Continue reading »]]> Xbox 360 players signed up to Call of Duty Elite will get another new Modern Warfare 3 multiplayer map – Overwatch – on February 21.

That’s even before PS3 Elite Premium subs get last month’s maps, Liberation and Piazza, which won’t arrive until February 28. Infinity Ward has offered no release date for Overwatch for PS3 Elite Premiums.

 ”Overwatch drops you into a construction site atop a New York City skyscraper. The battle takes place along two levels in a near symmetrical layout, with the central bridge and side routes open to attack from multiple angles,” says IW.

]]> http://xnand.com/2012/02/new-mw3-map-overwatch-to-arrive-for-xbox-360-elite-suscribers-on-february-21st/feed/ 0 http://xnand.com/2012/02/raspberry-pis-35-linux-computer-on-track-to-launch-later-this-month/ http://xnand.com/2012/02/raspberry-pis-35-linux-computer-on-track-to-launch-later-this-month/#comments Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:13:49 +0000 Admin http://xnand.com/?p=234

Continue reading »]]> The first model of the Raspberry Pi Foundation’s low-cost Linux computer will likely be available for purchase later this month. The organization announced today that manufacturing on the first batch is set to complete on February 20.

Continue reading »]]> This guide will show you how to easily update a Liteon iHAS 124-XX B DVD Writer to the iXtreme Burner Max Firmware

This tutorial works with all the compatible iHas-B drives, however we chose the 124 as the base guide as that it was the hack was originally designed on and its the cheapest / easiest to get drive.

First of all you need to make sure your drive has the latest stock firmware before flashing iXtreme Burner Max. This is so the EEPROM is fully updated. iXtreme Burner Max does not update the EEPROM. (This is for those of you who ask, “Why do we need to put the latest LiteOn firmware on it if we are just going to replace it?”)

For example the Liteon iHAS124-XX B that we got from xconsoles.com or amazon.com had a stock firmware of AL0R which is from July 2011. However there was a firmware update in September 2011 which is the AL0S and that is the fw that iXtreme Burner Max was based on, so you first need to make sure that you get the correct stock firmware that matches the iXtreme Burner Max firmware and flash that first.

LiteON iHAS124-XX B (Download Stock Firmware – AL0S)
LiteON iHAS224-XX B (Download Stock Firmware – GL0A)
LiteON iHAS324-XX B (Download Stock Firmware – AL1B)
LiteON iHAS424-XX B (Download Stock Firmware – GL1A)
LiteON iHAS524-XX B (Download Stock Firmware – AL2A)
LiteON iHAS624-XX B (Download Stock Firmware – GL29)

(Note: The XX value varies and is of no consequence. The important value is the firmware version B which is the chipset. Versions A and Y will NOT work).

Requirements:

iHAS DVD Writer (Buy Here)
Any SATA Chipset (NON-AHCI Mode) or XECUTER X360USB PRO
iXtreme Burner Max Firmware (Hotfile) (MediaFire)
EEPROM Utility v6.2.0 (Download)
Verbatim MKM-001 (2.4x) or Verbatim MKM-003 (4x) Blank Media (See XGD2 v XGD3 Info at the end of this guide)

1. First you need to connect the drive to your PC. You can use onboard SATA (make sure that it is on a port that has AHCI disabled as there have been many reports of failures if you use an AHCI enabled port), a SATA PCI card, an external USB to SATA 5.25 enclosure or you can even use an Xecuter X360USB PRO. I’m not going to explain to you how to connect a power and sata cable to a DVD drive. If you can’t do that then you should get another hobby 

Ensure that the DVD drive shows in device manager and is listed in Windows with a drive letter.

2. Now you need to make sure your drive has the stock firmware version that matches the version of the Burner Max firmware. To check which version your drive is simply run the EEPROM Utility.

1: Model Number
2: Chipset Version
3: Firmware Version

As you can see this shows we have an iHAS124 Model, and a B version chipset with firmware version AL0R. Now the Burner Max version for this drive is AL0S so we will first need to update to that before we do anything else.

3. Download the correct stock firmware for your drive. In this case its the AL0S.EXE for the iHAS124B. The download links are listed at the beginning of this guide. Open the file and there will be a popup throwing out some drive info. Make sure it is the correct iHAS version that matches your drive before continuing. Read the instructions and then click YES.

4. Make sure that the correct drive is selected and that the source and destination firmwares match up to watch you require. In this case we want to upgrade an iHAS124B from AL0R to AL0S. Click Update.

5. Once completed you will be asked to reboot your PC. You MUST DO THIS before you continue so click NOW. (Make sure that you save any other work that you had open before rebooting).

6. Now you are back in Windows you are ready to flash the drives firmware. Open up the Flash Utility and make sure the correct iHas drive version is showing along with your new updated stock firmware. Now dump the flash to make sure everything is working correctly. Click Read Flash.

7. Save the dumped firmware. You can use this as your stock backup.

8. OK now lets flash the Burner Max firmware. Click the Write Flash button.

9. Read the instructions carefully. If everything looks good to you click YES.

10. Select the correct Burner Max firmware for your driver version and click OPEN.

11. As the pop up says, last chance. Make sure everything looks good then click YES. We recommend you do not touch the mouse or keyboard while the drive is flashing.

12. Flashing…..

13. Success !!! Click EXIT and you are done. Now reboot your PC and you will be ready to rock 8.7 GB burns 

Extra Info Regarding XGD2 v XGD3

14. There are only two types of disc that this hack officially recognizes. The Verbatim MKM001 (2.4x) and the Verbatim MKM003 (4x). You can easily see which media code your Verbatim disc is by inserting a blank disc into the burner and starting up the latest version of IMGBURN.

15. In order to get MKM003 discs to burn at 4x you must set the OPC option in IMGBURN. Goto the menu and click Tools > Settings and hit the Write tab. Make sure box is checked next to “Perform OPC Before Write” Then click OK. Note: This option should be used for Verbatim MKM003 discs only. If you use any other disc then you should disable this option by unticking the box.

In order for XGD3 games to be burned properly, the new firmware utilizes every possible spare area on the disc which causes the burn to be very close to edge of the disc. This area is where the dye (the material where the data resides) is the most inconsistent. The stock firmware in DVD burners has been coded to stop burning well short of the edge of the dye. Here’s an image to illustrate this.

A rip of an XGD2 game is 7,838,695,424 Bytes (7.8 GB); A rip of an XGD3 game is 8,738,846,720 Bytes (8.7 GB).

The difference is about 191 MB that gets cut off at the end if you do not use the Burner Max firmware. Keeping this chunk of data intact on the backup is what the iXtreme Burner Max was created for. If you compare the 2 backups, notice how much area the additional 709 MB requires (difference between XDG2 and XGD3 images).

Cheaper, lower-grade discs have greater areas of inconsistent dye at the outer tracks than higher-grade discs, such as Verbatim do. This isn’t an opinion; it’s not debatable; it’s a fact so live with it. This is why c4eva has reported that only Verbatim discs have been burning consistently error-free. The statement, “But, my cheaper discs have always worked fine,” is irrelevant as you will be burning them with a capacity they were never designed for. Don’t be a cheap *** and use 6x-8x Verbatims (These will be MKM003′s though you will be burning at 4x)

For those of you who wonder why bother with a Burner Max drive for XGD3 games when they have been working fine so far: let’s hold a contest to see who can guess the exact number of new security checks that fit inside the 191 MB getting truncated by not using one. The winner gets a freshly-banned console as well as discs that no longer boot; the runner-up gets a profile that’s suspended until 12/31/9999 and a pile of coasters.

EEPROM Utility Tweaks

There are also a number of options you can tweak using the EEPROM Utility. Some users have reported better results with these options enabled, some better when disabled so its simply a matter of preference for your own setup.

The options we recommend you try out are Smart Burn, Force Hyper Tuning & Online Hyper Tuning. You will find that Smart Burn is enabled by default.

Once you have burned your disc you really need to test the quality. Due to the very low margin of error you now have to follow these guidelines and use a tool called KPROBE2 to test the true quality of your discs. A simply verify by IMGBURN is no longer sufficient. Use these guides to help you through the process. After enabling those settings your backups may work with lower grade discs such Aone Dual Layers, but this is no guarantee.
Credits: Ubergeek on behalf of Team

Continue reading »]]> As a side note to the company’s fiscal results for Q3 2012, Take-Two Interactive Software, the parent company of Rockstar Games and 2K, has confirmed the new post-delay release dates for upcoming title, Max Payne 3.

Originally slated for release in early March, Max Payne 3 will now hit gamers like the proverbial gun butt to the back of the head, when it arrives on the Xbox 360 a little later – May 15th, 2012 in North America and May 18th in all other territories.

Let’s continue with the firearm theme, by introducing a new 30-odd second-long trailer featuring Max taking on some thugs (who, frankly, probably wish they hadn’t bothered turning up!) with a high-powered 608 Bull Revolver in hand:

Here’s hoping that you’ve not already seen enough gun-toting for one day, because there’s more! This comes courtesy of the latest batch of bad-ass looking screenshots which seen the light of day just a few hours ago.

