Can I Add a Hard Drive To The Xbox 360 4GB Model?

[Shane Nokes]

I saw the 120GB from the old white ones for like $40 I think at one of those Gamestop stores. I read you can just take those and slide it into the Xbox Slims (even without the case) since it's already formatted and Is a SATA drive so I think that's where i'll go. The same store had the 320GB Xbox Slim drive for $90. 120GB is good enough for me as i'm using my 16GB USB stick in there now and that's good too. Might even settle and get the 60GB one instead for $29.99.

To the op though, as was said you can't use just any normal HDD (AND use all the storage). It has to be a MS drive (formatted MS way) or it'll only be 16GB of the storage for external drives. You can do my option above where you buy the old HDDs from the older systems and unscrew it and then slide the drive into the Xbox Slim directly to get your space that way.

I still don't recommend that route since it involves cracking open the casing on the drive, which means you still wind up violating the Terms of Use, and violating the warranty agreement.

That means from a legal standpoint you are agreeing that you will not seek service for any of the hardware should it fail...not a very good position to be in.

[Roger H. Veteran]

You'd be cracking the case on the OLD device which doesn't have warranty anymore :D The new Xbox has a SATA port and slot for the a 2.5" HDD. You can buy the "cage" if that makes you feel better about the fit but it will slide in there just fine. And as long as you aren't moving stuff around, it should be fine.

[Shane Nokes]

You'd be cracking the case on the OLD device which doesn't have warranty anymore :D The new Xbox has a SATA port and slot for the a 2.5" HDD. You can buy the "cage" if that makes you feel better about the fit but it will slide in there just fine. And as long as you aren't moving stuff around, it should be fine.

You're modifying a piece of hardware before inserting it into the console. That actually violates the rules as regards not running modified equipment.

I'm not trying to argue. I'm trying point out what the actual policies are on this. :)

I helped write some of the policies used to determine what qualifies as modified and non-modified hardware. It's a good thing I switched teams (at least for some people it seems) to do more of the business analysis stuff since I was a stickler for any modifications. :p

[compl3x]

Personally I hope the PS3 route is taken for hard drives next time around. I can understand the reasons why they haven't yet, but hope they do next time around.

Actually the "reason" (since we're using air quotes for some reason) for the hard drive has to do with data integrity & security on the platform. I can't go into the detailed specifics (obviously for security purposes), but there is a reason why Microsoft has created a closed environment, and it's not about greed.

If data integrity and security is such a huge priority, at least enough to make MS slap it's customers with over-pirced HDDs, then why would you in the future hope they take the PS3 route? :s

[Shane Nokes]

If data integrity and security is such a huge priority, at least enough to make MS slap it's customers with over-pirced HDDs, then why would you in the future hope they take the PS3 route? :s

Because they have since created ways to allow for that same level of security on add-on storage options. That's a fairly recent change, which is why any flash drive can be used now, albeit with the 16GB limitation.

I'm hoping with the next console they go the PS3 route so I can toss in a large capacity SSD and have awesome load times and more space.

[Ottawa Gamerz]

you should of bught 250 lol u want a new hd its going to cost u big time dont hack it because u will get banned

[Billaguana]

you should of bught 250 lol u want a new hd its going to cost u big time dont hack it because u will get banned

This guy........he's the super legit pro.

[Ryoken]

16gb limit ? I thought the 360 still supported the HFS+ filesystem, which allowed for much larger drive sizes..

That said it's been years since I tested or really cared, so I could be wrong..

[Roger H. Veteran]

The 16GB limit is when used with non-ms hardware such as USB thumbdrives and such. You can buy a 320GB HDD (Microsoft) and use it all if you like though :)

[compl3x]

Because they have since created ways to allow for that same level of security on add-on storage options. That's a fairly recent change, which is why any flash drive can be used now, albeit with the 16GB limitation.

I'm hoping with the next console they go the PS3 route so I can toss in a large capacity SSD and have awesome load times and more space.

I wish you could elaborate on these data integrity and security issues that MS identified and solved by selling, in my opinion, over priced HDDs for their systems. With respect, we're all simply taking your word that these even existed and it wasn't a grab-for-cash on MS' part. Not trolling, an honest opinion. :)

[Shane Nokes]

I wish you could elaborate on these data integrity and security issues that MS identified and solved by selling, in my opinion, over priced HDDs for their systems. With respect, we're all simply taking your word that these even existed and it wasn't a grab-for-cash on MS' part. Not trolling, an honest opinion. :)

Unfortunately that's something I can't give more details on. I can tell you that if it was just a cash grab I wouldn't have even bothered to comment.

I can say this much. There is a reason why only very specific models are used & why those models have custom firmware.

Do some digging into why MS also only uses specific DVD drive models with custom firmware as well. I'm not really at liberty to point at specific sites, but I know several of you would know where to look to find this info.

