Commodore4eva (aka C4eva) was the one person to come up with a stealth firmware for TS-H943 Xbox 360 consoles known as Xtreme Firmware. This allows users to create backup copies regardless of the disc check command employed by the console.

Well, the guy is back once more. C4eva recently released iXtreme Firmware 1.0 - a new stealth firmware promising to defeat all current and some future Xbox Live detection attempts.

Microsoft, as all of you know, is currently taking actions against firmware modding. Seemingly unfazed, C4eva came up with Xtreme Firmware v5.3 and this new one, iXtreme. Aside from the already mentioned, iXtreme Firmware is also offering media stealth, disc-jitter, disc-lock on, firmguard, as well as Xbox 360 backup firmware modification.

Version 1.0 has the following features:

• Defeats all current and some future Xbox Live detection attempts
• Boots ONLY Stealth Xtreme Xbox 360 backups
• Boots ONLY Stealth Xtreme Xbox 1 backups
• Boots all Xbox 360 originals
• Boots all Xbox 1 originals on Xbox 360

We don't know what's your stand on this one but QJ.Net, even C4eva himself, would like to caution everyone that this firmware replacement should be used at your own risk.

You've probably heard enough about the just-released Spring Dashboard update already (Previous coverage: here, here and here), so we won't bore you guys with any more duplicate coverage. If you've been under a large rock all this while, our previous coverages will bring you up to speed with the latest happenings regarding the Dashboard update. The update brings a lot of great new features making your Xbox 360 experience that much more enjoyable.

Anyways, the main reason for this article is to douse the suspense surrounding the fate of people who've modified their DVD drives with a hacked firmware to play pirated games, err backups. This might sound surprising: the latest Dashboard update doesn't mess with hacked DVD drives; meaning that if you've modified your DVD drive firmware, you'll still be safe with the latest update. People having Hitachi drives haven't been lucky enough to get regular updates to the hacked firmware, but even that doesn't matter, they're safe too!

While this doesn't rule out the possibility that Microsoft might be collecting data regarding these hacked drives and waiting to do something a little later, it's safe to say that's close to being improbable. Hackers, like Commodore4Eva, have made claims that they have complete control over the DVD drive and that Microsoft can't really do anything with it. Even though Microsoft might have something up their sleeve, it would be pretty risky to do something now.

In related news, Commodore4Eva has also announced that he is working on an Xtreme Firmware v2.4 for Hitachi users which would include the latest Disc Jitter update recently packed in Xtreme 5.3 for Samsung drives. We'll keep you posted on C4E's work, stay tuned.

While a head-on collision threatens to break over the Spring Update's cross-border Marketplace restrictions, another head-to-head is brewing up on the horizon. Gameswank snagged a Q&A with Commodore4Eva about his views on the Spring Update - but not about cross-border DL - and Xtreme Firmware 5.3.

It all begins, Commodore4Eva tells Gameswank, when a little mouse whispered into his ear that the Spring Update might contain an ability to detect backup games and not make it boot (Commodore4Eva emphasizes this detection method isn't about modded disk drives). Hence Xtreme FW v5.3 Patch, which Commodore4Eva hopes to release before Microsoft releases the Spring Update.

v5.2, he notes, "already has many FEATURES that prevent detection, 5.3 just adds another," although it seems that the patch is a stopgap based on Commodore's uncertainty whether Microsoft will really implement the detection capability.

The plan is to do an emergency patch if required after the update if the detection is put in by MS, otherwise a full update for Hitachi to bring it up to V5.3 from V2 will come in the next several weeks...

Caveats: v5.3 currently works on Samsung drives, although work is underway to bring it up to spec for other DVD drives.

(To be fair and just to Gameswank, we must include his emphasis that he's not taking any stance regarding modding with this interview with Commodore4Eva; he is simply conducting an interview with the guy. We take quite the similar stance, too: not weaving flags for either side. Besides, we remember a quite painful story back towards Halloween 2006 about Live updates, mods... and debunked rumors of brickage. Got it?)

