Dashboard update is here -- any thoughts?

[Pedle Zelnip]

So now that it's finally here, what does everybody think of the new dashboard update. I personally couldn't care less about the MSN integration so I haven't tried that, but I really like the marketplace tab (although I still keep hitting B on it to exit out of it 8)7 ). I was a bit dissapointed with the downloading while off, as the fans are still going when you do this so it's not quite as quiet as I thought it'd be (although it's still far quieter than when the 360 is totally on with a game in the drive).

And I *LOVE* the achievment popup. Was very sweet this morning when I played Prey and got a popup saying "Achievement Unlocked: 30G 14: The Dark Harvest". :)

So what about you all, any thoughts (good or bad) about the new update?

[TRIGGER M4N]

I like the new VGA settings. I don't know what they do, but it made mine look better on 'intemediate.'

[UKJAY]

I like the new VGA settings. I don't know what they do, but it made mine look better on 'intemediate.'

same here...mine looked better on extended?

someone explain...

[Sc0tty2h0tty17]

Im at work so I havent had a chance yet... does it delete that damn trial games out of played games yet?:-(

[UKJAY]

Im at work so I havent had a chance yet... does it delete that damn trial games out of played games yet?:-(

erm...NO

[Pedle Zelnip]

Im at work so I havent had a chance yet... does it delete that damn trial games out of played games yet?:-(

That's what secondary XBL accounts are for. ;)

[Paul Tancred]

One thing I've noticed is I can't get a conversation like pictured here.

http://files.xboxic.com/general/xbox-360-dashboard/spring-update/thumbs/spring-dashboard-update-2007.jpg

Mine are in the full screen type like text messages.

[TRIGGER M4N]

It only does that during a game I think.

[Sc0tty2h0tty17]

Im at work so I havent had a chance yet... does it delete that damn trial games out of played games yet?:-(

GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY MS....what the hell!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[_Chris_]

One thing I've noticed is I can't get a conversation like pictured here.

http://files.xboxic.com/general/xbox-360-dashboard/spring-update/thumbs/spring-dashboard-update-2007.jpg

Mine are in the full screen type like text messages.

It only does that during a game I think.
No... Theres a button on the new keyboard add on that makes that thing pop up, so to talk on msn on your 360 you HAVE to go full screen on the guide untill the add on comes out, i've been testing it most of the day trying to find a way around it, i even went and got a USB keyboard, but no, you have to stay full screen untill the add on is released, which is a complete shit if you ask me.

Oh, and anyone that has tested out the MSN feature, has it made your guide REALLY slow? and when in messages, or most things in the guide, it can freeze for 2-10 seconds at a time to load shit, its REALLY frustrating..
Anyone else had this or is it just me?:'(

[Zerodisorder]

So is there an expanded private chat with more users like rumored a while ago?

[_Chris_]

No, what they meant by 6 members to chat was 6 people in an MSN chat, theres been no change to voice and video chat.

[UKJAY]

yeah my guide was really slow...like it has lag..

[_Chris_]

yeah my guide was really slow...like it has lag..
Yeah.. REALLY bad lag..

[ibaj]

The fact that probably half of Xbox lives users can't use WLM becuase they made theyre accounts before they turned 18 and it reads them as a child still.. Even for those who uses it on a computer under 18.

GG Microsoft! JUST LOVE IT!

[_Chris_]

See its lucky when i made my MSN account at 14 i put my age down as 18, i forsaw this;)

[nofear360]

See its lucky when i made my MSN account at 14 i put my age down as 18, i forsaw this;)
I wasn't so bright back then :( :P

[max2663]

im 18 on my xbox account but i never use msn so this crappy shit of lagging guide doesnt worry me8)

[Bleach22]

No... Theres a button on the new keyboard add on that makes that thing pop up, so to talk on msn on your 360 you HAVE to go full screen on the guide untill the add on comes out, i've been testing it most of the day trying to find a way around it, i even went and got a USB keyboard, but no, you have to stay full screen untill the add on is released, which is a complete shit if you ask me.

Oh, and anyone that has tested out the MSN feature, has it made your guide REALLY slow? and when in messages, or most things in the guide, it can freeze for 2-10 seconds at a time to load shit, its REALLY frustrating..
Anyone else had this or is it just me?:'(


Ive had that aswell. And even when your signed out of messenger its slow. It is SO horrible. I hope they fix the bitch soon. And It is also a shame you cant shrink down the conversations. To be honest, apart from the marketplace, this update has ruined xbox live slightly for me as i like to play with friends and now i cant even get to my friends list to invite them to a game.

