Twigleaf
04-16-2010, 06:42 PM
I just wanted to pass along my experience with the new procedure for buying and upgrading to the newest 250gb HDD on the same console. This is only valid for those who have the recent April console update, which added USB support. If you didnt update, stop reading :)
I can verify that Microsoft has slim-lined and made the process smooth and easy. Assuming one has the April console update, and you throw the transfer instructions out the window. lol.
In short, all you need now, is a transfer cable, and the console picks up the 2nd HDD just as a computer would a plug and play device. It may take 30 seconds, but a menu pops up telling you its found the cable and has options to start a transfer. The console now has added options to the memory - device options ( by hitting Y ). you can now find format drive, transfer files options along with the older cache clear maintenance option. As long as the destination drive is formatted correctly, its a simple process, that just takes time. The new 250gb drives come pre-formated FAT32. Also,
There are NO DRM liscense nightmares to have to worry with unless you are putting the drive on a new console - so DON'T use the liscense xfer tool unless it is a new console.
However, that said, the new process will probably confuse many novice users, because its not as automated as in the past. The newest transfer cd does not work, and I doubt any recent replacement cd's Microsoft are sending out as of Mid-April 2010 will work either, unless they have written a new one in the past week. They will obviously need to resupply everyone who just bought the new 250gb drive with new transfer instructions or a useable disc for free if the transfering process scares you, because some people will ultimately accidently delete everything they have trying to follow defective directions.
Techies, will like the new procedure, because you can move only the files you want to move, and you dont have to move the entire kit n kaboodle over. You have more control. You can even keep the old drive and attach it to the cable for more storage. You cant actively run programs off the second drive, but you can use it as a huge "memory or USB" card for storage persay. In theory, you could buy a 2nd 250 gigger and have a 250gb memory card you can plug in any time. I'm betting they will "fix" this though.
A few issues with new process that I saw.
1: Pray the power does not go out. it moves files, and does not copy them, and delete them later. 120gb of files can take 2 to 4 hours to move. Do it in maybe 10gb increments and 1 category at a time to be safe, as there is 7 to 9 categories to choose to move.
2: It will not transfer the consoles "memory downloadable cache", so some games may not work with save files until you redownload the game update. This happened to me for Rock Band while testing offline. I had to simply get the game title update for all songs to play.offline ( Not a DRM issue)
3: MS support is clueless that this is happenng I think. they sent me 6 emails telling me its impossible to move files without that disc. - form letter style. So people who cant get the cd to work are stuck in an endless non-support loop if they dont experiment on their own.
Anyway, I know it was a long letter, but hopefully this will help some people who are confused why their new hdd instructions arent working. I had some spare time and thought I'd update here on my personal experience with the new upgrading.
/Twigleaf
I can verify that Microsoft has slim-lined and made the process smooth and easy. Assuming one has the April console update, and you throw the transfer instructions out the window. lol.
In short, all you need now, is a transfer cable, and the console picks up the 2nd HDD just as a computer would a plug and play device. It may take 30 seconds, but a menu pops up telling you its found the cable and has options to start a transfer. The console now has added options to the memory - device options ( by hitting Y ). you can now find format drive, transfer files options along with the older cache clear maintenance option. As long as the destination drive is formatted correctly, its a simple process, that just takes time. The new 250gb drives come pre-formated FAT32. Also,
There are NO DRM liscense nightmares to have to worry with unless you are putting the drive on a new console - so DON'T use the liscense xfer tool unless it is a new console.
However, that said, the new process will probably confuse many novice users, because its not as automated as in the past. The newest transfer cd does not work, and I doubt any recent replacement cd's Microsoft are sending out as of Mid-April 2010 will work either, unless they have written a new one in the past week. They will obviously need to resupply everyone who just bought the new 250gb drive with new transfer instructions or a useable disc for free if the transfering process scares you, because some people will ultimately accidently delete everything they have trying to follow defective directions.
Techies, will like the new procedure, because you can move only the files you want to move, and you dont have to move the entire kit n kaboodle over. You have more control. You can even keep the old drive and attach it to the cable for more storage. You cant actively run programs off the second drive, but you can use it as a huge "memory or USB" card for storage persay. In theory, you could buy a 2nd 250 gigger and have a 250gb memory card you can plug in any time. I'm betting they will "fix" this though.
A few issues with new process that I saw.
1: Pray the power does not go out. it moves files, and does not copy them, and delete them later. 120gb of files can take 2 to 4 hours to move. Do it in maybe 10gb increments and 1 category at a time to be safe, as there is 7 to 9 categories to choose to move.
2: It will not transfer the consoles "memory downloadable cache", so some games may not work with save files until you redownload the game update. This happened to me for Rock Band while testing offline. I had to simply get the game title update for all songs to play.offline ( Not a DRM issue)
3: MS support is clueless that this is happenng I think. they sent me 6 emails telling me its impossible to move files without that disc. - form letter style. So people who cant get the cd to work are stuck in an endless non-support loop if they dont experiment on their own.
Anyway, I know it was a long letter, but hopefully this will help some people who are confused why their new hdd instructions arent working. I had some spare time and thought I'd update here on my personal experience with the new upgrading.
/Twigleaf