Joystiq hands-on: Xbox 360 Hard-Drive Transfer Kit
by Christopher Grant 
{ Apr 26th 2007 at 3:02PM } 
- You need to snap your 20GB drive onto the Elite, and plug the 120GB drive into the Transfer Kit (yeah, we thought it was the other way around at first, too)
- Despite the image on the CD sleeve and software screen, the manual says "be sure to connect the transfer cable to the back port, not a port on the front of the console."
- This process does not copy your 20GB hard drive; it moves that data over to the 120GB drive and erases the 20GB drive
- The preloaded content on the Elite will be erased and replaced with your old data (not Hexic! Not again! Our refurbed 20GB drive didn't have Hexic on it ... and now the Elite won't either)
- XBLM and XBLA data will be moved, but the licenses "are tied to your console not your hard drive." This means you will only be able to play/watch those items while connected to Xbox Live. (Update: this only applies to switching consoles -- users upgrading to the 120GB drive on their existing console shouldn't encounter this shortcoming)
- Movie rentals will not be moved at all and will need to be watched before transferring data.
Gallery: Xbox 360 Hard-Drive Transfer Kit
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Todd @ Apr 26th 2007 3:05PM
Figures. One more item to buy just to be used once. What a waste of money.
LordMinogue @ Apr 26th 2007 3:08PM
The kit isn't included in the elite cause' not everyone buying an elite will have a 360.
Fatass of Kickassness @ Apr 26th 2007 3:09PM
Err, Todd, I heard that Microsoft will send people who are upgrading the Transfer kit for free.
MC Hampster @ Apr 26th 2007 3:09PM
Nice, I like how here:
http://www.joystiq.com/photos/xbox-360-hard-drive-transfer-kit/225593/
They say to use a rear USB port, but in the same manual they have this diagram:
http://www.joystiq.com/photos/xbox-360-hard-drive-transfer-kit/225598/
Showing it hooked up to the front.
Great QA Microsoft!
sheppy @ Apr 26th 2007 3:10PM
Let's wait for confirmation of facts before we blast this as bullshit raping, shall we?
Arglor @ Apr 26th 2007 3:12PM
*waits to hear the cry of someone who has lost all their microsoft points and all their past downloads.... perhaps even a bricked xbox*
C. Grant @ Apr 26th 2007 3:12PM
MC Hampster: yeah, I just noticed that too. Just in time!
AirIntake @ Apr 26th 2007 3:15PM
@MC Hampster
It's a USB port, it really shouldn't matter which one. I doubt the rear one is different in any way to the front ones, other than device ID.
Konny @ Apr 26th 2007 3:20PM
If MS can take the time to put this BS set up together... why can they not enable USB HDDs or thumb drives?
Jason @ Apr 26th 2007 3:22PM
Konny: Because they want you to buy their HDD, instead of a cheaper one. Could you really not figure that out?
Jason @ Apr 26th 2007 3:23PM
To add actual content, will there be any weird issues after transferring? I know if your 360 dies and you put your old HDD on a new 360 you have to sign into Live to play your arcade games and such. Will that happen if you move your stuff to the 120gb HDD?
JimJimBinks @ Apr 26th 2007 3:28PM
Well this screws up my genius plan of selling my 360 to get money for the Elite. Then buying the elite, transferring the data off my current drive, and shipping my 360 to the buyer.
Is this true about Microsoft shipping the cables out free to the people who want them? If so, what's the number I call and can I call it now?
Ajguy @ Apr 26th 2007 3:30PM
So by signing in to Live to play XBLA games, does that mean just once to activate it, or everytime?
Also, I wonder how that HDD backup device that Datel released would handle transfers. One could by an Elite and one of those, and return the Datel device for a refund the next day.
C. Grant @ Apr 26th 2007 3:28PM
Jason: yes, see last update.
"XBLM and XBLA data will be moved, but the licenses will not. This means you will only be able to play/watch those items while connected to Xbox Live."
Intentless @ Apr 26th 2007 3:38PM
Do you not know how the licenses work. You will need to be online with the GT that paid for it on the system in order to play the full version if not on the original system that it was DLed on. Not harddrive...
Viridium @ Apr 26th 2007 3:48PM
"This means you will only be able to play/watch those items while connected to Xbox Live."
Goddamnit, WHEN ARE THEY GOING TO FIX THIS? This also affects anyone who's had a console replaced under warranty, and it really pisses me off. My wife would like to be able to play games under her profile, and I'd like to play even if my ISP craps out!
gullum @ Apr 26th 2007 3:49PM
Wow! just wow. This thing has more restrictions than a sony MP3 player! Glad I own a Playstatio.. Doh!