[TRIGGER M4N]

Now that you have had a few hours to play with the new dashboard update, some folks have asked some questions about the new Messenger integration. Let me see if I can help clear a couple of things up:

Q: I don’t want to automatically sign in to Live Messenger on my console…how do I turn it off?
A: Sign in to Xbox LIVE, go to the Xbox LIVE blade, then select your gamercard and press A. Go down to ‘Auto Sign-in’ and press A. You can set your preference for Xbox Live and Windows Live Messenger separately here.

Q: The email address assigned to my Xbox LIVE account is different to the email address I use on my PC for Windows LIVE messenger. Is there a way for me to still access my messenger account?
A: Not at this time. We are working on the ability to allow users to change the email address they originally used when signing up for Xbox Live. The feature will be available in an upcoming release.

Post any other questions you may have and I will try to track down answers. Also, I am in meetings all day, so I will only be able to check in a few times today to see how things are going.


Edit: Here are some keyboard shortcut keys that can be used if you have a USB Keyboard attached to your console:

Going to sign in to Messenger:

When you are not signed in to Messenger, pressing Windows + M will take you to the sign in screen.
Going to start a conversation:

When you are signed in but don't have any open conversations, Windows + M will take you to the Messenger screen where you can start new conversations.
Note: if you have any open conversations, Windows + M will not take you to the Messenger screen. You'll have to bring up the Guide (Windows key) and navigate to Chat->Messenger Tab.
Going into overlay mode:

When you have any open conversations, Windows + M will bring up the overlay over whatever you are doing. You can see the last few lines of a conversation and enter a message. This is a great way to exchange quick messages while watching a movie or playing a game!

Getting out of overlay mode:

You can dismiss the overlay the same way you brought it up, with Windows + M.
Tip: you can always get to the Guide when an overlay is up, by pressing the Guide button on your controller or the Windows key. This will dismiss the overlay and bring up the Guide

Switching between conversations in overlay mode:

You may have more than 1 open conversation. In that case, when you bring up the overlay, you can cycle between the conversations using Ctrl + -> (right arrow key).
Tip: if you are in the overlay, exchanging messages with contact1 and you get a new message from contact2, you'll see a blinking icon that will tell you that you should cycle to that conversation to see the new message!

[FoolInjection]

Oh, and anyone that has tested out the MSN feature, has it made your guide REALLY slow? and when in messages, or most things in the guide, it can freeze for 2-10 seconds at a time to load shit, its REALLY frustrating..
Anyone else had this or is it just me?:'(

Yes I found this happening too ... its bloody annoying ... as is having to buy the keyboard add-on for that popup window.

There was me thinking the USB keyboard I had would do me fine... screwed again. [EDIT] Just read the post above... I'm still screwed as its a mini laptop keyboard I have with no windows key

[_Chris_]

Just read the post above... I'm still screwed as its a mini laptop keyboard I have with no windows key
Pissed!!

On the bright side, the hardcore lag seems to be MUCH better today, maybe there were jsut a couple of first day bugs;) its still a bit laggy, but nowhere near as bad now

[Monk]

I sent microsoft an email asking about changing my gamertag to a new live id so that I could actually use the messenger feature without creating a handful of new accounts. I've read this response 3 times and it still confuses me :

Thank you for writing Xbox Customer Support!

I do apologize for the inconvenience. I understand that you have a question on how to link your gamertag to a new Windows Live ID. You can link your gamertag to a different or new Windows Live ID by following these steps:

If you have a Gamertag linked to a Windows Live ID account, you can link the Gamertag to a different Windows Live ID account by using the following steps:

Warning: If you migrated your account to Xbox 360, you cannot change what Windows Live ID account is linked. There are no exceptions to this because it is a permanent link. These directions will only result in a vague error.

1. Create a new Windows Live ID account.

2. Link the old Gamertag to the new Windows Live ID account. This frees up the link from the old Gamertag to the old Windows Live ID account.

3. Link the new Gamertag to old Windows Live ID account.

Important: If cancel your Xbox Live account and has a Windows Live ID account linked to it, you cannot use that same Windows Live ID account to link to different Xbox Live account. We cannot transfer a Windows Live ID account to a different Xbox Live account. You can only link each Windows Live ID account to one Xbox Live account. If you want to create a new Xbox Live account, you must link a new Windows Live ID account to your new Xbox Live account.