Here's a big, juicy treat for the Xbox 360 dudes. We've been covering Commodore4eva's Xtreme firmware lineup for some time now, and for a post-Christmas suprise he's giving us an update.

Commodore's announcing the release of Xtreme firmware 5.1A,5.1B,5.1C,5.1D for the TS-H943 Xbox 360. For the guys asking about what's new in this firmware update, here's a brief list:

• (v5.1)  Open Tray errors fixed (PFI and SS read routines updated)
• (v5.1)     5.1c (Dual speed, default fast) and 5.1d (Dual speed default quietslow) read speed (Originals unaffected). Both toggle with original Xbox1/360 disc
• (V5.1)    Xbox1 DDE errors caused by firmware, patched
• (V5.1)    Possible Xbox1/360 DDE errors caused by firmware, patched
• (V5.1)    Single Layer DVD disc support(+/-RW) for both Xbox1 and 360
• (v5.1)  New easier batch file "Make Xtreme firmware.cmd" to make all firmwares.

The full details can be read in the read link below. We'd like to thank Commodore for the update, and we're sure you guys will like it too. Be sure to read up on Commodore's previous 4.1 update to check out what else was changed.

Along with updating Garyopa's Xtreme firmware to v2.3, Maximus also updated his own application, 360 Firmware Toolbox to v2.0. In Maximus' own words, this application "a graphical tool to handle several common dvd-drive firmware tasks. (yep, another one !)"

Here's what's new in this release:

• Corrected: Lookup of keys on GDR-3120L V78 because they dont have same location on all drives.
• Added: Show of the "hacker string" that identifies hacked versions. (Samsung on FFE0, Hitachi on 37F0) In case of 512 KB roms will only show for bank 0
• Added: Option to quick view the key database
• Added: Bigger "Encrypt/Decrypt" button for those that have not been using this save-time feature

The readme contains full details and information on how to use it, and how it works. So before you go about messing with your Xbox 360's DVD Drive, please make sure to do your research. Luckily, you can download the file from our servers since it's pretty clean.

Download Link: [360 Firmware Toolbox v2.0]

Being the typical wonderkid/overachiever that he is, Commodore4eva has recently released Xtreme firmware 4.1A and 4.1B for TS-H943 Xbox 360 drives.

Just in case this is the first time you're reading about this, this little creation happens to be a FirmGuard, Dual Speed, Media Stealth, One Firmware, Xbox 360 backup and extraction firmware modification all in one. This nifty application gives your mean gaming machine the ability to play back-up copies of games with the quality that is like the original.

You gotta admire this guy as it was only a few days ago when he released Xtreme firmware 4.0A and 4.0B. Anyway, this new version is a proud recipient of an improved FirmGuard and as Commodore4eva proudly mentions, it is now impregnable. He also mentions that you should use this at your own risk especially when on Xbox Live. So with all that aptly mentioned, let's go right down to the nitty-gritty of things.

For Xtreme 4.1A default backup Read Speed is same as original game disks 12x. When Original Game disk is booted, all subsequent backup loading will be at Quiet/Slow Read mode, Original Game disks are unaffected. Turn console off/on to reset back to Default backup read speed (12x). Quiet/Slow Read Speed is for quiet operation and/or cheap DVD+R DL media.

For Xtreme 4.1B default backup Read Speed is Quiet/Slow 2-4x. When Original Game disk is booted, all subsequent backup loading will be at Fast Read mode 12x, Original Game disks are unaffected. Turn console off/on to reset back to Default backup read speed for backups (2-4x).

It is best to refer to our earlier article which contains pertinent instructions about flashing your drive, creating a backup, extracting PFI and PMI, and turning off 0800 mode of firmware.

It seems that Commodore4eva is just like the Energizer bunny - he keeps going, and going, and going... You get the idea, right? A few days ago, we reported on the release of v3.1 of the Xtreme Firmware for TS-H943 Xbox 360, which featured the Booktype overwrite patch.

Two days after, he's back with v3.2 of Xtreme Firmware. Man, isn't this a hardworking guy or not? How is v3.2 different from the previous ones? Hmm... come to think of it, not much. However, it features a better media speed patch, which boasts of full speed on all media types, which is definitely something to look forward to.

