First off, I have searched for a simple answer to this question, but have found none.
Xbox 360 has the feature to install and play software from the HD, but obviously the original disc is still required to boot the game.
Opening the disc tray when software is running automatically returns you the the home screen, to prevent people from simply booting and removing the disc.
I tried to eject the disc using the manual eject mechanism, but got the same result. I assume this is because the drive registers that the tray is open regardless of the way it is ejected. I am not interested in modding my xbox or playing copied software.
My goal is to be able to install a game to the HD, and then eject the disc to be used in another system so that I can play with a friend on 2 systems in the same room using the single copy.
Does anyone know if this is possible? I have a few ideas.
I think that after the initial verification, if the DVD Drive were exposed and the disc removed manually without opening the tray, this may very well work. Can you see a problem with this? I would rather know if its been done before I void the warranty on my brand new system.
I do not know if the presence of the game disc is checked periodically when running from the hd, and if so that would effectively kill this.
That's a very good point there...I'm hoping that some of these moguls might be able to shed some light on the matter as I havn't the foggiest!
I suppose that in theory it could work, but it would have to be tested. Unless someone in here knows that the Xbox checks the disc every once and a while, which would make sense considering M$ know exactly what goes on in Xbox hacking, and hot-swapping seems an obvious method.
could keep the top of your xbox off. then take the screws out of your drive case and once its booted up to the game, pull the top cover off and take the disc out. of course this wouldnt work if it does check the game periodically.
Come talk with us on efnet at #elitemods !!! or just click ME
ALSO, DO NOT SEND ME MESSAGES ON LIVE REGARDING MODDING CONSOLES, OR HOW I PLAYED A CERTAIN GAME EARLY. I WILL NOT RESPOND. I WILL INSTEAD DELETE YOUR MESSAGE, AND BLOCK ALL COMMUNICATION FROM YOU. JUST SEND ME A PM ON HERE.
That's what I originally had in mind. I got around to trying it, and it works perfectly. Once the disc has been verified it is not read from again until you quit, so you can leave the Xbox on indefinitely and continue to play the game with 100% functionality without any mods. Particularly useful for game rentals or borrowing from a friend :).
Edit: We should also realize that if this becomes at all popular, MS will without a doubt eliminate it in an update, so use it wisely.
Notes:
1) Be vary careful when messing with the DVD Drive as the laser can seriously damage your eyes if you look directly at it, even not directly is a very bad idea. Do not remove the disc when it is spinning, or may begin spinning shortly as the laser will turn on as soon as the drive spins up.
2) If your going to try this, test first with a disc you dont care about cause you may scratch the disc badly if you do it incorrectly. You need to make sure that if a disc is spun up, the lid of the DVD Drive must be firmly attached or the disc will bound around inside.
