phatbox hack through serial or chip removal

[modstation]

anybody have any info on this looked at wiki and its far to disjointed. specifically need chip info for firmware and which lines to mod to take out drive signature check or serial hacking with specific info and windows based utilities to run hack. tried searching but most people seem to be second guessing the answers. failing any of that need  someone in uk (essex) who can mod my phatbox to achieve the above

[sbingner]

Get you serial port soldered on, and I'll explain it... there's a wiki article that explains that part well.  I have a program that will reflash over the serial port, but I haven't really gotten it to the point where I wanted to release it, but if somebody else actually installs a serial port I'll have it for them within a few hours.

The firmware patches being done can be seen if you look at the source for phatpatch at http://downloads.phathack.com/sbingner

[judb]

I responded to this in your other thread.  The serial port is one option that is of moderate difficulty but there are very few folks who've done the serial port mod so there is little info on it.  Sam should be able to help you.  I suggest consolidating your efforts with that or with locating a drive on ebay / other auction site or the Buy Sell forum on this site.  We do have a few UK people that post here that may be able to help you.

[todd1010]

What else can you do with the added serial port? Can song information be sent out via the added serial port?

[modstation]

looked at the serial port info and would like to pursue it as had no luck getting cartridge. the lead required is off a usa phone which i cant get here is any lg data cable suitable or is there an english equivalent of the 5350

[sbingner]

you just need any RS323->TTL converter (3.3v instead of 12v) and you can make it work... see MAX232 on google.   The phone interface was what I did because it's cheap and available where I am... you might be able to find another cell cable that works for you, but I can't really help you there.

[modstation]

i have a  max 232 cable which i use for modding modems. it only has 4 connections is this ok. can you give me a step by step guide to applying the hack as its not really my area

[sbingner]

1. Get your serial port working (the pinout is documented in two places on the wiki)
2. Get a running linux system
3. Connect your serial port to the linux system
4. Jumper JP2
5. Ask me for help when, not before, you see "<" (or ">", I forget which) output from the serial port.  I will give you a program that you run with an argument of the serial port, which patches your ROM... but I haven't written it yet.  If I get bored before you get your serial port working I MIGHT write it then, but I'll get it for you quickly if you actually do that yourself.
6. Keep track of what you do
7. Write a WIKI article on it