I don't think this is a softmod issue I have never seen that happen before now either, though I don't see an issue if it is just a loading screen flicker, so maybe I have had it happen just didn't think it important at the time...
I play everything from HDD I no longer use my disc drive I will not even use it to copy game data from disc so I ftp from backups on an external HDD via my PC, it's a more secure way to copy without data loss (it is from s disc image any way using Qwix/Avalaunch [I use Avalaunch as an app not a dashboard])
I can double check Conkers at some point in time though and NFL if needs be, though again just from the HDD
I am not aware of any Dual Layer fixes for original discs, or backups either, especially if you are playing from HDD.
What type of video cable do you hook your xbox up with?
It is possible that the disc drive is no longer reading the second layer correctly.
I even own Shenmue II on retail disc that has no issues at all (it's a DVD9 game) or it did until I changed the mode of my xbox to NTSC as that game is PAL
EDIT going to FTP those over now and see if I get the same issue but I can't see it happening...
It could be an issue with your video cable or an issue with the xbox version (1.0 to 1.6) or a combination of them both or just an issue with the disc drive itself
Take it that you have ESPN NFL 2K5 [NTSC][U] and the [NTSC][U] version of Conker (Too many NFL games
) and I hate them all
just not my thing but as I have just about every xbox game anyway so I will test them both.
It shouldn't be important but I use XBMC for my dash.
I am also using the official Component HD block with high end Component cables. (The cables used can make a huge difference though) [I think I also have a scart and composite A/V cable for the xbox also but would need to dig those out] (I have used 3rd party component cables in the past but those do have signal loss and the image goes for a second them back at random points, no good for video games or movies)
My Xbox is either 1.2 or 1.3 (that is just what it detects as for some reason, I guess they had been very close to each other that it can't be detected between the two) it is a PAL xbox but I changed the video mode to NTSC (there is only one NTSC game that needs more than the video mode changing to work with a PAL system fully)
Conker: Live and Reloaded = 4,534.6 MB [4.44 GB] (from a DVD9 iso of 4.43 GB (4,757,848,064 bytes))
ESPN NFL 2K5 = 6,008.5 MB [5.88 GB] (from a DVD9 iso of 5.86 GB (6,301,024,256 bytes))
P.S. this reminds me I did make a 480p fix for ESPN NFL 2K5 as it will only play in 480i via component otherwise, for now I am testing with no modification to it though
EDIT
Conker: Live and Reloaded, works without any sort of flickering or signal loss [All logo's and loading screen show as they should]
ESPN NFL 2K5, works without any sort of flickering or signal loss [All logo's and loading screen show as they should]