As part of the latest update to the 360 dashboard, Microsoft will be locking third party memory units so they won't work with 360. Quick sell it now!
"Don't use unauthorized Xbox 360 storage devices," is the message being sent from Microsoft's Major Nelson. There's no clear reason given for the move but it's likely to have something to do with piracy.
"When Preview Program members start receiving the Xbox 360 system update next week, one of the changes is that unauthorized Memory Units will no longer work with the Xbox 360," stated Nelson.
"If you've moved your profile or saved games onto one to 'back it up,' you'd better move it back onto an authorized Xbox 360 storage device prior to taking the update. If you continue to use an unauthorized Memory Unit after the update, you will not be able to access your stored profile or saved games."
A quick check of Google shows that Datel has a 2GB units on offer and they'll be hit the hardest. We've contacted Datel for a response to the move.
User comments following Major's news were unsurprisingly full of talk about Microsoft forcing them to buy more expensive, official units and the like. "Not sure if this will get read by many, but I have echoed some of the concerns posted here w/ the accessories team," responded Nelson.
Will third-party pads be next? Once it starts where will it end? Have your say below.
If I want to use a 3rd party memory device for legitimate reasons then who the hell are Microsoft to say I can't?...this sounds like another example of MS and anti-competition rearing its ugly head again!
I can see this ending in tears if MS don't change their stance.
If I want to use a 3rd party memory device for legitimate reasons then who the hell are Microsoft to say I can't?...this sounds like another example of MS and anti-competition rearing its ugly head again!
I can see this ending in tears if MS don't change their stance.
You do realise this won't mean that all 3rd party memory cards will be banned - only the ones that haven't been licenced by MS, right?
Considering that people can hack their way into a 360 using unlicenced memory cards, I can see why they're doing this.
And if you are smart enough to buy a memory card from a reputable 3rd party manufacturer then the chances are high that it will already be licenced and there won't be an issue.
Who actually uses memory cards for their 360 these days, anyway?
If I want to use a 3rd party memory device for legitimate reasons then who the hell are Microsoft to say I can't?...this sounds like another example of MS and anti-competition rearing its ugly head again!
I can see this ending in tears if MS don't change their stance.
You do realise this won't mean that all 3rd party memory cards will be banned - only the ones that haven't been licenced by MS, right?
Considering that people can hack their way into a 360 using unlicenced memory cards, I can see why they're doing this.
And if you are smart enough to buy a memory card from a reputable 3rd party manufacturer then the chances are high that it will already be licenced and there won't be an issue.
Who actually uses memory cards for their 360 these days, anyway?
I assumed from the article that this meant that only 1st party memory cards will be acceptable ie from Microsoft or their "sleeping partners"...if not and other manufacturers products eg Datel are still usable then I withdraw my previous comment.
If I want to use a 3rd party memory device for legitimate reasons then who the hell are Microsoft to say I can't?...this sounds like another example of MS and anti-competition rearing its ugly head again!
I can see this ending in tears if MS don't change their stance.
You do realise this won't mean that all 3rd party memory cards will be banned - only the ones that haven't been licenced by MS, right?
Considering that people can hack their way into a 360 using unlicenced memory cards, I can see why they're doing this.
And if you are smart enough to buy a memory card from a reputable 3rd party manufacturer then the chances are high that it will already be licenced and there won't be an issue.
Who actually uses memory cards for their 360 these days, anyway?
I assumed from the article that this meant that only 1st party memory cards will be acceptable ie from Microsoft or their "sleeping partners"...if not and other manufacturers products eg Datel are still usable then I withdraw my previous comment.
You mention Datel, but I actually think this stems from the release of one particular Datel card which allowed you to slot in an SD card. It was the easiest way to hack into the system. But MS would never have authorised that particular model, which is why the rule was brought in.
I'm tempted to ebay my 360 and finally break the mould into the world of sony once again. No online fees, built in wifi, blu-ray. Or a shoddy box that breaks down every other month and has none of the above.
I'm tempted to ebay my 360 and finally break the mould into the world of sony once again. No online fees, built in wifi, blu-ray. Or a shoddy box that breaks down every other month and has none of the above.
If I want to use a 3rd party memory device for legitimate reasons then who the hell are Microsoft to say I can't?...this sounds like another example of MS and anti-competition rearing its ugly head again!
I can see this ending in tears if MS don't change their stance.
You do realise this won't mean that all 3rd party memory cards will be banned - only the ones that haven't been licenced by MS, right?
Considering that people can hack their way into a 360 using unlicenced memory cards, I can see why they're doing this.
And if you are smart enough to buy a memory card from a reputable 3rd party manufacturer then the chances are high that it will already be licenced and there won't be an issue.
Who actually uses memory cards for their 360 these days, anyway?
I assumed from the article that this meant that only 1st party memory cards will be acceptable ie from Microsoft or their "sleeping partners"...if not and other manufacturers products eg Datel are still usable then I withdraw my previous comment.
You mention Datel, but I actually think this stems from the release of one particular Datel card which allowed you to slot in an SD card. It was the easiest way to hack into the system. But MS would never have authorised that particular model, which is why the rule was brought in.
I know a number of people who have bought the Datel Max memory card for their Arcade 360's so they can use "Live" who are going to mighty p**sed if this update renders the memory card useless.
They don't use it for piracy and refuse to pay the extortionate charges for a hard drive, so this whole thing will end up being an almighty own-goal for Microsoft and plays right into Sony's hands.
