July 29, 2008The Xbox360 “OPUS” Mainboard
Posted by The Ori
The ‘Opus’ board is a ‘Falcon’ generation motherboard that is designed to fit a Xenon case, that is, the 360s without HDMI. This gives you a standard 90nm process GPU, but sports the new 65nm CPU. Since they are made for the Xenon case, there is no HDMI port (though the technology is probably there). Microsoft should be, or will, use these boards to return to people suffering from the 3-LOD on Xenon boards, or who knows what else.
Here is a picture of the new Opus Mainboard in a Xbox 360 Premium. Click on the PIC for the large one.
With the heatsink there, you can’t see the CPU or the GPU…
As stated, Opus board has the technology for HDMI (HANA scaler & video chip like the zephyr/falcon boards); so it may be possible fashion and install your own HDMI port in these motherboards; and, mount it somewhere, or cut your case out for it.
Remember, these are more then likely, being used as replacements for 3-LOD systems
July 28, 2008Chipless Rapid Fire Controller Mod
Posted by greg
Don’t be a sucker getting ripped off by those shysters on eBay reselling complicated micro-controllers to achieve something so menial. Head to Radio Shack or your local electronics shop and pick up 30-gauge wrapping wire and a momentary switch. Easily engineer a Rapid Fire controller for yourself:
More video and details following the source link.
- source: acidmods
July 27, 2008XBL Silver Now Allows (Some) Free Online Play?
Posted by The Ori
There was a free Live Weekend for Jul 25th – 27th, which meant you could have played online for free on Xbox Live this weekend. However, an on-line user named “Draco,” who claims to be a Silver member, said that he’s been playing cross-platform (360 -vs- PC) multiplayer games for free since Wednesday July 23rd (night), which precedes the free Live Weekend (which started at midnight Friday the 25th.) His Gamercard was checked, and it showed that he played Shadowrun online on Thursday the 24th.
It seems that ending the gold/silver distinction in Games for Windows Live (making it free for PC users) might have had the same effect for those who game with titles that are both PC and 360. A commenter on the Xbox Live forums said that Shadowrun online play was free for them. On-line user “Draco,” who spotted that comment, said it worked for Lost Planet: Extreme Condition Colonies Edition, and Universe at War: Earth Assault, as well.
Can anyone else verify that you can play a game on Live free, with a silver membership; with people who have the PC version?
July 23, 2008Games for Windows – Live Goes Totally Free
Posted by The Ori
During Microsoft’s Gamefest 2008 in Seattle on Tuesday, the company seemed to finally answer year-old criticisms about its pricing strategy for Games for Windows – Live. Microsoft said that it would no longer be charging for “premium” online features in Games for Windows – Live titles, such as TrueSkill matchmaking, cross-platform gameplay and multiplayer achievements. The change takes effect immediately for all existing and future Games for Windows – Live enabled titles.
That’s not all that fair, is it? While XB360 owners still have to pay for live (for multi-player), the PC users do not. I would guess it is because you are only playing on-line with the PC, and not downloading content. It would not be all that fair to charge PC owners 50.00 a year to JUST PLAY on-line. Still, it would be nice if M$ would make a price tier for 360 owners, say half that a year to just PLAY on-line, and no content, like SILVER with the ability to play on-line only.
July 18, 2008Prep 101 v007.3 Beta
Posted by The Ori
Klutsh released yet ANOTHER new version of iPrep 101 a .NET application and collection of MSDOS scripts/applications for use in flashing a Samsung TS-H943A or BenQ VAD6038 DVD drives.
What’s new/fixed:
* Updated Reading/Flashing of BenQ VAD6038.
Official Site: http://x-projects.org
Full NFO: xbins.org
July 13, 2008iPrep 101 v007.2 Beta
Posted by The Ori
Klutsh released a new version of iPrep 101(info) a .NET application and collection of MSDOS scripts/applications for use in flashing a Samsung TS-H943A or BenQ DVD drives.
What’s new/fixed:
* Updated DOS User Interface.
* Added a LOAD more error checking.
* Fixed Reading/Flashing of BenQ VAD6038. (I Hope)
* Added Vista U.A.C Awareness.
Official Site: http://x-projects.org
Full NFO: xbins.org
Download: x-projects.org
July 7, 2008iPrep 101 v007.1
Posted by The Ori
Klutsh released a new version of iPrep 101 a .NET application and collection of MSDOS scripts/applications for use in flashing a Samsung TS-H943A or BenQ DVD drives.
Features:
- Detect your SATA/RAID controller, HEX-Edits MTKFlash.
- Formats your floppy/usb drive and copies all necessary files over.
- Can be used with NTFS cd’s, creates a folder on your hdd.
- MD5 checker when selecting your firmware lets you know your firmware is legit.
- Updateable Firmware definitions.
- Provides simple to use on screen instructions in MSDOS.
- Works with all current iXtreme firmwares.
- Load Firmware from .bin or .rar.
Here’s What’s new/fixed:
* Fixed BenQ Backup
* Added Menu Driven DOS UI.
* Added Flash Samsung TS-H943A using nForce SATA.
Official Site: http://x-projects.org
July 6, 2008Benq iXtreme 1.41 Rev 2 Non-Stealth Multispeed
Posted by The Ori
The Non-Stealth users of the Benq iXtreme firmware only had one choice speed wise when they chose the Non-Stealth firmware and that was 8x. This package gives users of Benq iXtreme Non-Stealth the choice to use whatever speed they prefer (2x, 5x, 8x, 12x).
This is NOT an update to iXtreme firmware for Benq users… this is merely an update to the Non-Stealth version which only provides different speed choices NOTHING else.
Credit goes to C4E and others, it was named Rev 2 to avoid confusion.
You’ll have to take the typical steps to find and download the firmware… http://www.eurasia.nu usually has everything you need.