The New System Update FAQ by Defosho - Last updated June 15 2011
previously known as the System Update Preview FAQ
Short link to this page - http://bit.ly/dashupdate

Note 1: If you want to post this on other sites, please keep it updated, untouched and acknowledge the original sources. Of course Xbox-Scene.com are welcome to do whatever they want with it :)

Note 2: This FAQ is based on reports from trusted sources and my own testing. Please do not post speculation here, there are other threads where you can do that. If you have solid verifiable information please PM me.

What is System Update 13146?
This is a new update released to beta testers on May 9th and retail users on May 19th. It was released over XBL in several stages over the course of 11 days to May 30th. Microsoft rolled the update out to unique groups of consoles over the course of the rollout. If a manual update (disc/USB) was performed on a console that had not yet been offered the update through XBL, XBL access was blocked for that console ID until it was officially enabled.

What is new in this update?
The most notable changes that affect the CFW scene are: (1) a DVD drive firmware flash update and (2) a new AP25 challenge table.

1) The physical DVD drive is flashed with new firmware

Some drives are flashed during the update process. This is overwriting current drive firmware, whether it is custom or original. This is the reason why all backups are failing to boot for some people after the update, because the drive no longer has CFW. Re-flashing back to CFW (detectable if older than 1.9) will allow existing backups to start working again, except for the 6 known AP25-active titles which have a new challenge set in 13140-6. Read on for more details.

Which drives are being flashed?
Slim Lite-On: PLDS DG-16D4S 9504 -> 0272 ($flash_oddupd1.xex)
Phat BenQ: PBDS VAD6038 62430C/64930C -> 04421C ($flash_oddupd2.xex)
Phat Lite-On: PLDS DG-16D2S 74850C/83850C/93450C -> 02510C ($flash_oddupd3.xex)
Phat Samsung: TSSTcorp DVD-ROM TS-H943A ms25 -> ms25p---
Phat Samsung: TSSTcorp DVD-ROM TS-H943A ms28 -> ms28p2f9

Slim Lite-On 0225 and 0401 and all Hitachi drives are not being flashed.

Where can I get the new OFW flash files?
The new full 256 KB OFW flash files for Slim Lite-On 9504, Phat BenQ and Phat Lite-On drives can be found in the official 13146 System Update. Open the su20076000_00000000 file and extract the appropriate $flash_oddupd<x>.xex file for your drive with wxPirs (mirror). Then extract the FIRMWARE.bin file with XeXtractor or XexTool.

Samsung drives are updated with files from $install_extender.xex which contains 4 smaller patches rather than full fw files: ms25p1f9, ms25p2f9, ms28p1f9, ms28p2f9. Each patch is 48.4 KB and makes some changes in parts of the firmware. Therefore you must obtain the new OFW dumped from an actual Samsung drive. It appears that 13146 patches ms28 drives with ms28p2f9.

I've updated to 1314x and my drive has been flashed to new OFW, can I flash my drive back to pre-1.9 CFW to play backups?
Yes, but only if you're not concerned about being flagged or XBL banned.

So flashing back to pre-1.9 LT/LT+ CFW is detectable?
Yes. Custom firmware is designed to imitate OFW as close as possible so the console cannot detect it. Pre-1.9 LT and LT+ are based on old stock OFW so they imitate old stock OFW. Updated 1314x consoles are expecting to be communicating with a drive with new OFW. This is the first time in the console's history that drives are being officially flashed so when a drive is flashed to new OFW you should treat it like a "brand new drive model". And typically when a new drive model appears it often requires a new custom firmware version.

So how should I play backups with my newly updated console?
Flash LT/LT+ 1.9 which is based on new OFW. This is available for phat model drives currently.

Can I install the update with the drive disconnected?
No.

Is the drive key in the keyvault/drive changed or zeroed during the update?
No.

I have updated to the new OFW. How can I obtain and inject my drive key?
Older versions of JF do not recognise the new OFW fw versions. Use JF 0.1.83 or later. You can also try Electon^-'s e-Tool.

