Garyopa, Maximus and C4E released a new Xtreme firmware + flashing tool for Hitachi-LG drives with the Disc-Jitter fix added and some support for v79 firmwares:
Maximus - 360 Firmware Toolbox(homebrew info) v3.1 (with Garyopa Disc Jitter Check)
Big Thanks to C4E for his ideas on the Disc-Jitter check and to Garyopa for the implementation on Hitachi versions
WHATS NEW ON V3.1:
* Added: Hitachi Xtreme 1.7 (Disc Jitter Fix)
* Added: Smart Hack Patcher now works for all Production Drives V40 thru v79
* Added: Correctly show and handle of keys for Hit79 drives
* Corrected: Bug displaying Samsung FW as spoofed (display error)
* Corrected: Several other bugs
* Improved : Checksum checkup when dumping
* Added: OCX's included on the release (they are available on Microsoft site anyway)
Release Notes:
On Xtreme 1.7 the F900 core and Stealth FW have been removed. This could be seen as a Step Back, but indeed is 2 steps ahead.
By one side we are trying to build one solid application (toolbox) that would make easier the future Hitachi Releases (which currently its a pain because of all the variations) and by other side it incorporates Disc-Jitter check fix for Hitachi drives.
The F900 core needs more work and can be easily incorporated on future versions along with other goodies that already are under development (media-stealth, single layer support, etc).
The Fw Stealth was a good idea but it has been proven that the fw could be readed by other means, indeed the newer versions (78+) does not have the need to implement stealth so I think it will not be used anymore.
WHAT IS NEXT ON FUTURE TOOLBOX VERSIONS ?:
* Direct dump/flash of 79 drives
* Smart Hack Patcher configurable by script (avoid hard coded rules)
* Restore and Patch Wizards (for totally noobs)
Well probably like the rest of you, I have been sitting here all day, wondering why Microsoft didn't strike. For devs to come out with a new firmware update to combat what Microsoft reportedly had up its sleeves, and for Microsoft to not strike was troubling to say the least. Well GaryOPA had this to say about his thoughts on why Microsoft hasn't done anything.
Another personal thought regarding the "Spring Update":
Was thinking about the update, for it to work 100% they might need to shut-down the Live service for a few hours on their end later and update the server side also, as this type of checking should be done only when playing a game on XBOX Live and should be a request from the XBOX Live service to RE-TEST or CHECK the disc and can be done anytime during disc spinning (yes / no?).
Maybe also MS is waiting for the Bungie Halo3 beta start date to start using this new feature, as getting everyone with a copy of CRACKDOWN on using HALO 3 beta would be the key to the puzzle and good press!
Now that makes sense, and is practical. Is Microsoft just sitting back waiting for the perfect time to strike? Let the panic, and paranoia die down a bit? Who knows, but we all know Mr Bill despises piracy, and in his eyes backing up games is probably nothing more than stealing.
Now a little more from GaryOPA, Commodore4Eva made an Xtreme FW with Disc-Jitter for Hitachi-LG v47 (test stage). Testing is almost completed. Updates on all the versions is in process.
I'm talking with Maximus in getting the Maximus 360 Firmware Toolbox(info) uptodate to handle all drive versions with this "c4e" fix, instead of "c4e" releasing the v47, then me releasing a v40 thru v59 package, and Maximus releasing a v78/v79 package.
I think it would be better to have one solid program, to handle all the future Hitachi releases, as there is going to be a number of them shortly, but the "Jitter" one way or the other will be out within 24 hours or less.
It would have been done earlier but I had a major hard drive crash, and have been working with older backups, and complete lost of all my emails.
My hats off to GaryOPA for the forward thinking on making Maximus 360 Firmware Toolbox handle all the Hitachi's. Let’s hope he gets his wishes, and the toolbox will be able to flash all Hitachi's.
I have to say, my 360 will not be playing any backed up copies anytime soon. I’ll ride this wave out and see when it hits shore.
Maximus - 360 FIRMWARE TOOLBOX for Windows Ver 1.0
WHAT IS IT?
A graphical tool to handle several common dvd-drive firmware tasks. (yep, another one!)
It is kinda annoying having going to MS-DOS to do firmcrypt (encrypt or decrypt) operations, or having to open the file with an hexeditor to know if it is crypted or not, or to copy-paste the keys.
Dont get me wrong, I don't have anything against KDX and other tools, it is just that I built mine fitting my own needs and I want to share.
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