Xbox 360 Update Killing Homebrew

[CoFree]

Dangerous Xbox 360 Update Killing Homebrew

On Tuesday, Microsoft has released an Xbox 360 software update that overwrites the first stage bootloader of the system. Although there have been numerous software updates for Microsoft's gaming console in the past, this is the first one to overwrite the vital boot block. Any failure while updating this will break the Xbox 360 beyond repair. Statistics from other systems have shown that about one in a thousand bootloader updates goes wrong, and unless Microsoft has a novel solution to this problem, this puts tens of thousands of Xboxes at risk.

It seems that this update is being done to fix a vulnerability already known to the Free60 Project. This vulnerability has been successfully exploited to run arbitrary code, and a complete end user compatible hack has been in development for some time and is planned to be released on free60.org shortly. It will allow users to take back control of their Xboxes and run arbitrary code like homebrew applications or Linux right after turning on the console and without the need of a modchip, finally opening up the Xbox 360 to a level of hacking as the original Xbox.

Because of the dangerousness of the update and the homebrew lockout, the Free60 Project advises all Xbox 360 users to not update their systems to the latest software version. The Project website at http://free60.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; will provide the latest information on this ongoing topic, including the final hack software.

Free60 (http://www.free60.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) is a project that aims to enable Xbox 360 users to run homebrew applications and operating systems like Linux on their consoles. The effort is headed by Felix Domke and Michael Steil, who have a background in dbox2, Xbox and GameCube hacking, and who have spoken at various conferences about their findings. Two years ago, Free60 released a hack that allowed arbitrary code execution using a game ("King Kong Hack") as well as an adapted version of Linux, but this possibility has been disabled by Microsoft in subsequent updates of the Xbox 360 software.

Felix and Michael have repeatedly argued that game console manufacturers should open up their platforms to Linux and homebrew, similar to what Sony has done with the PlayStation 3.

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As always the site and staff take the stand, to wait a few days before you take the update.
just to see what happens to the "other guy".

Guys at this point after reading this.
I have a few 360 that i will not be updating.
Just for the chance to open a 360 up to any and all thing is a chance i have to take.

You need to think long and hard about this update guys.
It could be a long time if ever for the hacking guys to find a new hole to get homebrew running.

CoFree

[HaGGardSmurf]

Well here is an alternative if you still want to play online, and be able to run homebrew... http://www.xbox-scene.com/xbox1data/sep ... kHArNy.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[CoFree]

well ill let the
pictures speak for them self.

run arbitrary code like homebrew applications or Linux right after turning on the console and without the need of a modchip

that says it all

[Salzgablah]

does the term home brew include the ability to play game backups?
fw 1.51 and just wondering if it will affect me.

Dont personally see a need to be able to install Linux in the future.

[HaGGardSmurf]

No this has 0 effect on you. Homebrew is applications created by people intended to be used on xbox. Like XBMC (Xbox Media Centre)

haha, I overlooked the modchip part >.>

[nufcmickey]

I dont quite understand all this, I have iextreme 1.6 and have updated today will this affect me, Everything seems to be going fine.

[COEBRA]

...so if i understand this right, you can still run a homebrew with this update if your running a MOD chip right? Its just affecting those using the original hardware? I'm still looking for the official "yes its safe to take the update with a modded box" before I hook back up to XBL...

[HaGGardSmurf]

There is no official word yet, but a few of us have taken it (myself included) and it seems fine so far...

Im pretty sure you can still run homebrew with a modchip.

Again, this has 0 effect on 99% of people. If you are unsure if this effects you or not, then it does not effect you. If it were to effect you, you would know. If you are unsure, its probably because you are unsure what homebrew is, and if you do it. If you are unsure of those 2 things, then its safe to assume this will not effect you.

[COEBRA]

lol well I know what the homebrews are and I'm not using any but I wanted to make sure that most of the problems were found as far as basic MODs are go. (drive flashes ect...) Thanx for the heads up.

[Klutsh]

Im pretty sure you can still run homebrew with a modchip.

Only if you have a pre-HDMI 360, Modchips need your CPU key.

I'm screwed, lol, HDMI 360 and Taken the update.

[CoFree]

Guys
this is not about what it can/will do today
but
what M$ is trying to stop your console from doing down the road.

as far a just running a backup game
so far everything seems fine.

That mod chip thing is a joke in my option.
There are only a hand full of people that could even in stall the damn thing
and
Klutsh is 100% right

[Klutsh]

Also, as TextBook found out, a ModChip can only work pre-Fall2009 update to.

So if you have a HDMI or Fall2009 360 Modchips wont work, no way of getting the CPU key (Yet)

[aTurgidKnave]

Klutsh is 100% right

Klutsh is ALWAYS right

[CoFree]

that is a very safe bet

[CoFree]

Guys im not sure "some" of you know just what it means to be able to run homebrew on a console.
Back in the old xbox 1 days you could load a game on a large Hd that you had installed in your xbox and run all your games from there.There would be no disc needed after the install of the game on the HD.
This is being done on the Wii right now by way of homebrew apps that are free to use.

That all takes homebrew to do.

If those guys have a loop hole that they they can run homebrew
then we may very well see a way to hook up a 1TB usb drive to the back of your 360 and play any of the games that are stored on that 1TB usb drive

Having a 360 that will run homebrew would be the coolest thing ever.