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Modded 360s Banned from Xbox Live

By Ed Oswald, BetaNews

May 18, 2007, 1:55 PM

Gamers with modified Xbox 360 consoles are getting a nasty surprise: their consoles are being blocked from accessing Microsoft's Xbox Live service.

Until last week, modifications to the console were undetectable by Microsoft, allowing enterprising gamers to open up the next-generation console and tinker with its settings. However, a software update has seemed to change all that.

Microsoft can now test for the existence of a hack that allows the console to played burned versions of games, as well as if the game in the drive itself is a legitimate copy. If these items are found, the user is then banned from Xbox Live.

Some are saying the rise in copying has much to do with the highly anticipated Halo 3 beta -- many may be copying the game Crackdown for the sole purpose of gaining access to the beta, which is also included on the disc.

It is a violation of the Terms of Service to use a modified console with Xbox Live. A message will appear on the screen, and the console, but not the user's account itself, will be banned.

"We have stated in the past that customers can only enjoy access to the Xbox Live community through the use of a genuine, unmodified, Xbox console and we will continue to enforce this rule to ensure the integrity of our service, the protection of our partners and the benefits of our users," Microsoft said.

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By lmbeauman

edited Nov 19, 2008 - 5:35 PM

can anyone tell me if when your xbox gets banned does the hard drive get banned too? ive took my 120gb hard drive off my banned computer but can i use it on anohter xbox?? any help would be appreciated

Score: 0

By betanewsblows

edited Nov 15, 2008 - 7:45 PM

You can download the NXE dashboard burn to a CD and or USB stick put in the unit, turn the unit off and then back on and update it.

My console has been banned however I am able to use the next release of dashboard already which is scheduled for a Nov 19th release I believe.

Only drag I find from not being able to use xbox live is, not being able to play divx files as it requires a update which even if you already have it needs to login to live to use, yet another poor microsoft design with that but then again have you seen vista?? hope windows 7 is a better OS but I have my doubts.

Score: 0

By boobit

edited Nov 13, 2008 - 5:09 PM

i have just been banned and was wondering if i can still get the new dashboard when it comes out

Score: 0

By Visf

edited Aug 26, 2008 - 2:06 PM

They are so stupid, They could make billions on Xbox Live if they didn't ban people just because they modded their box. The reason most people buy the 360 is because you can play hacked games on it.

If they had any interest in making money they would lift all the bans.

Score: 0

By Jonnyb1989

edited Jul 24, 2008 - 11:36 AM

bought a 2nd hand 360, cant get a refund and its banned from xbox live. ive been on the phone to xbox customer support for hours, slowly working my way up the chain of command so i can speak to someone who can help me. F***ing ridiculus!

Score: 0

By jthom

edited Jul 20, 2008 - 12:08 PM

i bought a 2nd hand xbox360 unknowing to me that the previous owner had it chipped, now i cannot access xboxlive, is there anyway of removing this chip?

Score: 0

By jlange90

edited Jun 12, 2008 - 10:36 PM

I'd just like to bring light to the legal reasons for this action by Microsoft. It's actually quite simple. In the Terms of Service which you agree to by using both your Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE, you agree to not used modified hardware. That's the way it is. And as soon as you break those terms, Microsoft can do whatever they like, so long as it's nontrivial. To cut that machine, which has broken its Terms of Service, off of its access to Xbox LIVE terminates the agreement you made by using it and Xbox LIVE in the first place.

I'm not a fan of Microsoft or the way they do business, but that's the way it is. Deal with it.

Score: 0

By benjii b 360

edited Apr 10, 2008 - 9:14 PM

there is a way to unban 360s but its far too advanced for anyone who is new to the hardware..to do this and you need an unbanned machine.... better off buying a new machine anyways....
(Benjii@microsoft.co.uk)
(tribalhats@hotmail.com)

Score: 0

By deanowilliams

edited Mar 27, 2008 - 7:06 AM

Arrrrgggg.... looks like i've been banned! Anything? Anyone? deanowilliams@optusnet.com.au

Deano

Score: 0

By wiiiiiii

edited Mar 25, 2008 - 11:34 AM

dear xboxking...could you help me get my xbox unbanned??

Score: 0

By madchef360

posted Mar 15, 2008 - 8:57 AM

Patrick.... take your xbox back and get your cash back that sucks !

Sean

Score: 0

By madchef360

posted Mar 15, 2008 - 8:56 AM

Honestly guys, i have researched the whole net and there is no way possible of getting your banned xbox back on line !
If i find out any way possible i will post back here asap.
Gutted !!!!!

Sean

Score: 0

By henson22

edited Mar 15, 2008 - 6:56 AM

i dnt knw how microsoft can ban u then not give u a reason i been offline from the internet since october last year got myself back online on the 13 03 08 to find that i ave been banned from xbox live

Score: 0

By patrickswain86

edited Mar 10, 2008 - 12:03 PM

Yesterday I went out and bought a used Xbox360 with the intention of playing DOA4 online. To my surprise my xbox was banned from xbox-live. I need help on finding out how to get a online account because I feel like I'm being penalized for something that someone else did. I would really appreciate it if I could get a response. Thank you.

