M$ XBox Mod-Chip Crakdown

[rtgwbmsr]

"n another crackdown of sorts, Microsoft may use its Xbox Live online gaming service to target "mod chips"--chips that modify the Xbox console so it can run copied game discs and unlicensed software. The user agreement and privacy notice included with the first Xbox Live kits sent to beta testers specify that Microsoft reserves the right to revoke Xbox Live privileges for anyone with a hacked Xbox and to scan consoles on the network to enforce its rights.

Microsoft has said it will take legal action against those who make modifications that infringe on its intellectual property. A company representative did not provide details on how the license provisions might be applied, saying only, "The language in the Xbox Live user agreement leaves the door open in order for us to protect the security of our platform."


Check the rest out here:
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-956828.html?tag=fd_lede

[rtgwbmsr]

quote:Originally posted by The_Muffin_Man/B0b:
"n another crackdown of sorts, Microsoft may use its Xbox Live online gaming service to target "mod chips"--chips that modify the Xbox console so it can run copied game discs and unlicensed software. The user agreement and privacy notice included with the first Xbox Live kits sent to beta testers specify that Microsoft reserves the right to revoke Xbox Live privileges for anyone with a hacked Xbox and to scan consoles on the network to enforce its rights."

Check the rest out here:
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-956828.html?tag=fd_lede

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This sucks. This should be very illegal. M$ is a serious threat to privacy. Between it sending info to other XBoxes, the recent security holes in practially every piece of their software that lets people see credit card info, etc.

If you have Windows: Unplug any M$-related products from the internet. Or download Mandrake/Red Hat/Some Disto here:
http://www.linuxiso.org/

Or at least stop using XP and IE.
Downgrade from here:
http://www.getnewos.cjb.net/

And get Mozilla 1.1 here:
http://www.mozilla.org/

Have phun!

[voidmain]

What a bunch of dumb fucks! Now they are saying I can't use my *hardware* any way I choose??? That's like a car company telling you that they will sue you if you try and soup up your car for racing.

I fully expect to give up my warranty if I modify the box, but nobody is going to tell me I can't hack it up any way I choose. Now, I don't own an Xbox, nor will I ever, but that is just because I hate M$. But this just shows them to be the dick wads that they are!

[ September 08, 2002: Message edited by: void main ]

[rtgwbmsr]

If Linux on XBox is ever publicly released, I wonder if it would be scanned for hacks properly...scanned either false negative or false positive.

[SpeeDFreaK]

void main, the car companies are coming close to doing that. There are some cars sold with metal plates over the engines to where you can't do anything to it without taking it to the dealership to have it serviced and I think the most that can be done by yourself is an oil change. The Nissan Altima 3.5 v6 i believe is an offender here.

[Kintaro]

<lamer>
ERrrrrrrrrrrghsdfjkhasdf LiNuX sUx LeTs BlOw BiLl
AnD gEt Xp U geex at www.getnewos.cjb.net
</lamer>

Anyways thats a cunt and a half look XBox Linux:
http://xbox-linux.sourceforge.net/screenshots.php

[KernelPanic]

I have thought long and hard about this one and I finally have a solution:

DON'T BUY A F*CKING XBOX!

But I'm not much of a gamer...

[voidmain]

quote:Originally posted by SpeeDFreaK:
void main, the car companies are coming close to doing that. There are some cars sold with metal plates over the engines to where you can't do anything to it without taking it to the dealership to have it serviced and I think the most that can be done by yourself is an oil change. The Nissan Altima 3.5 v6 i believe is an offender here.

Sure you really need special equipment to work on many cars these days but the point is, if you have such tools there is no law or rule (even from the car company) that restricts you from doing so. You *own* the thing, you can do whatever you please with it.

[AlexMax]

Nothing that a good saw that can cut metal can't fix...

Something is fcked up with a company that doesn't let you modify something you paid goddamn good money for.

[ September 08, 2002: Message edited by: AlexMax ]

[choasforages]

off topic i know

but i kinda like chevys
even though my brother is has not "officaly" worked on them in 10 years, he can still take them apart, and make most gm cars work. and yes, you can circomvent anything. as long as "YOU FUCKED IT UP BIG TIME" doesn't bother you

[rtgwbmsr]

quote:Originally posted by choasforages:
off topic i know

but i kinda like chevys
even though my brother is has not "officaly" worked on them in 10 years, he can still take them apart, and make most gm cars work. and yes, you can circomvent anything. as long as "YOU FUCKED IT UP BIG TIME" doesn't bother you

I don't mind fucking things up to get something out of it  

[voidmain]

If you want to purchase a new BMW to be used as a flower pot for your back yard BMW would be more than happy to sell you as many as you want for this purpose. Or an even better analogy would be to purchase a Yugo (X-box) and yank out the motor and replace it with environmentally friendly hydrogen fuel cells.

M$ appears to be making the next step in preventing this from happening:
http://www.theregus.com/content/4/26228.html

[ September 09, 2002: Message edited by: void main ]

[SpeeDFreaK]

quote: Sure you really need special equipment to work on many cars these days but the point is, if you have such tools there is no law or rule (even from the car company) that restricts you from doing so. You *own* the thing, you can do whatever you please with it.

What restricts you from doing this is the high prices of the SSTs (Special Service Tools). And then they could put some clause in the warranty saying if you remove this plate, it's voided automatically. Thank god they didn't do this with the 350z, otherwise all hell would have broken loose. I think the reason they did this is because they didn't want anyone modding their engine before the 350z came out, Seeing as the same engine is used in the Altima and Pathfinder. Hell, you could swap a 300zx (model started about 1990) into a Pathfinder going back to when they started the 4-door versions. (Hey, that's a cool idea...)

[voidmain]

But you're still not getting the point. I don't have anything against them voiding the warranty if you get in there and install modified parts. Most consumer devices have this clause. But it's not a matter of voiding a warranty, M$ takes it a step farther and tells you you're not allowed to change the box even if you are willing to give up the warranty. You basically will become a criminal if you open the box and modify it.

In other words, when you go in and purchase the box you do not actually own it. Just like software, you don't own it. Just like music CDs, you don't own them. Just like videos, you do not own them. Now it has spread to hardware. This should not be allowed to happen.

[mobrien_12]

quote:Originally posted by void main:

In other words, when you go in and purchase the box you do not actually own it. Just like software, you don't own it. Just like music CDs, you don't own them. Just like videos, you do not own them. Now it has spread to hardware. This should not be allowed to happen.

That's really a very good summary of the whole situation.  Expect to see several court cases regarding this issue.  If MS loses, expect them to put a whole *&$^load of "security" in their stuff to prevent it (booby trap switch to burn out the motherboard if the caseis opened comes to mind.  After all, when has MS cared about the rights of the user or following the law.  Reminds me of the south park episode with the record exec "IAMABOVETHELAW!"