Tinker Mods Blog | General

The Myths are Strong

Let's face it, case modding is an underground thing. There aren't many rules and there aren't many authorities who make it clear what can happen and what can not. So, that's why I'm here. I've put together 5 myths I am asked about most often and I will debunk them in this post! (Yes there will be some surprises and yes some of these myths have a double answer)

Detectable by Microsoft

I've seen this claim made many times. I've even had people comment on my YouTube videos that your console will be permanently banned from Xbox Live just because you open your console at all. However, I do see why this myth got started. This is a very real thing, the problem is that people start rumors and take the truth out of context.

The problem first started like many others. There wasn't enough knowledge about the issue and it caused problems for honest gamers too. The first hardware and software mods that popped up were the JTAG and the rapid fire controller mods. They enabled players to cheat in many different ways. Once game developers and Microsoft caught on to these mods they started taking preventative measures to remove and ban cheaters.

Microsoft did not have enough data collected before they started banning players. Some players were extemely good. They could shoot faster and pull the trigger faster than most players. They weren't cheating or modding, they were just talented gamers. They got banned too. Microsoft's ban tactic was too broad and many honest gamers had their consoles permanently banned from Xbox live. This all because Microsoft didn't have enough research and data to prevent the banning algorithm from banning honest gamers.

Now, the problem was that no one knew what was happening. Getting your console banned from Xbox Live was a new thing and now legit players were getting banned and they were looking for answers. While many of these players were not cheating, plenty of them opened their console to fix a broken disc drive. Many of them also built and installed case mods and custom shells. There was no real communication or knowledge about what was happening. This is why many people took to the internet and we all know what can happen after that. That's when the rumors started flooding in about Microsoft being able to detect case mods.

There is no magic switch or sensor inside of your Xbox console. There is no kill switch installed that automatically sends a message to the fraud department just because you opened your game console. There is no crazy advanced detection sensor that can tell someone soldered wires to the motherboard for LED lights. The problem started all because Microsoft went overboard with banning people, and gamers went overboard with their false facts and rumors. There is no way for microsoft to detect cosmetic changes. The technology to do so would be highly advanced. It would also be very expensive to put tech like that in every single Xbox console.

Case modding your Xbox will get you banned from Xbox Live

Here is another one that got started in a similar way to the myth above. This myth has a double answer because it can be true and false at the same time.

This myth started because people didn't understand that opening their console voided the warranty. (Basically everyone knows that now, but back then it was still a fresh concept to most people.) Back when people were getting banned from Xbox live for no reason, Microsoft was also having a big problem with the Red ring of death and the massive amounts of money they were losing on warranty returns and repairs.

So, people built awesome case mods for their consoles and then they broke down because of the terrible design. No on knew the case mod voided the warranty, so they sent them in to Microsoft to get repaired. You would get a big shock once it was returned though. Not only would the console be sent back still broken, they would also flag the console and ban it from Xbox Live. Some people got banned that way even if they didn't have any case mods at all. While this is not confirmed of course, I believe this was a way for Microsoft to waive their own liability on the warranty they offered and thus save their bottom line from suffering as much. But, that's just what I think. Regardless, people did get banned because of that.

So, that is why the myth can technically be true and became true for many people. Since those days Microsoft has to be much more careful. If someone sends in a console that has been case modded, Microsoft can send the console back and deny to honor the warranty. But they do not ban the console unless they detect soft or hard mods that allow cheating and thus violate copyright laws and users end agreements. This happened because of the growing threat of lawsuits from people who got banned for things that were not illegal, like case modding and being really good at a game. This next rumor is similar to this one and is directly related to the circumstances that created this rumor.

Can still be sent to Microsoft under warranty

This one has been talked about already. But it is still relevant on it's own. Many people did not and do not understand that case modding does void the warranty. Microsoft puts special tamper proof seals on all of their Xbox consoles. If that seal is broken, the warranty is void.

This was a much bigger problem back in the Xbox 360 days because there was such a high failure rate. (Between 60%-70%) Luckily the Xbox One is much more reliable and has a failure rate of about 8% within the 2 year warranty period. So, back when Xbox 360 consoles were still in warranty this might be cause for alarm, but now, not so much. This brings us to our next set of myths, case modding and what it can do to consoles.

