Modded Xbox: What exactly have I got here? :/

[Owain]

Just changing the output can get you banned.

[Number45]

Ooer, the crafty buggers!

[Papercut]

Just changing the output can get you banned.

It's possible, but has anyone ever experienced this?

[Number45]

Just been reading up on Xbox Scene and it seems as though it's possible to get banned without making any changes at all, and the chip disabled. Hell, it might even be possible to get banned without actually having modified your Xbox... or having gone on Live! at all.

[Yoshimax]

Seriously, I've learned from experience that you shouldn't muck about with chipped xbox if you dunno what you're doing. Like me, you now have 2 units. Use one for xbox live only and use the other for dodgy software, homebrew etc - never remove the network cable from the unchipped machine and you'll be fine.

It's definately worth downloading the slayers disc (I can provide you with an evo-x disc if you PM me!) and having a play because it opens up your xbox so much - likewise, get clever at networking it with your pc and you can fire divX movies etc onto the harddrive !

[Darwock]

I can't believe there's still so much confusion over this.. it's a little ridiculous! I mean I got the same contradictory responses when I asked the same questions a few months ago.

As it turned out I've never bothered with Live though so I'm not particularly bothered about getting banned anyway.

[Papercut]

If you want to buy an Xbox, chip it, then try each of the possible methods to get banned, leaving 7 days between each, and obtaining an unbanned machine for each time you do get banned, and repeat this in its entirity for each and every Live update, just to let the world know exactly how not to get banned on Live, then go ahead.

[Darwock]

I was referring more to the stuff about changing to NTSC and whether you can still do it with the chip off. You can. And it won't get you banned (but don't take my word for it, I don't use Live)

[Papercut]

Other people have reported that changing the video mode now results in a ban; it isn't clear either way.

[Yoshimax]

And if it isn't clear, and you have two xboxs then WTF would you risk it anyway ? My advice ? If it's important to you hook it up to xbox live and if you get banned, you get banned - Then use your legit machine from then on.

My question would be why would you want to pay ?40 twice as unless you have a memory card you'll need a gamertag for each machine ??? Seems like unnecessary risk and hassle to me.

[charlaph]

changing the video mode now results in a ban

now?

When did Microsoft update their methods, cos I've been very slack on this and connecting in NTSC output mode (enigmah) right up to christmas. I've been off it for a week and I bet I'm banned now. Arse.

Funny thing is, if I look through my list of game saves on the MS dash I can see entries for (amongst others) MAME and XBMP/XBMC - they've been there a while, so MS can't be looking all that hard to see if my machine is modded? or should I try and get rid of these entries?

I've always been very casual about Live as the one game I really liked (Outrun 2) wasn't very well supported, so I was never bothered about a ban, but I've committed to a years subscription now (dec 18th) so I don't want to be banned straight away.

[Commander Marklar]

You don't get banned for changing the video mode.

edit:

However can I swap between PAL and NTSC video mode at will and go online with either as long as the chip is switched off, or once I have gone online with either mode, I cannot go onto Xbox Live with the other?

Yep. That's fine too. Even switching the Xbox region itself between NTSC and PAL is OK, as long as you 1) Leave the chip off and 2) Don't modify the hardware once you've been on (e.g. replace the HDD).


edit 2:

I've been running Xbox live on two systems like this for well over a year. Neither Xbox has been banned. For specific examples; I'm playing Line of Contact in 720p on a PAL Xbox, with NTSC video. I've used the same Xbox, switched to NTSC-J and had a go on Phantom Dust online (which sucks) and later switched back to PAL.

[Papercut]

Have you done this recently?

As I said, I've read people recommending against this on xbox forums, and MS update Live all the time.

Checking region or video mode is always something that MS _could_ do, and it is important for people to realise that while they might not get banned today, they could literally get banned tomorrow.

[Commander Marklar]

Does last night count as recently?

edit: Oh yea, a future ban is possible. I'm aware of the risks involved.

[Papercut]

Does last night count as recently?

tart