I have a non-JTAGable console with no drive key. Can I install this update so that maybe the drive key in the keyvault will be inserted back into the drive during the flashing process?
No. The update will start to run but you'll get an error message code like 3151-3355-1600-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx and the entire update will fail. If you flash one of the full new OFWs (any or no key) to the drive first then run the System Update the dash will be updated leaving the drive alone and the key won't be inserted. This way you can update consoles without known drive keys to 13140 and later.

My drive is flashed with CFW and the new System Update is failing to install. How can I install it?
Regardless of what drive you have, you should flash to old stock OFW before updating. If you have CFW the update will fail for some drives:

If you have retail dash 12625 or earlier:
For some CFW drives (Samsung, slim Lite-On), the new update will fail to install. You need to flash the drive to stock OFW before the update can proceed.

If you're already on 13140 or later:
Any subsequent System Update will fail to install if you don't have an updated drive. If you're on CFW or old OFW, you need to flash to the new OFW before the update can proceed. As mentioned earlier, the update will proceed even if your drive key is not inserted however I'd highly recommend that you do insert it before flashing. If you're not concerned about being flagged/XBL banned then you can temporarily install a drive from a different console that has already been updated to the new OFW (any key) and then install the System Update.


2) A new AP25 challenge table

The six games that were AP25-active in 12625 are still active in 13140-6 - all known language versions of AC:B, Fable III, NFS:HP, Halo Reach, CoD:MW2, CoD:BO. However current genuine AP25-patched backups of these games do not boot with LT+ because the challenges have changed. These six games will need to be (re-)burned with new replay sectors to play on 1314x. Read my AP25 FAQ for more information.

Xbox Game Disc 3 (XGD3)

The Microsoft document sourced by Joystiq states that it will "introduce support for a Xbox Game Disc format (XGD3) that will be used in future game titles releasing later in 2011". Since Major Nelson's original post on March 29 this is the first official mention of Xbox Game Disc 3.

It also corroborates previous reports - "XGD3 allows for additional storage space on a game disc, and provides additional layers of copy protection".

Since early April several people have reported that the Halo Reach beta XGD3 disc can be 'played' on any drive firmware version. I wouldn't draw any conclusions from this, the disc is beta.


The System Update Preview Program

What is the System Update Preview program?
Announced on March 29 2011, this was a public beta program for US Xbox Live members that ran from early April to mid May 2011. According to Major Nelson, its purpose was to help prepare for an updated disc format, which we now know is called XGD3 (Xbox Game Disc 3).

How was the program run?
All participants received an XGD3 version of Halo Reach. The program was split into two groups chosen by Microsoft. One group ("LIVE") received the initial dashboard update through Xbox Live, the other group was expected to update with the Halo Reach disc ("DISC").

On April 6th the members in the "LIVE" update group started to receive the beta dashboard 13141 through XBL. The Halo Reach discs started to arrive in the mail on April 11. Some are green topped ("DISC"), others silver ("LIVE"). At least one of the disc types have system update 13140 on the disc. Dashboards have since been updated to 13142, 13145 and 13146 through XBL. The 13146 update issued to the beta testers on May 9th is identical to the final retail 13146 which started to appear on retail consoles on May 19th.

The new drive firmwares and AP25 table are identical in all versions from 13140-13146.

Thanks/Credits
dragoscojan and kuiponok for the Samsung drive dumps and helpful info
elmsnapesta for the JF 0.1.67 drive key information
kryno 696 for the OFW drive swap method to allow updates and 13146 info
Electon^- for the e-Tool
And those who shall remain anonymous, you know who you are :)

Thanks for the information, I almost flipped so much by the news of dash reflashing DVD drive fw that I created a topic about it. but still it does not look good at all

I think Ill pin this faq.

This got covered after I wrote that topic, so yeah, it is now but it was not before

good post cleared alot of things up for me cheers

COD is not working...

useful info, how often will the faq be updated? seems things are changing daily for updates. looking forward to the updated info, good job!

Thanks a lot for the wonderful information !

but regarding ...


some time and for a while ? any clue on them ?

I mean any clue when this BETA dash will become public from previous testing periods etc etc ?
In 3 months ? or is it the similar before X-mas one ?

$install_extender.xex

is the xex that install the firmware.

Btw it has all the drives listed in there.

I have my virgin box and modded box. I use one hard drive between the 2. If at some point I update the virgin box, any idea what will happen if I try to switch the drive between the 2 like I do now?