Xbox case modding causes heat problems

This myth is the most ludicrous one on the list. While the origins of this rumor aren't as clear as the others, I do believe it once again got started because of misinformation and lack of understanding.

Many people were trying to understand why their consoles were failing so much, especially in the Xbox 360 days. Microsoft tried everything they could to take the blame off of themselves. They told you that you didn't have your console in an open area. They told you it was because of improper use (whatever the hell that means... they said that like people were posting videos on YouTube where they used their Xbox as a surfboard and expected it to still work as a video game console, sheesh) Because of that many people looked for other reasons. "Well I only play my consoles 10-15 hours a week, there is no way it's my fault.... hmmm must be the case mods I installed then!" I really can't be mad though. I totally get why people said that.

What would you think if you only play a few hours a week and your console is overheating... but then Microsoft tells you, "Oh it's because you're using it improperly." I would have blamed it on the case mods too, "There is no way my few hours of usage is causing such a large failure, maybe the window cut-out in my case holds in the heat." is easily something you might have said. But here are the real facts.

The window cut-outs for case mods actually HELP cool the console. The windows are usually never air tight. This means you've actually created extra vent holes that allow the internal cooling fan to draw in more air and help cool the consoles heatsinks.
The LED kits are hyper efficient and create little to no heat at all. LED lights are known for being low energy and thus low heat output. So they do not add heat either.
Some case mods actually add additional fans or fans that run at faster speeds. No one can make an argument about that causing more heat to build up. But, people did anyways.

There are exceptions to this myth. There were and still are lots of companies who don't design their custom cases and consoles in a way that improves the design and air flow of a console. In fact, that is the exact reason I started doing my own case mods. It is the exact reason people started asking if I could build a custom console for them. It is the exact reason I started Tinker Mods so many years ago.

Just do a google search for "Best Xbox 360 case mods" and pay attention to the pictures. Half of them are just a cheap "GhostCase" that eliminate most of the vent holes for the internal fan to pull cool air into the console. Then you will also see multiple pictures where someone uses clay to design lavish sculptures. While those do look really cool, notice how tons of the vent holes and side mesh vents are now partially or fully covered up? None of that is good for a game console. Especially if you are talking about an Xbox 360 which already has major heating and cooling issues.

So... unless you deside to get a case mod from someone who isn't thinking about cooling and console integrity, this myth is fully busted. If you would like to take a peak at some of my case mods head on over to the Tinker Mods case modding gallery and see some good examples of case mods that do not inhibit or cause problems with your hardware. Now, on to the last myth.

Xbox case modding can cause console failure

This one is not true either, but.... it can be true too. Let's start by listing what the myth means and claims before we get into the specifics of why it isn't true.

The extra LEDs can draw too much power and cause other parts to stop working
Cutting the case window weakens the strength of the console and can cause parts to wear down quicker. EX: Disc drives, hard drives etc.
Fan and cooling case mods actually cause issues by drawing too much power away from other working parts.

So... all of these claims can be true. You can even cause every single one of these problems on a single console in a single project. So how can this be myth then, right? When you add a lack of knowledge and a lack fo experience to an Xbox case modding project, TA-DA! Just like that all these myths turn into facts.

I would say that 90% of my customers and viewers have told me a story about a bad experience with a company or person they worked with before they found Tinker Mods. That isn't being said so I can brag about it, it's being said to prove a point. Most people that offer case modding supplies and services have little to no experience. Most of them learned how to case mod from a random forum and decided this would be their new "thing" and start selling services to people. This also happens a lot (Actually way way way more) in the software and hardware modding communities. You get tons of 14 years olds that read a few tutorials on the subject and now try to sell it to someone else. Not to mention the 950 Youtubers who try to make tutorials and teach people how to mod the WRONG way. (Which is exactly why I started my own YouTube channel by the way, to try and weed out the B.S.) So.. the real question about this myth is what can you do to make sure it doesn't become a fact?

Find the right sources!

If you want to do it yourself and build a console from scratch, find the right tutorials for you to learn the correct way to do things! Take a look at these FREE in-depth Xbox case modding tutorials
If you aren't great with your hands or want a professional to build the components for you, research a good and reputable modding company. You can go check out our Xbox Modding supplies and kits to get a good idea of what is available to you and what can get you started!