If all that action has whet your appetite for the forthcoming iteration in the Max Payne franchise, bear in mind that you now have until April 2nd to pre-order the Special Edition of Max Payne 3. You can check out the available pre-order options, by heading to the previous delay announcement story (linked in the first paragraph of this article).

Thanks: True Achievements

Continue reading »]]>

Anonymous also published an email, apparently from the FBI, giving the email addresses of call participants.

The FBI confirmed the leak and said it was hunting those responsible.

It said the information “was intended for law enforcement officers only and was illegally obtained,” the Associated Press news agency reports.

British police at Scotland Yard said they were working on a statement.

According to the alleged email, the 17-minute phone call took place on 17 January. It was unclear how Anonymous had managed to obtain the recording.

The email was sent to law enforcement officials in the US, UK, Sweden, Ireland and other countries, inviting them to “discuss the on-going investigations related to Anonymous, Lulzsec, Antisec, and other associated splinter groups”.

In the call, British and American voices said to be police and FBI agents discuss the names of some of the people they were tracking and plans for legal action.

Usernames are included but some of the real names of people being investigated appear to have been bleeped out.

Among those discussed are two British men, Ryan Cleary and Jake Davis, who are wanted in the US for their alleged connections to Anonymous.

One of the British voices on the recording also says UK police have made mistakes in previous investigations.

A comment on one of the Twitter accounts linked to Anonymous,AnonymousIRC, said: “The FBI might be curious how we’re able to continuously read their internal comms for some time now.”

Anonymous is a loose collective of hackers, anarchists and pranksters who have targeted a range of governments, companies, law enforcement agencies and individuals in recent years.

Source: BBC News

Continue reading »]]> Coming to XBLA and PSN.

Konami has confirmed new details about The Simpsons Arcade Game headed to Xbox Live and PlayStation Network. The game is an updated version of the classic arcade game and features four-player gameplay as well as multiple modes.

“Quarters” mode re-creates the original arcade experience, while Survival mode “challenges you to see how far you can get with only one life.” A Free Play mode will offer unlimited continues and the Japanese version of the game will be included as unlockable bonus content.

The game will be available on February 7th on PlayStation Network and will be free to PlayStation Plus subscribers. Xbox Live players will be able to play four days early – this Friday, February 3rd at the price of 800 MS points.

Continue reading »]]> Valve has released a new Steam Mobile app for iOS and Android devices.

Before your jaw falls off, it doesn’t bring Steam games to mobile, but it does let you interact with Steam in many ways, including browsing the library of games, seeing when your friends are online, what they’re playing and messaging.

It’ll also let you keep up with Steam’s news posts, new sales, check out user profiles and see screenshots and user-generated content for your games.

“The Steam app comes from many direct requests from our customers,” said Gabe Newell, co-founder and president of Valve. “Seeing which of your friends are online and playing a game, sending quick messages, looking at screenshots for an upcoming game, or catching a sale – these are all features customers have requested. Mobile is changing way people interact, play games and consume media, and the Steam app is part of our commitment to meet customer demands and expand the service functionality of Steam to make it richer and more accessible for everyone.”

The app is a beta release, and you’ll have to register your interest to get in on it. “Those who wish to join the beta just need to download the Steam app (free of charge) and log in to their Steam account via the mobile app to express interest in the beta. Gamers will be added to the Closed Beta as the service ramps up,” explains Valve.

Thanks: CVG

Continue reading »]]> Microsoft’s Xbox 360 successor will utilise a Radeon 6000 series GPU, the latest Xbox 720 rumour report has claimed.

“Sources close to the project” apparently indicated the decision to IGN, claiming that Microsoft’s is prepping the year-old graphics processor for its new console, rather than the newer 7000 series.

The processor will be derived from the Radeon HD 6670, it’s claimed, which offers support for DirectX11, multidisplay output, 3D and 1080p HD output. You can currently buy the chip for less than £50.

The report goes on to claim Xbox 720′s raw graphics processor will boast “six times the processing power” of the Xbox 360 and “20 percent greater performance” than Nintendo’s forthcoming Wii U.

The next Xbox will ship to retailers in “late October or early November of next year”, the report concludes.

Microsoft has long spoken of its ten-year plan for Xbox 360, which launched in late 2005, but that doesn’t rule out a successor launching during the period.

European Xbox boss, Chris Lewis said in August:

“We think we’re a little over halfway with the life cycle of the console, but that’s not to say there won’t be an overlap. I’m not going to announce specifically or talk about timing. But you could imagine there could be overlap, it depends. We’re not being specific about the next generation at this stage.”

A patent discovered earlier this week has suggested that Microsoft intends its new console to be a digital video recorder, along with a game console.

[ Source: IGN ]