Backing up Xbox Games?

[johngetter]

Ok I was going through my college box and found some old xbox games. I popped them in my 360 and they ran fine.
Then I looked to see the back and I was like WOW!  Im suprised that they still run with some deep scratches.
So I heard you can backup xbox games. Ive done it before but that was with my old xbox. 

What i Hear is dual-layered DVD-ROM is what you want to burn on. But smaller xbox games like halo 1 and 2
can be burned to a single layered disc and run fine on a xbox. 

I want to make a backup of halo 2....

But heres the problem i dont have a old xbox anymore i have the 360. And they say the 360 can only run dual layered dvds...is that for the 360 games or both 360 and xbox games? ??

its because i have a load of single layered dvds  and just wondering if they can run on my 360 like my xbox (without dual Layer)

Thanks a ton!! 

[johngetter]

[recovering disk space - old attachment deleted by admin]

[CBMatt]

There are a few problems with this:

1.  Xbox 360 can only play some old Xbox games, those of which are listed here:
http://www.xbox.com/games/backwardcompatibilitygameslist.htm
As you know, some of your games do work (you tested that yourself), but some of them might not.

2.  The Xbox 360 does not play backups.  In order to do this, you would have to modify the console in a way that would void the warranty and likely get you banned from Xbox Live.  It is also technically considered illegal.  Granted, you won't have the police busting down your door, but Microsoft legally owns the hardware and they reserve the right to refuse you service.

3.  The same goes for backups of games.  Despite what people say, backup copies aren't actually legal.  Like I said, police won't come after you, but if it is determined that you are playing backups, you will be banned.  It may seem like a strange concept, but the only thing you actually own is the piece of plastic that the game is on.  You do not own the game itself; you only paid for the right to play it.  Therefore, unless allowance has been issued by Microsoft or the suppliers, backups are a no-no.

A quote from Microsoft's terms of service:

You may not copy, download, modify or create derivative works, publish, transmit, sell or attempt to sell or transfer, or otherwise use or exploit any software unless we or our suppliers have expressly allowed you to do so.

4.  This is not something we help with.  What you want to do can be done (although you run the high risk of getting caught) and we certainly can't stop you from finding the information on Google, but it is our policy to not assist with matters of this nature.



I can, however, give you a useful, legal suggestion that is much cheaper:
http://www.amazon.com/Peel-Stick-Protectors-Pack-Dispenser/dp/B001JYWXDI
This is just example; there are many different disc protectors you can choose from.  These protectors won't get rid of current scratches, but they will prevent new ones.

You could also try this product, although I do not personally know how well it works:
http://www.amazon.com/Zoozen-Protector-Xbox-Game-Protection/dp/B000WTZMHK

[JJ 3000]

2.  The Xbox 360 does not play backups.  In order to do this, you would have to modify the console in a way that would void the warranty and likely get you banned from Xbox Live.  It is also technically considered illegal.  Granted, you won't have the police busting down your door, but Microsoft legally owns the hardware and they reserve the right to refuse you service.

Really?
They own the hardware?
When you go to Wal-mart and buy an Xbox, what are you paying for?
If you were to buy a new Xbox and intentionally destroy it, would that be considered illegal?

[jason2074]

but if it is determined that you are playing backups, you will be banned

Does this pertain to digital signatures while playing online? I've heard(only) which may be true or not that making a back-up or buying a pirated cd to play on a modified xbox console will copy also the master digital signature onto the copied/backup cd.

[BC_Programmer]

Really?
They own the hardware?
When you go to Wal-mart and buy an Xbox, what are you paying for?
If you were to buy a new Xbox and intentionally destroy it, would that be considered illegal?

They own the hardware to the extent of it's setup and configuration and the software and firmware it runs.


http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/649675/playing_backups_on_xbox_360_is_it_legal.html

Above link says that it's "legal" to make backups of games (they are probably, like most people, under the impression that you can "own" a game. Not really.

You own a <license> to the game software. This is hardly anything new, It's the same story with, say, Nintendo cartridges. It doesn't matter how many copies of Super Mario World you have, you don't "own" the software. You own the physical cartridge case, and the circuit board and battery inside; but you don't, for example, own the actual ROM. Therefore, the whole Emulation retort "but according to fair use I can copy my games" is redundant since you don't own the game ROMs to dump. It doesn't stop people, but wether it's legal and wether it's something that, as Chris noted, will have police busting down your door are two different matters. However this forum adheres to the former regardless of the state of the latter.

A common retort to the "copying of software/games etc is not illegal because the fair use act of 1992 says I can". These folks apparently neglect to actually read the act and see that it mostly pertains to the copying of Digital Audio Tapes, which I don't believe are used for, say, Xbox games. Additionally, that act has been amended several times since (and in fact was an amendment to a 1976 act itself) by, for example, the DMCA, which quite clearly prohibits this. Additionally, the replacement of hardware component of the console is viewable as something that not only breaks the Xbox live Terms of service, but also as a form of circumvention around the protection that the original chip provides.

