Microsoft locks modded Xboxes out of Xbox Live

Microsoft wasn't joking around when they said they were serious about cracking down on people modding the Xbox, and they even picked a killer time to do it: the day before the launch of Halo 2, which has turned out to be their biggest selling title ever, they decided to lock anyone with a modded Xbox out of their Xbox Live service (at least everyone who couldn't switch their Xbox to a non-modded mode, that is).

[Keet Edwards @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

This seems like telling someone they can't sit at the table if they put ketchup on their eggs.

[Lewis @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

It seems to me that modifying your xbox should be fine. Its your piece of property why can't I rip it apart.

Now of course doing something illegal with a modded xbox isn't allowed, but not everyone with a modded xbox is by definition doind something illegal.

Bad move microsoft.

[Justin @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

Yea but what do they mean by modding? I mean if your hacking onto the live thing then it should be alright, but if your modding it for youself thatz just BS. Stupid Microsoft.

[Thor @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

The reason Microsoft has for banning people with modchips is to lock out cheats, (officially). But there are trainers and cheats that only work with modded xboxes...
Bet there would be a lot of people whining if live was overrun with cheaters.

[Justin @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

Yea but what do they mean by modding? I mean if your hacking onto the live thing then it should be alright, but if your modding it for youself thatz just BS. Stupid Microsoft.

[bob @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

this reminds me of the time that a sateliite service suddenly cut all signals to unauthorized (pirated) receivers the day before the Superbowl. now that's hilarious and devious

[Stephen Speicher @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

Good for them! I like that kind of thinking.

[Guttrhead @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

Is there a way to hack on to live for free? If not Microsoft is just taking away money from themselves. These people pay them to use xbox live. I just can't imagine microsoft turning down someones money.

[dan daly @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

this is the trend: subscription fees on every consumer good and restrictions on what you are allowed to do to your own property.

[dan daly @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

this is the trend: subscription fees on every consumer good and restrictions on what you are allowed to do to your own property.

[Jake Good @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

Old news... they blocked modded xboxs the day Live! went "live".. I was a Live! beta tester and they let me test with a modded box... probably to figure out how to test for chips.. and the DAY it went "live" , my box was banned.. had to run and get a new one...

They have the right to shut off service to an unsupported machine, but I am a supporter of modding the xbox. If you want to do it you can, you just can't use their service

[Johnwys @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

This is nothing new. They do it so that there is a level playing field. A hacked box could give a player an unfair advantage (rapid fire, god mode, or some other hack) in an online game.

[Josh @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

Keep in mind that Microsoft loses a significant amount of money on each Xbox sale. They make their money on the games and services they provide. If you modify your Xbox to do something other than what they intend it to do, then they're losing money on you regardless of whether you are playing illegally copied games or not.

That said, I hate the idea of owning hardware (like the Xbox) whose guts are off limits. If it's mine, I'd like to be able to change it.

[Bryan MacDonald @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

I don't see what people are whining about. I can see if they were nuking the Xbox, but if they just ban them from their own online service, it seems perfectly acceptable. They need some ways of discouraging piracy, and a hacked Xbox could exploit the service with cheats--or worse.

[mnarciso @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

Yes this is definitely not new news. Microsoft automatically bans any xbox with a modchip, it automatically detects it. It also detects an unlocked hard drive. Microsoft didn't choose to do it for Halo 2 its just been that way for awhile.

If you have a modded box, just lock your HD and turn off your chip. That simple and buy Halo 2 its worth it and they deserve the credit.

[Bryan MacDonald @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

dan daly: Again, this doesn't hurt the Xbox, and it's perfectly functional. You don't consider your monthly ISP costs a subscription fee for Dell (or whoever) you bought your computer from, do you?

