Xbox Update Woes

The upcoming Xbox LIVE update has essentially broken some consoles. In a small number of consoles, it's made some retail discs unreadable and Microsoft is proactively contacting users with the problem with an offer to replace the consoles. The update supports a new disk format.

I was actually a part of the Beta for this and I encountered a major problem. Microsoft handled it pretty well. I was contacted by phone to get all of the details and the issue was worked out pretty quickly. The only reason I mention it is because I'm sure Microsoft is facing a bit of criticism for this, but in my experience, they've handled things the best they can.

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It appears that the new Xbox LIVE update, which will introduce support for the new XGD3 disk format, might prevent a very small number of Xbox 360 owners from playing retail game discs.

The XGD3 format will allow for additional storage space on a game disc, and will provide additional levels of copy production.

The Xbox LIVE Spring update will be rolled out between May 19 to May 30.

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/116/1168986p1.html

Update: Major Nelson says that this problem has nothing to do with what was tested in the recent Beta.

http://majornelson.com/2011/05/18/clearing-up-some-confusion/