DailyTech - Xbox 360 "USB" System Update is Rolling Out Now

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Gadgets Xbox 360 "USB" System Update is Rolling Out Now
Brandon Hill (Blog) - April 6, 2010 7:39 AM

21 comment(s) - last by zephyrprime.. on Apr 9 at 5:15 PM

(Source: Major Nelson)

Microsoft delivers more features for the Xbox 360

According to Microsoft's Major Nelson, the latest Xbox 360 system update is in en route and gamers should be able to upgrade shortly. As previously reported, this update provides support for USB storage devices.

The new update will allow Xbox 360 owners to use both USB HDDs and flash drives (they must be at least 1GB in size) to expand the storage of their systems. However, using a USB HDD will most likely be a waste considering that no matter how large the drive is, only a 16.5GB partition can be made. Total space available will be 16GB due to the fact that 512MB of storage space will be dedicated to the system partition.

Major Nelson also adds these words of advice:

You can have 2 devices connected to the console at a time, enabling up to 32GB of simultaneous storage.
The system won’t just configure the device once it is connected to the console. You’ll need to head to the memory area in system settings, select your USB Device, and choose from Configure Now (Format and Configure the Full Device), or Customize (you can choose how much memory you want configured for Xbox360 from the free space on the device.)

For those of you that simply have money to burn, Microsoft and Sandisk have teamed up to deliver "official" USB flash drives for the Xbox 360. However, the 8GB drive will set you back a whopping $40 and the 16GB drive is going for $70 -- you can get an el cheapo 8GB or 16GB flash drive for as little as $15 and $30 respectively.

For more information on the USB update, you can read the FAQ here.

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2x16gb partitions??

By samthefish on 4/6/10, Rating: 0

RE: 2x16gb partitions??

By The Raven on 4/6/2010 11:18:11 AM , Rating: 2

Probably FATX (just as bad?), but lol at the jab.

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RE: 2x16gb partitions??

By tallcool1 on 4/6/2010 12:59:13 PM , Rating: 3

quote:
However, using a USB HDD will most likely be a waste considering that no matter how large the drive is, only a 16.5GB partition can be made.

Definately a half @ss solution. What a joke...
How about letting me buy my own storage, like a 250GB hard drive from newegg or something similair like you can for a PS3, geeze...

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RE: 2x16gb partitions??

By Finnkc on 4/6/2010 4:45:33 PM , Rating: 3

then how would they make up for all the RRoD repairs?

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RE: 2x16gb partitions??

By Samus on 4/8/2010 1:16:16 AM , Rating: 1

I still think it's completely fucked the XBOX can't read NTFS. I mean, we ARE talking about a Microsoft product, right? I can't even put 4+GB HD video's on a memory stick, and FATX is just a PITA to deal with across older platforms that NTFS is native to.

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User Profiles

By HackSacken on 4/6/2010 9:52:47 AM , Rating: 2

Be great if you are allowed to store your gamer profile on the USB device. Otherwise, I don't really see a big benefit, but least the option is there.

RE: User Profiles

By VahnTitrio on 4/6/2010 10:35:44 AM , Rating: 3

If your 360 were like mine and down to 540KB of free space, you'd probably be pretty happy that you can use something that costs $10 for extra space as opposed to forking out for the larger proprietary HD. Considering it took me over 3 years to fill the 20GB HD, I think this update could go a long way for me.

And you know there is someone out there who will use this to hide his/her guilty pleasure Rock Band downloads.

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RE: User Profiles

By Hiawa23 on 4/6/2010 12:13:17 PM , Rating: 2

I got a 250GB at Gamestop for $78, with my store credit. This is nothing more than MS getting out of the memory card business as they can't make any money charging for their over priced small capacity cards when you can buy many mem stick & SD cards with much more space for less money. Of course they are capping it at 16GBs as MS wants you to buy their HDDS. I can't hate on them as they are no different than Apple or any other company in business to make a profit.

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"El Cheapo"

By AstroCreep on 4/6/2010 11:31:50 AM , Rating: 1

quote:
you can get an el cheapo 8GB or 16GB flash drive for as little as $15 and $30 respectively.

Is that a technical term, Brandon? ;)

RE: "El Cheapo"

By SPOOFE on 4/6/2010 1:33:02 PM , Rating: 2

I sure understood what he meant, and I have a high confidence most people will, too. Effective communication, that. :D

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RE: "El Cheapo"

By AstroCreep on 4/6/2010 5:59:53 PM , Rating: 2

I did too, and I use the phrase from time to time. I just don't think I've ever read it used in any kind of news context before.

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Time

By ajfink on 4/6/2010 10:03:13 AM , Rating: 2

Updating now...is it supposed to take this long after the update is already downloaded? It's ridiculous, going on half an hour.

RE: Time

By pepitojones on 4/6/2010 11:26:48 AM , Rating: 2

I did the update a couple of hours ago, and it took around 15 seconds from start to finish (including the reboot back to the dashboard).

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50% of space LOST!

By rvd2008 on 4/9/2010 11:25:56 AM , Rating: 2

Downloaded update. Installed. Formatted 1GB USB drive. Checked size.
Out of 1GB only ~500MB is available. WTF?

RE: 50% of space LOST!

By kmmatney on 4/9/2010 11:52:00 AM , Rating: 2

quote:
Total space available will be 16GB due to the fact that 512MB of storage space will be dedicated to the system partition

That is expected - 0.5 GB will be taken up by the system. You really need a bigger USB stick.

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Looks like compatibility may be an issue

By ET on 4/6/2010 9:18:03 AM , Rating: 2

From the FAQ, it looks like not all USB drives will work or work well.

I wonder why it's limited to only 16GB like that?

By zephyrprime on 4/9/2010 5:15:07 PM , Rating: 2

I wonder why it's limited to only 16GB like that?

Waste of usb ports.....

By Rayburn6H on 4/6/10, Rating: -1

RE: Waste of usb ports.....

By noirsoft on 4/6/2010 10:27:37 AM , Rating: 3

I believe you've been able to connect a keyboard from day one. And there is no need for a mouse with the Xbox interface, since it was designed to navigate with a gamepad.

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RE: Waste of usb ports.....

By Hiawa23 on 4/6/2010 12:16:50 PM , Rating: 2

When I can connect a mouse and keyboard to those ports, THEN I might consider buying one.

LOL, you can already use keyboards on the 360, as far as a mouse, well, the 360 is not a PC.

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