HDD swap ?

[Prodos8]

Recently I purchased a second Xbox 360 because my kids got tired of hauling theirs back and forth when they visit me. However the kids (of course) wanted to take the new console home but switch the HDD with the old one with all their game saves etc. Everything seemed to be working fine, the save games and gamer profiles all worked just fine. But, apparently, all the downloadable content is missing like the upgrades for the Oblivion game and some other stuff. Is that downloadable content somehow keyed to the original console?

[Atari5200]

Recently I purchased a second Xbox 360 because my kids got tired of hauling theirs back and forth when they visit me. However the kids (of course) wanted to take the new console home but switch the HDD with the old one with all their game saves etc. Everything seemed to be working fine, the save games and gamer profiles all worked just fine. But, apparently, all the downloadable content is missing like the upgrades for the Oblivion game and some other stuff. Is that downloadable content somehow keyed to the original console?

 

if I'm not mistaken..yes, If I remember correctly, it's a piracy issue, so people don't copy stuff and just log out under one profile and log in to the one with copied games and such. But I could be totally wrong too, I'm trying to go off of something I had read maybe a few months ago.

[+HammR25]

Atari5200 is correct.

[Atariboy]

Yeah, they can access it still though by logging into Xbox Live if its possible.

[Prodos8]

Yeah, they can access it still though by logging into Xbox Live if its possible.

They tried that, but after re-downloading for free (in seconds since its already there) they couldn't actually access the content. In fact you can't even re-download the content as it thinks you already have it.

[moycon]

Yeah, they can access it still though by logging into Xbox Live if its possible.

They tried that, but after re-downloading for free (in seconds since its already there) they couldn't actually access the content. In fact you can't even re-download the content as it thinks you already have it.

 

If the content is on the HD along with the gamertag of the person that downloaded the content originally. Log in as the gamertag that bought the content and then the content will work. Otherwise, It will not. Make sure you are logged in as the person who bought the title. Same goes for the Arcade games, they will be the trial versions otherwise.

[Mendon]

Ahhh... the dreaded 360 DRM issue once again. Its so confusing trying to figure out what works when and under whose gamertag that my head spins.

 

Not trying to start any war, but I still think Sony handles the DRM issue the best: you get to download any purchase you make 5 times and then have to re-purchase the DLC again for a 6th download. Console doesn't matter.

 

As an example, I purchase Pain for play on my PS3. I go over to Moycon's house, log onto the PS Store with my gamer-tag and re-download Pain to Moycon's PS3. When I leave, Moycon can still play Pain any time he wants and under his gamer-tag.

 

Don't know why Sony did it this way, especially considering that they were the company that wanted to tie disk based games to a console in order to disrupt the Used Game business. But its the most consumer friendly way of handling the DRM issue that the three gaming companies have come up with.

 

 

Mendon

[rorysl]

I'm a new 360 owner but maybe my story will help. My friend's 360 broke, he bought a new one, gave me the broken one, kept his hard drive. I had to re-register his serial number to my name through Xbox to get the repair done. In order to access his downloadable content from his hard drive on his brand new 360 (or redownload, not sure) he had to contact Microsoft (800-4MY-XBOX) and give them the serial number of his old 360 and explain the situation.

 

Hope that helps!

[Atariboy]

That doesn't always seem to work Moycon. Some stuff, especially Sega's XBLA titles, default to demo mode when played on a different Xbox 360 even when logged on to the correct gamertag, and you need to unlock the game like you would if you had decided to buy a game you already had the demo of. Only takes 2-3 seconds, but its annoying and required everytime you start the game.

 

And there's been a few reports, usually involving people that upgraded to an Elite, where even that doesn't work. Don't know if these are idiots that are logging on with a new gamertag on their new console and then are complaining their content isn't there, or a legitimate issue, but they could be experiencing a similar fluke if it does exist.

 

These people say their content is there, are logged in correctly, and that it just stays in demo mode (Or doesn't work if its not a XBLA game), and they can't repurchase since their account shows it as already bought. Basically locked out of it completely.

Edited May 20, 2008 by Atariboy

[moycon]

These people say their content is there, are logged in correctly, and that it just stays in demo mode (Or doesn't work if its not a XBLA game), and they can't repurchase since their account shows it as already bought. Basically locked out of it completely.

 

Didn't know that. I have two 360's a Pro and an Elite, and I've replaced them both (The pro twice!)

Never had an issue where I couldn't access my content logged in under my gamertage. (Off line is another story though )

The system they used is very obviously flawed, had no clue it was THAT flawed though. They need a solution.

[Prodos8]

They're three gamer tags on the drive and before I swapped the HDD with the new console the downloadable content was playable under any gamer tag. I think I'll just swap the drives back to the original consoles. The main reason they wanted the new console is that it has a falcon motherboard wich is less likely to RRoD since they play way more than I do. Also the new console is much quieter.

[moycon]

They're three gamer tags on the drive and before I swapped the HDD with the new console the downloadable content was playable under any gamer tag.

 

Yep, This is exactly what I am saying. You can still access the content, but you have to be connected to Live, and you would have to log in as the gamertag that purchased the game originally. Once that is done, the other people can play the game using a second controller, pressing the big X button and logging in as their own gamertag. Only way it will work that I know of. They will not be able to launch the full game unless you rebuy it using the new console. I've dealt with it many times. I've never encountered or even heard of the situation Atariboy is talking about but I'm not saying it hasnt happened.

