Along with updating Garyopa's Xtreme firmware to v2.3, Maximus also updated his own application, 360 Firmware Toolbox to v2.0. In Maximus' own words, this application "a graphical tool to handle several common dvd-drive firmware tasks. (yep, another one !)"

Here's what's new in this release:

• Corrected: Lookup of keys on GDR-3120L V78 because they dont have same location on all drives.
• Added: Show of the "hacker string" that identifies hacked versions. (Samsung on FFE0, Hitachi on 37F0) In case of 512 KB roms will only show for bank 0
• Added: Option to quick view the key database
• Added: Bigger "Encrypt/Decrypt" button for those that have not been using this save-time feature

The readme contains full details and information on how to use it, and how it works. So before you go about messing with your Xbox 360's DVD Drive, please make sure to do your research. Luckily, you can download the file from our servers since it's pretty clean.

Download Link: [360 Firmware Toolbox v2.0]

Maximus has added yet more stuff to Garyopa's Hitachi/LG Xtreme firmware. After adding firmware stealth and better media detection in the last release, this time, he has released more of a minor update. Here's what he had to say in the readme:

"WHAT IS NEW: Change booting order to counter-attack the fake ss that appears to be on some EA games.
I have not tried it since here on America we dont have yet any of this games. In the worst case will not harm your box.  **If your drive is flashed USE A RESTORE FIRST**  (Use the restore included on this package)"

Anyway, since the file itself would be considered illegal under certain circumstances, we can't post it on our own servers. And besides, those who know their way around the internet won't have to look around a lot since these things tend to spread fast. Stay tuned to the latest!

We found two goodies over at Chilliflash that should come in handy. So even though you've been bad by bricking your Xbox, it looks like Santa has an early present! The Chillifix saves your bricked Hitachi drives, and the Unlock Kit helps you open your Xbox 360 case easily (this is nifty thing to have if you want to do a mod).

First, let's look at the Chillifix for Xbox 360. Chilliflash describes it:

• Recovers Hitachi drives from recovery state (bricked).
• Recovers drive from a bad flash, caused by wrongly flashing. Xtreme, OPA firmwares which leaves drive in a dead state (master checksum fix).
• Safely patches all checksum routines to avoid future bricking.
• 12 Wires to solder only.
• 1 Optional wire for debug mode (For windows detection of drive).
• Works for all flashable Hitachi drives 32, 36, 46,47, 58 and 59.

Here are the details of the Unlock Kit:

• A special designed opening tool kit to safely and quickly remove the Xbox 360 case, without causing any damage to the plastic outer shell. The kit is moulded from steel metal crafted to fit all the complex clips on the Xbox 360 case, allowing a fast unlock of the case.
• Anti scratch coating material is used to give the product a quality look and feel.
• The kit includes a T10 Screwdriver with handle for Xbox 360 inner screws.
• The kit comes with protective packaging and an outer brown giftbox.
• A must have for any Xbox 360 Modder

We like the Unlock Kit. It's mean to laugh at people who get it wrong, but opening a case can have disastrous consequences, especially if it's a first-timer trying to do it. One of our favorite first-timer boo-boos: using a screwdriver that's too small or too big and ruining the grooves (making it really hard to remove the screw). Yup, we mentioned that mistake two months ago, and we still encounter people who do it.

Please hold all comments and reactions until the end of the article. Xbox 360s manufactured since the end of August have a new version of the Hitachi GDR-3120L DVD drive that makes firmware hacks and exploits harder, says Xbox-Scene. v0078FK contains several hardware changes that makes it more difficult to flash the firmware (all pictures from Xbox-Scene as well).

How harder? How more difficult? Xbox-Scene quote this summary from Garyopa that says it all (typos and all):

There has been many changes done to the new Hitachi GDR-3120L - Version: 0078fk drive:

1. No "memdump" command works, totally new program needed
2. Chip type has been changed to a 39VF020, so new "flashsec" program needed
3. Black hard glue has been added covering all the chip pins and the controller pins.
4. External "debug" triggering into ModeB has been removed.

What does all these mean? Click on full article.

Team Xecuter's Blaster 360 is coming along quite nicely. As we mentioned earlier, this would potentially allow you to flash your drives with little to no physical tinkering of the Xbox 360 to get it to work. For people who don't know which side of a nail is the pointy end (myself inluded), this device would be a godsend.

In a new post on their forums, the team has answered some of the most common questions about the Blaster 360 that have popped up on their forums, as well as offering a couple of new shots of the device itself. While waiting, check this to see if you were planning on asking one of these questions, number nine most especially, and take a look at the pics... ah, green glowing light. So peaceful.

1. Once fitted the device allows you to switch your DVD to flashing mode and to be flashed externally without ever having to open up your Xbox360 cases again.
2. It has a separate molex power connector. This is for electrical safety and security. It resolves any short or grounding issues and keeps the Xbox360 PSU and any external flashing procedure separate.
3. It has a switch to switch between normal 360 read operation and PC flashing operation.
4. Modeb is built in for hitachi drives.
5. You can connect direct to SATA or use the X360USB
6. There is no cutting of any of the outer case whatsoever - it is a clean install with no visible damage.
7. We have included a switch to disable the LED glow or to disable the LED alltogether (for those that don't like LED's)
8. We have optimized the design so it fits flush to the case and so you can also remove the hard drive with ease.
9. There is no release date or price as of yet, we will keep the price as low as possible. When we know, you will know. Asking that question over and over again on the forums is redundant.

