Dashboard Update is here!

[IronMongeR]

The spring dashboard update is here!

 

Changelog:

 

Windows Live Messenger

 

Chat via instant messenger with up to 20 contacts in a single conversation, and have up to six different conversations at the same time with people on PCs, mobile phones and other Xbox 360 consoles.

 

Instant message while playing games, listening to music or watching movies or TV shows downloaded from Xbox LIVE Marketplace.

 

View at a glance if friends on Windows Live Messenger have gamertags and add them to a unified friends list.

 

Utilize the virtual keyboard on the Xbox 360 to text chat or connect a USB keyboard to the console. Launching later this summer, the Xbox 360 text-input device accessory will connect directly to the controller to support instant messaging.

 

Messenger is the key feature with this update, but there are a number of improvements to the Live service that of which you should take note.

 

On-screen pop-ups that immediately display the name and gamerscore value of a just accomplished Achievement, allowing gamers to see their progress without leaving or pausing the game.

 

An even safer way to communicate through Xbox LIVE with enhanced family settings that enable different default settings for video chat and voice chat.

 

A new, standalone Xbox LIVE Marketplace blade houses all Xbox LIVE Marketplace content in one easy to navigate space.

 

Xbox LIVE Arcade enhancements that showcase what games friends are playing directly from the friends list. Boasting about high scores, comparing progress and checking out leaderboards are all easier now as well.

 

Faster access to free, trial version of Xbox LIVE Arcade games through an improved Auto Downloads feature.

 

The ability to fast-forward, pause and rewind video as it is being downloaded on Xbox LIVE Marketplace.

 

Owners can now set their consoles to turn off after downloading content from Xbox LIVE Marketplace to help save energy, and download speeds have been increased.

 

 

 

Also, Double Dragon is up on the Arcade and the Forza Motorsport 2 Demo is apparently due sometime between now and the weekend?!? Huzzah!

[Atari5200]

i thought they were to add more video formats as well instead of just .wmv

[IronMongeR]

Apparently there are also new video codecs included which are H.264 and MPEG-4 Part 2. I think they only affect the image in 1080p resolution.

[StormSurge]

The new download option sounds fantastic.

[CGQuarterly]

Sounds good. Can't wait for the Forza demo.

 

Chris

[jay2068]

Would be great if I wasn't going on my third XBOX 360. Mine just blew up three day's ago Damn three red flashing lights!

[Hyper_Eye]

Would be great if I wasn't going on my third XBOX 360. Mine just blew up three day's ago Damn three red flashing lights!

 

Was it under warranty?

[CGQuarterly]

Would be great if I wasn't going on my third XBOX 360. Mine just blew up three day's ago Damn three red flashing lights!

 

Are you sure you aren't keeping it (or the power supply) somewhere where it overheats? It just seems like people either never have a problem with their systems, or they go through several of them. No one ever seems to get a system, have it go bad and get replaced, and then be fine from there on out.

 

Mine froze up one a couple of times, so I moved the power supply away somewhere where it would be cooler and I have not had a problem since.

 

Chris

[moycon]

This morning I went to play Earth Defense 2017 (Still trying to beat the Hard setting) and when i saw that the console needed an update I tinkled a little bit. I knew the update was coming in May but didnt know when!

 

Other things I noticed that aren't on that list... the disk slot now list what you have in the console by name, and when you highlight it, you now have a gamercard with that game listed and the achievements already earned on your dashboard.

 

It also looks like owners of cameras can video chat.

Edited May 9, 2007 by moycon

[SomeGuyWithDSL]

Apparently there are also new video codecs included which are H.264 and MPEG-4 Part 2. I think they only affect the image in 1080p resolution.

 

Previously the 360 could only play WMV (and maybe MPEG?) video files. Now it can play MP4 video files as well, in either h.264 or MPEG-4 codec. That's how I store all of my home movies and my converted DVDs, so this update just about doubled the value of my 360 in my entertainment center.

 

The other "little things" are all nice, as well.

[SomeGuyWithDSL]

Edit: double post

Edited May 9, 2007 by SomeGuyWithDSL

[jay2068]

Would be great if I wasn't going on my third XBOX 360. Mine just blew up three day's ago Damn three red flashing lights!

 

Was it under warranty?

 

Out of warranty way over a year old.

 

Would be great if I wasn't going on my third XBOX 360. Mine just blew up three day's ago Damn three red flashing lights!

 

Are you sure you aren't keeping it (or the power supply) somewhere where it overheats? It just seems like people either never have a problem with their systems, or they go through several of them. No one ever seems to get a system, have it go bad and get replaced, and then be fine from there on out.

 

Mine froze up one a couple of times, so I moved the power supply away somewhere where it would be cooler and I have not had a problem since.

 

Chris

 

Yep Tried every trick in the book. I keep both the unit and power supply well ventilated.

