Microsoft is full of contempt for console game modders, at least they made this readily apparent with the recent update that came down the Xbox Live pipeline.
In this latest update Microsoft was able to determine if a console had modified drive firmware. This is what allows gamers to run pirated copies of video games. Consoles that were affected by this update will no longer be able to login to Xbox live. They also had their HDD bricked effectively halting game piracy in one fell swoop.
Technically the affected console owners are still able to play games. However they have had their cryto keys revoked which lead to corrupted GamerTags and games saves within the console.
This update also banned the hard drive installation of games, disabled the media center extender and for those caught with an affected console, Microsoft is telling them to buy a new one.
Within a few days of the ban landing, modders were releasing ways to get around the update. One such method involved using an older unaffected and un-modded Xbox. However this solution is deemed impractical for most users as not too many people have a spare unused console laying about.
A much easier fix for one of the major problems associated with this latest ban…the bricking of the HDD..has been brought to light.
While this fix does require some basic soldering skills, it’s pretty easy to pull of and IF you have not had your box bricked yet, it will prevent it from happening.
If your drive was already bricked well hang tight this is just one piece of many that are forthcoming to restore some functionality to your console.
Microsoft maintains a firm stance against modding saying it promotes software piracy. Microsoft also opposes the use of third party Operating Systems(linux) which is also a popular though less morally corrupt purpose.