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Microsoft locking out unauthorized Xbox 360 storage devices

When the Preview Program for the next Xbox 360 update launches, owners of non-licensed memory units will be in for a sad surprise: they'll no longer be able to access the data on those units.

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MS if just doing what sony has ALWAYS done.

Yes, this sucks. But Microsoft is just doing what Sony has ALWAYS done to their customers. It is expected in the console segment. They are ALL guilty of it, Nintendo included. It is part and parcel of owning a console, if you don't like it switch to PC gaming. It has it's quirks as well, but at least random portions of your machine won't just stop working for no valid reason.
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BradT, WTF!!!!!

I own a ps3,, do you,, No, no you dont. Because ANY PS3 owner will tell you that you are not only allowed to connect any storage device you'd like. But you are in fact invited to upgrade the internal HDD. Brad, stop being a dique weasel, and STFU when you don't know what you're talking about.
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He wasn't referring

He wasn't referring specifically to hard drives. Sony is notorious for implementing drastic, required updates to their systems that require the user to either cough up more cash or stop playing.
No matter how much one loves a system, they should be able to see the fact that the giants are getting hungrier and charging for things that, at one time, would have been completely free.
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And the Sony Defense Force

And the Sony Defense Force jumps right in, its to be expected.
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Playstation 2 Memory Cards

When I got my ps2 I got Kingdom Hearts and a 16mb MadCatz (or some such) memory card. What do I find as soon as I try to save? Apparently my memory card has no space. Some ps2 games will not save on non sony mem cards as it reads the extra space as negative space.

At least MS tells you about this, I had no idea until I had actually bought the thing (the 16mb being cheaper than the sony thing of course). Had to go out and buy a Sony memcard just for that.
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If that's only a problem

If that's only a problem with some PS2 games, then it's a bug with the way they calculate memory card capacity, nothing to do with Sony.
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Your comment

First of all your comment had NOTHING to do with the XBox 360 console which was being mentioned. Second of all I own both consoles and they both have their ups and downs, yes I agree that microsoft is still as greedy as always but seriously, chill out and shut the hell up. Noone cares that you own a PS3 and your stuck on that stupid childish xbox 360 vs ps3 whos-better fight.
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BradT, you're mistaken, you

BradT, you're mistaken, you can use other memory sticks and HDDs. But even if what you said was correct, it doesn't make it any more welcome. Vendor lock-in sucks, always.

For instance, cell phone text messaging rates have been steadily rising much faster than inflation, incoming messages are free in other countries. Just cause all the major US companies have agreed to raise their rates doesn't mean it's cool with consumers.
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Hey Brad first of all ALL

Hey Brad first of all ALL PS3s come with storage unlike the XBOX 360. In fact Sony doesn't even use memory sticks for the PS3. In addition to upgrading the HDD you can use a simple USB memory stick. A 16 GB USB memory stick will cost you less than a 512 MB memory card MS sells for the 360. Is there a reason why I can use a USB memory stick to save game data? Nope. Other than MS wants to FORCE me to overpay for their memory card.
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How many of the average

How many of the average people know how to swap out the harddrive?

8mb sony ps2 memory cards are still $25 and many stores only carry the sony ones.

Same with nintendo but they have larger memory cards that are also sold for the gamecube.
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forgot to add at what point

forgot to add at what point are you invited to upgrade the harddrive except by buying a ps3 that has a larger harddrive
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everyone

Changing a HardDrive is easy; anyone can do it. If you don't know how there is the internet. If you refuse to read, there is probably a skilled friend of yours who will do it for a 6-pack.
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The PS3 comes with

The PS3 comes with instructions on how to replace the internal drive. If you can follow the most basic of instructions, you can upgrade the HDD on your PS3. It is very, very easy.
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Nintendo

Guess you don't own a Wii either. When I had to transfer some files to it, I just took out the SD card in my phone, and it just worked.
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upgrading ps3 hard drive

Actually PS3 comes with detail instruction on removing and install hard drives (any 5400 rpm 2.5" I think), and the OS is able to see the new drive and offer to setup the new drive. It is a very simple process.
At least for the older PS3.
However, it is require to remove and replace one screw.
Not as easy as swapping hard drives on XBOX360.
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Not really

Not really. The XBOX360 hard drive is vendor locked; you can't just throw any hard drive in there. There is a way to do it, but you have to buy a specific model, and it can't be greater than 120GB (the largest size microsoft sells) and you have to do some hacker ninja crap to get the code off another drive of the same size. I was lucky enough to find a 120GB MS HDD for $90 at target on clearance. I think they didn't know what it was. This was over a year ago, I know the prices have come down since I bought it.
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how many people...

the fact that "average" people don't know how to change a harddrive is a strawman argument. we aren't talking about average people were talking about gamers... so the fact that in the ps3 is even capable of installing/swapping a HD is above and beyond what MS is doing. I just bought my sd memory stick so ya this feels like a burn.

I am going back to gaming on the pc where i can do what ever I want, or at most wii or ps3, ms is done with me and me with them ... thank god for Ubuntu.

fyi i don't work for any marketing co or gaming co.
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Changing hard drives

The HD is actually clearly labelled on the back.

http://www.gamersreports.com/article/43/

Plus, since BlueTooth (yes, it's pioneered by Sony, but it's pretty much a standard now), you can use:
- keyboards
- mice
- headsets (i.e. the ones you use for your phone, if you have one already)
- hard drives
- memory cards (you can use any type of flash memory you have) for PS3, and yes the PS2 have expensive memory cards... but that's when SD / MS / etc. didn't exist and they needed to make their own.
- DLNA for (an) industry-standard media center / server access.

Instead of relying on Sony to come out with one. Yes Sony's still guilty of a few lock-ins, but there are significantly less then M$' lock-ins. (Mind you, some of Sony's other departments aren't as "nice")
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Obligitory Car Analogy

Doesn't matter if Sony and Nintendo kept you from doing this too. Anyone doing it sucks, it's not like car companies are allowed to keep lock you out from using 3rd party repair or after-market upgrade parts.
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well, yes...you can mod your

well, yes...you can mod your car however you want with 3rd party pieces...but you also void your warranty if you do so. same with ps3 and xbox. if you mod them, you lose your warranty...you just have to keep re-checking your "warranty" with console makers and not car makers. it'd be like everytime you got into your car, it called home and told the manufacturer "Hey...this isn't the way i was built. someone get this guy!!" so your analogy, tho colorful, isn't exactly sound. :)
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We should

i will never buy an Xbox again! its outrageous they are able to do this. I own the product. I paid for it therefore i can do with it what i will. Companies like MS and apple are plainly greedy bunch of so and so's! they shouldnt be allowed to get away with it.
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