Note: You cannot have a Gamertag linked to multiple Windows Live ID accounts. Each Gamertag can only be linked to one Windows Live ID account. The reverse is also true, each Windows Live ID account can only be linked to one Gamertag.

If you still continue to experience this behavior please, call our Phone Support provide all the information of your Xbox Live Account to be able to register your information and you will be advised appropriately.

Blah de Blah.

[UKJAY]

somehow its saying... create a new windows live id... associate your current gamertag to it.

Then because you can only have 1 gamertag linked to a windows live id it means you can have a new gamertag linked to the windows live id you currently use...

but how do you link gamertags to id's??

I dont know...

[Arial Assasian]

you know wut i would like to see.............
When you set your status to away..you should be able to have an away message just like instant messanger..that way instead fo people looking at ur name and seeing away....they could see something like..."eating food...bbl" kinda thing..i think that wud be cool

[_Chris_]

I dont like how even with the overlay it pauses your game, you should be able to keep the overlay up and continue with your game, i could play with that overlay in the way, it doesnt take up much space...why bother make the small overlay if it pauses your game anyway? Yeah i understand movies, but the 360 is mainly a games consoles as far as i'm aware? I could be wrong.. Thats just what i always was lead to believe..:P So games while chatting... No pause. Foolish microsoft

[mass9]

Q: The email address assigned to my Xbox LIVE account is different to the email address I use on my PC for Windows LIVE messenger. Is there a way for me to still access my messenger account?

A: Not at this time. We are working on the ability to allow users to change the email address they originally used when signing up for Xbox Live. The feature will be available in an upcoming release.

fuck shit dick ass motherfucker cock sucker bloody hell ass tits fart!

[Pedle Zelnip]

Okay now I'm starting to get pissed, as I'm now getting the 3 red lights of doom. ARRRRRRRRRRRGH!

Any advice/suggestions?

Update: Okay now things seem to be working fine (I waited about 10 mins, unplugged the 360, plugged it back in and turned it on). Although I have had it lock on me on the dashboard since going back on.

I know it's a bit of faulty reasoning to assume that because all this occured after the update that the update is the cause, but it's hard not to assume that this is the case. :(

[TRIGGER M4N]

It's fucked - all the best.

[UKJAY]

Okay now I'm starting to get pissed, as I'm now getting the 3 red lights of doom. ARRRRRRRRRRRGH!

Any advice/suggestions?

First off determine if it's add on hardware fault.

Take off HDD, any Wifi Adapter, VGA cables...clean all connections and vacuum behind the console sucking out the dust.

Then re-connect and see if it works...

IF NOT !!

Don't do the wrap towel suggestions as this burns out the motherboard.
If the red lights are on and the power pack is green. Your console needs repairing. If it's out of warranty...its easier to just pay. Put a note in with your address on stating your problems and you might be lucky enough to have your OWN console repaired and returned instead of a refurbished one from the repaired shit heap.

[Colby]

The fact that probably half of Xbox lives users can't use WLM becuase they made theyre accounts before they turned 18 and it reads them as a child still.. Even for those who uses it on a computer under 18.

GG Microsoft! JUST LOVE IT!

Yah I am having the same fregin problem. I think it is retarded that they don't revert it from a child account once you turn 18.

[Pedle Zelnip]

It's fucked - all the best.

<sarcasm>What a thoughtful and helpful reply.</sarcasm> Unfortunately you are right as it's now dead and about to be shipped off to MS. Waaaaaah!

I do have to say though I was actually quite impressed with MS customer service, I was only on hold for about 5 minutes, and the person I dealt with (Auriel?) was very helpful (even if she was a bit hard to understand at times). I've heard some nasty horror stories, but mine (at least so far) has been one of the more positive experiences I've had with a customer service department.

When my first 360 died I had to deal with the replacement via the store's extended warranty policy and *THAT* was a nightmare (took about a month from the time I took it in to the time I got it back, it voided the extended warranty, etc).

[TRIGGER M4N]

Sorry man, I don't beat around the bush.