I'll tell you what p**ses me off. Me and my flat mate use the same 360 in the living room but own separate units. I'm moving out in a few weeks and all the demos/XBLA stuff etc is stored on my HDD and you can't be selective with the data you transfer to another HDD. When I upgraded to a 60Gb HDD it moved all his stuff as well and there's no way to put it back unless I put it all on a 256Mb memory card and move it one piece at a time. Total b******s!!
I'm tempted to ebay my 360 and finally break the mould into the world of sony once again. No online fees, built in wifi, blu-ray. Or a shoddy box that breaks down every other month and has none of the above.
Makes my blood boil
Dude, I was thinking the same yesterday. How do I close down my Live account? Anyone got any tips? I don't have to ring the morons do I?
How long before Microsoft stop me using an external HDD for music and movies?
This is just the latest in a long line of crap that Microsoft are using to shoot themselves in the foot. I still have the question, "Why do I need to be online to watch a video from an external HDD?"
If Microsoft were to stop worrying about this this sort of crap and actually made an effort to make some decent games they would be doing alot better for themselves, because the last full game I bought for the 360 was about 9 months ago (I also got Shadow Complex recently). Plus there is not a single game on the Microsoft release schedule that I am in the least bit interested in.
Exactly why I want to get rid of my 3s**tsty. There's nothing coming out on in terms of exclusives that really makes me want to keep the thing. Another Halo? F**k off! Splinter Cell I couldn't care less for either.
Whereas stuff like Bioshock 2 and Dead Rising 2 are PS3 bound. Ditto Tekken 6. I guess I'd have to buy Batman again but I wouldn't be wasting my money on last gen crap like GTA and the like. I've just had enough of M$hite's dull offerings..
JuiKen-Sorry but you do have to it by phone. You could go on the web site and inform customer services of yo intent and give them a contact number. That way they will ring you back. It takes a few days and is a real hassle. If you pay monthly do well in advance of your next payment date.
I'm tempted to ebay my 360 and finally break the mould into the world of sony once again. No online fees, built in wifi, blu-ray. Or a shoddy box that breaks down every other month and has none of the above.
Makes my blood boil
Dude, I was thinking the same yesterday. How do I close down my Live account? Anyone got any tips? I don't have to ring the morons do I?
Depends how you pay I believe, I paid monthyly and eventually found a way to do it on their website other than ringing them. If you can find the account settings page you should be able to get to your subscription details and change to silver from there. It was a real ballache to find though, needs some deep searching.
FAiling that, if you have a direct debit with them, just cancel it with your bank online or in person. Then they can't take a penny =D
JuiKen-Sorry but you do have to it by phone. You could go on the web site and inform customer services of yo intent and give them a contact number. That way they will ring you back. It takes a few days and is a real hassle. If you pay monthly do well in advance of your next payment date.
Thanks gazz. Ah well, calling the idiots it is then
MS are bottom holes, there is no excure for this sort of thing at all. If they wanted to ban the use of the SD-card datal memory unit it would be easy just to make the NXE read the cards electronic model number and ban just that one unit, if they done that I could understand that it would be a way to help to cut 360-hacking. To ban ALL units that are not licenced by MS is not needed and is not in the intrests of the consumer, this is once again M$ just being greedy. They charge well over the odds for their HDD drives and this moves hits the less well off gamer hard. I feel sorry for the 360 users that don't keep up to date with videogame news online and probably won't know anything about this until the firmware update comes out and they lose everything they have paid for on XBL. As I doubt that MS will put a warning on the NXE about this before it happens.
The article did miss out the fact that most 3rd party units will remain uneffected but its targetting the ones known for hacking. Which sucks if you use on legitimately. But all 3 of the companies are complete douches to people that want to have some freedom over how they use thier machines. Just look at the wii and the Homebrew channel.
Piracy or not, its all money grabbing. They have been underhand with everything they have done to try and claim the market.
They should not of released a console that was not ready for the consumer, and spent time on making sure the thing works and could not be hacked instead of trying to steal a possition they don't deserve.
I wonder how much money they have given Rockstar. And how much they are paying Infinity Ward for only showing Xbox footage and logos all over their promo. I despise their tactics of using the dollar as power.
Long live Ninty and Sony (corporations with dignity and soul)
Thats what happens when a company like Microsoft get "some" success they just take the p**s and count on their loyal weebol followers to still back them up. They did it with the shoddy hardware and then xbox live and will happen more in the future I'm sure.
Don't like any of em' to be honest, all evil in their own little way. But it's always been the games that win me over these days so I'll happily make do with my 360 for now.
(I find it amusing that most of the comments here are from people who wouldn't touch a 360 with a barge pole )
that's a huge douche move right there. hmmmm MS if maybe your HDD prices weren't completely retarded then maybe it would be less of a problem. Sleepaphobic on 20 Oct '09
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XBox 360 120Gb HDD expansion = Ł93.79 PS3 compatible 500Gb Sata HDD = Ł58.77
It's bizarre for a machine so close to the PC, to not be able to use industry standard hard disks.
The Add ons and price's of such add ons are the Achilles heel for Microsoft. What with this and the WIFI adaptor and HDD prices.
The smartest move Sony made was to have the changeable HDD, and its so easy to do too.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Microsoft got another anti-competitive slap from the EU for this either.
Plus, lets face it, if someone wants to crack a machine, they will find a way, like with the PSPGO. It’s the reason why the battery is sealed this time, but people will find a way around it and they just annoy regular customers, who now have to go and folk out for something else.
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