360 Hacked To Play Backups

xorkid writes "Microsoft Corps ' unhackable' Xbox 360 console has been hacked. It is now possible to play copied games from recordable DVD DL discs without any soldering or hardware modification. The ingenious hack involves replacing the original 360 DVD firmware with a modified version that authenticates recorded DVD DL discs as original game discs. The hack does not require any modification devices but it requires a 1:1 copy of an original signed disc from the same region as the console. So it does not allow booting of unsigned code, yet. No Linux on the 360 for now, but its a start. There are rumours that there is an as-of-yet unreleased version that allows booting of unsigned code."

Comments

Re:Dual layer DVD burners are still hard to come b

[CelticWhisper]

$300? Where have you been shopping? NewEgg has NEC, Lite-On, Plextor, and other drives for about $40. TigerDirect has a good selection too.

I have two dual-layer burners that, with enclosures and shipping, probably cost me $200 max.

Might as well get 'em while they're hot. Here, linkage: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82 E16827152059

Re:Wow, that took a long time...

[nomadic]

From the article they link to that allegedly calls the Xbox 360 hackproof:

But Mr Satchell [MS employee involved with the Xbox design] admitted no system was fool-proof and that, with enough time and dedication, the security on the Xbox 360 would be broken. "There're some really bright people in the world with some really expensive hardware," he said.

They never said it was unhackable. In fact, they said the opposite. Slashdot just likes to make up quotes to provide ammo to criticize.

I'm having trouble hearing Microsoft...

[Doomstalk]

...through all the words you put in their mouth. The article linked in the story does not claim that the system is unhackable, just that it's significantly harder to hack than previous systems. Taken directly from that story: "I'm sure sooner or later someone will work out how to circumvent security. But the way we have done the design doesn't mean that it will work on somebody else's machine." That's remarkably pragmatic considering the blanket claim you're attributing to them.

Re:Let The Banning And Bricking Begin!

[xtracto]

...this process is becoming more complex, meaning that the average Joe/Jane who tries these hacks is more likely to totally disable (ie "brick") the console...

That is quite stupid if you tell me, at least in Mexico average Jose/Maria either buys their "modified" console at Tepito Market where it is set up by Mexican engineers who can not get a real job and apply their knowledge doing that.

Oh and if you wondered, all the consoles "va garantizado jefe" ("it is warranted boss") so if it does not play the USD$5 backups (some even test your unit there to make shure it works) you can return it.

I got my modded Xbox over a similar market (it is called Pericoapa) with a 80GB disk full of games (both emulated and non emulated) and 3 "backup" DVD games.

I am *REALLY* sure they will provide XBOX360 service in _no time_