178w ago - The inevitable has happened according to a multi-page thread on XBox-Scene (linked above), it appears Microsoft is now beginning to ban homebrew XBox 360 consoles running freeBOOT or XBReboot from XBox LIVE.

This move comes just under two months from their last XBL ban wave, and while there are guides to unban your XBox 360 from LIVE and to prevent XBox 360 HDD crippling, it appears the safest route if you use XBox 360 homebrew is to simply keep the console off XBL.

To quote from -DeToX-: "Well.. it seems new bans have been handed out, just now.

I just have over 7 people with XBR/FreeBOOT consoles report to me that they have been banned, and I as well have. However, anyone who played hacked games with these people remain untouched.

I was playing MW2, when I was disconnected...

236w ago - Nimrod of Digiex.net (linked above) has shared a method to play System Link / XBox Live over 2 XBox 360 consoles with just one disc.

It could end with some pretty bad results so its not exactly an ideal solution, meaning the best solution may be to just buy two copies of the game.

However, to perform this method you will need a paperclip, the new NXE, a single copy of the game you want to play on Live/System Link and a steady hand. To quote:

Stage One: Install the game you wish on one of the consoles to the hard drive. You will be doing this on the console that will have its DVD drive emergency ejected.

Once installed launch the game and let the Xbox 360 check the disc in the drive and confirm its valid and allow the game to load.

Its IMPORTANT at this stage to wait for the DVD drive to fully spin down. If unsure, wait at LEAST 10 minutes to be safe. Feel the drive, and make sure the disc is NOT spinning.

Once your happy that the DVD drive has fully spun down, if you wish do continue.

Stage Two: Prepare to emergency eject the DVD tray. There is a system in place in virtually every disc drive made that allows you to eject the disc drive even if the buttons jammed or no power. It involves using a paperclip in a specific hole, the...

236w ago - As mcdevitt1985 has reported (linked above) along with some users from our own XBox 360 Forum HERE, it appears Microsoft is on another XBox Live ban rampage.

According to reports, today they have issued a new wave of bans against XBox 360 consoles with modified DVD firmware. That being said, it's recommended to stay off XBL for the time being if you have a modified system until further details are available.

To quote: Dunno if its a massive wave or not, but my console was literally just banned from live within the hour.

If anyone else gets banned let me know please. iXtreme 1.4 and all games were burned right and stealthed.

248w ago - It wouldn't be accurate to say that the sky is falling for Microsoft's one and only gaming console, the 360, but it may be time to look at what the company is doing right... and where it's going wrong.

The Sony PlayStation 3 is beginning to chip away at the 360's lead in both software and hardware sales in the US, and that system only seems to be picking up steam. In contrast, the 360 doesn't seem to have much real momentum these days.

While it's hard to find ways for Microsoft to get its mojo back, we can easily identify a few problem areas that are becoming clear as the 360 ages. These are the weaknesses in Microsoft's strategy that have to be addressed before the system can hope to get its groove back. Let's take a look.

You have to find your voice
When the PS3 launched, the 360 was the system with more, better games, and the better online strategy. Microsoft also did a wonderful job in poaching some of gaming's largest franchises. Microsoft even brought this up at its press conference at E3: We have Grand Theft Auto, Devil May Cry, and now Final Fantasy! Look at how we've caught up to Sony!

The problem is, these games are still on the PlayStation 3, and Microsoft isn't offering much in the way of improvements to these titles. In fact, given that Microsoft...