Post by: Diashi on January 11, 2009, 06:09:00 PM
With a spare 2007 model 360, containing a Philips and BenQ VAD6038 drive, I'm seeking the best option for playing backups. The NME v2.0 seems to be compatible, but I really want your honest opinion on what chip I should use.
Your helpful comments are greatly appreciated ;]
Post by: deilzfcjk on January 11, 2009, 06:14:00 PM
Post by: Diashi on January 11, 2009, 06:21:00 PM
Are there other options that I'm not aware of which anyone would consider greater than NME? :]
Post by: Diashi on January 11, 2009, 07:18:00 PM
If someone doesn't recommend an alternative, I'm just going to order an NME v2.
I'll continue to update this thread on my progress and roadblocks as time goes on.
This post has been edited by Diashi: Jan 12 2009, 03:21 AM
Post by: ruley on January 11, 2009, 10:30:00 PM
QUOTE(Diashi @ Jan 12 2009, 11:48 AM) 
This thread offers some answers to anyone who's in the same boat I am. It seems that soldering an NME chip for BenQs is better than flashing in terms of auto-reading backups and original discs.
If someone doesn't recommend an alternative, I'm just going to order an NME v2.
I'll continue to update this thread on my progress and roadblocks as time goes on.
Just flash it with the latest ixtreme 1.5.
You won't have to wait for the chip to arrive and no soldering required.
Post by: Diashi on January 12, 2009, 02:55:00 AM
Found this a few minutes ago.
Guy gets strange noise after flashing BenQ drive with Ixtreme
These comments are valuable to me since this is my first mod, so thanks again and keep them coming. Right now I'm waiting for the NME2 to be in stock next week. :]
Post by: Diashi on January 12, 2009, 03:03:00 AM
Related links:
More bad news
Sabrent USB to SATA and power adapter
Another conversion kit
Found from the forums here. I think these kits only work with the Hitachi drives, and found nothing related to the BenQ in the TigerDirect consumer reviews.
Post by: ruley on January 12, 2009, 03:32:00 AM
QUOTE(Diashi @ Jan 12 2009, 08:09 PM)
OK, woahwoahwoah. I may eat my words here... Although I'd prefer chipping, IF there is a way to flash a BenQ with just a laptop, I think I'll do that. The problem is with the cables. Does anyone know of a sata to usb conversion and power kit for the BenQ?
Related links:
More bad news
Sabrent USB to SATA and power adapter
Another conversion kit
Found from the forums here. I think these kits only work with the Hitachi drives, and found nothing related to the BenQ in the TigerDirect consumer reviews.
I believe that if your laptop doesn't have an external sata port, you could remove your hdd because they are normally sata in laptops.
Post by: Diashi on January 12, 2009, 04:26:00 AM
I have 2 HDD. One is the main and the other is a backup for restoring factory contents and wiping the main HD. The above are my available ports. One is a SATA, but if it goes to my main HD, how am I going to run my OS and use the flash software..? Will the Ultra ATA work?
If I'm out of options for flashing, chipping will be the only solution.
This post has been edited by Diashi: Jan 12 2009, 12:26 PM
Post by: ruley on January 12, 2009, 04:54:00 AM
QUOTE(Diashi @ Jan 12 2009, 08:56 PM)
I have 2 HDD. One is the main and the other is a backup for restoring factory contents and wiping the main HD. The above are my available ports. One is a SATA, but if it goes to my main HD, how am I going to run my OS and use the flash software..? Will the Ultra ATA work?
If I'm out of options for flashing, chipping will be the only solution.
You can do all the flashing process in dos. You use a usb to save all the data required for flashing, the easy method is using iprep. Normally that second hdd you see in my computer for os backup is a partion.
Post by: Diashi on January 12, 2009, 06:36:00 PM
Post by: Diashi on January 24, 2009, 08:47:00 PM
Now that the NME 2.5 has been announced, I'm looking for whomever has it available because it's sure to be out of stock shortly. GoCyberShop.com has it listed as "in stock", but I've heard plenty of stories from other enthusiasts - things like not receiving their merchandise because it was put on back-order, failure to deliver an item well over a month after purchase, no confirmation email several days after buying, etc. However, there are those who say they've used the site to buy things like Playstation2 and 3 chips without any trouble.
Is this a reliable site, and if I bought an NME 2.5 from them (as they're the only ones who seem to have it listed at the moment), would I actually get one in return promptly?
This post has been edited by Diashi: Jan 25 2009, 04:51 AM
Post by: Mindstrm on January 26, 2009, 10:06:00 AM
-Mindstrm
Post by: Diashi on January 26, 2009, 05:11:00 PM
I just spent some $70 on the NME 2.5 from gocybershop.com. If they come through, I'll let you know.
Post by: Diashi on February 23, 2009, 01:43:00 AM
The NME 2.5 chip was never to be. Team Underdog apparently couldn't get it to work with the motherboard, so they scrapped the project and decided to update the 2.0 and release those over the next 2 weeks.
Because I already bought my chip from GoCyberShop, they said I could wait for the new 2.0 chip, or send my 'box to them for a flash. I decided enough time had been wasted and mailed my 360 a little over a week ago, and it's about 4 days from getting back.
Either way, I'm not too happy. Mailing to Canada for a flash costs about $25 - $30 (so it wasn't free), when you could spend about what the chip and shipping costs to buy a sata cable and sata card and flash the drive yourself. Soldering was something I wanted to do, but if I had a desktop, I definitely would have flashed now that I've seen the ups and downs to chipping/flashing.
Apologies to anyone now and in the future who was hoping this would aid them in accomplishing the same task.
This post has been edited by Diashi: Feb 23 2009, 09:45 AM
Post by: Black Shadow83 on April 06, 2009, 05:46:00 PM
1. Using a charge back to obtain your full refund (talk to you bank 30 days after your shipment is supposed to arrive, which depends on the type of shipping you got, ie 3-5 b. days)
2. File a complaint with the Better Business Bureau of Ontario (use their postal code to find their local BBB and previous complaints).
3. Understand your consumer rights (http://www.gov.on.ca/mgs/en/ConsProt/STEL02_167849.html is a good place to start)
Complaint:
Ordered an nme2.0 mod-chip that they were claiming was "in-stock!" One week post-purchase I sent an email inquiring about the chip. After a few days I was given a response that they were expecting the chips in "any day," and that when they received them, they would ship it off to me. Week three I inquired about the nme2.5 which nme had just released... GCS claimed that they had these chips "in-stock!" on their website and I was informed by email that this would be the chip they would send me.
Week Four: received a general email stating that the nme2.5 did not pan out as originally planned, and that they would send me an nme2.0 a month later (week nine?)... Alternatively, they would be willing to give me a coupon (for use on their site) or that I would get a free flashing for my xbox by sending it in(Which I can do myself for free, and at this point I wouldn't trust these guys with my toothbrush let alone my box). I asked for a refund, and they told me that they would have to charge me 25% for a restocking fee. Sorry, they actually said "Cancel fee" (which isn't in their policy as much as they argue on that point with me).
To that affect, HOW EXACTLY do you charge a RESTOCKING FEE for a piece of kit that you don't have IN-STOCK!!!! I guess by "Cancel Fee," they actually mean "I want to keep the mark up on this product fee."
Long story short... I processed a charge back in accordance with my consumer rights (which they tried to fight, and lost), and I recieved my full funds back.
So I guess thanks goes to my Credit Card company for facilitating that little legal-necessity.
Reseller review and other sites also have reports of gocyber shipping defective or fake modchips.
If you wish to file a complaint based upon your experience, please visit the below link:
http://www.bbb.org/c.../#middle-result