Well the new dashboard is going to require a 'mandatory' install of 128 M. MS has therefore allowing arcade owners to get a 512M memory card for free OR 20G hard drive for $20. Those that have been on the fence because of the lack of hard drive, this should seal the deal. Buy the "holiday bundle' from Amazon, then order the 20G harddrive from MS. This essentially gets you what most people already have (Xbox 'Pro') for ~$220. The arcade already has a 256M memory card anyways. Those that already bought an arcade, this is one $20 well spent (unless you really want the memory card).

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/support/hardware/memoryupdate/default.htm

i wonder how many 20gb hdd they have because i won't be buying another unit until late nov when the jasper should be available everywhere

That's a heck of a deal! Holiday sales should be very high.

daveng - Maybe you want to stop giving bad advice? The only thing that this works for is the original Core version of the 360, which shipped with no storage, and only a 64MB card was available at the time. The Arcade version of the 360 ships with a 256MB card, which is enough for the NXE and therefore does not qualify for a free 512MB card, nor a cheap HDD.

In short everyone, DO NOT buy an Arcade unit expecting to take advantage of this offer. It isn't for you.

I bought a core system at launch and I tried entering my info and for some reason it said the serial number and console id did not match up. I quadruple checked it. Strange.

daveng - Maybe you want to stop giving bad advice? The only thing that this works for is the original Core version of the 360, which shipped with no storage, and only a 64MB card was available at the time. The Arcade version of the 360 ships with a 256MB card, which is enough for the NXE and therefore does not qualify for a free 512MB card, nor a cheap HDD.

In short everyone, DO NOT buy an Arcade unit expecting to take advantage of this offer. It isn't for you.

You are of course wrong, but I am as well. The deal is for both CORE owners and ARCADE OWNERS, but is as follows:

CORE Unit Serials will receive these options:

A) Free 512 Memory Card

or

B) Xbox 360 20GB HD for $19.99


ARCADE Units will receive these options:

A) Xbox 360 20GB HD + 3 months XBL Gold for $29.99


The reason is that ARCADE units come with a 256mb card which is sufficient for the NXE and doesn't qualify for the free memory card. But at the same time, MS has realized that they do not want to 'screw' people over by having them commit 50% of their memory for the upgrade that is mandatory so a hard drive IS offered to them.

Similarly, if you have a core/arcade and bought a hard drive, Xbox live apparently knows this and you will not qualify for the offer.

So yes, I was wrong by saying the HD was $20 for arcade owners, it is actually $30 for arcade owners ($20 is for core owners) (though there is a rumor that the drive might be refurbished by MS, that I am not sure about, you may want to find out that information yourself) but you get 3 months of Live (which is probably worth the extra $10). My friend just bought an arcade a couple of weeks ago, and plugged in his information on the Xbox site and it offered him the upgarde for the HDD.

As this information was just released today, I am sure that more information will be widely known in the upcomming weeks. If you are still in doubt, then wait a few more days (weeks) till others confirm the offer.

PS it seems that some ARCADE owners are only being offered the $20 for 20 G HD option only. Perhaps if your memory card is full before you submit the information, you might get the lower price deal.

they do know if you connect a hard drive.... i have a launch day core unit and i get nothing.

Congratulations! According to our records you have the necessary hardware and storage space to enjoy the new Xbox Experience

http://i33.tinypic.com/1z4fo6p.png

they do know if you connect a hard drive.... i have a launch day core unit and i get nothing.

Congratulations! According to our records you have the necessary hardware and storage space to enjoy the new Xbox Experience

+1... scary how they know this! :eek:

We are watching you.

Meh, would a second 20 gig drive help any of us (core + HDD) anyway? I'm waiting for the 60 gig or 120 gig to drop to realistic prices ($50 or less) 'cause once I can rip games to the HDD that 20 gig drive is gonna be useless :P

+1... scary how they know this! :eek:

This is news to you?
C'mon, they know what you play and when.
They also know your real name and age, ip address and connection history, and most likely your home address and employment and credit history. They have no use for that data but if they needed it (say for a federal subpoena on a predator roaming live) they have it.

Welcome to the 21st century.

Its all a side effect of their anti-hacking protocols; remember, each HDD has its own serial number, and so do the memory cards, so their master DRM database has the ID of every storage unit you ever downloaded stuff to using your console's main Gamertag. With that on hand, its a trivial exercise to check the DL records of a submitted serial number for a disqualifying memory card or HDD.

MS may be trying to make things right for any core+64Mb gamers but that doesn't mean they want to leave themselves open to bargain hunters (to be polite).

Its a nice gesture that's going to cost them a few pennies, overall, but at least they'll be able to mandate the NXE and migrate everybody to the new system software model, of which we will be hearing a whole lot more in coming weeks and months.

Expect surprises...
...of the good kind.:cool:

I have an Arcade with my Elites (sent in for RROD repair) 120 gig HD attached. I went online this morning and was able to get the 20 gig refurbished drive and 3 months LIVE card for $29.99.

Weird....I've been online and using my normal gamertag/profile that was on the Elite (now on the Arcade).

Guess the hadn't grabbed all my info yet?? Got lucky???

This is news to you?
C'mon, they know what you play and when.
They also know your real name and age, ip address and connection history, and most likely your home address and employment and credit history. They have no use for that data but if they needed it (say for a federal subpoena on a predator roaming live) they have it.

Welcome to the 21st century.
:

http://www.patientpowernow.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/big-brother-is-watching-you.jpg

I have an Arcade with my Elites (sent in for RROD repair) 120 gig HD attached. I went online this morning and was able to get the 20 gig refurbished drive and 3 months LIVE card for $29.99.

