The DRM issue is such: every piece of DLC you download is tied to BOTH your Gamertag AND the console(not the hard drive, but that particular serial number). So if you exchange your console your DLC will no longer work offline. You will have to be connected(so that MS can see your Gamertag) to play any and all previous downloaded games/maps/content.

Somebody else can probably explain it better than that though. :lol:

That's 100% correct. I had to send my entire unit back to Circuit City, thus losing all of my HD content. They sent me a GC for the amount I purchased the 360 for. They responded quickly, but now I'm only able to access my XBLA/DLC stuff with an internet connection. Small price to pay for minimal hassle in getting a new unit, but sucks that I have to connect to play Symphony of the Night now or get the bonus characters on Marvel: UA.

In hindsight though, I'd go with MS.

No, no, thanks for the explanation! It certainly helps to know I was in the right ballpark.

From what I understand when you go through MS coffin process you rarely if ever receive your actual original console back, so does MS re-sync your gamertag with the replacement console, or are all the people who have ever had to send in their system for repair unable to access their downloads offline? That would seem like a hell of a lot of people.

Assuming you can still retain your hard drive with the Best Buy replacement plan I guess I'm just not seeing the advantage of the MS warranty regarding the DRM issue.

Oh, btw, is this type of discussion ok for this thread? I searched and didn't find an FAQ or new owner type thread.

Due to piracy reasons, when you get a new console, your games do not automatically resync. That said, you can contact Microsoft and have them resync your account to your new console so you can play the games offline. Hear it takes like 30 days.

What's considered standard game invite etiquette? Not that I'm some huge online social butterfly, but it happened this weekend that I got some invites when I was already playing with a group. A couple them I responded to with either "I don't have that game" or "i'm already with a group, catch you next time" but I'm wondering what everyone else does.

Thanks for all your responses.

I was able to find a 171 page thread on the Xbox forums addressing this issue, lol, so evidently it's been a bit of a problem for a while now. As RichC2 said, you can contact Microsoft support to have your DRM license restored for offline play, but achieving a satisfactory resolution sounds bothersome at best as there still seem to be a lot of people with unresolved issues. However, according to this MS support article you can restore the license to your replacement/refurb by following some steps that don't require a phone call.

Evidently license restoration is only possible for warranty replacements or repairs, so people who upgrade to Elites or have to buy replacement consoles are out of luck.

According to that MS support article, you should be able to have your license restored as well even with a b&m warranty:

"Note If you exchanged your console at retail by using the retailer's return policy instead of sending the console directly to the Xbox Repair Center, these steps do not restore your licenses, and you must contact support at (800) 4MYXBOX (469-9269) to have your licenses manually restored."

Did you ever attempt this, TimeandTide? I expect to be in the same boat one day and am curious how your situation played out.

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/4...piracy1ll4.jpg

the Bourne Conspiracy demo is up according to Major Nelson.

Can't wait to check that one out. It looks cool but after getting burned on Lost, I'm definitely waiting for reviews and feedback first. :lol:

Unfortunately, that doesn't always work. I still ended up having to call 1-800-4MY-XBOX and essentially tell my life's story to the Microsoft CSRs so they'd start the process of license transfer.

Do MS or the publishers remove items from Live Marketplace? If so, why?

I wanted to download some of the Marvel Ultimate Alliance themes and gamer pics (after seeing the movie Iron Man of course :p) and I don't see them up there anymore. If items are removed, how would you download them again if your Xbox needs to be replaced? I doubt they would reimburse you for the purchase of the content.

Thanks

AFAIK the only instance of things being removed are broken demos and promotional themes/gamerpics(free shit).

Everything you've ever downloaded (even free stuff no longer available) is in your DL History. I think that's under Account Management. You can re-download from there.

Take with a grain of salt!
 

http://www.dailygame.net/news/archives/007655.php

Chris

also http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/02/x...-by-september/

Strange. This story came out today with yet another denial from Microsoft.

http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/05/m...rts-yet-again/

I never had high hopes for this one. Will check out the demo if I can peel myself away from GTA IV.

I'll have to check it too. The website for the game looks really good. Too good to be true.

I tried the Bourne demo last night. I thought it did an excellent job of translating the kinetic energy from the films, and it was great fun to play.

However, the sample missions were very linear -- not unlike a rail shooter -- and the game takes direct control from you (to show cutscenes) much too often. Based on that, I think I'd be interested in the full game -- but probably only as a rental or bargain bin purchase.

The Bourne demo was pretty damn good and I'm still fairly excited to play the full game.

Well, you'd think if they were going to do it, and there were no real legal obstacles, they'd do it ASAP.

Haven't played the demo yet but I read today that Matt Damon doesn't support the game. He wanted it to be more like a puzzle game ala Myst where Bourne is searching for clues to his memory but the makers of the game obviously wanted a game that would kick ass.

Well my second 360 just died. I didn't get the 3 red rings though. This time I got 1 red ring in the lower right corner and an E74 error code on the screen. I was playing GTA IV at the time. Of course my warranty has expired so I had to pay the $99 bucks to get a coffin shipped. Sigh. Hopefully they will get me a replacement soon.

As there been any talk of a spring 08 dashboard update yet?

I really want to be able to organize my friends into subgroups because it's starting to spread out too much.

Also, is there a set schedule for new titles to be added to the Arcade Hits library? Looks like it took 3 months from wave 1 to 2 last time, so we should see another round in early-mid June, I'd wager.

I only played a little of the Bourne demo but it was alot of fun.

New demo up :

Demo: GRID
Content: GRID Demo
Price: Free
Availability: All Xbox LIVE regions
Dash Text: [ESRB: E (Everyone)] It's time to get on the GRID as this superb demo showcases racing in the three regions playable in the full game; Europe Touring Cars at Jarama Circuit, U.S Muscle cars at San Francisco and Japanese Drift Racing at Yokohama Docks. Compete online in the European and U.S races and check out the time trial competitions for the chance to win a car and other ace prizes.

Before you do anything, try the plugs. Unplug and replug the video cord and see if that helps. Sometimes it may have jarred loose. That code refers to the connections, not the overheating issue.

"...In most cases, this is caused by a loose or damaged AV cable.
Unplug your AV cable from the console and TV and replug it firmly.
If the error still persists, try a different AV cable."

I did plug and unplug the AV cable and the power cable a couple of times. I'll try once more before I lay it to rest in the coffin.