Thanks

when ever I update an xbox and then put that hard drive on another xbox (I have lots) it always asks to update to the newer dash - but in this case I guess you can say no as its a beta dash and not a required update.

As goes with any beta testing it should standard knowledge to have a reserved system for such tests. I'm not too surprised about people having problem with modded console's. With that said I'm surprised that people take chances, waiting is part of the game, unless you can afford the chance that you take.

@Defosho, What about XGD3, any information in regards to the size and the type of this disc, do we need a new media to back these up?

Is it possible to show somewhere in the post where the new info updates are being posted. I see that the post was edited today but am having a hard time finding new information.

Cheers

The new information is being edited within the original post at the beginning of this thread.

Yeah no kidding, that's my point. There is no indication as to where the new information is added/changed.

What about Hitachi drives ? (79FL in my case).
I don't see any info regarding them, are they affected by the upcoming dashupdate ?

same here but i have a hitachi 47

Yeah same here again, I have the 47, can't seem to find much info about it...

You guys are retards. Go back to the first post and read the bit where it says "These are the only drives that are being flashed at present."

Oddly my post was on the 14th of may and the opening post was updated on the 15th.

Thanks for the information.

That was the latest update I just read from Xbox LIVE Update Connect site, since I was involved with the beta program. So the good news is that anyone who has received the May 9th dashboard update (2.0.13146) is already up to pace! My flashed firmware (LT+) hasnt had any problems at all playing games online since the beginning..hopefully that'll continue.

Hopefully that answers some questions.

Sorry wasnt too sure where to add this info or even if its any help!

Ok i have 3 xboxes running on live in my house 2 Phats (both Lt+ and updated this evening around 21.00 uk time) Now both are only playing there Orig games NO BACKUPS so seems bothe have the new firmware flashed on them.


One 9504 Slim and again Lt+ but no promt for the update yet connected at the same time playing the same game as well

My Sammy got the E66 Error immediately after my console turned off after I downloaded the first part of the update.

I just reflashed back to stock and it updated fine......then flashed back to LT and its playing games and the xval is clean.


For what that is worth.



I believe this happened with the Fall update with some Sammy's as well, but this is the first time I've had an issue updating. No big deal though.

I don't know how they are doing the updates, because I have 2 Phat Xbox's- one White replaced by Microsoft about 1 1/2 ago (Xenon, All stock), the other has is an elite with Falcon and LT+ Neither of those have been asked to update yet, think their doing it by board type? I have a friend with an "older white one" that had to update, but he wouldn't be able to tell me the board type.

Anyways, hope somethin of that helps -BD {Rudedog Racin}

They can't do all the updates at once........they go region to region and this time they are starting with specific drives (Slim liteon's then Phat liteon's and so on).


Also certain actions seem to prompt updates more quickly.....if you are just turning your console on and logging into xbox live it might not ask for an update, but if you try to launch Netflix or play a game it will.


Why are you so anxious to get an update that is has nothing of value to except "security measures" which don't help anyone they just hurt pirates. And before anyone says Paypal or Kinect Avatar those are separate updates.


Just relax it'll come.

Ok... So what about a Samsung that hasnt been touched at all to begin with... never had the key extracted.. so i dont know what it is??? Im waiting on my equipment to come so that I can extract and play around with the firmware... but I also want to be able to play games on live UP UNTIL I have the firmware tool... Are we thinking that this new OFW that M$ is flashing erases the ability for JF or any other tools to see or extract the original key??? Or am I safe to update to the new dash.. then Flash whatever is the safest CFW when we have the knowledge??

Ok... so basically... due to the fact that i do not have my DVD key (never flashed the drive, or even opened it up to have a look) and that i dont have it saved in a file for safekeeping, now that this new dash upgrade is coming through and flashing back to stock, and hiding the key(?) there is no way of dumping drive key through JF if I have never done a dump and secured the key??? So... in this case, if you have NEVER dumped the key or had access to it, you SHOULDNT update the dash until you dump the key outta the drive??? this is my concern : /

Im sorry if I am sounding confusing but I am new to this :/

jungleflasher will be coming out with an update with new ways to get the drive key... no need to freak out

LOL.... Cheers man, I actually was freaking out a little... (Oh my god I have purchased this shit which I am ALREADY SCARED OF (Out of my depth with this flashing business) and now the whole scene has been urned upside down)

I have a lite-on 9504 and the new update have flashed it to a firmware 0272(!) rendering my backups useless. I've just reflashed the drive with my original 9504 firmware to see if it's working and it was so after that step i've just reflashed it with the lt+ firmware corresponding to my 9504 drive and it works like a charm, all my backups are working again...

