I don't follow the Xbox craze too much and have a couple questions. I've got a older xbox elite with a Samsung drive (originally Benq) flashed 1.6. I've been using the Activate Disk since it's been out. Now that the AP2.5 is out, what is my options? Never been online. I want to get my daughter the Kinect for Xmas and don't want to brick it. Is the AP2.5 for online use only? Or can I still use the Activate disk with the Kinect? Thanks.
You should be fine: AP 2.5 does not require Live, instead it checks a physical portion of the game disc that can't be burned using a commercial burner... if you fail the AP 2.5 check, you simply can't play that game. It won't brick your 360. Also, you'll be flagged for it and probably banned later from Xbox Live.. but since you don't connect to live, this probably won't affect you.
To be absolutely sure, burn an AP 2.5 disc (not Assassin's Creed 3), turn autoplay off, and pop the disc in the drive. If you see "Play DVD" instead of "Play Game." Your drive fails the AP 2.5 checks.
If this is the case, you'll need to restore your drive to its original state and install the LT+ firmware. After this, you'll pass AP 2.5 checks and be able to play Kinect games. If and when you update your dashboard, I highly recommend updating via USB and not connecting via Live (because you might get banned thus losing Media Center and HDD install)
Alternatively, if your drive just shows the "Play Game" option in the disc blade, then you're good to go. You can update to Kinect. (again, do it via USB)