Score: 0

By samfisher12.salgado

edited Jan 24, 2008 - 12:04 PM

as you may understand, i was also victim of piracy, i´ve tried to access xbox live service but i´ve learned that the console i own has been modified for playing copied games. it was not up to me to use this modification since i didn´t know anything. is it possible to recover the genuinity of the console´s firmware? i would like to get an answer. can i update the firmware without getting banned, i don´t own copied games, therefore in don´t want to get banned. thanks for your attention.

Score: 0

By kal0607

edited Jan 22, 2008 - 11:29 AM

We should be able to do what we want with our console whether it update firmware or throw it out the bloody window, microsoft seem to think that they still own these consoles after there sold and thats just not write. If a consumer purchases a product whether an xbox or a loaf of bread they should be the owner and do what they want with it cause they paid for it. sick of these big companies crapping on the little guy.

Score: 0

By Almax9633

edited Nov 18, 2008 - 3:24 AM

You can do what you want with the console (fool). You cannot be prosecuted for modifying what is your property hence no prosecutions. However Microsoft are fully entitled to ban the modified console from using XBL. I have modified by console and wired it to run 12v 24/7 to the fans and added 4 additional cooling fans. I have not modified my console to play pirated games since I buy games legit, so I have nothing to fear from Microsoft. Playing pirated games simply costs the industry millions and it is the legit buyers who pay the additional costs in software prices. So to those tight fisted out of work layabouts playing 24/7 on modified consoles who not only want tax payers to pay for their rent, rates, food, cigarettes and the like but now have the cheek to b**** about being banned. Well suck it up, because Microsoft won't miss you, software houses won't miss you and tax payers won't miss you.

Score: 0

By samfisher12.salgado

posted Jan 24, 2008 - 12:13 PM

as colombian, i understand what piracy can do to big companies such as Microsoft, they have the right to defend what they have, but they must not "ban" people who have legaly purchased the console, they should pay attention to copied games, instead of hacked consoles, there´s no reason to ban us if the console´s fine, piracy´s commited against games, not against consoles, please think about that.

Score: 0

By madchef360

posted Jan 14, 2008 - 5:01 AM

Field234 i reckon if there is enough interest from the gaming community we could all stand against Microsoft, I'm sure what there are doing is just a tiny bit illegal , sure Microsoft is a massive empire but its no excuse to try and rule the world..
we could draw up a online petition and see what response we get, im up for it and im sure others will be as well. madchef007@gmail.com
Easy Dude

Chef

Score: 0

By Dominationlord

edited Feb 6, 2008 - 9:46 AM

Xbox live king i need help unbanning my 360 please
i am a noob and please tell me how dominationlord7@hotmail.com

Score: 0

By field234

edited Jan 12, 2008 - 9:38 PM

you stupid idiots firstly let me say that in Australia it is an invasion of pricacy that you can detect such modifications over phone lines some might say that this is phone tapping that aside for one min you guys loose so much money after a machine is moded but what about the money you loose when people do not suscribe anymore not to menchin also what about the poor barsted that has just paid for 12 months sub microsoft let me tell you that if all the gamers in the world stoped were would you be. I have 3 machines and all have been banned i am sure that when i brought my first machine you did not menchin that you would ban people on any of your paperwork now lets see i think you are opening yourselves up for a major lawsiut. Ohh i nearly forgot all 3 of my machines went back because you fck wts did not make them properly with those red light problems and one has to go back for the second time it was allright to take our money but you do not want us to take yours i warn you tht when sony was on top and pissed off there gamers we all went looking for MS now let it be a lesson to you that we do not give a rats flying toss.I urge all to boycott Microsoft.

Score: 0

By MAC_33

edited Jan 8, 2008 - 1:50 AM

Hi Xboxking, can you please tell me how i can get unbanned from LIVE thanx mate appreciate it :P

warren_j_b@hotmail.com

Score: 0

By Jokersrwild

edited Jan 7, 2008 - 3:06 AM

xboxking please walk me through getting my 360 unbanned thanks, Jokersrwild1@cox.net

Score: 0

By Revolt26

posted Jan 4, 2008 - 10:03 PM

I figured the 360's would eventually get locked out. I decided to stick with pc gaming for online gameplay. I sold my xbox 360 and put it towards a nice computer upgrade. ....I like pc gaming much better the expierence is much more immersive

Score: 0

By Revolt26

edited Dec 29, 2007 - 1:32 PM

Nevermind look at all the edited comments and holes in the post dates. I think its safe to say the dictator is modding this page and a military coo is just around the corner

Score: 0

By madchef360

posted Jan 3, 2008 - 10:55 AM

Hi guys !
Well the bad new's is that it is impossible at the moment to unbann your 360! unless xbox king comes through with the promise that he can do it! which at the minute it looks pretty unlikely.
The only really way to get back on line is to buy a new 360, sorry to bring bad news but thats how it is for now ! but im sure and hoping it wont be long before someone works it out, i will keep you all posted !
Sean

Score: 0

By zedd

edited Dec 27, 2007 - 5:27 AM

I gave my xbox on ebay and i got a brand new PS3 for 380 € , m?ch cheaper tthat an xbox if you consider that has an wireless card , a blue ray and a 40HD included, but the best part is that online gaming is FREE, i got COD4 that is slightly better that in xbox and i got online and played multiplayer right away, sony gives this feature for free!
So FU M$ !!!