[Rocket Punch @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

MSFT really do know their stuff in terms of pissing off your customers. I personally CANNOT think of another company that is even close to that. By doing so, they actually will promote more advance hacking and other ways to get around that, and so the cycle continues. I know they are concern about pirated games and what not, but The problem with doing something like that and not being the ONLY nor the BIGGEST console hardware is it will just drive your customers and potential customers to other manufacturers; In turn this will hurt sale on your Hardware and software and everything that had anything to do with your system.

Xbox live is a level of control and I know there are a lot of user and developer that doesn't buy into that, but that's just a typical MSFT thing.

You can quote me on this, not long from now people will have ways to hack into the box and the game so they can host their own server, to escape from MSFT's dog leash. I will not be surprise this whole Xbox operation could me the big money loser for MSFT

[Juan @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

rummor is that they are now scanning hard drives! so that old turn your mod chip trick doesent work anymore. The best trick is to use an IDE switcher, and switch back to your stock hard drive(cleAn with no dirty files). Anyway who cares about Live Xlink is what we all need, slowly these guys are going to gain a good share of Lives market, its free and you can play backups! You cant beat that!

[Kivus @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

As an avid gamer and someone who already has logged an insane amount of hours of Halo 2, I have no problem with Micrsoft preventing cheaters from getting on the Xbox live servers. If you want to play Halo 2 online, play fair and turn off your chip and lock your hard drive.

[Jason Royals @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

X Box's can't be locked out 100% Neither can the X Box live Server. There fire walls are substantially weaker than Dells. Microsoft isn't the multi billion dollar company that provides multi billion dollar security. It would cost more for the company to allocate a locking mechanism software than it would be to let those few dig in without charge. Business's run good with strong financial decisions. Microsoft is alive and running the best because they are the best. Who ever put that they will lock the system is irrelavantly wrong. That will only make people try harder, if not come up with better ways to get in to a live server and create there own systems. If anything Microsoft is all about the economy as well. Bill has devoted time in and time out his money in reference to our economy. Whether we know this or not. Logically if they do create a blocking mod soft/ or hardware, it's for us to learn how to get through it and innovate technology. That's what were all about. Can I get a hell yeah!

[Bryan MacDonald @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

dan daly: Again, this doesn't hurt the Xbox, and it's perfectly functional. You don't consider your monthly ISP costs a subscription fee for Dell (or whoever) you bought your computer from, do you?

[Bryan MacDonald @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

dan daly: Again, this doesn't hurt the Xbox, and it's perfectly functional. You don't consider your monthly ISP costs a subscription fee for Dell (or whoever) you bought your computer from, do you?

[Bryan MacDonald @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

dan daly: Again, this doesn't hurt the Xbox, and it's perfectly functional. You don't consider your monthly ISP costs a subscription fee for Dell (or whoever) you bought your computer from, do you?

[David @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

I have a modded Xbox but I would never cheat. Please stop assuming those with mods want to cheat on Live. I just want the conveniance of having all my games on my hard drive.

[Pinwiz @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

If you are so braindead that you can't remember something as simple as turning off your modchip before going on Live, you deserve to be banned.

[SeaninSJCA @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

My personal gripe with this whole thing is that Microsoft is banning people who have done something as simple as replacing their faulty DVD-Rom drive with another one. If your drive dies and you don't send it to Microsoft for repair, then you risk the penalty of having your XBOX banned from XBOX Live! for life.

This seems to be an unfair business practice and should be looked into by someone with a legal background as to whether Microsoft can be sued for it. You bought the XBOX, you Bought the Live Service. If your DVD-Rom drive dies, why should you have to pay Microsoft to replace it if you can do it yourself for much cheaper?

[HankScorpio @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

what does fixing a broken dvd drive have to do with modding your x-box... both void the warrenty but the two are completely different.

[SeaninSJCA @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

Fixing the DVD Drive with another changes the hardware hash. Any detection of a modified hardware hash causes the XBOX Live! service to ban your XBOX serial number for life.

Basically the same as making a hardware change to your Windows XP system can cause the Windows Activation to have to be re-done.

