Flashing the Xbox 360

Few questions please – Ive done this a few times before succesfully. However this was over a year ago I think when Forza 3 was released.
Im now banned from XBL (Ironically I went online to actually buy a XBLA game and got banned lol) and was wondering;
1. why I must update my firmware every 5 minutes. I want to play a new game (MGS HD). Will it work with an old firmware?
2. I have a P55 UD5 motherboard (Intel P55 express chipset) Could someone confirm if I am unable to flash a 360 with this drive? I cannot for the life of me get it to recognise it.
Thanks.
Answer #1
Also, have they altered the disc size?