Buy: [Blaster 360]

There's great news coming your way from the folks that made the Xbox Homebrew Mod and the X360 USB kit! Team Xecuter has been working on a way to flash your drives without ever opening your 360 again, and they've finally given it a name and a release date! The Blaster 360 is a stylish yet functional addition to your homebrew arsenal, allowing you to flash the firmware without opening the console.

As Team Xecuter mentions,

No soldering, no cutting of the case - just plug 'n' go. You only ever have to open up your case once. We don't need to tell you how many different firmwares have been released in the last few months and who knows how many more? No longer will you have to have your Xbox in pieces all the time, no longer will you have to take the Xbox apart every time you need to update new features and functions or essential bug fixes.

The Blaster 360 also works with your 360 USB, so if you've bought some of their previous goodies, they won't become obsolete. In any case, here are the list of features. Expect resellers to have it out around the end of October, and we'll keep you updated on the latest happenings with this new product of theirs as we get them.

Features:

• Once installed, never open up the case again to update firmware.
• No soldering, no cutting, no problem!
• 5 minute install.
• Xbox Mode & PC Mode Switch.
• Modeb Enabled for Hitachi.
• Molex Power connector (no lugging around the 360 PSU).
• Superior quality design.
• Ergonomically matched to the 360 case.
• LED Glow feature.
• LED Glow Off / Led Perm On / LED Off switch.

Buy: [Blaster 360]

The guys at Team Underdog has made several announcements on their page. Special mention of these updates is the official release of the NME-360 v1.1 Chip - considered as the "first real Modchip for the Xbox 360" and expected to play backups on you Microsoft console. The team also announced that they are setting up the new installation diagrams online in a few days. They have also noted that the NME-360 v1.1 chips are still two different chips for Samsung and Hitachi.

The Hitachi chips will now be marked with a white stripe, while the Samsung chips will be left unmarked. Be sure to watch out for the video that Team Underdog will be releasing - it features the cool activity LED in action. Also the team would set up a support forum for those who are experiencing problems with their NME-360 v1.1 and our aSSociat0r tool.

And for your viewing pleasure, Rob sent this cool picture of NME-360 LE sitting behind the window of the "X".

When it comes to patchmods for Xbox 360, Team Underdog owns with its NME-360 v1.0. However, Divineo came up with a new product that looks like their initial edition of the DVD patchmod chips, not to mention it being cheaper at $24 only.

Named Aladdin2 Mod360, this product is available in two drives and both have a low wire count: 4 for Toshiba Samsung drive and 11 for Hitachi-LG. Aside from auto booting original games, this mod automatically boots NME360 type backups and "those that are in dual format (xtreme/NME360)" as well.

Once it detects an original game, Mod360 will disabling patching making it excellent for Xbox Live. Keep in mind though that backups should be in NME360 format and the book-type of the DVD+R DL can be either DVD+R or DVD-ROM. For diagrams of both drives, click on the thumbnails below.

  

Some of you might value an update from Geremia (remember our article about the Geremia patch for the Birdy Hitachi-LG Friendly Flasher v2.1 7-in-1 with Xtreme v2.0?). So even though it's tough to blog when the news is only a few lines at most (and it's worse when there's no download file to go with it), we had to share what Geremia had to say.

A few things about the Hitachi Mediacheck Patch v2_47 (sorry, no download available): All in all, it's a better mediatype recognition patch. According to Geremia, it works on Samsung (there have been reports of it working with a Plextor unbootable burned backup and one from an LG burner), although there are still problems with a COD2 disk that goes directly to video.

This is good news for those of you who backup your valuable original disks to avoid sullying them, only to find out that you have problems when you try to play the backup.

Necessity is the mother of invention. And there's a real need to make the process of letting your Xbox 360 play backups without flashing your firmware (especially for those of you who have backed up your extremely valuable original games).

This is where the NME-360 comes in. It claims to be a universal solution for all Xbox 360 consoles. No more need for tons of wires. No more need for risky workarounds that might brick your DVD by flashing the wrong files. And because there's no need for firmware reading or flashing, your firmware isn't touched at all. The only thing you need is to physically install the device with a few wires to your Samsung or Hitachi/LG drive, and that's that. The makers have thought of almost everything: the chip even stays off if you play the original game so it isn't detected when you play online!

We reported on the NME-360 a while back. Team underdOg has announced that they are now in the production stage of the new NME-360 version 1.1 with the following details:

• Samsung drives use 4 wires to connect to the NME-360
• Hitachi drives use 5 wires
• one optional wire to switch off network connection when chip is enabled
• one optional wire for indication LED at the front panel of the Xbox360 to see if chip is enabled or disabled
• no need to set booktype to DVD+R DL for Samsung anymore
• no need to use special DVD-writers
• supported drives: Hitachi 46, 47, 58, 59, Samsung ms25, ms28

They'll be shipping these out to sellers in a few days and they should sell for more or less $40 (necessity may be the mother of invention, but inventors have to eat).

By the way, those of you who have the NME-360 limited edition should note that there's a little mistake in the diagram. Pins 1 and 2 were switched by accident (just swap them around and things should work fine).