[LaP]

Actually the "reason" (since we're using air quotes for some reason) for the hard drive has to do with data integrity & security on the platform. I can't go into the detailed specifics (obviously for security purposes), but there is a reason why Microsoft has created a closed environment, and it's not about greed.

And what is the reason why the MS official HDD is more expensive than a regular HDD ?

I can see the reason why they want to have control over the HDD you can use with the console. But the price was ridiculous when i had my Xbox 360. I had a 20GB model (RRoDed) and wanted to change the HDD for the higher capacity model (think it was 120GB) but the price in Canada was close to twice the price of a Western Digital HDD. Yes the enclosure add to the price but not that much.

[Shane Nokes]

And what is the reason why the MS official HDD is more expensive than a regular HDD ?

I can see the reason why they want to have control over the HDD you can use with the console. But the price was ridiculous when i had my Xbox 360. I had a 20GB model (RRoDed) and wanted to change the HDD for the higher capacity model (think it was 120GB) but the price in Canada was close to twice the price of a Western Digital HDD. Yes the enclosure add to the price but not that much.

I actually just went a bit into that in my last post.

[LaP]

I actually just went a bit into that in my last post.

Yeah sorry about that

[threetonesun]

My white Xbox RoRD on me, I pulled the 20gb hard drive from it and slapped it into a slim, and called it a day. I would never buy a bigger one, I personally don't trust MS to keep backward compatibility in the next Xbox.

It's a shame, really, I like Arcade and I think their games on demand could be great if they'd just act like Steam (put things on sale for a reasonable price), allow hard drives that were cheap and large, and promise some sort of backwards compatibility.

[Jason S. Global Moderator]

how about we just stop w/ the ghetto hacking and do stuff properly? find a sale on the official MS hard drive, and install it on your xbox. you dont have to mess with thumb drives, external usb connections and hacking.

fwiw a couple years ago i found a deal for the 250GB official drive for $60. never looked back.

[+InsaneNutter MVC]

Actually the "reason" (since we're using air quotes for some reason) for the hard drive has to do with data integrity & security on the platform. I can't go into the detailed specifics (obviously for security purposes), but there is a reason why Microsoft has created a closed environment, and it's not about greed.

As regards memory cards, you do know that you can just use any standard flash drive on the market right?

I personally think you are just reading the official blurb, the whole only allowing Microsoft hard drives is to profit from the sale of over priced hard drives, there's nothing special about hard drives used by Microsoft to do with "data integrity & security". Official 360 hard drives come with a security sector which identify that drive as been an official Microsoft hard drive to the Xbox 360, the 360 reads this and authorizes it for use. A normal hard drive is missing this security sector so the 360 simply denies any hard drive is connected ensuring people have to purchase an over priceed drive from Microsoft.

Patch that security check out and the 360 will happily use any hard drive, regardless of brand, or size, i could even use an SSD with no issues if i wanted.

Below- A 1TB 360 been used in my 360, no hacking done to the drive what so ever:

Where as on a legit non modified Xbox 360 the hard drive has to have the security sector for the 360 to authorize it for use:

The 360 is secure regardless of what is on the hard drive or not, i can't simply compile my own xex and run it on a non modified 360 because i have access to the hard drive.

Because they have since created ways to allow for that same level of security on add-on storage options. That's a fairly recent change, which is why any flash drive can be used now, albeit with the 16GB limitation.

Again proving its all about the money, if any size usb drive could be configured for use no one would be buying 360's with hard drives in.

What security? its just a FATX container on a usb memory stick. The day the system update was pushed out to support using usb memory sticks as storage apps were released that allowed files to be injected and extracted from the container.

I can say this much. There is a reason why only very specific models are used & why those models have custom firmware.

The creator of Hddhackr didnt see any point in supporting hard drives from other manufactures, he stated its possible however didn't see the point as it was a lot of work and there was very little price difference between the various manufactures to make it worth while.

[Shane Nokes]

I personally think you are just reading the official blurb, the whole only allowing Microsoft hard drives is to profit from the sale of over priced hard drives, there's nothing special about hard drives used by Microsoft to do with "data integrity & security". Official 360 hard drives come with a security sector which identify that drive as been an official Microsoft hard drive to the Xbox 360, the 360 reads this and authorizes it for use. A normal hard drive is missing this security sector so the 360 simply denies any hard drive is connected ensuring people have to purchase an over priceed drive from Microsoft.

Patch that security check out and the 360 will happily use any hard drive, regardless of brand, or size, i could even use an SSD with no issues if i wanted.

Below- A 1TB 360 been used in my 360, no hacking done to the drive what so ever:

Where as on a legit non modified Xbox 360 the hard drive has to have the security sector for the 360 to authorize it for use:

The 360 is secure regardless of what is on the hard drive or not, i can't simply compile my own xex and run it on a non modified 360 because i have access to the hard drive.