[Bassem @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

hard hit on the modders

[jOHN @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

Matter of time ....

[tmchow @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

OKay, i've read the above comments and I have to say you are all a bunch of whiners.

Microsoft has the right to do this, and you all accepted the Terms Of Use when you signed up for Xbox Live Service. Gmail does something similar -- in their privacy policy they state that they will scan your emails and deliver targetting advertising based on the contents of the email. Why is this okay? Google zealots all over the web defended this because "Google can do what they want, it's their service. If you want to protect your privacy, don't use their service".

Same goes for Microsoft. It's their service, they can choose to do what they want. For some reason, it seems that Microsoft is a huge target in many people's eyes and they look for an excuse to blame microsoft.

I do sympathize with those users that just replaced their DVD drive and are banned. That should be OK.

For those earlier posters who claim their "modded" xbox shoudl be allowed onto the live service -- gimme a break. The only reason you are modding your xbox's are to play copied games (ie. piracy and is illegal). You are just whining now because your actions have consequences.

[Z @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

Johnwys wrote:

"This is nothing new. They do it so that there is a level playing field. A hacked box could give a player an unfair advantage (rapid fire, god mode, or some other hack) in an online game."


And that's probably the main point, right there. For example, if you go online with a regular Xbox and are easily defeated because someone with a modded Xbox can fire faster than you, etc., for that reason alone, it wouldn't take long for something like that to really degrade the Xbox Live service. It would potentially ruin the experience for a lot of people and as a result could negatively impact the revenue stream Microsoft generates from the service. Does anyone honestly think Microsoft would allow that to happen just because someone wants to play doctor with their Xbox? This isn't just about freedom of choice, it's business.

If you don't think that's true, then ask yourself, why else would they prevent modded boxes from having access to the service? And they can't deal with this on a case by case basis - who has the time or resources for that? They have to deal with it on a mass scale.

Besides, what's the big deal? If you can toggle between the two states, then turn off the "afterburners" and go play like everyone else.

[bubbaz3d @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

heah tmchow, you say that the only reason to mod your xbox it to pirate games,let me shed some light you way...

xbox media player
-basically the best and cheapest home media pc

linux
-do anything you want, that is if you have even heard of linux

emulators---of games you own
the old video games die after a while if you paid for it you should be able to play it

backed up games- you own
-speeds up load times may or maynot be noticable
-prevents dd errors and scratched and broken disks due to children...

So before you say that the only reason to modify your xbox is to pirate games your wrong
its yours you should be able to do what you want with it!!!
But people shouldn't be able to buy a modified xbox, if your not intelligent enought to do it yourself then you dont deserve to reap the rewards

[Jeff Collins @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

Let's see if you mod your XBox you are in violation of your agreement with MS. So you have a modded XBox and buy an XBox for playing XBox Live.
I own an unmodded XBox. I have no problem with people modding their XBox but don't complain when MS shuts you out because you did, you knew you were violating your agreement when you started.

[Dirty Sanchez @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

You can do whatever you like to your Xbox, you just can't take a modified Xbox onto Xbox Live. Simple as that really. You want to play on Live with the rest of the boys and girls? Use the same exact equipment as everyone else, level playing field. I'm glad Microsoft enforces this rule.

[tony @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

The dvd replacement drives may be subject to the moss-magnuson act in the United States. It was originally written for autos.

It basically states that you can't invalidate a total warranty or deny repair on a specific vehicle or problem because the vehicle has been altered by an aftermarket item, unless you can prove that the modification has caused the problem. There also is a clause about service contracts as well. I don't know if this would be transferrable to electronics.

DVD replacement units would tend to fall into that category of replacement parts, and X-Box live should not ban you for that change. Of course, this means that someone with deep pockets must sue Microsoft; and generally those people would generally not replace a drive if their Xbox went down. Class action may work though.

