Xbox 360 users work out how to block Dashboard ads

December 10th, 2011, 23:43 Posted By: wraggster

Networking-savvy gamers have figured out a way to disable the adverts in the latest Xbox 360 Dashboard overhaul.
360 users seem quite fond of the new-look Dashboard, but one major gripe on the forums points to the prominence given to adverts, and in particular how they take priority over the games and content.
Searching for a solution, the proactive users on Reddit have taken matters into their own hands and blocked 'rad.msn.com', the server Microsoft uses to beam ads to the 360.
The first method involves blocking the domain through your router, which will throw up a 404 if you try and access it from a PC. Alternatively you can use OpenDNS, a free service which can block specific sites.Here's how to do it (using this method will require you to re-download title updates):

1. Sign up for a free OpenDNS account.
   
   
2. Add a network for your current IP address.
   
   
3. Go to Advanced Settings and next to 'Domain Typos', check the box 'Enable typo correction' if it's not already checked and apply.
   
   
4. Go to Web Content Filtering settings and set the filtering level to 'None', and under 'Manage individual domains', put rad.msn.com and select 'Always block' and then click 'Add domain'. Screenshot.
   
   
5. On your Xbox, go to System Settings -> Network Settings -> (your connection) -> Configure Network -> DNS settings -> Manual, and enter the OpenDNS IP addresses for the primary and secondary DNS servers: 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220.
   
   
6. You may need to clear your hard drive cache before ads disappear entirely: System Settings -> Storage -> Hard Drive -> press Y -> Clear System Cache (note that you'll have to re-download any title updates for any games you play after doing this).

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