Score: 0

By xbox.king.80

edited Dec 22, 2007 - 11:40 PM

Hello all!!
i just like to say i was banned on the 13 of december and i dont care cos within a hour i was back on live but with a hefty long bit of time you can all do it.
if you dont want to modd your console aka flashing,chipping,getting banned from live
then thats fare .
but i like to c whats in the console and modd it so **** you microsoft i have had the xbox since it came out one of the original samsung drives .
just think for people who read this if you want to get unbanned illegaly then post me a reply and i cante arsed with the people who say i be banned and i dont have a modd console **** off you really do and bill gates can go **** his little sister cos he is very gay

Score: 0

By jojep

edited Nov 15, 2008 - 8:58 AM

please send me the unbanning instructions

Score: 0

By MS Hater

edited Nov 16, 2008 - 5:36 AM

XBox.king.80
plz help get my console unbanned cos ireally want to play with my friends again.

My e-mail is nickdomein@hotmail.com

Score: 0

By tsunrise

edited Oct 24, 2008 - 1:36 AM

hey xbox king,

same story with me i got a second hand xbox and got banned in a week after buying a years subscription!

let me know if you can help.

thanks

Score: 0

By richard h

edited Aug 22, 2008 - 10:04 AM

Hello xbox.king.80.

got an xbox and found out its chipped and saw your message any chance of some help as i dont need the chip just would like to be on live to play gainst mates.

Please let me know if you can help.
Rich

Score: 0

By pjroc

edited Apr 16, 2008 - 7:44 AM

hey bro, got the ban. how do i get back on. bill gates your son is a gay cunt. go neck yourself u fat prick

Score: 0

By xboxing

edited Feb 5, 2008 - 7:59 PM

Please help us get on x-box live after being banned! Thanks

Score: 0

By kal0607

posted Jan 24, 2008 - 9:04 AM

Hey i was wondering if you could tell me how to get unbanned, thanks

Score: 0

By Lamo82

posted Jan 20, 2008 - 9:57 AM

So Xbox King are you going to share how you unbanned your console then?

I would like to see how you did this.

Score: 0

By mackie101

edited Jan 19, 2008 - 4:09 PM

xbox king please talk me through how to get unbanned from xbox live please ?
thanks if you do

Score: 0

By BannedBacon

edited Jan 10, 2008 - 3:20 PM

All right, how did you do it? You're the man if you did.

Score: 0

By superdad

edited Jan 5, 2008 - 8:09 AM

Hey XBOXKING,

Like the way you talk aboud the microsoft f**cers.
Like to try getting my`n unbanned.
Bougd it four months ago 2e hand, din`t tell me it was modded.
Payed a lot of money for the games to.

So if you could tell me i`ll be very graetfull.

Corné

Score: 0

By carlporter

edited Jan 4, 2008 - 5:02 PM

hi i brought a second hand xbox that has been modded but is banned from xbox live can you help me please

Score: 0

By bren2k7+

edited Jan 3, 2008 - 2:14 PM

hello i bought my flashed xbox 360 on ebay and and tryed to go on xbox live but found out it was banned so could you help me unban it plz

Score: 0

By alexjr

posted Jan 2, 2008 - 11:51 AM

xbox.king.80 /////Can you pls show me how to get unbanned from XBOX LIVE?

Score: 0

By alexjr

edited Jan 2, 2008 - 11:45 AM

Can you pls show me how to get unbanned from XBOX LIVE?

Score: 0

By lalakersman

edited Jan 1, 2008 - 9:50 PM

i got banned too! how can i get this undone on my xbox 360?

Score: 0

By Stoph

edited Jan 1, 2008 - 9:53 PM

yeah i just bought an xbox on ebay but im worried its flashed n i dont wanna lose my online privilages coz i aint the one who flashed it. how do u get back on?

Score: 0

By clare78

edited Dec 29, 2007 - 6:31 PM

hi i just bought a wireless adapter which cost me £60.00 and guess wot my console has been banned and yes its flashed so is there a way round it or have i just wasted my money
thank clare

Score: 0

By si-thee

edited Dec 28, 2007 - 2:50 PM

how do i get unbanned?

Score: 0

By shaunbike

edited Dec 27, 2007 - 8:56 PM

hi m8 i seem 2 be banned from xbox live but without them tellin me. But i dont no wether im banned 4 having a flashed xbox or for abusive behaviour online lol please can you help ? if i am banned how long will it b4 ? this has only happened 2days ago.

Score: 0

By polshking2421

edited Dec 26, 2007 - 5:16 PM

hey i was banned too on december 13, and i loove to play gears of war online what am i gonna do, pleeeease xboxking80 help me with this issue, i will realy REAAALLY appreciate it

Score: 0

By madchef360

edited Dec 26, 2007 - 2:31 PM

Yeh dude i totally agree Microsoft are a bunch of b****es, help me get back on line please i miss call of duty ! with all the cash he has got what dose it matter that a few people hack there systems! the only benefit he has is from not letting us play on line, wont stop people from burning copied games, and surly thats where most of the cash is lost !

