Security researchers threaten the XBOX and MS

[kronas]

a group of researchers claim they have found a way to boot linux without the use of a modchip and will make it public if MS refuse to talk to them about signing a legal version of linux for the XBOX

and just to note apparently this way of booting code without an MS signiture is not related to the 007 save game method which was also recently found to have worked with a mechassualt savegame

http://news.com.com/2100-1043_3-1021692.html

[Matt D]

...If genuine, the exploits would let anyone with even a slight technical knowledge "reflash" the Xbox BIOS, allowing users to pirate games. The only hardware modification necessary is a dollop of solder on the write-enable pads on the motherboard....

This sounds like it's following on from the story in the Reg a couple of months ago:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/54/30262.html -

15/04/2003

.......crackers have discovered how to mod the system without a physical modchip.

The new system breaks open the Xbox for running third-party applications (including the Linux operating system) or pirated games just as effectively as standard mod chips, but the only physical alteration needed to the box is a very minor soldering task to link up two jumper points on the system board.

This then allows the user to flash the original BIOS chip on the Xbox itself - rather than installing a replacement BIOS to bypass the original chip, as most Xbox mod chips do............

Be interesting to see how Microsoft respond to the threat/challenge.

[kronas]

the above has been known for a while if it is that and they are playing a bluff on MS it would be funny