Hacking The XBox

For those that missed previous threads on this subject- a brief recap: Andrew Huang wrote a book showing how to hack the Microsoft X-Box gaming console. Originally Wiley Technology Publishing agreed to publish the book, but upon seeing the manuscript they backed out based on fears that Microsoft would pursue litigation using the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act).

Mr. Huang went on to self-publish the book which he sold through his web site.

Now, a new publisher has stepped forward to help Mr. Huang get his book to the public. Bill Pollock, President of No Starch Press publishing, said "When it gets to the point where people are canceling publishing of books, it's very scary. It's a sort of censorship.''

Here is a link to a NY Times article (you have to get a free registration from NY Times to view the article I think): Behind a Hacker's Book: A Primer On Copyright Law

You know if Microsoft would just publish a few technical details - none of this would be a big deal... look at the PlayStation2 -> It's been running BSD for like years :) I think it's just because it's Microsoft (a new gaming console) that they are under such hype/scrutiny.

Personally- I don't get it at all. I don't think its any of their business what I do with the product once I buy it.

Books are products under copyright. But, that just prevents me from stealing the work and making it mine. If I want I can wallpaper my room with the pages of the book, use it to line my cat's litter box or start a fire with it. They don't get to tell me what to do with the physical book. They own what is in the book- but the book itself is mine.

So, if I want to buy an XBox, hollow it out and make it into some sort of aquarium for my goldish- that is none of Microsoft's business. As long as I don't steal their technology and come out with my own competing game console system I don't think Microsoft has a right to worry about what I do with the physical product once I purchase it- its mine.

Of course, the law seems not to be on my side in this age of draconian DMCA / Super-DMCA censorship laws.

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So, if I want to buy an XBox, hollow it out and make it into some sort of aquarium for my goldish- that is none of Microsoft's business

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LOL at the JPG!

See? Now THAT is entertainment!

If there are any Microsoft spies lurking here we will probably see the new XBox aquarium concept on store shelves by Christmas. :)

Tony,
I agree totally with you on fair use and the DMCA's destruction of it. Its much like buying a car from Ford then having them tell me, I cant work on the engine, in fact don't even TELL anyone about the engine, and if you need it repaired only Ford can do it at their desired price. I have a first print edition on "Hacking the X-Box" (Hence the sig) and I HIGHLY reccomend it to anyone who is interested in computers, or games(aka everyone here) The book includes how and where to acquire tools for hardware hacking, as well as tutorials beginning from total noob to seriously altering your console. He also discusses many interesting security techniques used by M$ in the X-box as well as a basic intro to standard crypto algs. + much more. BUY THIS BOOK IT ROCKS.

-Maestr0

FYI - Another thread, also a link to another thread in that thread....

http://www.antionline.com/showthread...043#post628451

A related article came out yesterday. Here is a link: A Virtual Pandora's (X)Box Opened By Hackers

Tony, totally agree with you that once you buy it, it is yours and MS should not be allowed to dictate what you do with it.

I get sick of the DMCA and all the problems its causing people. The corporations seems to be going after all the regular people for anything that they think even reduces what they can rip off from the consumer.

They always give the same excuse that their sales are affected or their intellectual property has been stolen by people hacking their precious Xbox. that by hacking the system people are playing pirated games and reducing their sales of games bcos of this and yadda yadda yadda.....They are just not happy cos they want to sell the Xbox at a loss to get market in a market they do not dominate. But make up for the loss thru the sale of games and realised that they just got screwed cos people are using the Xbox for other things and not buying their games.

Its becoming like I cant do anything without the corporations giving their approval.

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Originally posted here by r8devil
They are just not happy cos they want to sell the Xbox at a loss to get market in a market they do not dominate. But make up for the loss thru the sale of games and realised that they just got screwed cos people are using the Xbox for other things and not buying their games.

Its becoming like I cant do anything without the corporations giving their approval.

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Hit the nail on the head there. The Xbox is a very cheap PC (about cost price i.e. very cheap), and MS doesn't like the fact that you can fairly easily mod it to run something different.
And we are not talking about games piracy here, just a decent *nix or Windows setup.

All this makes me want to go buy and xbox? I never even considered it before now. Could it be that some people would buy this thing now, and go against everything believed to be true. That M$ would lose money? Hmmm.

Basically what X-box is good for is to hack and reprogram the OS inside. Maybe even install Linux if possible, I don't think it is though. Other cases, Microsoft sucks and X-box is a overpriced piece of crap.

It's very possible and has been done by many poeple. Soldering test points on the motherboard will allow writing to the bios, and an exploit in a 007 Bond game allow you to boot a linux kernel, then you telnet the X-box, install graphics drivers,flash the bios and away you go. X-Box owns.

-Maestr0

Your just suporting a monopoly. Microsoft sucks and everyone knows it. Buy Ps2 and stop giving money to people who don't deserve it. Sony rocks, dude. I rather not buy a game that cost almost as much as the system.

That is all.

Sony uses the same tactics as M$.. It controles its service agents.tells them where they can get their parts (even for 30yr old equipment), yep only from Sony... controls the prices at the retailer end..
.. yep Mega company.. same tactics.. different face....
..Which of these are not Mega Companies that act like, are or were Monopoly's.. M$, IBM, AT&T, Ford, GM, Fiat

hmm where else will you find Sony?.. RIAA to start

Sony Sucks.. PS2 is OK..

cheers

X-BOX HACKS
Finally something I know a little about. This post is kinda interresting because the publishing company backed out even though he had permisson from MicroSoft to crack the x-box if he could. The book is actually a great book and if someone has 24 dollars to spend I would strongly recommend it. I ahve included some links about the x-box mod and also a article Tech-TV done about the book

Benny Huang Article
http://www.techtv.com/screensavers/s...429918,00.html

MOD ARTICLES
http://www.techtv.com/screensavers/h...420925,00.html
http://www.techtv.com/screensavers/h...423058,00.html


"Always throwing in my two cents, even though it is only worth a penny"

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Your just suporting a monopoly. Microsoft sucks and everyone knows it. Buy Ps2 and stop giving money to people who don't deserve it. Sony rocks, dude. I rather not buy a game that cost almost as much as the system.

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I'd have to go with my boy Und3ertak3r on this one.

Sony has its hands in the motion picture industry and the music recording industry. They sign the artists, produce the movies and records, own the theaters you see them in, sell the CD's and DVD's for you to watch at home.

But wait- there's more! They build and sell the CD players and the DVD players and the TV's you watch them on.

They sell game console systems and games to play on the console systems.

They sell computer systems and computer components. They will sell you a DVD recorder or a CD recorder or a minidisc with special CD-ripping technology to help you burn faster- and then send their RIAA / MPAA gustapo arm to sue your ass for doing so.

They are making money coming and going and arguably have control over more markets than Microsoft (not that Microsoft isn't trying their damndest to crack every market conceivable).

If you are looking for a good guy to support in the face of Microsoft's "monopoly" I don't think Sony is the way to go. Its like saying don't support Hitler for human rights- support Stalin, he's our man!