MS reportedly changing stance on unfairly banned Xbox 360 units

[Zeus]

Adrian Huges of ZDnet has blogged up that Microsoft's tech support is reportedly changing its stance on unbanning consoles which are allegedly totally un-modified. Initially, MS's response had been to reassure Xbox 360 owners that the identification process was 100 percent accurate and there was nothing that the consumer could do but buy a new fresh Xbox 360 in order to be unbanned. However, now MS is reportedly unbanning some consoles and taking others in for repair.


The other day I reported that I was getting emails in from disgruntled Xbox Live users who had been banned by Microsoft for allegedly connecting to the online service using modded consoles even though the consoles were totally unmodified. Today I’m hearing that some of those affected are finally getting somewhere with tech support.

Initially, Microsoft’s response had been that the process used to identify modded consoles (a process that would allow the console to play backed up game) was 100% accurate and that there was nothing that Microsoft or users could do other than buy a new console. At the time Microsoft wouldn’t even take the consoles in to be checked or repair. Now is seems that things have changed. I’m still waiting for official word from Microsoft but according to several affected gamers that I have spoken to, Microsoft is now backing down from the initial stance and some consoles are being unbanned and others taken in for repair.

As to what the magic words that you have to say to tech support are in order to be listened to, I’m not sure, but I imagine that polite persistence is the way to go.


News Source: <A href="http://blogs.zdnet.com/hardware/?p=1047" target="_blank">Zdnet</a>

[Soldiers On LSD]

As to what the magic words that you have to say to tech support are in order to be listened to, I’m not sure, but I imagine that polite persistence is the way to go.


I think Better Business Bureau, lawyer and sue will be part of the magic words.

Still I'm glad M$ acknowledge the issue so theres still a slim chance of getting thru an illegal ban in case the ban hammer knocks my console out of XBL.

[Midnightkilla91]

diablo 2 lol idk

[mystic54]

Wow, MS.....

Do they realize how much ground they just lost to the modders? Now, there is going to be a million people that supposedly got banned accidentally...

[billysastard]

I think Better Business Bureau, lawyer and sue will be part of the magic words.


i think you are probably right, not the first few but after a number of threats its probably better for them to say this (even if they dont act) to cut down the chances of multiple lawsuits or another class action suit.

certainly if i was in that situation my next call after customer services would be to trading standards (our version of bbb) then a lawyer.

[grapeape]

I think Better Business Bureau, lawyer and sue will be part of the magic words.

Still I'm glad M$ acknowledge the issue so theres still a slim chance of getting thru an illegal ban in case the ban hammer knocks my console out of XBL.

I have yet to see one confirmed case of someone who truly didn't mod their console that was banned, though several have tried to whine and complain by saying they didn't mean to or they they changed their mind and un-modded it. Its a violation of the terms of service MS is well within legal right to ban. I do know one person who has been un-banned, but they had to return their console to do so. It was a 306 purchased off of eBay that was supposedly still under warranty. It turned out to be a banned console from a very sneaky modder. Even in that case MS could have refused, it was a problem between the unscrupulous seller and the buyer, but its nice of them not to blame the buyer.

[sonnyz]

Wow, MS.....

Do they realize how much ground they just lost to the modders? Now, there is going to be a million people that supposedly got banned accidentally...

Yeah, those dirty cheatin' modder fockers!

[MasterGeek]

Wow, MS.....

Do they realize how much ground they just lost to the modders? Now, there is going to be a million people that supposedly got banned accidentally...

You can include me, my modded Xbox 360 was banned but I'm gonna harass Microsoft Customer service and pretend that my console was banned accidentally and demand that they unban it :D

[Attitude]

You can include me, my modded Xbox 360 was banned but I'm gonna harass Microsoft Customer service and pretend that my console was banned accidentally and demand that they unban it :D

Sp let me get this right, people such as yourself who wont pay for a game and then moan like a child when they get banned after paying around £40 for live would think they are hard done by when they are then banned?. lol i have nothing at all against modding your xbox's if thats what you want to do but if your then banned for it you should at least have the balls to accept it and move on.

[iLLNESS]

lost ground to modders?

i can assure you microsoft can tell when a console is wrongfully banned.

theyll want to see the console.

im sure m$ has fixed the banning issue already, so any new bans they likely wont fix unless they can put up a good story in which case itll still need to be sent in

[onyxx]

lost ground to modders?

i can assure you microsoft can tell when a console is wrongfully banned.

theyll want to see the console.

im sure m$ has fixed the banning issue already, so any new bans they likely wont fix unless they can put up a good story in which case itll still need to be sent in

is that the same way they could tell that a console should be banned?

[talax]

I would think that they timestamp when they check the console if it was modified (or at least I hope they do, just for internal auditing sake).

So if, for example, you bought a 360 off ebay, and the seller modified it but didn't tell you, and you are able to prove you bought the 360 after the timestamp check was done, I think that would at least give them reason to unban it for you.

That is, if they are willing to go through the effort of checking all that stuff, which in the past they weren't.

I can't see many other situations where they would just take your word for it though.

[nhydro]

Sp let me get this right, people such as yourself who wont pay for a game and then moan like a child when they get banned after paying around £40 for live would think they are hard done by when they are then banned?. lol i have nothing at all against modding your xbox's if thats what you want to do but if your then banned for it you should at least have the balls to accept it and move on.

well said u are 100% right if some1 gets banned unlucky **** happens teach ya not to mod ya console

[MasterGeek]

I will buy a second Xbox 360 and keep it unmodded and buy originals only if the game has a great multiplayer mode such as Halo 3 and COD 4. The other games such as Assassin's Creed, Mass Effect, Bioshock, etc... will be obtained through "different means" :D

[grapeape]

I would think that they timestamp when they check the console if it was modified (or at least I hope they do, just for internal auditing sake).

So if, for example, you bought a 360 off ebay, and the seller modified it but didn't tell you, and you are able to prove you bought the 360 after the timestamp check was done, I think that would at least give them reason to unban it for you.

That is, if they are willing to go through the effort of checking all that stuff, which in the past they weren't.

I can't see many other situations where they would just take your word for it though.

Thats basically the hoops my buddy had to go through, he had to forward over the ebay link as well as the credit card reciept showing the date he purchased it. It was definately a guilty until proven innocent situation though...which it should be IMHO.

[Boco]

Who her got a ban and dit not mod there console??
My 360 is mod free and no ban. if you mod your console you know you can get a ban, so don't cry now if you get a ban, you broke the rules.

[MasterGeek]

Who her got a ban and dit not mod there console??
My 360 is mod free and no ban. if you mod your console you know you can get a ban, so don't cry now if you get a ban, you broke the rules.

NOOO, I DON'T ACCEPT TO BANNED :mad: I want to play Xbox Live enabled games for free on my modded console !

[el username]

Lolz, I called about my system but they say that mine is banned and they are sticking to their guns. I am still trying to get them to inspect my console but they turned me down. I hardly think it is far if people are getting their bans overturned yet my old system is still suffering. I had to buy a new console to play online.

http://forums.maxconsole.net/showthread.php?t=64916

[sshaw1982]

But yours was flashed el username, you haven't a leg to stand on - you may be playing by the rules now but for quite a while you weren't. Stop bitching about a deseverd ban, in your case M$ got it right :mad: