The Elusive Transfer Kit

[TG]

Anyway, I've been wondering... If I ever upgrade my XBox, how the heck would I transfer all my downloads to the new system?

After a bit of research, I have seen mention of a 'Transfer Kit', which apparently connects to the new system's hard disk (which you remove from the new console), and via USB to the old console. You then boot the old console, put in the transfer disk, and away you go.

Once you've done that, you can transfer the licenses via xbox.com and you should be - more or less - ready to go.

One problem. I cannot seem to find any mention of this transfer kit locally.

Anyone heard of it? Know where to get it?

Anyway - since this thing wouldn't be used a heck of a lot, it may be useful to have one that we could pass around as needed.

EDIT: I should mention that this was referred to on Microsoft.com. An official XBox product, not some memory card util thingy.

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/support/systemuse/xbox360/console/datamigration.htm

Ah, apparently you get one of these cables when you buy an upgrade hard drive. Another article mentioned that the page linked above had a link to a PDF which told you how to get a free datacable. I see the article no longer has this information.

[Arbythep00nage]

And if you just pop both drives into a linux boxxen and dd if=/dev/<olddisk> of=/dev/<newdisk>
Surely that would work?

[TG]

Good luck plugging the proprietary interface into a linux box.

[Arbythep00nage]

Well if you take the drive out then im quite sure you will notice that its actually a sata or ide drive in the enclosure.
I have read somewhere thats all it is.

[Flatty]

Consoles SUCK :p

[TotalWar]

Rocket is right, I have heard it is a SATA drive, and you should be able to use an external case. It is a removable HDD, But there might be a plate stuck on which cannnot be removed, because the HDD is unique for the system and costs alot. I read somewhere that microsoft did this to prevent people buying normal cheap PC HDD and placing it into the system.

So I am not sure if you can connect a normal cable to it. There also might be certain connecters attached to the HDD, which cannot be removed.

You will just have to open it and see. It should be fine because you are able to upgrade the HDD.

[senorblinky]

Oh no, consoles do not suck my boy, the fact that they break and you need a new one, that sucks - but everything breaks, so it's good to be prepared.

TG, i'm assuming i would need on of those devices to transfer all my saved games and gamerscore to the new Xbox?
I don't have a live account, and i haven't downloaded anything yet, but my maiin concern is my XBox red-ringing - what on earth do i do about the achievements and saved games if it red-rings? what forms of backup does my xbox have?

[sss]

You cannot use this drive in any normal pc, you have to edit the drives bios/sectors to make it viewable in a pc, not a simple task and you need a special via sata card for the thing to even say "hey theres something there , lets talk to it"

[RotoRouterZA]

TG, i have one of the transfer kits. They are free, you just need to request one from Microsoft. Call support or the SA distributor and they should be able to get you one.

If you dont have any luck, i can post mine to you.

As for the transfer, it is extremely easy and simple process. Should be done in a few minutes.

[Noodle]

I did this not that long ago actually.

When you buy a replacment drive it should come with the cable and software needed for the Transfer.
The old drive sits on the 360 and the new drive sits on the cable, they recommend you plug the USB into the rear port on the 360.
Put the disk in the drive and follow onscreen instructions.

The tx will pretty much clone your current drive onto the new one, all saves accounts DLC etc will be moved across and the old drive will be whipped clean.

The transfer takes about an hour in total.
Also the software is region locked, so if you have a pal console be sure to use pal software.

[doobiwan]

I got one with my 120Gb drive, if you want there's a game rental store in Parklands in Cape Town that is now it's proud caretaker ....

Perhaps try the game rental places around your area?

[Arbythep00nage]

Whats quite funny about all of this is that its probably a rebranded live linux distro that clones the drives.

[doobiwan]

The 360 actually runs Windows CE.

The real one, not the PoS they use on current Windows Phones.

[TG]

I read somewhere very recently that apparently Microsoft are selling the transfer cables standalone now, but I'm stuffed if I know where to get one.

[TG]

Problem solved.
I ended up buying a 250gb drive for the xbawx, which comes with a transfer kit. It made the upgrade a breeze.

Just plug the transfer kit into the rear USB port (They tell you to use the rear specifically), connect the other end of the kit to the new drive, pop the CD into the xbawx, and off you go.

Now when I want to upgrade the xbox to an HDMI model, I'll just get an Arcade, move the drive, and use the license transfer tool.