Some Xbox 360s incompatible with previous software update

Microsoft has confirmed that some Xbox 360 systems are not compatible with the current firmware and has pledged to replace defective hardware.

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[Update] Microsoft clarifies that the issue is linked to a past update that changed the way the Xbox 360 reads game discs.

[Original Story] Microsoft has confirmed that some Xbox 360 consoles are not compatible with its latest firmware update, and has promised to offer replacement systems to those affected, Eurogamer reports.

The company stressed that "a very small number" of Xbox 360 users will be impacted by this issue, which manifests itself as a 'disc unsupported' or 'disc unreadable' error. The firmware in question is not tied to a specific region, and is not the update that is currently in beta test.

There are a number of ways Microsoft promises to assuage the headaches caused by the issue. The hardware manufacturer notes that it will be able to detect which systems are affected via Xbox Live and will "proactively reaching out to customers"; however, Microsoft urged those having problems to contact the company via its Xbox Support website to verify "if the console has been impacted."

Microsoft promises to replace the systems with new Xbox 360 S consoles, which includes a 250GB hard drive.

According to Digital Foundry, the firmware combats pirated software. Reports also indicate that the firmware prepares the Xbox 360 for use with the new XGD3 disc standard, which is said to add 1GB of usable data to Xbox 360 game discs.

Xav de Matos was previously a games journalist creating content at Shacknews.

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  • reply
    May 18, 2011 11:35 AM

    Xav de Matos posted a new article, Some Xbox 360s incompatible with new firmware, Microsoft offers replacement hardware.

    Microsoft has confirmed that some Xbox 360 systems are not compatible with the current firmware and has pledged to replace defective hardware.

    • reply
      May 18, 2011 12:21 PM

      oh man. why could I have one of the affected systems. nice way to upgrade an old 20gb system. nope. my system took the new disc just fine.

    • reply
      May 18, 2011 12:28 PM

      So if are xboxes are working fine right now then its okay?

    • reply
      May 18, 2011 12:35 PM

      Oh my god....I'll be able to get a brand new 360 because of a loophole with my current system. Something semi-convenient has finally happened to me yessss!

    • reply
      May 18, 2011 12:38 PM

      My 360 is RROD, I want to be able to id the problem via serial #. Then when I ship it off I tell them it worked fine when I sent it.

    • reply
      May 18, 2011 12:44 PM

      [deleted]

      • reply
        May 18, 2011 12:47 PM

        I still have the original base model of the Xbox 360. Or whatever one came with the 20GB harddrive and no HDMI out. It's pre Zephyr mobo. AKA Xbox pro.

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      May 18, 2011 1:02 PM

      I still have an running, ancient launch 360. Bought it on the first day. Microsoft should buy it from me and put it into a museum.... =)

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      May 18, 2011 1:05 PM

      [deleted]

    • reply
      May 18, 2011 1:07 PM

      UPDATE

      Giant Bomb is saying it has nothing to do with the preview update, or the upcoming update. It was actually a past update and a small set of drives that then became broken.

      UPDATE: This one just got a tad more confusing. Stay with me here!

      Microsoft has not responded to my request for comment on today's reports about disc drives, but Eurogamer's gotten more. The issue has nothing to do with the upcoming firmware update but, as it turns out, a previous update.

      "Additionally, this disc read error message is tied to a change in the disc reading algorithms in a recent software update and is not specific to older or newer versions of Xbox 360," the company said in a statement.

      As such, if you haven't had an issue with your machine playing retail discs so far, you're out of luck when it comes to getting a brand-new Xbox.

      • reply
        May 18, 2011 1:15 PM

        This information is already in the article: "The firmware in question is not tied to a specific region, and is not the update that is currently in beta test."

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          May 18, 2011 1:22 PM

          XAV you know we don't read articles here...

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            May 18, 2011 1:35 PM

            Apparently... but I know you CAN read.

            I've added an update of clarification from Microsoft.

            OR

            For Mancide to understand: WAH WAH WAH, WAAAAAAAAH, WAH (in my best Charlie Brown "teacher" voice)

      • reply
        May 18, 2011 1:17 PM

        A friend of mine can't use his pre-HDMI 360 to play Halo Reach. It gives an error when trying to read the disc. I should have him check his drive type.

        • reply
          May 18, 2011 1:23 PM

          He's not playing a beta disc on a non-preview program console is he?

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            May 18, 2011 3:08 PM

            Retail disc. No clue why it didn't work. Some people reported the same issue, where it wouldn't even install to the HDD.

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