Robin Hoods Playground

Xbox Live - The Unbanning
Posted by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

The other day I reported that I was getting emails in from disgruntled Xbox Live users who had been banned by Microsoft for allegedly connecting to the online service using modded consoles even though the consoles were totally unmodified. Today I’m hearing that some of those affected are finally getting somewhere with tech support.

Initially, Microsoft’s response had been that the process used to identify modded consoles (a process that would allow the console to play backed up game) was 100% accurate and that there was nothing that Microsoft or users could do other than buy a new console. At the time Microsoft wouldn’t even take the consoles in to be checked or repair. Now is seems that things have changed. I’m still waiting for official word from Microsoft but according to several affected gamers that I have spoken to, Microsoft is now backing down from the initial stance and some consoles are being unbanned and others taken in for repair.

As to what the magic words that you have to say to tech support are in order to be listened to, I’m not sure, but I imagine that polite persistence is the way to go.


I would just like to know how many people get banned that are running with original 360 consoles.

after looking into this im not sure the people that said they were banned where only suspend because of a bad gamer tag or something that miss M$ off.after a set time they could get back on.

Im not sure what is going on.ill keep on this to see what come out in the end

I can not believe they will ban you for the 12volt fan mod.That in a nut shell is why I will keep "Fighting Tyranny in a Technological Nottingham"I find that policy personally offensive.
The other thing I have against them is they don't have the GUTS to step up and say."Sorry guy we made a mistake."
they just quietly try to make it go away.
Any one or company that will not openly admit there mistake can kiss my ASS

This is some good info.
This is over at xbox-scene

"So we've gotten some interesting conclusions over the past week regarding the new 'waves' of bans over supposedly modified consoles on xbox live.

As you've all seen, Microsoft has started unbanning consoles. I've seen alot of people who were banned this past weekend, and are still banned, no matter how much yelling they do to poor customer reps. Others, who have modified firmwares ranging from 5.x to 1.4, and have never made a phone call have miraculously become unbanned!

As always with Microsoft, there is no rhyme or reason to their actions. A couple interesting things we have found...

You CAN have your console banned for having a 12v fan mod. A very trusted user of http://www.360patches.com got told directly from MS reps that his fan was modded on his 360 and that it violates the TOA. Any modification of hardware does indeed violate the TOA, so legally they reserve the right to ban users from live for that reason. Petty yes, but justified. A fan mod would be reasonably easy to detect, as voltage metering is something standard in all bios for the past 10 or so years.

In regards to 'bad game data' or kreon rips, SS, dmi and pfi, it appears that the reason MS might be unbanning xbox360's is because we've found evidence that strongly suggests ANY xbox360 can return bogus data. After some internal testing on a few older 360's, it seems that once a lens is near the end of its life, it can respond with all sorts of data, or lack thereof. A len's on the fritz was able to produce all sorts of odd angles that a new drive would not, aswell as tons of missing data throughout SS files (many chunks of data that read 00's instead).

So, it appears that MS is backtracking somewhat on the ban's, likely due to the reasons described above. Their infallible system has proven once again to not be perfect, and to attack innocent users. As always, we recommend that if you are a live user, to NOT modify your system, as you will eventually get banned."

One nice thing about all this is that for once we really don't have to bend over and take it! I can keep on doing my part to make their lives as miserable as possible. I really don't care if I get banned cuz I never play on live, so they can all kiss my ass. They have never admitted when they F up. Just take the '05 rrod for example, how long did it take for them to admit they put out a faulty product. Sorry to vent, but if nobody complains, nothing gets fixed.

And what about the poor sap who never realizes he's been unbanned? I bet they never send him a letter saying oop, sorry we f'd up. What a crock of shit!

Jman

wait, cofree, ive seen your pics, you have a 12v fan mod w/ the talismoon whisper on one of ur boxes and you are not banned are you?

well yea none of mine or my people have been banned,that does not mean i have some power to stop the ban from hitting me.

yes all of the 360 i do get the upgraded fan.
as far as i can tell its the same as stock.the only difference is the ma.
DC Power: 12V (at 5v)- Original Fan: 12V (at 5v)
Current: 160mA - Original Fan: 250mA
Speed: 4100RPM - Original Fan: 4600RPM
Air flow: 46CFM - Original Fan: 29CFM
Loudness: 38d(B)a - Original Fan: 41d(B)a

I think banning someone for the 12v mod is utterly ridiculous. Of all things.... I've always said that the 360 was nothing but a snitch.... Mommy, somebody changed my fan voltage while you were gone today, well ok, a ban for you. Thats pure BS........

I also don't think they can ban for using a talismoon fan because the difference in the RPM's is so negligible. It's not like a full 12 volts going through them......

I called M$ today trying to get my 360 unbanned but to no avail. The guy talked to his supervisor and they tried a couple different things. They ultimately asked for my Serial number and tried some stuff with that. The guy said something about error code 1899 I think. I was thinking, maybe if I used my real serial number instead of 1234567 12345 when flashing I would get unbanned. Not sure, but thought I would share this info with you

no man the 1234567 12345 is just for the backup folder.
it has nothing to do with the flash itself.