Score: 0

By bs1211

edited Dec 26, 2007 - 1:01 PM

I want to unbanned my 360 cause i got banned for modding it so xboxking help me out

Score: 0

By madchef360

posted Dec 26, 2007 - 4:39 PM

I want my 360 unbanned as well! but the truth is its never going to happen...
So **** Microsoft im off to buy a PS3, i have spent thousands on my 360 and have always been faithful to the XBOX, standing in the rain out side my local game shop wanting so badly to be one of the first to play call of duty ! Hope Bill falls and brakes his ****ing neck.... c***snot !
He plays god on us all the four eyed wimp !!!!

Score: 0

By lhomme77

edited Dec 22, 2007 - 2:58 PM

Wow... unreal at how many people have gotten banned without having modded. And at least M$ could do would be to tell you why. Unfreakingbelievable.

As tech evolves, M$ really seems to be doing a worse and worse job with their product line. The only decent product that they have is their Office Suite--and that's just because no one has come out with anything better yet.

These comments are yet another push for me away from wanting to use anything M$ ever again.

Score: 0

By Tweetie

edited Dec 18, 2007 - 11:41 PM

We were just banned from Live and we have no idea why. I called Xbox Live customer Service and they can not help me nor can they tell me why we have been banned. My Xbox has NOT been modified nor our we using burned disc. I have contacted the Better Business Bureau and a Lawyer....

Score: 0

By zedd

edited Dec 17, 2007 - 1:09 PM

i also got banned yesterday
I feel such a fool, because

I paid 450 Euro for an Xbox
I paid 75 Euro for a Wireless card
I paid 30 Euro for a second controller.
I pay 59 Euro, each year for xbox live
I pay 50 Euro points for live games and avatars
I got 5 original games

- and yes i am illegal and guilty and i am stealing for Microsoft

Illegal because i bought for 2nd time BattleField2 ORIGINAL after my kid brother scratched it

Illegal because i bought for 2nd time Midway after i forgot the CD INSIDE my console when it had problem and send it to MS for repair, and i NEVER got it back.

Illegal because Microsoft don't want to put a F*** serial number to check you if you are illegal or not when you want to play online, like on the PC GAMES.

Illegal because i tried to tell to MS support to send them all my original games and my console to check if i played a game that i haven't bought, and they refused it.

Microsoft must understand that not all the people have Bill Gates MONEY.
Microsoft must pay for all the times that they don’t replacing a broken original DVD.
Microsoft must pay for all the months that we waited without a console when we send it to customer support.

Sorry but this relationship works only one way …
Happy Christmas to all and to Microsoft...
I hope that the new year will bring to anyone what he deserves.

Score: 0

By denster2u

edited Dec 16, 2007 - 10:53 PM

Hi, I am also a victim of banning from Xbox Live for no reason. I am running a stock, unmodded Xbox 360 and can no longer connect. I contacted Microsoft with the same result -- my machine has been banned with no recourse. I see several incidents of this in the forum, all within the past few days. Is there a pattern here? My only solution was to contact Best Buy and have my unit replaced under the 2-year product plan that I (thankfully purchased). I think Microsoft's policy is seriously flawed
in that I paid $400+ for their device only to have them disable it with no warning or explanation as to any wrong doing on my part.

Score: 0

By LordWexia

edited Dec 16, 2007 - 1:03 PM

I'm also another victim of a false positive from the ban-bot. I have never tampered with my system in any way and I've been banned with no possible recourse. This is very unfair and now my 360 is now basically half-bricked since I can't ever use it to play online.

This does happen to innocent people and this is no way to treat paying customers.

Score: 0

By carzy666

edited Dec 16, 2007 - 5:11 AM

hi to you all i am another victim of ms xbox live banning process like most of you i am also %100 legal as much as i want to stay this way i am so tempted to do what one of my xbox live buddies did, buy another 360 and swap it over return it saying it was an unwanted present and well you can guess the rest full refund and no longer banned haha to ms for forcing us to take actions in our own hands after all if it were not for us they would not exist we own xbox live every one make a stand email them tell them how wrong they are i must state tho for legal reasons i do not advise any one to do the above and i myself will not be doing it neither............................................................................................................................................. but i have to say that

Score: 0

By truong

edited Dec 16, 2007 - 3:34 AM

hey my xbox live isnt workin either and i was wondering wat kind of error code did u get wen u tried to connect? or do they send you a message seyin that its been banned?

Score: 0

By Yuriy777

edited Dec 14, 2007 - 5:11 PM

I have been banned also as of 13 December 2007. Now, before I draw the animosity of the crowd that says “good, you deserve it,” I would like to state that I do not mod my Xbox 360 through any hardware, software, or other means. I do not cheat, make racial remarks, or otherwise do anything against the TOU (Terms of Use). And after many times on the phone with Xbox Live customer support, the only answer they have given me reads to this effect, “Due to the nature of your ban, we are unable to restore the rights to your console or take your console in for repairs to verify that no modding has occurred. We are also unable to tell you the reason for your ban or find any remedy to your solution. We know how frustrating this may be, but it seems your only solution is to buy another Xbox 360 unit.”

I find this kind of behavior from a company appalling, as I’m sure many would, and hope that others will step forward, go to consumer protection agencies, and get their voice into a public space to keep such unconscionable trade practices from occurring. I hope that you will post this in your blog as well and encourage other legitimate users to step forward and oppose Microsoft’s trade practices.

