Microsoft vs. Modded Xboxes

hikeran writes "The Register has an article about how Xbox live service is now apparently banning Xboxes that have been mod chipped. Basically it seems this is one of the many uses of those unique id's used in Microsoft's software. Next up bannings for using foul language on Xbox live service?? Be careful what you say.. you may be playing with an Xbox Live admin..."

Comments

It still works...

[doofsmack]

Just disable your mod chip before you use Live. Some people have been reporting that it works fine for them. Be careful though - if you forget to disable it before logging in, your box will be banned permanently.

Fyi: Read article first, comment second?

[erax0r]

People with "unmodded" machines are being wrongfully banned as well. Happened to me when I hooked up my xbox live kit.

Gee, Microsoft run an astroturf campaign ???

[Salgak1]

I'm shocked, shocked to hear that M$ would stoop to astroturfing. Again, that is. . .

You'd think, getting caught once or twice at it. . .

Fine With Me.

[NetJunkie]

I have a modified XBox. It's great for things like streaming movies to the TV. I was on the Live beta and got caught in the first ban on Nov. 12th playing legit games. I figured it was coming... Anyone with sense saw it coming...

I just bought a second XBox to play on Live and it's well worth it. I'm glad I won't be messing with cheaters. I'm sure chipped boxes will eventually get on, but most likely they'll be with the chips disabled. I suggest anyone that has a modified XBox be VERY careful. It's easy to target modified HDs.

For those bitching that they spent $50 and can't use it, read the EULA. It says plainly that you can't use a modified XBox on the service. Once it is modified they say it will NOT be considered normal if you remove it. Too bad. My only complaint is I wish MS would have come out right off and said "Yes, we banned modchips." or at least had the XBox give a better error than "XBox Live Not Found.". That just makes it look like a connection problem.... It ends up causing their support too many issues.

Re:Censorship

[ninewands]

Quoth the poster:

Just because the first amedment says the gov't can't do it, doesn't mean that anyone else can.

Look at THAT ... WRONG in ONE!

A non-governmental entity can impose any restriction on speech that they want to at their private functions/on their private property/on their private gaming network ...

Write this on the back of your hand so you don't lose it ... the Constitution ONLY restricts the power of the US Government and the governments of the several States ... it haqs NO power over private entities.

BTW, IAAL

Re:Um...so??

[Daetrin]

"Assume you are a "completely inocent person" who bought a 2nd-hand car. Later it turned out the previous owner drowned it, so it is all rusty inside, does not drive, breaks, etc. Would you blame the car manufacturer or the person you bought it from for this?"

That's a very different case. Someone who gets their XBox modded isn't causing inherent damage to the system. The XBox works just fine, but Microsoft is choosing to punish people for taking that action. That makes the issue much less clear-cut, and given the motives behind the people at Microsoft for instituting this policy, i would place the blame more on their heads.