Not Tonight Dad @ Apr 26th 2007 3:52PM
Man all of that trouble. This sounds horrible.
pixelate @ Apr 26th 2007 3:52PM
They have lost my $480 until they figure out a way to transfer licenses from one console to another. I've spent something like $90 on Live content so far, and having access tied to my Internet connection is unacceptable.
NeverSage @ Apr 26th 2007 3:54PM
This makes sony look like the good guys
aegies @ Apr 26th 2007 4:02PM
According to Insiders at the AVS forums, Microsoft has stated that they'll provide transfer cables free of charge to those who request them.
http://eat-sleep-game.com/news
Jason @ Apr 26th 2007 4:04PM
That's what you get for buying DRM'ed content. Why can't people see that it doesn't matter who you get DRM'ed crap from, you're going to get royally f'ed eventually.
Jus Do It @ Apr 26th 2007 4:10PM
MICROSOFT, FIX THIS ALREADY!!!
(XBLM and XBLA data will be moved, but the licenses will not. This means you will only be able to play/watch those items while connected to Xbox Live)
Boss Tempo @ Apr 26th 2007 4:10PM
"*waits to hear the cry of someone who has lost all their microsoft points and all their past downloads.... perhaps even a bricked xbox*"
Dumb. Even if you loose everything on your hard drive, the arcade games you purchased and your gamerscore are stored on MS servers. Once you buy something off XBLA, you can download it forever as many times as you want as long as you're signed into your gamer profile.
Boss Tempo @ Apr 26th 2007 4:12PM
"If MS can take the time to put this BS set up together... why can they not enable USB HDDs or thumb drives?"
Dumb. Answer? Capitalism.
Steve Reid @ Apr 26th 2007 4:17PM
I just bought an XSATA and did a backup of my hardrive on my computer.Can you tell me if will restore eveything to the drive on the Elite?
Player1 @ Apr 26th 2007 4:18PM
I'm on my third 360 and the whole deal with the downloaded content licensing being tied to a specific console is crap. Especially considering the TRUE failure rate of these things.
And in regards to MicroSoft providing conflicting documentation on which USB port to use, my latest 360 does not have a ground plug. The manual says to make sure you plug the three-prong plug into a three-prong outlet. And I have a friend who was on support with MicroSoft when they claimed you should never use powerstrips or surge protectors, but only plug straight into an outlet. They claimed this was in the manual, but it's not. The manual actually suggests that it's fine to use a surge protector or powerstrip as long as it's correctly rated. MicroSoft needs to get their story straight.
Boss Tempo @ Apr 26th 2007 4:19PM
"Man all of that trouble. This sounds horrible."
Dumb. How else do you think data is transfered? Yes, the archaic and mysterious wonder of moving data using cables is a horrible, dumbfounding chore for many, but for the rest of us, it's not really that much trouble.
LongshotX @ Apr 26th 2007 4:21PM
Hey C.Grant, tell us how the system ran...is it quieter, cooler, is the DVD drive faster? Please we Xbox 360ers need to know these things! Thanks
Jason @ Apr 26th 2007 4:21PM
Wow that sucks. MS is going to convince me to buy another 360 by making me sign into live to play games I paid for?
h0mi @ Apr 26th 2007 4:22PM
It sounds like if you buy an elite from a premium, you might as well just re-download your XBLA games rather than move them using this cable.
steve @ Apr 26th 2007 4:24PM
i wonder if its possible to use the transfer kit to make an exact copy of the 20gb hdd on your computer
then hook up the 120gb and transfer it over like that
Boss Tempo @ Apr 26th 2007 4:27PM
"And I have a friend who was on support with MicroSoft when they claimed you should never use powerstrips or surge protectors, but only plug straight into an outlet. They claimed this was in the manual, but it's not. The manual actually suggests that it's fine to use a surge protector or powerstrip as long as it's correctly rated. MicroSoft needs to get their story straight."
Dumb (and completely off-topic). Phone operators will say anything to get you off the phone. When in doubt, RTFM yourself.
mastafool @ Apr 26th 2007 4:30PM
"31. It sounds like if you buy an elite from a premium, you might as well just re-download your XBLA games rather than move them using this cable. "
Would that allow us to play XBLA games offline?? If so, I'll just delete my XBLA games befoe I do the transfer move.
