Major Nelson warns Xbox Live Cheaters

Larry Hryb, Director of Programming for Xbox Live and better known to gamers as Major Nelson, warned gamers about sharing account information and tampering with one's Gamerscore or Achievements.

In a blog post, Major Nelson warned that, aside from being a violation of the terms of service, sharing account information could result in a loss of that account.

He added that if players “employ some nefarious techniques to artificially increase [their] Gamerscore or obtain achievements by manipulating the Xbox software without playing the game,” their Gamerscore could be removed or their account and/or console might be banned from Xbox Live.

Xbox Games Now Downloadable on Xbox 360 Marketplace

Timed to correspond with the five-year anniversary of Xbox Live, Microsoft has announced it will begin adding original Xbox titles to the Xbox 360's Live Marketplace for users to download to their hard drive.

Xbox Live first burst onto the scene in 2002, a year or so after the release of the original Xbox console. Since then it has gained around eight million users, completely dwarfing any other non-PC online gaming service.

On December 4, Microsoft will release a firmware update for the Xbox 360, which will include in part the ability to download specially chosen Xbox games from the Xbox Live Marketplace. Confirmed titles include Crimson Skies, Fable, Psychonauts, and of course Halo. The games will be priced at 1,200 Microsoft points ($15).

"On its fifth birthday, Xbox Live truly is the place for hanging out with friends and enjoying downloadable TV shows, movies, videos, game add-ons and now downloadable Xbox games on demand," said the Microsoft VP in charge of Xbox Live John Schappert.

It edges up the competition over digital downloads between Microsoft and Sony. Sony's Playstation 3 online store has been noted for its inclusion of full-length, high-capacity games including the PS3 game Warhawk. Xbox Live previously had been relegated to cheap, small casual game titles.

Microsoft will also be celebrating the five-year anniversary by awarding 500 Microsoft Points to anyone whose current Xbox Live account dates back to 2002. Additionally, beginning tomorrow, all users in the US will be able to download Carcasonne, an Xbox Live Arcade title, for free.

Change your Xbox Live Online Status

You're signed in to Xbox Live and want to change your online status .......

It's so simple, the same as your Windows Messenger you can change your status to online, offline, away or busy.
You can on the Xbox 360 too change your online status when you're signed in to Xbox Live to be one of these :
Online , Away , Busy or Appear Offline

Here is how to do it:
1 - Sign in to Xbox Live using your profile.
2- Press on the Xbox Guide button (the button with the green X) on the controller
3- Select Personal Settings
4- Then select Online status
5- Select the status you want other players to see.

Change Xbox 360 Live Gamertag

If you want to change the Xbox 360 Live gamertag (silver or gold) , just follow the following steps :

1- Go to Xbox Live section in the dashboard.
2- Highlight your gamertag and press the A button.
3- Then select Edit Profile.
4- Select Gamertag.
5- On the Edit Gamertag screen, follow the steps on the screen.
6- Confirm the purchase of 800 points.
Then you'll find your gamertag changed to the new one.

If it is offline gamertag you will change it For Free.
Just sign in to your profile and select Edit Profile, then select Profile Name.
Then edit the current name to the new one.

How to Create Xbox 360 Live Profile

If you want to go on Xbox 360 Live, you will need to have Xbox 360 Live enabled profile (online gamertag).

These are the steps to create a profile on Xbox 360 Live :
1- First you need to make sure the Xbox 360 Live is connected to the internet.
2- If you are signed in to a profile, sign out.
3- Then go on the Xbox Live section in the dashboard to Join Xbox Live.
4- Then press the A button twice and follow the steps on the screen.
5 - During the creation of your profile you will be asked to choose the membership type you want either Silver membership or Gold membership.

I'd advise you to choose Silver membership if this is your first, second or third online profile on this console.
As for the first three Xbox 360 Live profiles you are eligible for 1 Free month Gold trial if you choose Silver membership. It will be upgraded automatically to Gold but only for 1 month free.
After this month you will be downgraded to Silver or you can extend your sybscription either for 1 month, 3 month or 12 month using either a credit card ( Visa card, Master card or American Express ) or a prepaid card.

Note if this is your after the third online profile on this console, you can't have this free month gold trial.
And if you create this gamertag on xbox.com you won't have the free month gold trial.

Xbox 360 Live Friends List does not appear in the dashboard

What would you do if you turn on your console, sign in to Xbox 360 Live but can't find your friends list in the dashboard ?

Don't worry just follow these steps & you will recover your friends list :
1- First turn off the console then turn it back on again.
2- Sign in to Xbox 360 Live using the profile having this issue.
3- Ask someone from your friends list to delete you from his or her friends list.
4- Send friends request to the same person who deleted you before.
5- Sign out from Xbox 360 Live , then sign in to Xbox 360 Live again.

Now you'll get your friends list back !!!