-Y-

Score: 0

By TEz Platinum

edited Dec 14, 2007 - 9:14 AM

well i was playing a clan match last nite then all of a sudden i got disconnected from xboxlive. after 3 hours or reseting my modem etc i then clicked on my ip address to enter in manualy i noticed a message sayin "this account has been banned for violations or the terms of use. to protect the xbox live service and its members, microsoft does not provide details about account bans. there is no recourse for the terms or use voilations. so i rang them up and was like wtf is this about they asked for the status code and then said you have been banned for useing a modded xbox ermmmm YEA ****ING OK THEN. i then told them my xbox isnt modded and all my games are legit and even said ill send in the console along with all my games so they can check them. the guy on the fone who was a complete prick then said sorry you cant do that you have been banned i was like well wtf can i do he laughed and said buy a new xbox YEA ****ING RIGHT MICROSOFT i spent 300 pound on the console and have 7 profiles on my xbox all with 8-12 months left on there gold membership all on which have been banned :S microsort and bill gates can suck my ****ing d***. im gonna get a ps3 roll on blu-ray games :P they have even banned my 7 year old nephews xbox for bein modded like he fukin knows how 2 do it :S o and by the way if u wanna sue microsoft im in e-mail me @ phoenix_john@hotmail.com

Score: 0

By jaydeecee

edited Dec 11, 2007 - 10:15 PM

microsoft and other companies have been doing things like this for years, i remember buying windows 95 for an outragous amount of money when it first came out and as soon as you went to buy a preloaded computer you had to pay a license fee on it for the windows you already own at home.
i doubt this will affect piracy because you can still burn and play games, all theyve done was cut not only illegal players but some legal ones as well which again, they have done in the past.

for other things like blank CD's. on top of the cost of the blanks you pay a small (maybe $2) fee that goes to the record companies because they know you download music and that is why it isnt such a big deal as it used to be.
so for those who play online using burnt games, you should rightfully have the freedom to play because of the $50 you pay for a year, i wouldnt mind paying a couple extra per year to go towards the gaming companies.
but to cut off xbox live totally doesn't make much sense because all the people that are pissed off are going to open more dores to things like sony, and blu ray. which might be a good thing because of this i have finally had it with microsoft trying to cut people off of services, legal or not

Score: 0

By t3hfr3ak

edited Nov 11, 2007 - 10:46 PM

I know a way where you can copy STORE BOUGHT games, play on a modded console, and keep M$ happy at the same time.

Use CD keys with the games, if there are 2 people online using the same serial key (on a different console) then M$ can ban them. If there is modified content ON the disc, then ban them. I personally buy my games, copy the, THEN play the copied version as I am clumpsy with discs and dont want to lose the game forever or spend ANOTHER $60 on a game I already owned.

Also... make a different version for rental games, ones that cant go online, I mean seriously... why would you rent a game just to play online?

Score: 0

By mad_catz64

edited Sep 9, 2007 - 2:58 PM

Hi! i just feel violated because i got banned...
anyways i thinks microsoft and bill gates should shove it up their asses, i dont need xbox live or their stupid fees anyways, **** THEM IM BUYING A WII.

I microsoft just stabed me in the back... ><

(sorry for the words... im very mad at this little incident)

Score: 0

By missanthropy22

edited Jun 28, 2007 - 1:04 AM

Hi all!
My console was banned - but I've not modded it. I've never even opened the case. I've never used any software on it, NOTHING. My games are 100% legitimate. I paid a lot of money for my console and I don't see why I should lose rights to Live because of a stuff up from MS's end. They haven't let me send it to them for repair (even at my expense) or given me a reason. They won't help. I am looking for those in a similar situation. Please get this story out there. This is a more detailed blog on the issue that I wrote:
http://www.honkytonksonline.com

Score: 0

By Willdog

edited Nov 24, 2007 - 10:46 AM

We are in the same state, banned for no reason. There is something wrong with Microsofts new software. Sounds like a class action law suite. They only thing that changed on our system is was repair from xbox for the ring of death.

Score: 0

By wtf_microsoft

edited Dec 16, 2007 - 4:39 PM

wtf ive been banned for no apparent reason wtf i dont modd anyway, anyhow y? the hell would i want to mod.

Score: 0

By cockbeard

edited Jun 5, 2007 - 7:44 AM

Hi guys, we have a few people who have been unfairly banned in the UK, and we would like to hear from any others. We are looking to bring a class action suit against MicroSoft under the sale of goods act, but need to hear from as many people as possible withing the UK who have been banned from Live for no good reason.

MicroSofts policy at the moment appears to be guilty until proven innocent, and they are not currently willing to allow customers to prove their innocence. If you have been banned and have never modded yuor 360 please contact us at unfairly.banned@ntlworld.com and provide details about when you were banned, possibly photos of your XBox which show that no modding has taken place, and what customer services have/haven't done for you, thanks.

Score: 0

By marshall

edited Dec 12, 2007 - 10:21 PM

I just found out that my console is banned. I don't even know how to modify consoles and it has never been opened. They refuse to even examine it. If you need support for a class action lawsuit, I'm in.

Score: 0

By vander

posted Jun 2, 2007 - 6:23 PM

this happened to sum1 i no on xbox live and they brought it back to the store with the reciept and sed it was broken and wouldnt let him play games anymore and they refunded it and he got a new becoz theyve got 2 year warrantys

Score: 0

By martyyrd

edited May 31, 2007 - 8:24 AM

my console is not modified i have done nuthing wrong and i have been banned its an absoulte jokei disgusted with microsoft

Score: 0

By yeayeayea

edited May 30, 2007 - 8:01 AM

do you need to be a gold member before u get banned from xbox live?

