Game error-the game couldnt start please try downloading the game again

This error normally happens when you are running orginal xbox games on a machine that does not have the backward comparability software installed.

Did you buy this console used? And/or did you buy the harddrive used? Have you connected your xbox to live to download the update or was it via a CD?

also what games are you playing? It could be that they are not backwards compatible

I have both a PS3 and and XBOX. I love both of them. And they both have their problems ;)

i havent tried to play original xbox games on the console and yes it was a used console as far as i can remember i didnt have a disk in the console when downloading the updates or trying to join if i did then it would of been an xbox 360 game the games i havent tried yet as i dont have a gold membership to play them onling i cant even join to get a silver membership and i downloaded the updates from xbox themselves

I am guessing you recently bought this xbox then? I would suggest starting fresh and deleting all Xbox updates and game data.

I would do this by reformatting the harddrive. You will lose all data when doing this. You can, if you wish, back up data onto a USB storage device.

support.microsoft.com/.../906502 shows you the steps to reformat  a drive.

after this I would connect the xbox to your network and re-download the updates needed and try again. Sadly this is the risk with buying a used system. I never suggest buying used. However if you do buy used then always be sure to test the system before you buy.

if this still does not work I would return the system to the store (if it was bought from a store) and request a different system.  

well its been a year since i brought it and dont live where i brought it from anymore and havent got the money to get a new one

Ah, and you just started having problems? Or you just tried to connect to live?

Anyway I know you tried to clear your cache. However did you try to clear your cache and then recover your gamertag right after you cleared it?

well i only downloaded the updates about 3 weeks ago cause i never had internet set up at my previous home so im new to xbox live and iv kept trying it but same error and yes i tried to recover it but the error crops up all the time it constantly says try downloadign game again i click yes and it goes to a white screen and says connecting to xbox live then it says downloading updates after about 5minites it sends me back to the dashboard where i try again only to be met by the same error

I see. your harddrive may need to be replaced. Do you have a friend with a 360? if so ask to borrow their harddrive and test it on your system

OMG I have the same problem. I have a 4gb xbox slim and got a perfectly new hard drive and then i go and play a original xbox game. Then it comes up with error please try downloading again. Please can you fill me in with this. I really need ur help.

Thanx guys

Hey mate, from where did you purchase your HDD? And did you by chance use a transfer cable with it? If so, was it an official first party Microsoft cable?