The Hacking Hoedown > PhatBox Hacking
PhatHack DMS Tools v2.13 - 17th March 2010
VorTechS:
Announcing the updated PhatHack DMS Tools for Windows!
It's about time we had a new version of the tools....and so here's a small interim update!
After a couple of successful tests since not being able to do any work on the DMS Tools, I've decided to go ahead and release this small update so that everyone who needs to, can benefit from the changes.
I want to also extend a big thank you to T5-Power for his patience whilst I held on to his Kenwood Keg in order to resolve issues with this version of the tools - which proved invaluable to my understanding of how the box works/starts up!
As a reminder, the tools are (excluding Hack Files, DMS Disk Signature Backup and Formatting Code) entirely sourced from my own code and I'll updated the code in the SVN in due course. The tools are a standalone application with an easy to use GUI and a little bit of documentation on the side.
I offer general support myself for the application (bug fixing etc) for anyone that runs into problems with the tools....so please let me know if you have any problems/concerns running them!
Feel free to PM/e-mail directly if you encounter any problems with these tools and I'll do my best to provide solutions where possible.
Check out the documentation for some work-arounds to some of the things that have, and may, crop up again.
Vista/Windows 7 Known Issue
There is a known issue with Windows Vista/7 where the DMS tools may fail at the 'Formatting' stage of the 'Create New DMS' or repair processes.
After much investigation, we've established this is down to Vista/Windows 7 'locking' the file system. We have no idea what this means, or why this happens... but it does seem that a reboot and running the DMS tools straight after reboot gets round this problem. (DO NOT launch any other processes, particularly explorer).
Last Version?
Unless there are any major problems with it, this is likely to be the last version of the tools that I will release in this current guise.... so that I can concentrate on getting them both embedded into PhatHack Media Manager, and benefitting from the corrections made in the VIOT/SSA modes.
This does NOT mean I will be no longer supporting, or extending the tools!
Once correctly embedded within PhatHack Media Manager, I will be able to release new versions of the Standalone tools with an update user interface!
The Downloads
PhatHack DMS Tools v2.13
PhatHack DMS Tools v2.12 (Previous Version)
Documentation
(Documentation on using the tools for v2.10 and above - will update as soon as I have time)
Documentation Alternative Link
(Documentation on using the DMS tools v2.12 and above - hacking related instructions only)
Documentation ZIP
(Alternative download link for documentation )
Requirements
Check out the documentation for PC requirements. To be able to run the tools you must have the .NET Framework 2.0 installed, which is available from here:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=0856EACB-4362-4B0D-8EDD-AAB15C5E04F5&displaylang=en
Latest fixes
Version 2.13
* Fixed pre-partitioned disks not being recognised in DMS Tools mode
* Fixed bad/corrupt/unknown volume on disks not allowing disks to be recognised in DMS Tools mode
* Fixed incompatibility with PhatHack Media Manager (requires PhatHack Media Manager update)
* Added stub launcher, to run DMS tools with elevated permissions (Vista/Windows 7)
* Added 'Boot Check' process, to create/verify contents of bootload.log file to establish cause of boxes that fail to boot
* Added 'RC Logs', options to install RC pairs to the DMS. (Note: Default=No logging)
Version 2.12
* Reverts to playlist style hack
* Added AAC plugin workaround
* Added Repair DMS(PHTSYS) function (formats and loads firmware to PHTSYS)
* Added Repair DMS(FULL) function (formats PHTSYS, PHTDTA and loads firmware)
* Fixed New DMS process (or repair DMS FULL) to create single playlist, plus SSA data files
Version 2.11
* Never publicly released.
Version 2.10
* Added 'Install non-hacked firmware' option for use with original DMS/PhatBox combinations.
Version 2.9
* Fixed firmware download issues.
* Fixed error when using 'Update firmware'.
Version 2.8
* Added firmware selection to log (for replication purposes).
* Added referrer of 'PhatHack DMS Tools v<version number>' to all URL download requests.
* Fixed issue where am.xml contains full URL to path, resulting in hack tools trying to download files beginning with http://downloads.phathack.com/http://downloads.phathack.com.
Version 2.7
* Modified location of firmware definition file 'am.xml'.
* Fixed GUI not showing successful DMS creation/firmware update.
