Is my 360 actually chipped and some other "Q's"?

[Jaydoubledub]

I bought a 360 from a guy a couple months ago, off craigslist. I will be honest and admit that he DID tell me he chipped or modded it "to run cooler". He gave me like 3 burned games and like 4 legit games. I didn't mind, nor did I think it was a problem. I have only actually played one of the burned games, and the other games were legit, that I've played.

This wave of bans that Microsoft/XBox threw down LIVE has left me violated like a $5 wh***. Now, I cannot get my console on LIVE and I was wondering how to tell if/what custom firmware I have and/or what type of mod-chip I have.

I can tell you that when my console starts up, it is EXACTLY the same as my buddys un-modded, non-deflowered XBox Elite. I DO have that Media Center Extender, if that tells you anything. And as far as I can tell, all navigation's and options are exactly the same as my friend's as well.

Oh, and if anyone was wondering... after getting the "Your console is banned and now you suck-ass and are a loser that deserves to go to hell...." (or something like that) pop-up when i tried to login to LIVE, I am still able to- play games, use Media Center Extender, my gamertag doesn't seem to be affected. Also, the last game I was playing, before the update, was a LEGITIMATE(original) copy of Halo 3 (regular). And that was about 1-2 weeks ago. The ONLY burned game I had played was Left 4 Dead. That's the game that made me trade my Pii... I mean Wii, for this glorious and crippled titan called the XBox 360.

And I know this is a lengthy post, but, I was also wondering if anyone thinks I should try to sell my X-Box and buy a new arcade? Or is there a good hope that I can use it again (on Live)? I'm a military guy with a succubus at home and barely get out to play pool and am only able to sneak in golf, if I get out of work early.... Basically, I'm half-broke and fully not in control of what lil moolah I make.

Oh one last question, if it turns out that I have a custom firmware, can I just roll it back to stock? And if it's a chip, can I just take it out?

[Myst99]

Sorry bud, your 360 console is perma-banned from XBL. 360's cannot play the burned/stolen games without having the firmware, = programming, modded and thats what M$ checked for and banned. Your gamertag and HD will still work though, so if you bought a new arcade you'd be good to go. Someone might buy your Xbox of craigslist or ebay, you never know, but Gamestop will not buy it.

[Jaydoubledub]

Yeah, I know Gamestop wont buy it. I found that out within an hour of them opening this morning, lol.
So what's the news about some new workarounds then? Is there "A New Hope" in my future? I don't "cloud burst" but I've been staring at cyberspace as if trying to stop the heart of a mouse (or goat), in hopes that something will surface.

[Lenerdosy]

Your screwed. Try to Craigslist it and buy a new one off there or a used at EBGames (if they got it by you)

[killersla]

you cant tell what your firnware is unless you use jungle flasher or something similar it will be ixtreme firnware

[dirtrides2009]

your console is banned forever... try selling it to someone,or maybe Throw some LEDs in and paint/mod the case and sell for 250$(Actually happened to a friend of mine, someone will think its cool enough to spend extra on it) There is a way to unbann it but its really hard, and youll need a spare XBOX, and if you still have firmware installed M$ will ban you again anyways.