[GTHOM3 @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

This is not the OLD news regarding going on live with chips enabled. M$ are banning people who have simply upgraded their hard disc. Even if you go on with the chip off they detect that the HD is a different one to the one you originally signed up to live with (by mathing it with your Eprom's serial as well) and they ban you. This only seems to effect people who have modded the HD after setting up on live.

[Tony @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

Sure, the Xbox hardware is yours. The operating system, and the Xbox live service, however, ARE NOT. Software and services are simply licenses to use the product; no ownership is implied (except maybe the physical media it is on) and therefor you surrender your rights to modify the intellectual property if the original licensee chooses. Furthermore, decryption of ANY encypted, copyrighted work is ALWAYS illegal--for backup or otherwise--regardless of any attempt to make a profit, etc...ALWAYS illegal.

[mike @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

I have also been banned from xbox live for having a modded xbox, but my mod was off and i was using a real none pirated copy of halo 2. But the other thing is halo 2 will no longer work for me not even single player, first i thought I had damaged the game but then when i tryed to run my backup copy i got on my xbox hard drive the same "ur disc is dirty or damaged message" came up straight after the bungie logo had come up.

[mike @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

I feel this is unfair as i was not doing anything illegal and also to use cheats or run pirated games the mod would have to be on and with the mod on xbox live will not work at all even if ur account hasnt been banned.

[Ben @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

Geeeze Microsoft.

For the poor sake of these people why ban us out of live for using a simple little modification on our xbox consoles and of course YOU made the mistake by leaving bugs that easily let us into the harddrive and changing files.

People who would like to play classic games such as Space Invaders or any other classic games which are perfectly legal if we own the cartridge.

Banning from Xbox live is rather queer as we all buy your little live package which we spend over AU $90 for and then we try to play a live game of a perfectly legal halo 2 game and then you ban us?? Poposterous.

Microsoft you should review our rights of playing our own legal games and give the chance to make our own xbox software. Sony has no problem with the modchip so why should you.

[Lewis @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

I have a non moded xbox, i dont have anything against moded xboxs but if you are going to use the mod for the wrong perposes you should be banned. I want live but i dont want it if poeople with mods are going to go around and cheat, it aint fun to get your but kicked by cheaters every time you play. I dont see the point in a moded xbox myself because i dont really think that u need one (boo hooo have a cry to the people who think they need a mod to back up games because they get there games scratched, you should keep them in good condition). But if you have replaced your dvd drive then i feel sorry for. BUT the one thing that i feel you sould be able to do is to put more gb (giga bytes) in your xbox.

[Lewis @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

I have a non moded xbox, i dont have anything against moded xboxs but if you are going to use the mod for the wrong perposes you should be banned. I want live but i dont want it if poeople with mods are going to go around and cheat, it aint fun to get your but kicked by cheaters every time you play. I dont see the point in a moded xbox myself because i dont really think that u need one (boo hooo have a cry to the people who think they need a mod to back up games because they get there games scratched, you should keep them in good condition). But if you have replaced your dvd drive then i feel sorry for. BUT the one thing that i feel you sould be able to do is to put more gb (giga bytes) in your xbox.

[bensta @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

This is really preposterous, yes microsoft has every right to ban people if they so choose. Those people who have been baned should get a refund of all unused subscription time. why should MS keep the money just because htey feel like it. In regards to cheats on live, i do not have a modded xbox but i know people who do, most of them use the mods not to make "backups" of games, but to unlock the potential of the Xbox. it is truely amazing what you can do with the xbox with a little imagination, play movies ect ect. I have a big problem with companies telling you that you cannot do anyhting to your own property, whats next MS banning users with XP who modify their PC's to better enhance the system or to unlock parts of the system. This is just a begining step down a long road that will lead to loss of consumer rights and i think thats something that all people whould be afraid off.

