Putting misinformation to rest ...
I've found a lot of recent articles and posts online referencing the following posts by shrike4242 to help those with transfer cable questions. For everyone that stumbles upon this thread, please note shrike4242 posted that information in January 2010. This information is no longer relevant as of the date of this post (February 20th 2011).
After the most recent Xbox Live dashboard update, both models of the official transfer cable (X812003-001 and X815251-002) will work the same way, and can be used multiple times. Older models do not "self-destruct" as some have claimed. Software CD's are no longer needed as long as your Xbox 360 console (original or slim) has the latest dashboard update installed.
The old transfer process would basically overwrite the existing data on the new HDD with the data from the old HDD. That often resulted in users losing whatever data (games, saves, etc.) they had stored on their new HDD. This is no longer the cas.
The new process is very user-friendly, and allows you to customize the selection of data that is transferred. Nothng is overwritten on the new HDD unless you are prompted that the data already exists on the new HDD and asked if you want to replace it.
Once you connect your old HDD to your new console via an official transfer cable, your console will recognize the old HDD similar to how it recognizes a Memory Unit or properly formatted external USB HDD. This means you can simply view and manage the data on the old HDD from within the My Xbox > System Settings > Memory menu.
A full walkthrough is available at
xbox.com. I have tested and successfully transferred content in all ways possible. All HDD sizes, both console models (original & slim), and both transfer cable models (X812003-001 and X815251-002). As long as your console has the latest dashboard update installed, and you are using
OFFICIAL Hard Drives and transfer cable, the entire process will be simple and painless no matter what HDD sizes or console model you have.
Note that if you are one of the many people that purchased cheap counterfeit HDD's or transfer cables online, you will run into problems. The most common of which is the old HDD is only recognized as a generic USB HDD (16GB max limit). The 2nd most common problem is data loss/corruption which is usually caused by using a 3rd-party transfer cable. Save yourself headache and use official accessories.
[quote name='shrike4242']Just in case anyone was wondering, there's two versions of the transfer kit. The first version won't work with anything but a 20GB -> 120GB transfer. The second version supposedly works with anything:
20GB -> 60GB
20GB -> 120GB
20GB -> 250GB
60GB -> 120GB
60GB -> 250GB
120GB -> 250GB
The only difference is the CD that comes in the transfer kit. The CD with the P/N ending in -01 is the first version, which is the 20GB -> 120GB version. The other, newer version is the one that works with anything going to a larger drive.[/QUOTE]
[quote name='shrike4242']The one that only works from 20GB to 120GB has a -01 on the CD for its part number, and the other one that works on any drive same to same or smaller to larger has a -02 on the CD. The cable is the same as well, I think.
The updated one lists same to same transfers working as well as small to large, so 20GB to 20GB, 60GB to 60GB, 120GB to 120GB and 250GB to 250GB transfers work with the newer one.
I'll try and look at the transfer kits I have and let you know the differences on the CD's and cables, with a post in here.[/QUOTE]
[quote name='shrike4242']Here's the comparison between the two transfer kits:
Transfer kit packed in my 120GB drive box, from 2007:
Cable:
Has a P/N of X812003-001 listed on a sticker on the side of the cable.
Transfer CD:
Has a "0207 Part No. X13-45328-02" on the CD sleeve
Has "MEDIA SET: X13-45472-01" on a sticker on the CD sleeve.
Has a picture of an Xbox 360 showing the 20GB drive attached to the 360 and the 120GB drive connected via the USB transfer cable.
CD has a copyright date of 2006, with a "0107 Part No. X13-45476-01" on the CD itself.
Transfer kit Microsoft just sent me when I told them my existing transfer cable wouldn't work:
Cable:
Has a P/N of X815251-002 listed on a sticker on the side of the cable.
Transfer CD:
Has a "0807 Part No. X13-45328-04" on the CD sleeve
Has "MEDIA SET: X13-45472-03" on a sticker on the CD sleeve.
Has a picture of an Xbox 360 showing the a drive attached to the 360 and another drive connected via the USB transfer cable. Doesn't show sizes of the drives.
CD has a copyright date of 2007, with a "0807 Part No. X13-45476-02" on the CD itself.
The included documentation mentions that the transfer cable will work on drive transfers between two same sized drives or from a smaller drive to a larger one. Specifically says that a transfer from a larger drive to a smaller one won't work.
The one I used to copy data from my 120GB drive to my 250GB drive was the second set, not the first one. First one wouldn't work when I tried it with the 120GB to 250GB copy.[/QUOTE]
