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[Toddler]

Ok, just for the hell of it I took a Halo 3 backup and scuffed it up to make my own faulty media.

Using my own 8x variable speed firmware settings (8x/5x/2x), I can hear the drive speed changing as it tries to handle the read errors.  I thought I had overdone the scuffs, but to my amazement, it actually loaded up (although it took a while, but that's to be expected).  It's not much of a test, but I guess that's some validation.

To the guy who asked me to upload the firmwares, I can't do that, but there's nothing magical going on here.  Just load up the firmware in any hex editor, I've documented the locations and settings.

Someone else asked if the modified speeds settings are detectable on Live.  It's a fair question.  The stock settings are obviously not a problem.  If the stock settings are 12x/8x/5x then does that mean the drive never operates at 2x?  If so, does that mean if your drive ever does run at 2x that Live would flag it?  It's only the 2x speed that concerns me, because the other speeds are obviously ok.  They wouldn't ban based on never reading at 12x because the drive is made to fallback to slower speeds when necessary.

But I think the simplest answer to whether this is safe on Live is that c4e knows a lot more than anyone else, and he obviously isn't concerned.  That's good enough for me.

[caster420]

Just for clarity, i asked c4e to read Toddlers post above.  Here is the response:

QUOTE

<c4eva> he is wrong, the speeds are not set to those values in the multispeed fw! they are not fallback speeds, drive does its own fallback in read routine, they are initial speeds only

 

I would recommend sticking with the multispeed firmware that have been created by c4e and not editing your firmwares at all.

 

Caster.

[Toddler]

Glad to hear from the authoritative source.  Would he be willing to summarize what is going on those locations (0000BFB1, 0000BFBD, 0000BFC9)?  He's changing them all for a reason.  Why are there three different values at these locations in the 12x version (12, 8, 5) when in the 8x, 5x and 2x versions they are all set to 8, 8, 8 or 5, 5, 5 or 2, 2, 2?

[robbitop]

It may seem like an odd question, but since I'm a Xbox360 newbie (but a 3D graphics editor...so no newbie at all ^^) I'd like to know where to search for obtaining the latest firmware of C4EVA.

@toddler

What firmware do you prefer? 5x oder 8x?
Could you please test, if one of them has texture lags with gears of war? In my opinion GoW seems to be an excelent indicator wheter the firmware is absolutely problem-free or not.
The reason for that is that GoW uses a lot of texture streaming. Halo 3 seems not to be so critical in that area after all (it's all about Memorymanagement).

[Toddler]

QUOTE(robbitop @ Nov 7 2007, 02:32 PM)

It may seem like an odd question, but since I'm a Xbox360 newbie (but a 3D graphics editor...so no newbie at all ^^) I'd like to know where to search for obtaining the latest firmware of C4EVA.

You've got PM.

[just4747]

QUOTE(Toddler @ Nov 7 2007, 04:27 PM)

You've got PM.

i was also wondering if you prefer 5 or 8x and why? before i go a flashin'...

[njgsng2004]

Would it work if you did 5x, 8x, 2x? Normally doing five, then 8 than 2

[DoWork805]

i flashed my drive with the quiet version and now i want the fast version since its recommended how do i upgrade
do i just erase my firmware and then write the new fast firmware on to my drive

[just4747]

exactly..easy as pie

so once again, do you recommend 5x or 8x, and why toddler??

[Toddler]

I recommend whatever you prefer.  Try 8x and if the noise is acceptable then go with it, otherwise drop back to 5x.

[Audioboxer]

for everyone involved!

I'll be flashing my Halo 360 tomorrow.

Whats the load time differences like on 8x/5x?

I've read 2x is obviously really slow compared to 12x.

Much difference in the others?

[robbitop]

Please try GoW!  

[Toddler]

QUOTE(Audioboxer @ Nov 7 2007, 04:13 PM)

for everyone involved!

I'll be flashing my Halo 360 tomorrow.

Whats the load time differences like on 8x/5x?

I've read 2x is obviously really slow compared to 12x.

Much difference in the others?

My load times between 8x & 5x on Halo 3 testing were only 1 sec apart (29 secs to load saved game on 8x, 30 secs on 5x).  Of course, I'm just one guy testing one game, take it as you will.

QUOTE(robbitop @ Nov 7 2007, 04:32 PM)

Please try GoW!  

Dude, seriously...try it yourself.  Load up 8x and see if the noise suits you.  Worst case scenario is you flash again to 5x.  Or start with 5x and if you see tearing, go to 8x.  This isn't brain surgery, you have all the skills needed to help yourself.

[Audioboxer]

QUOTE(Toddler @ Nov 7 2007, 10:39 PM)

My load times between 8x & 5x on Halo 3 testing were only 1 sec apart (29 secs to load saved game on 8x, 30 secs on 5x).  Of course, I'm just one guy testing one game, take it as you will.
Dude, seriously...try it yourself.  Load up 8x and see if the noise suits you.  Worst case scenario is you flash again to 5x.  Or start with 5x and if you see tearing, go to 8x.  This isn't brain surgery, you have all the skills needed to help yourself.

Thumbs up!

I think I'll kick it off with 8x.  Small noise drop from 12x and very similar speeds I'd expect.

May try out 5x as well.

[just4747]

same here i just flashed 8x...might try 5x as the noise COULD be a little quieter...ill check out the load times.
even if we dont see any slow loading graphics or skipping music or anything while testing..what are the chances that at some point, 5x read speed will cause a problem like this in a game? very small? cause its hard to tell what fw to stick with until youve used one for a good amnt of time.

and once again, im more concerned with the noise of the laser reading the disc with these backups, sounds like its working hard all the time. what decrease in the amount of time until the "death" of the laser is this backup usage giving our xboxes?