[Rafe]

I like the new VGA settings. I don't know what they do, but it made mine look better on 'intemediate.'
A guy over at a Dutch forum where I live posted (http://gathering.tweakers.net/forum/list_message/28008965#28008965) an explanation about those settings. I'll do my best to translate with the limited knowledge I have about the subject:

The analogue signal sent by consumer electronics to television uses "reference levels" (also called video-levels). This means that the most black signal, on a scale to 0-255, had a value of 16. The most white signal has a value of 236. The information between values 0-16 is called "blacker than black" and the information between 236-255 is obviously called "whiter than white". There's an historic reason for this (which he doesn't explain any further).

Signals on a DVD only contain information between the 16-236 values, aka the reference levels. If you have a perfectly calibrated TV, you shouldn't notice a thing. Signals with the value of 16 are displayed with the most darkest black the equipment can show (and anything below 16, "blacker than black) of course as well). Same goes or white.

On computers things go a bit different, the entire 0-255 range is used (what 0 and 255 will display should be clear by now :P). Nowadays a lot of TVs will have a VGA/D-sub 15 connector which allows you to connect your Xbox 360 for example. On some TV you can configure what kind of signal is coming in (computer or reference levels), some TVs don't have this functionality. This can be a problem if your TV is expecting reference levels while your Xbox is sending out computer signals, which it does over a VGA connection by default. The darkest shades (0-16) are all interpreted as 16, a.k.a fully black, which means those details are lost. This effect is called "black crush". If your 360 is sending out reference levels while your TV is expecting a computer signal, you'll end up having washed out colors: what the console is transmitting as the most dark (16) will be interpreted as a dark-grayish color.

Of course you can mess with brightness/gamma settings, but it's better and requires much less hassle if both devices are transmitting and expecting the same kind of signals. With the Spring'07 update, you can now set what kind of signal the 360 is transmitting in case you're having problems. If everything looks just fine or you don't understand anything of the above, just leave it as it is ;).
He confirmed that the above story is why some Stargate HDTV rips on my PC are washed out, while others don't have that problem (ships in space is a good point of comparison). If you're into digital photography, the above story can sort-of be related to the dynamic range of sensors and over/underlighting your shot.

[konigchampion]

Update is Great. Now I can't watch any movies, or shows. I was going to get the 120GB HHD but now no use. Why you might ask simple. I'm a soldier serving or seas in Germany. Before the update heaven all the movies all the shows after the update. nothing like LIVE cut me and all my buddies off. My local was Germany didnt work. Changed it to U.S. considering I'm on U.S. soil didnt work. Guess Germany dont have XBL?

[UKJAY]

Update is Great. Now I can't watch any movies, or shows. I was going to get the 120GB HHD but now no use. Why you might ask simple. I'm a soldier serving or seas in Germany. Before the update heaven all the movies all the shows after the update. nothing like LIVE cut me and all my buddies off. My local was Germany didnt work. Changed it to U.S. considering I'm on U.S. soil didnt work. Guess Germany dont have XBL?

Or that you can speak english?

But I get the gist of it - (I think)

[HylianHitman]

If you created your Live account on the original Xbox you wouldn't have to worry about any child crap; Child accounts didn't exist back then.

I did, and I'm still 17.

[Colby]

If you created your Live account on the original Xbox you wouldn't have to worry about any child crap; Child accounts didn't exist back then.

I did, and I'm still 17.
Unfortunately this is not the case. I am 17 and I created my account on the original Xbox and it is considered a child account.:'(

[Rival24]

It looks like the dashboard is getting slower and slower with every update. I hate it when I need to wait 2 seconds for a blade to close, especially when I'm not even playing a game. I want to turn off all these crappy graphics effects so I can maneuver though the interface faster!

[UKJAY]

I saw the MSN overlay thing today and it's pure shit looking! and pointless. Because it freezes the screen behind, you just as well use the dashboard MSN chat...pointless effort

[Bleach22]

PMSL the people who are like NOOOOO MY PARENTAL SETTINGS are:

a) Dumb as fuck for making a msn saying your 13 or w/e

b) Not missing out on anything, Win Live Messenger intergration sux.

And yes, the multi-chat box is shit. Its stupid how you cant play your game too.

[konigchampion]

Or that you can speak english?

But I get the gist of it - (I think)

Hey, I was in a rush.

[HylianHitman]

Virtual keyboards are queer.

I send my cousin a message usually daily taunting him for not being in the beta, then he starts MSN crap with me.

[konigchampion]

I wanna be able to check my MYSPACE.8)7 8)7

[Chris]

I wanna be able to check my MYSPACE.8)7 8)7

buy a wii.