Score: 0

By gsusxReloaded

edited May 29, 2007 - 10:46 AM

microsoft says they are only going to be banning only modded consoles, but there has been numerous reports from people claiming to have non-modded consoles that are being banned. will there be any recourse for these problems? i wonder. I agree with croniksoft about this, it wasn't worth the time and effort on their part, they did this with the main purpose of "trying" to stop people from copying games, just because they cant sign in to live, doesn't mean they are going to stop what they're doing. I know Microsoft has the power to do it, but the bottom line is this: JUST BECAUSE YOU CAN DO SOMETHING, DOESN'T MEAN YOU SHOULD

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By croniksoft

posted May 24, 2007 - 11:59 AM

Guys,

We are all missing the point; MS is the devil in Technology.

This people are trying to make a profit out of everything. Come on people.
How is it that a halo avatar (or how ever you call those things) is going to be 5$ something that I think should be free.

There are so many things that are just so wrong, I mean just take a sec and think about it.
50$ for one year live and on top of that you really don’t get s***, just be able to play games with your friends “online”, Why not make it a lil open, let you make the decision of paying for there service or just picking another service(another server).witch you can play.

Why not make it open and let people play around with it, is there Xbox, they pay 400$ for it and they cant do s*** with it, just wait for MS to come up with more ways to take there money.

I think M$ is coming to an end, Open source Technology might be the best solution for gaming from my point of view. Just take a sec and think about it. Let’s say MS decides not to be the b**** they are and open a lil bit the “game”, letting you run Homebrew. You install some type of Linux dashboard or maybe a complete Linux OS, you are going to have so much more fun went you see you will be able to add all these new cool features such as adding and external hdd maybe a cd/dvd burner ect. In other words turn it in to a gaming/pc system.

About what I said earlier regarding Open source gaming here is a link about people that share the same ideals I do http://www.planeshift.it/

FYI: This live bull s*** will be solve soon, same s*** wend “NT” came out, they said it will be best Technology out there and guess what, Hacking community abbreviated that to “Nice Try”. They say that for every single Product they come out with. Just take a look at vista and you will see what I am talking about.

Please take a look at it,

Sorry for my poor writing, Please leave no feed back about that.

Happy gaming

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By Willdog

posted Nov 24, 2007 - 10:59 AM

I understand you point, however have you been banned for no reason and still charged. How many of us out there had their system repair becuase of the ring of death, just looking for a connection.

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By Willdog

posted Nov 24, 2007 - 10:56 AM

Understand your point, however have you be banned for no reason. How many of use who have been banned had our systems repair becuse of the ring of death, just tryin to look for a connection.

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By Sniffadog

edited Dec 17, 2007 - 12:54 AM

Willdog, I have been banned with no reason as well, i think its got to be a glitch in their crack finding software, I too had my xbox sent in for repair (twice), and got returned mid november. I bet it's linked, its gotta be.

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By G Craisi

edited May 24, 2007 - 9:30 AM

Im just waiting for the other things i mod to get shut down... i changed the rims on my car.. pwned.. i changed my harddrive in my dell pc.. doh.. i added sugar to my frosted flakes.. (blech). i doubt it would be that bad but if it stands it very well could be.. my system got banned.. i just topped off my live account for another year. i just paid and downloaded new tracks for guitar hero II, bought the new dungeon on Oblivion (which none of the new content loads without live), not to mention i bought several movies and was about to get out there and get me a new harddrive. I played a few copies that i own the retails for now.. yes developers should get their dues and get their money.. but look at the gaming scene.. compared to that of the old it is really lacking.. you cannot honestly say that every game that comes out you can buy and be satisfied with it? if you could places like Gamestop would be out of business. All i know is i used to pay out the wang for downloadable content and the actual live itself.. if they wanted to stop piracy go after the portion that i wasnt actively paying for. I read the EULA and i understand that i violated some terms so im fine.. but what about my friend who got his system and it gave him a red ring of death.. and he sent it in and waited months.. MONTHS. and finally get it back and is banned? just got it back from microsoft. i know they opened the box maybe changed out a few things to make it run better.. is that considered modding? or did they just give him a modded box back in the mail, not checking to firmware on the drive because it seemed to be working. I violated and said my peace but what about that kid?? we called microsoft and they are strictly not even listening to a word he says.. their exact words are were "banned consoles are not negotioable, your account is still useable just not from that account" nice one.

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By Steve Austin

posted May 21, 2007 - 3:53 PM

http://i29.photobucket.c...trajamie/mooresmack.gif

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By CarLox

posted May 22, 2007 - 8:49 PM

fuk you you fukin tea-drinker

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By MAJORPAYNE

edited May 20, 2007 - 12:13 AM

My 360 is not modded and i got banned. i called they said they cant help me. **** MICROSOFT.
Hello MAC & HELLO Sony

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By ManeGarrincha

edited May 29, 2007 - 9:43 AM

The same thing happened to me, my console was banned yet ive never modded it! i phoned xbox customer support and they said they cant help me. Ive sent them emails and phoned them again and they will not do anything about it. If this has happened to anyone else please get in touch with me, we need microsoft to fix this problem.