[HonestDickhead @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

Wow so, what mostly all of you are saying is that software piracy isn't a problem and that most modders are benevolent, non stealing, non-cheating angels who just want to unlock the potential in their own property.BULLSHIP!!!! Even a slight perusal of the USNET or your average P2P sharing group will tell even the numbest skull that not only are xbox games being stolen at an alarming rate but so are other more popular gaming systems software. Now, I could quote the bad apple;ruined bunches saying but I'm sure anyone smart enough to post to this forum is smart enough to figure it out. If you are a good guy and you modded your box with the best of intentions reguardless of what you read in the terms of services (IF you read it)then you in effect screwed yourself. And if you are a lying, stealing, cheating bad guy, then F-you, may you rot in someplace other than were the good guys are or may the karma heading back your way take on the pungent odor of a rotting, maggot filled, festering corpose.

[starmonche @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

I have a modded XBox with well over 1500 games (I own the original cartidges for all of them as well as the arcade machines my MAME emulator emulates). I have nearly 30 XBox games stored on my hard drive and I own all of those games as well. I use my XBox to watch movies that I own and ripped into Divx format myself. Not to mention the 1500 MP3s I have that I ripped from my massive cd collection.

Yeah, right. Give me a break. Nobody (did I say nobody?) NOBODY has a modded xbox without illegal content on it. You aren't using it to just back up your games. You're not using it to increase your HD space for your "legal" MP3 collection. Quit lying and quit whining. Be happy that all M$ is doing is blocking you from their XBLive service.

M$ created a decent video game console and they have every right to block any system that isn't the way they made it. I modded my XBox and loaded it with tons of illegal software. And I'm man enough to accept that it means no more XBLive for me. Seems a small price.

Oh, and why would you make a Linux box out of your XBox other than to show that it can be done? It would be much cheaper to build a computer with the same specs.

[M-te Sh3ll @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

Quote:
"Oh, and why would you make a Linux box out of your XBox other than to show that it can be done? It would be much cheaper to build a computer with the same specs."

...It costs the price of an XBOX. Search the internet and you will become smarter.

For everyone who has a modded box and still wants "live-related" features...goto "XBConnect.com" and download Xbconnect. Thousands of Halo2 games are played over xbconnect everyday. You can use a modded box. I have a softmod, but am planning on getting my box hardmodded.

I play live on my bro's Xbox. My advise, to those with modded xbox's, is if you want to play live...get another xbox.

Anyways....Here's my point:

GOTO XBCONNECT.COM AND PLAY HALO2 WITH THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE. ...BTW THIS IS NOT JUST FOR HALO2....MANY OTHER GAMES ARE PLAYED THROUGH THIS.

cheers m8

M-te Sh3ll

[mikeylumxander @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

boo hoo. my 3 year old plays halo 2. if i wanted the ultimate xbox then i would buy one that would not be played online only modded. whah-effing-whah

[beat @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

Now I know this may seem like an expensive solution but: the easiest way to solve this solution is to purchase 2. Count them 2. Xbox's. One that's modded and one that's not. Now. before you freak out and say 2?!? That's ridiculous. Consider this. You have an Xbox. You want to mod it. Don't. Get up, go out, find a flea market or a pawn shop. Buy a cheap used xbox. Mod it. Hook it up to your network. Now you have a modded xbox and an acceptable xbox for Live. This may seem like a lot of extra work but it's not. Why would you mod your Xbox without having a back up. What if you screw it up. What if you change your mind. Screw the on/off. This way you can continue to back up your discs and you don't have to be commited to a modded box. People do the same things with computers. Now. As for as Xenon goes. There are rumours that as early as 06 microsoft will be offering an xbox next complete with a harddrive, mouse, keyboard, and an actual working OS. That being said. If you have a modbox and you wanna play live, try checking into alternative xbox live services for use with your modbox.

[starmonche @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

Quote: "...It costs the price of an XBOX. Search the internet and you will become smarter."

figure the cost of an xbox, the cost of a larger hard drive, cost of getting it modded (or the trouble of getting it done)...smarter huh? jackass