So... I may have killed my Phatbox

[Drew]

Well - it's a long story...

I used the Hack Tools 2.12 - and the wizard said the patches were good to go at step 6.

I then went to my car, and may have screwed up with a twitchy finger - I selected the phatbox, and slipped and selected FM, then back to the phatbox.  My phatbox then played some music.  I turned the stereo off (with the button on the head unit), and then back on.  I then saw the phatbox seek Track 1, then I'd get a No Magazine message - a reboot I think.  I restarted it multiple times by selecting the phatbox, (20+ times).  I pulled  the cartridge and tested it using the tools - where I got the message that it was unsuccessful and to check the logfile.  I then tried the tools again, and went back to the car, and tried patching.  Multiple restarts later (20+), I again tried the tools.... 

Each time I attempt to see the logfile at phatsys\logfile, I get the message that it is a corrupted file and it is unreadable.

So after trying that a couple times, I tried unplugging the box from the head unit. Now, I get a solid red light, and the head unit does not see the phatbox.  I'm gonna be very upset with myself if I've killed the box, so I really hope that there is some advice for me.  I was really looking forward to applying the hack and enjoying the new 250gig cartridge I've put together from the instructions on this site.

Any help is very appreciated.

[VorTechS]

The box is virtually impossible to kill just because of a firmware update... slipping fingers or not. 
You might have an underlying problem with your disk however. 

Try using Windows to re-format PHTSYS (note that says FORMAT and not partition!) and then use the tools to put on the same 'unhacked' firmware version as you had on the DMS originally using the firmware update process.. Remembering to choose 'unhacked firmware' and ensure 'reflash box' in unticked. 

(To find out which firmware you have on either use PMM to check, or open up 'CurrentSetup.xml' on PHTSYS and find the text '<firmware_version>')

Pop the DMS back in the PhatBox and it should boot up.  If it doesn't, then it could be the DMS databases on PHTDTA...in which case open up PMM, delete what should be the first playlist (the hack playlist) and then Save/Eject.  Then try the DMS in the PhatBox again.

Hopefully at this point things should boot up.  If they do, make sure you switch your PhatBox to 'Playlist' mode before then attempting to re-apply the hack.  Re-apply the hack, and try again.

[Drew]

Pardon my concern - I just want to be sure about this as I don't have a replacement for this gear.  I am to try re-formating the phatsys drive using windows - effectively erasing everything on it, before using the tools to "repair DMS", put back on the firmware version (5.01 in my case), and I must unclick the "Reflash box" before hitting "go".  I want to confirm that the tools will replace everything that's already on the Phatsys "drive", as there appears to be much more than just firmware. 

I have to be away for the weekend - so I'll wait until Monday before I do any of this so that I'm not rushing - always a cause for concern when working with computers.

Until then, thank you for your help and time - I really do appreciate.

[VorTechS]

As long as you don't re-partition, you won't break anything that can't be repaired!

It will replace everything on the PHTSYS with stock firmware, for the version you select.  If you had AAC support you'll lose this temporarily... but don't worry about it, you can put it back on once we get everything running.

I keep forgetting about the repair options I created! 

So, start the tools, switch to DMS mode.
Select firmware version.
Select option 'Install non-hacked firmware'
Un-select option 'Reflash Box'
Push button 'Repair DMS (PHTSYS)'

This will format PHTSYS, and put the firmware back on.  When it's done, try the DMS in the PhatBox.

[Drew]

Beauty!!

That repair tool is great!  I then had to remove the hack "playlists" and run the hack  again. I put in the box, had to switch to the 1st playlist in order to hear the prompts.  It went right through them - no pauses.  Now the wizard is telling me that the patch was successful!  This is great!  While I have you reading or following this thread, is there anything else I should know?  Should I be upgrading the firmware, or leaving it be?  Are there any specific recommendations regarding using a 250 gig wd drive? (I know that I can only use Phathack MM with it - as long as it runs like the tools, as it has been so far - no problem there).

Thanks again VorTechS, for all of the help and tools that you have provided or have helped to provide!  You've made my week

[VorTechS]

When creating your new DMS, use the DMS tools to create it and everything will be taken care of for you...including the correct version of linux that will recognise the drive.

PhatHack MM is still a work in progress...and the greatest improvements have been in a release that re-engineers the entire way the application works, and that is not yet available to anyone except by invitation (version number is v0.9).

The good news is, that this re-engineer seems to be coming to an end and the application is almost back at the stage v0.8g left.  As I've mentioned elsewhere - the thing holding me up at the moment is finding time to engineer a skin for some of the new windows that are not part of my experimental skin, but are for a 'default' standard windows skin.

If you are really keen to have a go, make sure you are signed up at PhatHackMM.com and send me a message and I'm more than happy to send it out on an individual basis on the understanding that some things may not get resolved immediately.  (Most things usually do... but it depends on what I have on at the time, and usually stops me from getting the above done!)

[Drew]

Thanks again! 

I'm gonna continue to fiddle with what I have - I'm no computer genius and usually know when to step back and ask for help - so I'll be patient and wait until everything "passes" the initial tests. 

Thanks again for the help and guidance!