[Prodos8]

They're three gamer tags on the drive and before I swapped the HDD with the new console the downloadable content was playable under any gamer tag.

 

Yep, This is exactly what I am saying. You can still access the content, but you have to be connected to Live, and you would have to log in as the gamertag that purchased the game originally. Once that is done, the other people can play the game using a second controller, pressing the big X button and logging in as their own gamertag. Only way it will work that I know of. They will not be able to launch the full game unless you rebuy it using the new console. I've dealt with it many times. I've never encountered or even heard of the situation Atariboy is talking about but I'm not saying it hasnt happened.

Dude, repectfully, It's not working no matter what gamer profile/tag you log in as. It, the downloadable stuff, must be keyed to to the original console. I wish it did work but alas it doesn't. I'm frustrated now, f*ck MS, I just want my d/l content. Edited May 20, 2008 by Prodos8

[+remowilliams]

I've never encountered or even heard of the situation Atariboy is talking about but I'm not saying it hasnt happened.

Neither have I after a couple drive swaps (for others) and even whole drive content copies (for my 20 > elite).

[Atariboy]

Neither have I, but there's been decent length threads about it at Digital Press (In the case of Sega XBLA's titles and a few others defaulting to demos when played on another system), and the AVS forums (The same issue, and a couple of people that claimed to have been locked out of their DLC completely upon upgrading to a Elite).

 

So I don't know if any of its happened either.

 

Here is the DP thread in question

 

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread...;highlight=Sega

 

And the AVS thread

 

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1004376

Edited May 21, 2008 by Atariboy

[moycon]

Dude, repectfully, It's not working no matter what gamer profile/tag you log in as.

 

Yeah I got you, but like I said I never heard of it so I cant really offer any type of solution. I definitely don't think you're making it up.

 

I do recall hearing about a person that contacted MS and they helped them migrate all the content from an old console to a new console. It basically involved creating a new gamertag, MS assigned that gamertag the games that had been bought, then they were redownloaded and supposedly all gamertags could use them again, thing is he was replacing his 360 with a new, not just wanting a temp move. Also the process took weeks.

 

You could try to call MS, even though many folks will tell you their CS sucks, I haven't had any issues calling them and asking questions. You might check the offical MS forums as well. They have tech forums that might have threads with posts from folks with similar issues.

[Prodos8]

Dude, repectfully, It's not working no matter what gamer profile/tag you log in as.

 

Yeah I got you, but like I said I never heard of it so I cant really offer any type of solution. I definitely don't think you're making it up.

 

I do recall hearing about a person that contacted MS and they helped them migrate all the content from an old console to a new console. It basically involved creating a new gamertag, MS assigned that gamertag the games that had been bought, then they were redownloaded and supposedly all gamertags could use them again, thing is he was replacing his 360 with a new, not just wanting a temp move. Also the process took weeks.

 

You could try to call MS, even though many folks will tell you their CS sucks, I haven't had any issues calling them and asking questions. You might check the offical MS forums as well. They have tech forums that might have threads with posts from folks with similar issues.

I apologize for seemingly lashing out against you. But I've got around $60-$100 worth of d/l content that I can't (or my kids can't) use. Put yourself in my shoes. Like I said I'll probably just swap the HDDs back or, maybe, call MS and see what they can do.

[Prodos8]

* double post *

Edited May 21, 2008 by Prodos8

[moycon]

Recently I purchased a second Xbox 360 because my kids got tired of hauling theirs back and forth when they visit me. However the kids (of course) wanted to take the new console home but switch the HDD with the old one with all their game saves etc.

 

Let me ask you this, does the new 360 have a HD in it, also do you have a 360 memory card?

[rockman_x_2002]

Perhaps this link could be of some assistance for you.

 

EDIT: This method apparently only works for a repaired console that Microsoft is aware of sending to you. So this more than likely won't work (although I guess you're more than welcome to try it and see). Keeping the link there on the off chance that it's still useful to someone out there.

Edited May 22, 2008 by rockman_x_2002

[Mendon]

Found This Article on Kotaku and it makes for interesting reading.

 

If I'm understanding the story correctly, MS is pulling some titles from XBLA that don't sell that well. Sort of understandable. BUT... if you happen to have purchased one or more of these titles and then exchanged your 360 for any reason (upgrade to Elite or refurbished replacement from MS or whatever), you could be out the $$$$$ you spent for XBLA games as they may no longer be available for re-download.

 

I get frustrated over this whole DRM crap and try to limit my frustration by telling myself over and over "You are only renting the games... you are only renting the games...". But one of these days, Sony - MS - Nintendo have GOT to get this whole DRM issue resolved. I enjoy PSN, XBLA, and VC/WiiWare but the more this DRM bullcrap keeps coming up, the more reluctant I am to make future purchases.

 

 

Mendon

[+remowilliams]

I enjoy PSN, XBLA, and VC/WiiWare but the more this DRM bullcrap keeps coming up, the more reluctant I am to make future purchases.

It's only going to get worse, not better as time passes and the move away from physical media and distribution in general marches on.

[MetalSlime23]

I wish you luck with this. My buddy got screwed royally by Microsoft by this issue about a year ago. He brought his HDD to my apartment and used my console to buy some stuff because he doesn't have an internet connection. When he went home later it wouldn't work, and Microsoft would not allow him to re-download the content with his console so it would be available offline, so he ended up paying for it twice. Bastards!

 

:x