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Microsoft Offering $20 Refurbished Hard Drive to Xbox 360 Core/Arcade Owners

Oct. 15, 2008 Paul Thurrott | Paul Thurrott's Supersite for Windows

This is interesting, and something you might consider if you own a qualifying hard drive-less Xbox 360 Core or Arcade machine:

An Xbox 360 Hard Drive is required to unlock all the great features of the new Xbox 360 Experience so upgrade using this special offer today and get online!

In order to connect to Xbox LIVE and enjoy everything the new Xbox Experience has to offer, you will need an Xbox 360 Hard Drive. While you can connect to Xbox LIVE using an Xbox 360 Memory Unit with 128MB of available space, you will not be able to enjoy all the great features like Xbox LIVE Primetime and video downloads.

Enter your information to see if you’re eligible for the Memory Upgrade Program.

So... I did this on the Arcade unit I have and received the following message:

Congratulations! According to our records you have the necessary hardware and storage space to enjoy the new Xbox Experience.

Instantly stream movies from Netflix*, download the latest High Def TV shows and Hollywood hits^ or play classics like PAC-MAN, Galaga Legions, Bejeweled 2 and UNO.

Express your personality with a customizable, animated Avatar that allows you to literally jump into the world of Xbox LIVE. Plus, transform every entertainment experience into a shared experience using text, Instant Messenger, voice or video chat and the new LIVE Party to connect your friends, family and the entertainment you love.

We’ll see you online!

Granted, there is a hard drive attached to it right now, but that’s one that came from another (now red-ringed) machine. I own a 64 MB MMU, but that was also purchased separately. What is Microsoft using to determine that I don’t need the HDD upgrade? My understanding here is that most HDD-less Xbox 360s would qualify except for the newer Core/Arcade systems that come with a 256 MB MMU. No?

Discuss this Article 17

chustar
on Oct 15, 2008
"While you can connect to Xbox LIVE using an Xbox 360 Memory Unit with 128MB of available space, you will not be able to enjoy all the great features like Xbox LIVE Primetime and video downloads." This suggests that even if you have an MMU, they want you get the "full" XBOX Live Experience, which you can only do with a hard drive.
DarkSages
on Oct 15, 2008
It sound like maybe LIVE! saw that you had a hard drive on that console. I have two xbox arcade one that I have not use for LIVE I'll give it a try I have a hard drive on one and none in the other. They where purchased the same day. For now maybe call Microsoft.
muzzymate
on Oct 15, 2008
I have the same experience - An Arcade system with a hard drive attatched (from a RRODed system). I figured Live saw I had the drive attatched and told me I didn't qualify.
DarkSages
on Oct 15, 2008
I think I can confirmed it the xbox that has never been on live was given a go on the website. The one that I put the hard drive on and connected to live just gave me the :you are ready to go" page. So this is BS I should be able to get two hard drives not just one. Can anyone else confirm this?
CompactDstrxion
on Oct 15, 2008
To be honest they need only check the DRM rights to see if any have been assigned to content over a certain size.
Waethorn
on Oct 15, 2008
So you should disconnect the drive and then try to connect.... Then you'll get your $20/20GB REFURBISHED hard drive. Uck! I feel dirty just saying it like that....
DarkSages
on Oct 15, 2008
@Weathorn I tried that no matter what I do the arcade that I was using with the hard drive does not get to the page to order. I guess I'll call and ask why, maybe I am getting this wrong and it's limited on per house hold or something. Either way I hope I an order a second becuase I been trying out netflix and it is really cool to have so many movies available for such a low price. Im actually thinking of canceling all premium channels in my dish and just use netflix.
au071
on Oct 15, 2008
I think this is a pretty good deal, for the consumers and for Microsoft. Once people have the hard drive, the XBLA market probably will become more popular.
Waethorn
on Oct 15, 2008
"I tried that no matter what I do the arcade that I was using with the hard drive does not get to the page to order." When you hook up a hard drive, does the 360 save some kind of profile that has info about the drive, even when the drive is disconnected? That's likely the reason.
shark47
on Oct 15, 2008
As an OT, Ocean mentioned Paul's Wikipedia article where his integrity has been questioned. Guess who edits Wikipedia articles. I can go in and edit Paul's Wikipedia page to add an entry that he killed all the squirrels near his house.
gorath
on Oct 15, 2008
wait, Paul killed all the squirrels by his house? holy crap. Bill Bailey wouldn't like that.
Ocean
on Oct 15, 2008
Yup, but you can't edit the blog articles they link to as proof (and the reason its still in the article).
tayme
on Oct 15, 2008
@Doc - I left you a PM regarding the laptop. For the rest of the crew here...that laptop that Doc has been bragging about over the last week or so is actually pretty awesome for $399. It will serve most people that just want to browse, email, and store photos very well. And it is actually fairly sharp looking. Too bad the sale ended on Sunday. Good tip, Doc!!! --tayme
tayme
on Oct 15, 2008
No, Paul did not kill the squirrels...it was the mice and rats! http://www.masspest.com/MassachusettsRodentRemoval.html --tayme
Waethorn
on Oct 16, 2008
@tayme, all: Who the h3ll would buy a neutered Eee PC, when you can get a FULLY-FUNCTIONAL laptop for the same amount of money??!!
dugbug
on Oct 16, 2008
@waethorn Isn't it obvious? They are nice and small and light. Keep one by the tv to check on things. Also, very convenient to carry on the road as they are so small and light. I use my iphone for a lot of this, but a netbook is more convenient really. Its about the smallest size display/kbd to be useful for my parents. -d
tayme
on Oct 16, 2008
@Waethorn - I guess that it is a matter of personal choice...remember the much reviled automobile comparisons. --tayme

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