When did Microsoft re-enable third party memory cards?

Way back in 2009 Microsoft, with a system update, disabled third party memory cards from companies such as Datel

http://majornelson.com/2009/10/16/unauthorized-xbox-360-storage-devices/.

Today while getting ready to box my 360 to sell I decided to try my old Datel Max Memory (with a 4gb microsd card) and to my great surprise it was actually recognised as a memory device.

I certainly recall Microsoft making a lot of noise that they disabled the devices in order to stop cheating, only to later release the USB update, but I don't recall a single mention of them re-enabling them.

Anyone recall when they did this?

:)

 

Audio adaptor delayed.

£20 to enable third party headsets, what a joke! Sleeze Microsoft, more money, less res, much Bone.

 

Dashboard update

Thanks for the updated information Adam.

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Microsoft seem to have a mad on for Datel. I remember when they disabled the Datel third party memory cards.

 

Not sure, maybe about 6m ago? I was coerced into a USB stick to play Guardians of Middle Earth because of the glitchy DLC, it was December-ish when I used a Scandisk one first.

 

Ive been using my Lexar USB for about 2 years now.

 

I'm afraid you both misunderstand or I was not clear enough.

The USB update is not what I am referring to, nor am I talking about a USB stick.

The device I am talking about, and which are mention in the Major Nelson blog post, are these

www.gameseek.co.uk/.../datel_max_memory_2gb_memory_s4_360.jpg.

 

Whoa! Where does that thing plug in on the 360? I looked at the links. Forgot about those weird things. Couldn't tell you. But the one you showed looks like the "official" ones except you could add a Micro SD to it. Maybe that model slipped through.

 

That is for the old model FAT 360s. Microsoft only had 512mb memory cards and so companies like Datel released ones that could go higher.

Microsoft didn't like that and so disabled there use on the console.

The 360 I have is one of the old Elite models.

 

Did you reformat your console Vote, if you did is it possible your dashboard pre-dates the update that prevented the use of third party memory cards?

 

I only formatted the hard drive, which has no effect on system updates at any rate.

It's all academic now anyway as my console is boxed up and ready to be picked up.

I just found it interesting that Microsoft would add back the option for third party cards after fighting against them so much before hand.

 

Are you sure, because when i reformatted a console that had been updated to the Metro UI it returned back to the original (Blades) UI, I don't know if that's relevant, I just thought I would put it out there...

 

I didn't reset the console, I wouldn't know how to do that.

As I said, all I formatted was the hard drive (Y for device options and Format.)

 

Yea sorry I misunderstood. Those things are ancient . lol. I wonder if you could play a game off of one..?

I guess they would be cool if you already had one but since you can use a 32gb USB now and the fact that HDDs are dirt cheap for 360s if might just be better to use one of them. Maybe thats why MS are allowing the old 3rd party max memory cards.