Version 2.6
* Added automatic device ejection on successful patch application.
* Added 'Flash PhatBox with Firmware' option to enable firmware switching. (Experimental, may cause your PhatBox to stop working - recoverable)
* Added 'Update Firmware' button to perform firmware updates only. (Unproven, and may cause your PhatBox to stop working - recoverable)
* Added 'Install VIOT' option to install Kenwood SSA. (This installs and works fine, if your data files are good that is!)
* Fixed error when no firmware available for loading.
* Added backup URL for Firmware XML files.
Version 2.5
* Fixed issues caused by WMI returning device entries with no signature information
Version 2.4
* Fixed issues caused by WMI reporting invalid partition records
* Now generates CurrentSetup.xml. PhatNoise Media Manager may now work with your DMS!
* Fixed formatting issue for firmware details
Thanks
Many thanks to all the testers who have perservered, re-running the tools where required and providing me with invaluable information!
Thanks also to ButchHandy for the basis of the documentation for the Windows Vista workarounds for the dd backup...!
Everyone that has provided feedback should be appropriately credit as per the screenshot above. If you are not shown, and you provided feedback, let me know and I'll put you on the list! :)
Let the bug reporting begin!
[Ignore this stuff here, just a bunch of tags for searching purposes]
Create New DMS, DMS Hack, Create DMS, Update, Firmware, Tools, Windows, Hack, PMM
VorTechS:
There are bugs, there aren't bugs... a few people have had a small issue with the latest version of the DMS tools, and some haven't.
I have finally managed to work out how to get the cradle consistently working under Windows 7 and managed to rescue the v2.13 code at the centre of this does it/doesn't it debate. So I'll try and get an update out soon!
fdc130:
Thanks to everyone who has generously taken time to offer support to phatbox users! It is greatly appreciated. After reading the forum carefully, I'm still unclear on a couple of things regarding the hack.
To reiterate:
Using an original dms and the phathack tools hack wizard, hack the box. Plug the dms in to the box with the head unit on and let the dms program the box to not need the unique key on original dms cartridges so that an alternative drive can be used, correct? It appears that occasionally the hack does not work so my question is this: If the hack doesn't work, what status does it leave the box in? can an original dms still play and if not cant the box be easily restored? I have a spare dms and can acquire a backup so I'd like to give the hack a try but don't want to risk functionality of the box.
I'm sorry if the answer is here somewhere and I've missed it. If so, just point me in the right direction. Again, many thanks to all for their contributions.
fdc130
VorTechS:
--- Quote from: fdc130 ---Thanks to everyone who has generously taken time to offer support to phatbox users! It is greatly appreciated. After reading the forum carefully, I'm still unclear on a couple of things regarding the hack.
To reiterate:
Using an original dms and the phathack tools hack wizard, hack the box. Plug the dms in to the box with the head unit on and let the dms program the box to not need the unique key on original dms cartridges so that an alternative drive can be used, correct?
--- End quote ---
Correct. Although 'program' sounds like a long operation... the hack is almost instant.
--- Quote from: fdc130 ---It appears that occasionally the hack does not work so my question is this: If the hack doesn't work, what status does it leave the box in? can an original dms still play and if not cant the box be easily restored? I have a spare dms and can acquire a backup so I'd like to give the hack a try but don't want to risk functionality of the box.
--- End quote ---
On occasions it may be necessary to manually corrupt ramdisk.sig a file on PHTSYS\.
All you need to do is open this file in a text editor, and type some random stuff in it and save it again.
As long as you don't touch the 1st MB on the disk - your DMS is perfectly recoverable (you can use the DMS tools to perform a repair should it be necessary).
Part of the DMS Tools hack process backs up this all important MB.
P.S. Use version 2.12 of the tools for now!
S80_UK:
--- Quote from: fdc130 on March 07, 2010, 04:29:57 pm ---It appears that occasionally the hack does not work so my question is this: If the hack doesn't work, what status does it leave the box in? can an original dms still play and if not cant the box be easily restored?
--- End quote ---
To be specific - the box is not damaged or restricted by an incomplete hack. It is just not considered hacked as far as the software is concerned, and would still work with the original DMS. As VorTechS says - in this event, some simple steps are needed to complete the process so that a non-original DMS can be used.
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
Go to full version