Weird....I've been online and using my normal gamertag/profile that was on the Elite (now on the Arcade).

Guess the hadn't grabbed all my info yet?? Got lucky???

The HDD is tied to your Elite as that was what you first used it for, no?
Have you buyed anything using the Arcade and the Elite's drive? Don't think it would make a difference, but...

That's a pretty sweet deal!

I have an elite already with 0 issues (knocks on wood) and I was tempted at convincing my buddy to get a 360 for gaming and media. He doesn't care for Bluray and didn't know the 360 does the same as the PS3 but he couldn't spend the $400 and $300 for the HDD equipped one wasn't that much better in his eyes... $200 for the arcade + $20 for the HDD = win!

I might jump on this deal as long as I could find an Arcade with the new Jasper motherboard in it!

daveng - Maybe you want to stop giving bad advice? The only thing that this works for is the original Core version of the 360, which shipped with no storage, and only a 64MB card was available at the time. The Arcade version of the 360 ships with a 256MB card, which is enough for the NXE and therefore does not qualify for a free 512MB card, nor a cheap HDD.

In short everyone, DO NOT buy an Arcade unit expecting to take advantage of this offer. It isn't for you.

:rolleyes:

Too bad I just purchased a 120GB Hard Drive off ebay for $70. :(

Might as well get the free 512MB memory card to transfer stuff.

Too bad I just purchased a 120GB Hard Drive off ebay for $70. :(

Might as well get the free 512MB memory card to transfer stuff.

If you have not attached the hard drive, you might still be able to get the hard drive offer (if you have then you may be out of luck). That being said, I think the $70 for 120G hard drive is actually the better deal.

This is cool. I just bought an arcade for my kids room. pretty good timing!

So if I have a spare 360 (non HDMI) that I received as a RROD replacement and it's never been online, how would I take advantage of this offer?

Go to that site in post 1 and enter your information to see if your elligble and follow through if you are by selecting which offer you want.

Thanks but didn't work for me. Oh well.. that's $30 they wont get from me. lol.

:D

Go to that site in post 1 and enter your information to see if your elligble and follow through if you are by selecting which offer you want.

http://www.patientpowernow.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/big-brother-is-watching-you.jpg

Play Xbox LOL

Actually, upon further reflection, the Big Brother thing isn't all that bad for *LIVE*.
Its a proven fact of internet life that anonymity drives a lot of unsavory behavior on the net from people who would never dare behave so badly in the outside world where they can actually be held accountable. On LIVE, between the actual price of admission in real-world currency and the implied threat that they really do know who you are, this kind of behavior is (somewhat, slightly) mitigated.
So, next time a 12 year old wienie cusses out at you on LIVE, remember it could be far, far, worse, if not for Big Brother. :-D

Actually, upon further reflection, the Big Brother thing isn't all that bad for *LIVE*.
Its a proven fact of internet life that anonymity drives a lot of unsavory behavior on the net from people who would never dare behave so badly in the outside world where they can actually be held accountable. On LIVE, between the actual price of admission in real-world currency and the implied threat that they really do know who you are, this kind of behavior is (somewhat, slightly) mitigated.
So, next time a 12 year old wienie cusses out at you on LIVE, remember it could be far, far, worse, if not for Big Brother. :-D

Why 12? 16-21 year old demographic is just as worthless.

Thanks for the link deveng. My hard drive was shipped today

I will get mine today. I will let you know how it works out.

Is the offer for the HD and 3 months of live still available? I want to purchase an Arcade if this is still the case. I am in Canada if that makes any difference.

Thanks!!

This was perfect timing for me...I got the Arcade from the Dell deal for $167 and ordered this last week....waiting for the UPS guy to show up with my HDD+Live card anytime right now.

Wootsauce! Just got my hands on a Core 360 with a dead DVD drive for free. Punched in the codes and ordered me up a free 512MB memory card. Say hello to my bedroom's streaming Netflix and RezHD player. :)

I love my new Arcade... :)

I bought a core system at launch and I tried entering my info and for some reason it said the serial number and console id did not match up. I quadruple checked it. Strange.


I just got a console back from repair and when I entered my info I got the same message as you. I decided to call them and see what the deal was. I was on the phone for 73 minutes trying to sort this out. We both could understand each other so there was no language problem. The lady and her supervisor couldn't understand why the numbers didn't match up. They ended up with no solution and told me it would be expedited and someone would call me within 24 to 48 hours. We'll see. I thought they were challenging me to see if I would hang up with them taking so long and not accomplishing anything. But I was determined to see how it would be solved. I actually thought they would just end up telling me I didn't qualify for the deal. But I believe the lady did want to help me. Should know by Thursday if I get the deal. I am betting No.

Should know by Thursday if I get the deal. I am betting No.


I would definitely be interested to know the reason why you are denied...if it happens.

It's probably in another thread by now, but there is a 60GB hdd pkg which includes a wired headset and a 3 mos LIVE gold card for $99.

using a coupon, this might be what I look to get for my spare 360.

It's probably in another thread by now, but there is a 60GB hdd pkg which includes a wired headset and a 3 mos LIVE gold card for $99.

using a coupon, this might be what I look to get for my spare 360.

This one, coming next week:
http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2008/10/28/99-60gb-hdd-live-pack-available-next-week/
Just in time for the NXE.

I'd be willing to get that 60gb HDD deal, but what will I have to do to get my drive's info onto it?

I don't have a memory card, but if I took it to a friend's house could I take my old drive, put it in his Xbox, put the new drive into mine, then somehow transfer from his machine to mine? (USB?)

FWIW, I was able to get the $20 20 gig drive for my Arcade. Works great.... and my kids are loving the 9 gigs of demo games ;)