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By marshall

posted Dec 13, 2007 - 2:18 PM

same here. you have my support.

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By Wickrevolution

edited Nov 21, 2007 - 2:59 PM

I have been on xbox live for the last couple of months now and up until a couple of days ago every was fine, until my status code said i was banned from xbox live for having a modded xbox, i also havent modded it or coppied any games or anything it is completely legite, i called xbox live customer support, then microsoft, and then their respective supervisers and i got the same response, we can't help you you can recover your gamer tag from another xbox, just this one cannot get one xbox live. There has to be something we can do to draw attention to this oversight, the xbox live server is flagging consoles that have done nothing wrong, and ive heard the same thing from other people. I dont want to buy a new xbox my should be fine, does anyone have any idea how we could go about drawing attention to this issue, so something will actually be done about it?

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By vander

edited Jun 2, 2007 - 6:19 PM

yer same fing happened to me an i dnt even now wat moodding means let alone how 2 mod sumfin

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By martyyrd

posted May 31, 2007 - 8:33 AM

happened to me to mate phoned them 4 times even talked to the manager he gave me a link that didint exist

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By mshulman

posted May 20, 2007 - 11:27 AM

I find that hard to believe... Not that you got banned, but that they can't help you.

How much did you persist?

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By masticina

edited May 19, 2007 - 9:58 PM

Well obviously this has hit quite a few fans. Some though did take the damage and are now selling "off line versions" of the xbox 360 second hand. As long as they say that you cant play on line with it! It can be a good deal!

Some seem to think that they can play foul with the EEPROM to change the serial. Except..few know where the serial is hidden on an xbox360. And some are waiting for the mod scene to find a solution.

So that is what has become of it..

My point here is that though with the original xbox you really added allot of extra functions that made it a much sweeter box. And even though many lost their on line access through bans then they kept their own ones as media machines.

So what do the firmware and other mods for the xbox360 really bring in? Oh you can play "backup games"! Mmmm except that backup games is by far not the right wording. Illegal copy is more a right word.

The USA after all got DMCA right, that prohibits the cracking of security, how inept in design it might be to get to the content. And guess what on the disc stands "make no unauthorized copies"

The unmodded xbox 360 already is a media monster by using the legal tools available for it. So the mods really only allow people to use Verbatim coasters as "play discs". And the first game hacks already been shown with Gears of War!

Remember nobody pays either Microsoft or the developers of the games for the copied disc! Making a high quality game takes lots of cash and lots of time! And yes games are expensive but unlike food or clean water, you don't need games to life. If you are to poor well to bad you are to poor to buy them! Buying copies only kills the few good game studios that are left :!

And the "but fair use". Sorry DMCA killed Fair use! Complain to your local politician if you want that changed!

The "This will cost Microsoft allot of money" issue also is a joke! Really would anybody cry when cheap freeloaders that doesn't give the game studios their due cant use 30% of what makes the xbox360 a good console. It isn't as if you did pay money to the developers.

All in all a good clean sweep to show the real appreciation to those that try to make good value possible, sure games can be expensive but a game you bought in full is more satisfying then one you got on a verbatim DVD from your "nephew". It isn't as if you had any time to begin with to play out all the 99 games you "own"

Nothing like a cleansing storm to take away the dust and troubles isn't it? I wish all those that stayed on the legal side allot of fun with Crackdown and Halo 3 Beta! You are lucky!

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By br0oce

edited Nov 21, 2007 - 11:24 AM

yeah way to go dumb455, give them credits... all i know is im not banned, i just purchased my 1rst ORIGINAL game for the 360, which is NFSProstreet... and guess what??!? IT SUXXXXX
that was the first and LAAAASST time i buy original games... FREE THE WORLD FROM EVIL BILL!! oh btw: EEPROM WTF ur talkin bout man.. do you even know what an EEPROM does?? IDIOT!!

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By PostDeals

posted May 19, 2007 - 2:59 PM

You don't play by the Microsoft rules you get burned.

You decide to hack or mod your box and if MS isn't happy then guess what TOS will take over. Kudos to Microsoft even though I don't agree with it its their consol and their rules, if you don't like it get WII like everyone else :)

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By foxfyre

posted May 19, 2007 - 10:07 AM

Yawn.............

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By kashin

posted May 19, 2007 - 3:44 AM

I bet the Sony cheerleaders Joey Deacon and Hollywood__ were just ITCHING to jump on this article. "Microsoft the EVIL corporation stopping you from playing online using copied games. Oh the horror!" Yeah? Let's just wait until Sony gets their rip off of Xbox Live up and running (hopefully this decade) and then let's wait until people become interested in actually modding a PS3. Then when Sony Live (I don't know the actual name), PS3 modchips, the moon and the stars are in perfect alignment, I bet you Sony will do the exact same thing and pull the plug on the pirates.

..but wait there is more. Supposedly Sony's online service will be free. That's laughable. Who honestly believes that big companies like EA for example, will let you play their games for FREE on Sony's service while they're making a profit on Microsoft's service? Get serious kids.

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By darrensimp

edited May 29, 2007 - 11:26 AM

is it laughable now mate?! its 100% free. i reckon within next year ps3 will overtake 360 anyway. blu ray is the way.