Only thing with doing this now is its looking highly likely to be unsafe!!

I don't understand, how come when I did this, it did not restore my backup play capability. Instead, now I cant play anything, original or burned. I have a 74850c, I tried flashing LT and LT+ so far, but not LT+ 1.1, I figured it would be the same outcome. Any suggestions?

The guy you quoted, sounds like he flashed his drive with his original FW, aka the old OFW. Then he flashed it with LT+. Maybe try that?
However, from the sound of it, maybe you messed up something. Did you forget to plug the SATA cable back into the drive? I've actually done that. Closed up the system, went to run a backup to test it, and said 'son of a bitch' and had to open the sucker back up just to plug in the SATA.


Based on what?

The update is on any game discs yet is it? Just through Live, correct?

Just based on reading here and on xbox hacker that ppl in the know are advising against doing so!



As far as i am aware yes just live!
Played the new Dirt 3 and thats still not issuing the update from Disc which is a current new release!

I have a 79 hitachi and it's asking to accept the update, but the front page says the hitachi model isn't in the list of drives being asked to update.

It would stand to reason that all drives would have to be updated to play new discs.

Anyone take the update on a hitachi drive?

Thanks

So if I'm reading this all correct, I have a liteon 9xxx drive, and don't really care about playing backups anymore(really only play 2 or 3 games, which I own). I could just flash back to OFW, update, then wait for an update from c4eva, and decide what to do from there?

Something just came to mind!! Not sure if mentioned before and it might be too early to know or speculate.


What will happen with future dash updates regarding the drive's firmware?

I mean, suppostly this update is to update the firmware on drives to support new disc format XGD3, so, you think M$ will use this "flash firmware" on System Update in every update to make it harder for us? Or do you think that this is the only time this will happen since it's "only meant to add new disc format support"?


What do you think?

Needed to add to OP post.

SPG is Patched with the 13*** update.

I have a buddy with a lite on 7xxx with LT 1.1. He doesnt care about playing backups or not. Could he update to the new dashboard and be safe from banning or the system messing up if he has CFW?

I always have this habit of just thinking "oh that update won't do anything!" and going ahead with it. Luckily I had my drive key and OFW saved on my pc. I'm on a BenQ, and can get all the non-ap2.5 backups to work, but for some reason (using LT+) they won't play AC:B or Fable 3, but it'll play portal 2...... they just stay at a black screen and eventually(5-10min) throw a "this disc is unreadable" error... Thoughts? I'll try and reflash LT+ in case the second flash just didn't stick.

Thats a known issue due to new ap2.5 checks on those games!
Also leaving it for 10 mins will result in you getting flagged i think as the firmware is set to protect you on that screen for 2-3 mins

Meh. It's been flagged already when the AP2.5 dash came out originally (almost a year ago now?) No banning... just flagging. Good to know though... and slightly irritating. So the I've gathered that the AP 2.5 tables have changed, we'll have to wait for a new update before they'll run again? Do I have that right? Or do you think my flash was just bad?

This might not be the right time or place, but how can you tell if you've been flagged? Always wondered, and that last post reminded me.

Thanks, Brodie

But what is the whole new disc. They will hold more gigs and have more layers. Is there any discs out there like this????

To check if you are flagged use Xval ....
http://www.xbox-scene.com/xbox1data/sep/Ek...FluvBpsPeAC.php

From what I've read, they could conceivably flash the drive firmware with every future dash release, yes. Sucks, doesn't it? Well played, M$

I have a 360 sammy ms 28 flashed with LT....
I just got e66 error when updating the dash,
I used xval and it still says my system is clean.


will this new update work for me also?
So it's just a matter of waiting and upgrading it to the new firmware when it's release and I won't get the e66 anymore...