Itching to know more details on the Xtreme Firmware TS-H943? You can read all about it here.

Commodore4eva has released the world's first "Media Stealth One Firmware Only Xbox 360 backup and extraction firmware modification", also known as Xtreme Firmware v3.1 for Toshiba-Samsung TS-H943. What it does is play as original back-up copies of games on the Xbox 360. The firmware works using raw/unmodified dumps, patching (security sector on ISO and DVD drive key on firmware), and DVD + DL (double layers) recordable discs.

Changelog
---------------------------
Added Booktype overwrite patch (bitsetting to DVD ROM no longer required)
Added Media speed patch (drive treats backup same as original)
Fixed DVD Movie backup/Xbox 1 backup read bug.
Stealth Media implemented into firmware. Backups now appear exactly as original disk regardless of which disk check command used by Xbox 360
Enable0800 mode supports extraction of raw PFI (Physical Format Information) and raw DMI (Disk Manufacturing Information)
Support for loading of extracted PFI and DMI from disk
Non-Stealth Backups automatically enhanced with embedded PFI for Xbox 360 and Xbox 1
Included new Video.ISO for Xbox 360 and Xbox 1 backups, now the same as originals
Security placeholders/bad sectors for 360 backups are outside both valid psn ranges so they cannot be read/checked by 360 host
Extraction part of firmware enabled with Enable0800 DVD. ISO included.
In Enable0800 mode, allows drive to function natively under Windows without any hardware conversion/adaptors
Boots all Xtreme Xbox 360 backups
Boots all Xtreme Xbox 1 backups
Boots all Xbox 360 originals
Boots all Xbox 1 originals on Xbox 360
Use on Xbox Live at own risk

Find out more about the technical details and other must-know of Xtreme Firmware TS-H943 Xbox 360 by clicking here.

A while back, Commodore4eva (C4eva 4 short) released his Xtreme Firmware 3.0 for TS-H943 Xbox 360 - the world's first stealth firmware for the 360. What it does is make backups of games appear exactly as original disc, regardless of the disc check command used by Xbox 360. We posted an article on this where you can read the full details about it and all it takes to see it is for you to click here. Apparently, C4eva has received a lot of questions and misconceptions about this stealth firmware so he took the time to explain it.

Read C4eva's explanation after the jump!

All those who have a Hitachi/LG drive with their Xbox 360 and have been looking to modify their MS console will be happy to know that garyOPA has just released v2.1 of the Xtreme Firmware. This one, again a 7-in-1, will also allow you to rip the Security Sectors; a feature which has mostly been available to only the Samsung drives.

He did release a v2.0 of the firmware, but it contained a few bugs, which resulted in a quick re-release. Here's the info from the release:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
OPA - Xtreme v2.1 firmware - Hitachi 7in1 - v32/v36/v40/v46/v47/v58/v59
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

NEW PACKAGE: "OPA-XTREME-HITACHI-7IN1-V2_1.RAR" 08/08 - 991,956 bytes

 * ALL NEW XTREME V2.1 FIRMWARE FOR ALL BUILDS OF THE HITACHI DRIVES!

   - Now includes "Security Sector Extraction" for all Hitachi Drives

   - No other improvements, same as our earlier "Xtreme v1.3", this
     release just supports SS Extraction within Windows without the
     need to re-flash your drive back and forth between PLAY & RIP!

 * SMALL BUG fixes from last night release of our Xtreme v2.0 - 7IN1

   - #1: The new delay command frozed on some user's computer setups.

   - #2: Users with v46 drives had no TRAY FUNCTION after flashing...
    
         * To fix your BRICK (We are very sorry!, But it is fixable!)
         
           - manually open the dvd tray!
           - now power up your PC system
           - power up your bricked drive
           - re-flash the drive with 2.1

   - #3: Users with v47 drives had random "64" errors when playing...

         * To fix this problem, just re-flash your drive with v2.1

He also said that he will be working hard for a new version that would offer the same "Stealth" functionality, which has been offered for Samsung drives with the new Commodore4Eva firmware.