A similar problem was when Tengen decided they didn't need Nintendo's special lockout chips- which were required in order for a game cartridge to properly communicate and be used by the console.- that is, Nintendo could dictate who was able to publish games because they needed to get that chip from nintendo for their carts. Tired of Nintendo's restrictive licensing rules, they instead reverse engineered the chips (the 10NES chip that was on the console) and put their own chip into their cartridges. The relevance here is that, while they were in fact a separate company acting on their own to create a product, they still lost the case (ok, not really, they actually settled out of court, but up to that point it seemed to be working in Nintendo's favour). So with that in mind, and the obvious analogue to modding a purchased console, it stands to reason what the legality of said modding is and therefore of "backups"... even if it <was> legal to make backups, backups would be pretty useless if you can't use them, which you cannot with the xBox without changing the console.

yes I do like bringing up various Nintendo related stuff from early on in these types of threads. It's what I'm familar with .

[CBMatt]

Really?
They own the hardware?
When you go to Wal-mart and buy an Xbox, what are you paying for?
If you were to buy a new Xbox and intentionally destroy it, would that be considered illegal?

I didn't mean that they own the physical pieces.  Perhaps I worded that a bit awkwardly.  What I meant is that they own the rights to the hardware and its configuration, like BC stated, and you own a license to use it.  If you tamper or modify that configuration, you break the terms of service.  If you install a custom firmware or OS, you again break the terms of service.  If you physically destroy your machine, however, that wouldn't be considered vandalism.  It isn't illegal because it does not circumvent their copyrights in any way.

Anyway, because they have such ownership, they are legally allowed to render your console nearly useless.  They aren't cutthroat enough to make it unplayable, but they have been known to disable a lot of functionality.  Nintendo, on the other hand, has disabled many modded Wii consoles, leaving the owners with two options: buy a new one or send it in to Nintendo and pay to have it fixed.  NOTE: this also accidentally affected a lot of non-modded consoles, which were fixed free of charge.

Does this pertain to digital signatures while playing online? I've heard(only) which may be true or not that making a back-up or buying a pirated cd to play on a modified xbox console will copy also the master digital signature onto the copied/backup cd.

Digital signatures don't quite work that way.  There is a lot to it, but a simple explanation is that the digital signature basically tricks the console into thinking you are playing a legitimate copy.  But as far as your question is concerned, that is about the extent of it; the signature has nothing to do with playing online.  See, Microsoft doesn't catch people by finding backup games...they check the console itself.  Usually when updates are released, your console will be checked for firmware, modchips, and modified data.  If any are detected, they will ban your console from Live (reformatting will not fix this), you will no longer be able to install games to the hard drive, the media center won't work, your gamertag (achievements, etc.) will be corrupt, and they may also ban your profile.  Granted, people don't always get caught (and Microsoft doesn't always check), but you run a high risk, especially if you accidentally throw up any red flags.  They can catch you even if you are playing a legitimate copy of a game that you paid for.  If caught, you either have to deal with the consequences (which means never playing online again) or buy a whole new console.

There are a number of ways to avoid detection, but that is not something to discuss here on this forum.  Just know that even if you can avoid detection, they will still confront you if they have any suspicions.  I have been confronted before due to playing games a week or two before release and have had to explain myself.  Because I don't have a modded console, they had to contact me directly before taking action against me...thankfully, there haven't been any further issues and I can now play advanced copies without raising suspicion.

[johngetter]

So uh may a have a summery? 

[CBMatt]

In summary:

This is not something we help with.

I can, however, give you a useful, legal suggestion that is much cheaper:
http://www.amazon.com/Peel-Stick-Protectors-Pack-Dispenser/dp/B001JYWXDI
This is just example; there are many different disc protectors you can choose from.  These protectors won't get rid of current scratches, but they will prevent new ones.

You could also try this product, although I do not personally know how well it works:
http://www.amazon.com/Zoozen-Protector-Xbox-Game-Protection/dp/B000WTZMHK

[johngetter]

Oh i thought this was a place where you could get help. guess not. Theres no point in having a Game Area 

[BC_Programmer]

Oh i thought this was a place where you could get help. guess not. Theres no point in having a Game Area 

There's no point asking for help with stuff that is ILLEGAL.

[CBMatt]

Oh i thought this was a place where you could get help. guess not. Theres no point in having a Game Area 

If you had the mental capacity to actually read my posts, you'd see that I provided cheap, legal help.  If you can't understand why we don't provide help with performing illegal acts, perhaps this isn't the place for you.

[johngetter]

How is this illegal?
I have been always told I can make a copy of my dvd's and use them for personal use. They even sell software At Walmart That Copy Dvd Movies.

Whats The Difference?

I dont see it as illeagal to Make a copy for your OWN personal Use 

[BC_Programmer]

How is this illegal?
I have been always told I can make a copy of my dvd's and use them for personal use. They even sell software At Walmart That Copy Dvd Movies.

Whats The Difference?

I dont see it as illeagal to Make a copy for your OWN personal Use 

I Explained all of that.

[CBMatt]

This is pointless.  The question has been answered twice.  What is the point of asking questions if you're not going to bother with reading the answers?