Things to consider before buying Xbox 360

[Beowulf]

Hi guys!

Hope this is posted in the right section 

I am new to this forum, xbox hacking and planning to buy an xbox 360 elite in some weeks 
There is a pretty well-known online store (Netherlands) that sells new pre-modded xbox 360s. They don't use modchips but they flash the DVD drive.

My question to you guys would be; What extra (essential) information do I need before buying an Xbox 360 and what would you advise me?
You guys have been in the scene since day one so you'll probably know what works best, what to look out for and you can base your help on the latest developments.

Think about dvd drive type, way of flashing or firmware and everything else that I haven't thought about.

Kind regards,

Beo

[gigabite]

Ok well your buying a modded 360 - so don't expect to get use of LIVE...as you'll probably get banned...i'd suggest

you have a DVD burner wich burns Dual Layer DVD's (if you don't buy a Pioneer 111D...can be found anywhere dirt cheap and great burner)

a "kreon drive" (eBay)

and try pick a modded 360 with a Samsung drive (http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u69/bLuEb0x/Xbox%20360/360DVDDrives.jpg) - they are the best

gigabite

[Beowulf]

Thanks for you quick reply Giga.

I got a TSSTcorp TS-L632D (Integrated in my laptop). It should burn dvd+r DLs up to 6x. The price of that pioneer device is definitely a joke. Might buy an external drive if my current one won't function properly. I'll check with the store to see if I can get my hands on a samsung drive.

What exactly is a Kreon drive? Do I really need it to burn my backups or will my dual layer burner do just fine?
How would you mod your xbox 360 Giga? What type of flashware or modchip so you don't get banned straight away? I might be able to make a request at the store.

One more question/suggestion  Why haven't you pinned common questions suchs as: How to burn, create stealthed dvd, mod, etc. in a noob forum or something like that

Beo

[Arakon]

you need the kreon drive to read out your originals, not to burn.
any chip or flash can get you banned right now, MS has been experimenting with new ways to detect modified consoles.

[Beowulf]

Thnx Arakon!

Means I am going to need a Kreon drive too.
But to get back to my initial question...if you would mod your new xbox360 right now, how would you do it? Flash, chip, or wait somewhat longer?

Also, are there different ways to flash your drive or just one?
And to get the newest dashboards right I always need to be able to connect to Live right? (for divx support and such...) Meaning not getting your device banned is essential.

[gigabite]

Right now there is only one way you can mod your Xbox 360 to play burnt games...flash it (eh excluding the chip..), wich means change the dvd drives firmware with a hacked one so it CAN play burnt games - there are a couple of programs to do it (not do able on a laptop of course...welll....it's very hard, and almost impossible) but only 1 way to do "it"....chip does the SAME thing as a flash...except it "falls asleep" (turns off...but yes even this can be detected too wich means BAN on LIVE) and is overpriced...(pioneer 111d...overprice...$40AU...I haven't seen a cheaper burner in my life YET !) - to get the newest dashboards you do NOT need LIVE you can download them from the xbox website (xbox.com) BUT...specifically for DIVX support you WILL need LIVE to download the codec...oh and a divx encoded disk/movie etc whatever of course - you want LIVE don't get a modded box period

gigabite

[Beowulf]

Ok I've got everything pretty much straightened out right now thnx

One last question; I got the money but should I buy a premium or elite xbox360? What would be wise? Do you think it will be possible in the future to use the HDD for backup/music/video storage?

Thanks for all your help!

[gigabite]

possible in future..well anythings possible...i'd go for an elite as they all have the CPU and GPU glued down AND a bigger HDD...the epoxy helps prevent RROD...you can already store music on any 360 HDD btw (oh well only mp3's technically but still...)

gigabite

[razzy26uk]

both my xbox 360`s are flashed and i play my back-ups on live nearly every day " not banned " although i know that playing back-ups on live is at my own risk ` but so far so good 2 waves off attacks hasnt hit me yet 

[Beowulf]

both my xbox 360`s are flashed and i play my back-ups on live nearly every day " not banned " although i know that playing back-ups on live is at my own risk ` but so far so good 2 waves off attacks hasnt hit me yet 

I assume you use IXtreme 1.4. What DVD drive do you have?

Are elites known to be banned faster or not, since the device is newer than the others. Thought not...I've read on this forum that the elite usually comes with a Benq drive. Does a Benq read all DVD brands? E.G. Hitachi only reads Verbatim if I'm correct.

[Arakon]

elite or not makes no difference whatsoever in being banned. besides, all premiums and cores use the same components as the elite does now. and all drives are picky about the media, crap media aren't read by any of them.

[gigabite]

everything you said is right arakon except I technically disagree

all premiums and cores use the same components as the elite does now

....minus everything and cut through the fat new aus premium consoles..are STILL churning out ms28's (or benq's), with no epoxy on cpu or gpu...new warranty sticker and new gpu heatsink (and the gpu heatsink came out AFTER the epoxy) - but that's in aus..the lace where everything is about 1 year behind 

gigabite