not too difficult)

AFAIK
With the softmod as long as you boot up with an orginal game you boot off the motherboard internal bios you should be able to play xbox live game without removing the softmod. (never backups since the pblite or nkpatcher bios loads which ever bios you installed with the softmod)
That is how you can fix a softmod is by redoing the exploit from the exploitable original game if something went wrong.

Do not try this until I can 100% verify I will get back to you on this
Microsoft might do ther chek besides comparing eeprom info
(I have a chip in my version 4 xbox so I never tried it using a softmod)

As long as you sign up for xbox live after you get your new hd and turn chip off to get on live you should be fine according the the info I posted in the other message (if you ever try to use live on a differnt HD than the one you sign up with you will be banned)

[yoda313]

Hello,

With the softmod as long as you boot up with an orginal game you boot off the motherboard internal bios you should be able to play xbox live game without removing the softmod. (never backups since the pblite or nkpatcher bios loads which ever bios you installed with the softmod)


As long as you sign up for xbox live after you get your new hd and turn chip off to get on live you should be fine according the the info I posted in the other message (if you ever try to use live on a differnt HD than the one you sign up with you will be banned)

Ok I think I got this straightened out now -

1. I haven't been on LIVE yet because I won't get my DSL till Monday

2. If I get a external Modchip but NO new harddrive I will still get on LIVE as long as I TURN OFF the mod chip and use a REAL game correct????

Thanks

Kevin

[Hardcoreruss]

YEP

[ps2daddy]

OK you can get a larger HD if you want but do not sign up for xbox live until you get it in and then turn off your mod before you go online

Also if you use the x2 4981 bios or higher it will prevent you from logging on even if you forget to turn the chip off
but always turn the chip off to be on the safe side

A larger HD can make an xbox which is a wonderful thing, a lot better

[Hardcoreruss]

A larger HD can make an xbox a wonderful thing thing a lot better

Amen

[ps2daddy]

OOOPs I was typing too fast

[handyguy]

"If I get a external Modchip"

Never heard of one. What planet do they have those?

[yoda313]

"If I get a external Modchip"

Never heard of one. What planet do they have those?

Hello,

Sorry maybe I should have said:

SOLDERLESS MODCHIP

Better????

You know one you don't have to open the box to install????

Kevin

[ps2daddy]

"If I get a external Modchip"

Never heard of one. What planet do they have those?

Hello,

Sorry maybe I should have said:

SOLDERLESS MODCHIP

Better????

You know one you don't have to open the box to install????

Kevin

They only have that on the playstation 2

To perform a softmod you just use a memory card save that modifys your xbox but you dont have to open it though, but for a solderless chip you still have to crack the case for an xbox

[yoda313]

They only have that on the playstation 2

To perform a softmod you just use a memory card save that modifys your xbox but you dont have to open it though, but for a solderless chip you still have to crack the case for an xbox

What??? I thought I saw a bunch linked from www.xbox-scene.com that were plug in play??????

Kevin

[Hardcoreruss]

Nope you will need to open it.

[yoda313]

Nope you will need to open it.

Hello,

How hard is it????

I've obviously installed my own dvd drives and souncards in pcs..... Is it similar for the xbox????

I know that will void the warranty and that's why I'm waiting till January when mine will expire

Thanks for all the advice and experience guys

Kevin

[Hardcoreruss]

Yes, its easy, guides on X-box Scene

[yoda313]

Yes, its easy, guides on X-box Scene

Hello,

Thanks!!!

I have me a project after the holidays

Kevin

[smearbrick1]

Of course, after I installed my ultra-solder-in-50-damn-places-chip... they have solderless modchips. I don't think they had them when I installed mine over a year and a half ago. I'm not very experienced using a low wattage soldering iron, so to say I was a little apprehensive is understatement. Worked perfect on the first try though. Only 15 solder points. Much easier than PS2 no swap mods which required like 30 wires to be soldered (that's 60 solder joints for the Whos at home!)

Went with a no solder mod that required a swap for that.