 

It almost makes me want to try a PS3 but I've have to much invested in the 360

[Hyper_Eye]

Would be great if I wasn't going on my third XBOX 360. Mine just blew up three day's ago Damn three red flashing lights!

 

Was it under warranty?

 

Out of warranty way over a year old.

 

If you still have it fixing it isn't that difficult and only costs a couple bucks.

 

http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=104863

[jay2068]

Thanks for the info, but I already found someone that will repair it for $60. Hopefully it will work.

[Hyper_Eye]

Thanks for the info, but I already found someone that will repair it for $60. Hopefully it will work.

 

Do it yourself for $5! It only takes about 30 minutes and requires no soldering. You just replace the x-braces with screws and washers. Either way I hope it turns out well.

[Lord Helmet]

Man, h.264 video looks really nice on the big screen. Wayyy better than wmv

[jay2068]

Thanks for the info, but I already found someone that will repair it for $60. Hopefully it will work.

 

Do it yourself for $5! It only takes about 30 minutes and requires no soldering. You just replace the x-braces with screws and washers. Either way I hope it turns out well.

 

Too late it's already is in the mail

 

The guy has a machine that does the soder reflow. He's charging $50 for that and $10 for the x-braces mod. It's worth it if it fixes it. Otherwise $300 for a new core unit.

[Hyper_Eye]

I see. Well, with the method I use you allow the chips to heat up and reflow the solder themselves. Worked great for me (though as you can see in the thread I linked I had already purchased a new machine.) A friend of mine got the fixed machine and he has had no problems with it whatsoever.

[2600Lives]

My first 360 overheated and crapped out on me, but with the next one, I got one of those Intercoolers. It works absolutely great. I also invested in a small box fan, almost exactly the size of the 360 when it's standing up. Set it right next to the system, and put it on high. No problems since then, and I've played marathon sessions of Oblivion and SF2. There's another cooling unit that goes on the bottom and uses the back USB port for power. I'm going to see if I can use a Dremel to eat away the plastic at the back part so I can have it and the Intercooler hooked up at the same time. No mo' motherboard warping for me!

[Hyper_Eye]

My first 360 overheated and crapped out on me, but with the next one, I got one of those Intercoolers. It works absolutely great. I also invested in a small box fan, almost exactly the size of the 360 when it's standing up. Set it right next to the system, and put it on high. No problems since then, and I've played marathon sessions of Oblivion and SF2. There's another cooling unit that goes on the bottom and uses the back USB port for power. I'm going to see if I can use a Dremel to eat away the plastic at the back part so I can have it and the Intercooler hooked up at the same time. No mo' motherboard warping for me!

 

 

It's not the heat that causes the board to warp. It is the design of the x-braces. The pressure of the sides in combination with the opposite pressure in the middle caused by the dimple causes the board to bend. If the pressure were equal it would not be an issue but it seems that the pressure from these x-braces are not equal and that causes the board to bend. What the heat does is allow the solder to get hot enough (and in turn soft enough) that the pressure of the board bending can break those connections. Removing heat doesn't allow the solder points to get hot enough to break. The only way to remove the strain on the board though is to remove the x-braces. This is what I have read and from looking at it I believe this is true. But, I could be wrong.

[Jess Ragan]

That's what I've been hearing too. Hopefully later Xbox 360 models will do away with the X-brace... I don't know if the Elite model uses it or not.

 

JR

[moycon]

Is it something that is easy to check?

[jay2068]

Is it something that is easy to check?

 

Your console wouldn't work and you would get three red rings of light on the xbox.

 

I think all the 360's are built the same. I've seen pictures of the Elite and everything is the same except the video port.

[moycon]

Is it something that is easy to check?

 

Your console wouldn't work and you would get three red rings of light on the xbox.

 

I think all the 360's are built the same. I've seen pictures of the Elite and everything is the same except the video port.

 

So the X-brace is visible from the outside and all 360's that have an Xbrace get three red rings of light on the xbox is what you are saying??

[Hyper_Eye]

Is it something that is easy to check?

 

Your console wouldn't work and you would get three red rings of light on the xbox.

 

I think all the 360's are built the same. I've seen pictures of the Elite and everything is the same except the video port.

 

So the X-brace is visible from the outside and all 360's that have an Xbrace get three red rings of light on the xbox is what you are saying??

 

The X-Braces (there are two) are not visible from the outside. They hold the heatsinks on the CPU and GPU. You have to open the machine to get to them. All 360's have the potential to have this problem. From what I can tell through polls, the vast majority of people that switch out the x-braces fix their 3LOD problem. That tells me that almost all the machines MS replaces are due to this problem. Yet, they haven't fixed it with the Elite. I think any machine would benefit in the long run with the removal of the x-braces. With the pressure removed from the board the life of the machine should be extended beyond the life expectancy of a machine with the x-braces. It should mostly avoid early death altogether. Just as a disclaimer, do not take apart a machine with a valid warranty.