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By Steve Austin

posted May 21, 2007 - 3:55 PM

"Supposedly Sony's online service will be free."

You do know it's May 2007, and that PSN is out, and IS Free...

The funny thing is, most 360 owners have already blown more than a PS3 without even realising it!! LOL....

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By kashin

posted May 21, 2007 - 11:23 PM

"The funny thing is, most 360 owners have already blown more than a PS3 without even realising it!! LOL...."

Oh yes, it's hilarious that people are willing to pay for something they enjoy. People are going to flock to the successful platform, and it doesn't matter if the owner is Microsoft or the Devil himself. Sure, you can play some PS3 games online for free.. but what games? Both of them? LOL! Also, you haven't answered my real question, does EA and the other big software houses going to let everyone play online for free on the PS3 when they're making good money on Xbox Live? Tell me, if you were a software developer, would you develop for a platform where you're almost guaranteed a constant stream of revenue through a monthly subscription of a service or for a platform that gives the same thing away for free. Let's go with a couple of old sayings; "There is no such thing as a free lunch." and "You get what you pay for."

It's bad enough the PS3 is so overpriced, but it's also lacking good titles.

"PS3 did see a dip in sales in April that we attribute mostly to a lack of new software in the market," said Dave Karraker, Sony Computer Entertainment America's Sr. Director of Corporate Communications

As 1up points out, if April was tough, May looks bleaker. Karraker wouldn't speculate on sales, but outside of MLB 07: The Show's release at the end of April, there are no first-party releases coming to PS3 in May - in fact there are only two May PS3 games: Surf's Up and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, both of which are multi-platform releases.

Yeah, multi-platform releases. Meaning, crappy ports of Xbox360 and Wii games.

Yves Guillemot, president and CEO of Ubisoft, told Reuters that Sony will "for sure" have a "lower" market share than before due to the Playstation 3's cost. Guillemot, who declined to elaborate, lays it out with this simple quote, "They have to decrease the price quite significantly."

..and now for some more imaginary Sony math.

As usual, Sony remains defiant. SCEA president Jack Tretton says he is currently unconcerned by PS3 sales figures despite Sony trailing its major rivals, while industry insiders suggest devs are shifting focus from PS3 to Wii.

As I've been saying, according to Sony, the less consoles you sell, the faster you're catching up to your competitors.

"We didn't get into PS3 for the first six months of 2007 - we're into this for the next 10 years and beyond," he said. "A million units one way or another at this point isn't going to worry us."

They're into this for the next 10 years and beyond?! Blunder after blunder. Sony is delusional if they think the PS3 is going to last ten years. The hardware under the hood is already obsolete. This is how it goes with technology, you buy it today and it's obsolete tomorrow.

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By CarLox

posted May 22, 2007 - 8:52 PM

vaya mierda Steve, te quedastes cojido hasta por el culo jediondo que tenes pinche pendejo, chupa vergas y tambien que te gusta el todos los de la Sony te den d***

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By CarLox

posted May 22, 2007 - 8:50 PM

OWNED

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By NUCLEAR-TNT

edited May 18, 2007 - 7:45 PM

This is very gay. Why they just don't allow all the people play on hacked(or modded) XBox(es) instead of just trying to stop the modders. I think that they will release another hack, which will be undetectable again.

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By dlab21

posted May 18, 2007 - 11:34 PM

why don't they just let ppl use hacks into tricking the live servers to say they have a gold membership that they don't have to pay for or download an unlimited amount of content for free while everyone else suffers for it by decreased content and increased prices? sound good to you? i am all for free editing of a console you purchase but they have no right to bring it online and disrupt the 'playing experience' that people are paying for.

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By Mystiqq

edited May 19, 2007 - 6:45 AM

Moddod box or not, your example is simply impossible. You are talking about stuff thats controlled server side, clients cant just "change" things like this with "hacks".

As far as i know, theres no "hacks" for Xbox games?

Can you come up with a single real scenario where modded box would distrupt other online users?

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By dlab21

posted May 19, 2007 - 11:29 AM

hacks: http://youtube.com/watch?v=IYow1wqzxWs
cheat devices: http://newestrelease.stores.yahoo.net/maxxbox.html

people think xbox games are unhackable.. why? its software just as easily manipulated as ps2 games or old n64 games.

real scenario: modded xbox allows modded halo 2 game to be played, person with modded game pressed x to import 5 vehicles at a time.. they hold it down lag is generated and people are booted... game disrupted.
as far as the info being stored server side yes thats true and a modded xbox that can play burnt games cant do anything to affect it. but if indivudals have enough knowledge they can code for the system and run homebrew applications and with unlimited access to xbox live servers if they have a gold package they can then use homebrew apps to check statuses of other ppls accounts as an example and possibly retrieve personal information that would be stored server side. modding consoles inst only useful for playing backups, it can also allow malicious software to be run off the device.

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By Couscous

posted May 19, 2007 - 2:33 PM

There are NO hacks for any Xbox 360 games.

There are exploitable glitches in most though.

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By bobthegoat2001

edited May 21, 2007 - 12:31 AM

Well, for now anyway. I would like to keep it that way.

I agree with Microsoft. If your going to hack your 360, which I personally don't care, just keep it offline. I don't want hackers cheating with Trainers [cheats, like a Gameshark] playing online.

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