XBOX 360: Homebrew Enabled !!! Dont Update

[Spacescreamer]

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 Main Page - Free60 Project will provide the latest information on this ongoing topic, including the final hack software.

Free60 (Main Page - Free60 Project) 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.

Source:Xbox-Scene News: Free60: Dangerous Xbox360 Update Killing to-be released Homebrew Hack

We kept on working on this idea, and it worked out. pretty well. We use JTAG to program the DMA target addr, and then SMC to trigger the DMA read. The exploit itself is based on the old 4532 exploit.

The magic is how we launch 4532 - there is a "backdoor" for manufacturing since CB 1920. We have been able to restore the newer CD versions for all hardware types.

This means:
- We can boot own code in HV context ~5s after boot, before any video output, right after the kernel runs.
- we need to reflash the flash, and add 3 resistors for the JTAG (no modchip required! but you might want a dual-nand modchip),
- 8498 kills this by updating the bootloader - it blacklists 4532/4548. it also does hw init stuff which might interefere with the jtag hack, we don't know yet.
- we have a proof of concept hack, we will release it SOON (a matter of hours/days, not more - promised.).
- DON'T UPDATE to summer 09. Did i already say this?
- you don't need to know your cpu key. You can update to all BUT summer '09. you don't need a dvdrom.
- It works on all xenon, zephyr, falcon, opus, jasper. Unless you have updated to 849x. Then you're screwed.

Source:Login
So Guys.. X360 Can actually run unsigned codes now.
Which means X360 becomes region free consoles. So u can :

-Emulators (who needs anything else)
-Downloaded files
-xbmc (all ur mkv files n stuff :O)
- God knows what all u can do now with it.

Read this as well: Main Page - Free60 Project

Guys .. get the RROD X360 at dirt cheap prices or repair ur old X360s
Just make sure u dont go online with it. it's not possible to downgrade back from 8498.

 

[ragzdiablo]

sure i wont download this..i have so many powercuts in my plce....if this update goes wrong...all gone..hehe

 

[satyanjoy]

Guys .. get the RROD X360 at dirt cheap prices or repair ur old X360s

Just make sure u dont go online with it. it's not possible to downgrade back from 8498.

why the hell anyone need to buy RROD x360 to get

Emulators (who needs anything else)

-Downloaded files

-xbmc (all ur mkv files n stuff )

- God knows what all u can do now with it.

We all can do much more than that in a cheap n friendly PC with OS of our choice

 

[m0h1t]

why the hell anyone need to buy RROD x360 to get

Probably because one can find a RROD x360 much cheaper and fix it themselves

We all can do much more than that in a cheap n friendly PC with OS of our choice

X360 is a compact piece of equipment that after the mod will be able to do everything that a cheap friendly PC would do plus run games at the same cost or marginally more while looking much more elegant

Also XBMC sucks d0nkey b4lls in windows, it ran fantastically well on my original xbox..

 

[satyanjoy]

Probably because one can find a RROD x360 much cheaper and fix it themselves

X360 is a compact piece of equipment that after the mod will be able to do everything that a cheap friendly PC would do plus run games at the same cost or marginally more while looking much more elegant

Also XBMC sucks d0nkey b4lls in windows, it ran fantastically well on my original xbox..

RROD will be a big pain in ASS - since it dont have any permanent fix- it will bug you again-again-again.....till the eternity ,BTW how much a RROD Xbox360 will cost(with repairing cost) ??

I agree with U for the gaming feature -it will cheaper gaming option (RROD will visit you often)

I think a micro atx pc will be in almost same in size of an xbox -where you can add an entry level graphics card like 4670 and get some descent gaming experience.

How is windows media centre perform as compare to XBMC ??

 

[Zero Cool]

trust me itll be a longtime before we shall be able to do anything useful with this homebrew thingy

 

[Spacescreamer]

^^ And what would your source be for that kinda statement ..?

You been trying to enable homebrew that you know the intricacies so well ??

 

[m0h1t]

RROD will be a big pain in ASS - since it dont have any permanent fix- it will bug you again-again-again.....till the eternity ,BTW how much a RROD Xbox360 will cost(with repairing cost) ??

I agree with U for the gaming feature -it will cheaper gaming option (RROD will visit you often)

I think a micro atx pc will be in almost same in size of an xbox -where you can add an entry level graphics card like 4670 and get some descent gaming experience.

How is windows media centre perform as compare to XBMC ??

I dunno anything about RROD, etc because I've never owned one..

A decent elegant good looking setup w/ a mid range graphic card and a compact yet classy chassis will surely cost 15k+

hence buying an x360 will be better IMO..

I havn't used wmc, after giving up on xbmc I tried my hands on MPC HC and have been using it since then..

 

[satyanjoy]

I dunno anything about RROD, etc because I've never owned one..

A decent elegant good looking setup w/ a mid range graphic card and a compact yet classy chassis will surely cost 15k+

hence buying an x360 will be better IMO..

I havn't used wmc, after giving up on xbmc I tried my hands on MPC HC and have been using it since then..

does xmdc works on xbox360 ?? I never used any xbox console so far. But for me after buying something , I don't like to visit the saler/repair guy within a year.

MPC,and Winamp is enough for my need so far, although I like to give a try to the xmbc for PC