Again proving its all about the money, if any size usb drive could be configured for use no one would be buying 360's with hard drives in.

What security? its just a FATX container on a usb memory stick. The day the system update was pushed out to support using usb memory sticks as storage apps were released that allowed files to be injected and extracted from the container.

The creator of Hddhackr didnt see any point in supporting hard drives from other manufactures, he stated its possible however didn't see the point as it was a lot of work and there was very little price difference between the various manufactures to make it worth while.

You can believe whatever you want. I know where I've worked, and I know what knowledge I have from having worked there.

You or anyone else are free to believe whatever you wish. That doesn't change what I know, and what the facts of the situation are.

Enjoy using the console that you had to modify to patch out security checks in order to use that hard drive.

Oh, and btw, posting that you didn't modify that drive for use is pointless since you modified the console in order to use the drive. I mean seriously...some people's kids... :(

[+InsaneNutter MVC]

You can believe whatever you want. I know where I've worked, and I know what knowledge I have from having worked there.

You or anyone else are free to believe whatever you wish. That doesn't change what I know, and what the facts of the situation are.

Enjoy using the console that you had to modify to patch out security checks in order to use that hard drive.

Oh, and btw, posting that you didn't modify that drive for use is pointless since you modified the console in order to use the drive. I mean seriously...some people's kids... :(

Oh, and btw, posting that you didn't modify that drive for use is pointless since you modified the console in order to use the drive. I mean seriously...some people's kids... :(

It's not pointless at all, it backs up my point that if anything was special about the drive for "data integrity & security" a standard SATA hard drive wouldn't work by simply telling the 360 to ignore if the drive has a security sector or not. Surely if anything was special a hard drive that has not been modified in anyway, simply would not work.

We might as well just agree to disagree, as you say everyone is free to believe what they wish. Its nothing personal i just don't agree there is anything special about the official SATA hard drives used in the 360.

[Stokkolm]

I also wouldn't recommend doing the modded hard drive route.

It's very much frowned upon since it violates the Terms of Use. If for some reason you ever need to send the console in for service it would also invalidate any existing service contract if noted that a non-MS hare drive is inside. It would also result in the console being returned un-repaired, along with that console being flagged to deny any future repair services.

Just a fair warning from someone who helped shape some of the policy documentation for this scenario...

Personally I hope the PS3 route is taken for hard drives next time around. I can understand the reasons why they haven't yet, but hope they do next time around.

That may all be true, however, every time I've had to mail my system in for repairs I have been told to remove the hard drive before sending it.

[HawkMan]

The "reason" was simple greed. The same thing applies to nearly EVERY accessory for the 360. Hard drives, memory cards, headsets - all have to be Microsoft's proprietary crap instead of standard hardware that you can buy anywhere.

in addition to what shane said. The reason is also simplicity. ANYONE can replace or add a harddrive to a xbox 360, and it's guaranteed to work. and when they call support they know what it is and that it should work. there is no uncertainties and no difficulties.

[Southern Patriot]

in addition to what shane said. The reason is also simplicity. ANYONE can replace or add a harddrive to a xbox 360, and it's guaranteed to work. and when they call support they know what it is and that it should work. there is no uncertainties and no difficulties.

How exactly is that any different than with a PS3 (other than Microsoft artificially limiting what brands and sizes of hard drive you can use)?

[threetonesun]

How exactly is that any different than with a PS3 (other than Microsoft artificially limiting what brands and sizes of hard drive you can use)?

Well, the Xbox drives come in those ridiculously over-sized holders so you absolutely can't plug them in wrong, or destroy them by accidentally running them over with a car... so they've got that going for them.

[HawkMan]

My mother can snap in a HDD on the 360. she won't do it on the PS3.

if you can't see that, you have extremely limited experience with "regular" (ie non techy") people. Also known as the "casual gamer" and consists of the large majority of todays console market.

Well, the Xbox drives come in those ridiculously over-sized holders so you absolutely can't plug them in wrong, or destroy them by accidentally running them over with a car... so they've got that going for them.

Well the old non slim drive had a big box, but it wasn't that much bigger than the drive. the new slim drive cases are barely bigger than the drives.

[Southern Patriot]

My mother can snap in a HDD on the 360. she won't do it on the PS3.

if you can't see that, you have extremely limited experience with "regular" (ie non techy") people. Also known as the "casual gamer" and consists of the large majority of todays console market.

Actually, I do. Anyone who can handle a screwdriver and follow a few lines of instructions (clearly stated in the manual) can change the drive in a PS3. No particular "techy" skills needed. Yeah, I'll admit, it is slightly more involved, but certainly not outside the realm of possibility for anyone who has ever done anything more involved than changing a lightbulb.