Also, instead of using the transfer cable, can you move Game saves via a memory card. (I really only care about the game saves) If so, I'd rather buy a memory card then a cable I'll only use once.
C. Grant @ Apr 26th 2007 4:29PM
Updated with confirmation from MS -- they will provide the cables free of charge via Xbox.com for customers upgrading their consoles. The cables also come with the 120GB drives for people upgrading their drives.
andres @ Apr 26th 2007 4:33PM
guys you do realize that for the stuff the LIcense all you gotta do is RE-download it for FREE for XBM
dont be douches
Jake @ Apr 26th 2007 4:33PM
Jason, you are in every 360 thread. 4 of the posts in this thread, like all others, are from you and just say MS sucks/360 sucks/blah/loud noises/du-du-der. Yeah, we get it. You hate the 360. No further input needed. kthx.
andres @ Apr 26th 2007 4:35PM
@jason
you need an internet connection to download the game not play it. All you have to do is sign on to the 360 with your GT internet connection does not matter. And you still get to play your arcade games with out live connected.
Q @ Apr 26th 2007 4:36PM
No, you don't just re-download it for free and solve your issues. The only console you will ever be able to play arcade games on offline, is the console you orginally purchased and downloaded it to.
andres @ Apr 26th 2007 4:37PM
@mastafool
"Would that allow us to play XBLA games offline?? If so, I'll just delete my XBLA games befoe I do the transfer move."
Yes
"Also, instead of using the transfer cable, can you move Game saves via a memory card. (I really only care about the game saves) If so, I'd rather buy a memory card then a cable I'll only use once."
Yes however you may come across some games that do not transfer via memory Card... i had that issue with DOA 4 all my arcade games and saved files are backed up on my laptop in case something happens to my system.
0ldb0y @ Apr 26th 2007 4:54PM
I'm usually not to critical about these kinds of things, and (cost aside) I figure that while some of the steps may be tedious at least you'll end up with roughly the same thing you purchased.
But this process is pretty broken. Microsoft, get your act right.
silver gecko @ Apr 26th 2007 4:39PM
I went through the process a few days ago, with the standalone HDD upgrade. It worked like a charm, even if it did take over an hour for a nearly full 20GB HDD. I'm very happy to have the larger HDD because now I can actually keep more content on it and have enough room for some Halo 3 beta next month.
andres @ Apr 26th 2007 4:38PM
dude arcade games can be played offline. I know this because I have done it it many a times.
Almack64 @ Apr 26th 2007 4:41PM
Wow Boss Tempo what got into you? Clearly people are speaking of the hassle of needing log into their Live profiles just to play games they paid for. This is a pain and Microsoft should figure out a way to fix this issue if they really want people to potentially upgrade their systems. Your dogmatic rejection of these valid complaints makes you sound like you are either dumb, Bill Gate's bedmate or trolling. In anycase let it go.
Q @ Apr 26th 2007 4:41PM
Yes, Arcade games can be played offline...if you are playing them on the original console you purchased them on. If you are playing them on a different console you have to be online to play them. What do you think this means:
"XBLM and XBLA data will be moved, but the licenses "are tied to your console not your hard drive." This means you will only be able to play/watch those items while connected to Xbox Live."
Q @ Apr 26th 2007 4:44PM
Boss Tempo,
I did RTFM, but here I am, staring at a manual that says to make sure I plug my three-prong power cord into a three-prong outlet while all I have is a two-prong power cord. The fact is the documentation is all jacked up.
rfom @ Apr 26th 2007 5:14PM
All this time I thought PC gaming was complicated...going through this thread makes my non-techy head spin
andres @ Apr 26th 2007 4:49PM
@q
my brother downloaded TMNT on his console. Then he brought it over and put it on my console via memory card since his gamer card is on my system. He played the game fine guess what he played it on my console and OFFLINE.
casey chesnut @ Apr 26th 2007 4:53PM
i'd prefer for the XBLA game licenses to be transferred. but if i have to be signed in, they need to make it easier to sign in/out of multiple consoles. because i hate running back and forth between rooms having to fetch the memory unit, depending on what room i want to play in. i can turn the console on from the couch, but then i have to get my butt up and get the MU ... ruins the whole lazy experience
Jake @ Apr 26th 2007 4:56PM
Almack64,
Live allows a feature called auto sign-in. You switch it in your profile. Whenever you turn the system on, you are automatically in and can play your arcade games. There is no hassle. No "big deal". Like drive noise, this issue gets blown out of proportion by Sony and Nintendo fanbots looking to spread FUD around the system with the most kickass games out there. Move on.