Serial Connection

[captainmorgank]

If I make the serial cable can I connect to a non-hacked S2 Dtivo through the serial connection?

I am new to this but I have read a lot of posts and am trying to get to a bash prompt. I am having a hard time putting all of the information that I have read into useful steps.

Thanks

[tate_harmann]

For bash access you need three things (I think?):

1.) Set bootpage command with "bootpage -P params"
something like:
bootpage -P root=/dev/hda7 dsscon=true console=2,115200 /dev/hda

2.) Start up bash to run on the serial port
something like:
/bin/bash</dev/ttyS2>/dev/ttyS2&
This command is started with a script on boot. If this isn't run you will see the boot information on screen but won't have bash access.

3.) Serial Cable

Probably need to take out the hard drive to accomplish this. But I don't know much.

[cheer]

Yes, you will need to remove the hard drive to run bootpage and add the bash command. You'll also have to bypass the chain of trust or the changes you make will be undone by installing a killhdinitrd'd kernel.

[eastwind]

For bash access you need three things (I think?):

1.) Set bootpage command with "bootpage -P params"
something like:
bootpage -P root=/dev/hda7 dsscon=true console=2,115200 /dev/hda

Probably need to take out the hard drive to accomplish this. But I don't know much.
In the above, the underlined bold part would need to be inside quotes. And if you do this on a PC, add a '-C' before the /dev... and make sure you pick the right hard drive.

As mentioned by cheer:
4) replace the kernel with one that has been killhdinitrd'd.
ew

[captainmorgank]

For bash access you need three things (I think?):

1.) Set bootpage command with "bootpage -P params"
something like:
bootpage -P root=/dev/hda7 dsscon=true console=2,115200 /dev/hda

2.) Start up bash to run on the serial port
something like:
/bin/bash</dev/ttyS2>/dev/ttyS2&
This command is started with a script on boot. If this isn't run you will see the boot information on screen but won't have bash access.

3.) Serial Cable

Probably need to take out the hard drive to accomplish this. But I don't know much.
So in the above quote, What drive(I assume the tivo drive?) and partion(boot1, kernel1, root1...) will the hda7 in the command root=/dev/hda7 be? Same goes for the hda in /dev/hda?

Sorry if this is a dumb question.

[captainmorgank]

In the above, the underlined bold part would need to be inside quotes. And if you do this on a PC, add a '-C' before the /dev... and make sure you pick the right hard drive.

As mentioned by cheer:
4) replace the kernel with one that has been killhdinitrd'd.
ew
Does the -C go before both the /dev statements?

[eastwind]

So in the above quote, What drive(I assume the tivo drive?) and partion(boot1, kernel1, root1...) will the hda7 in the command root=/dev/hda7 be? Same goes for the hda in /dev/hda?

Sorry if this is a dumb question.
Not so dumb as it is unanswerable. With the TiVo drive in your PC hooked up as secondary master the command bootpage -p /dev/hdc will tell you the current settings (likely only root=/dev/hda7(4)). Build your new parameters from that.

ew

[captainmorgank]

Does the -C go before both the /dev statements?
I just want to make sure that I do this correctly.

[captainmorgank]

I guess I need to back up and figure out a few thing.

What do I use to boot my computer so I can us bootpage?

I am currently using Tigers Mfstools boot disk. When I run bootpage I get a message saying the command not found. I did find a bootpage-20040921.zip file and downloaded it.

What do I need to do with the file in order to use it?

[tate_harmann]

I use the free cd from ptvupgrade.com

Its on there

[captainmorgank]

I use the free cd from ptvupgrade.com

Its on there
Thanks for the help. I purchased and downloaded the enhanced version.

I booted to the CD and typed the following:
bootpage -p /dev/hdc

This is what i have:
root=/dev/hda4

So should I do the following:
bootpage -P "root=/dev/hda4 dsscon=true console=2,115200 /dev/hda"
(what is this doing?)

Originally Posted by eastwind In the above, the underlined bold part would need to be inside quotes. And if you do this on a PC, add a '-C' before the /dev... and make sure you pick the right hard drive.

As mentioned by cheer:
4) replace the kernel with one that has been killhdinitrd'd.
ew
I have modded kernels on the disk that I purchased from ptvupgrade.com. How do I replace the "4) replace the kernel with one that has been killhdinitrd'd." as eastwind mentioned.

I am currently running software version 3.1.1c01-2-321

Thanks again for the help.

[PlainBill]

Thanks for the help. I purchased and downloaded the enhanced version.

I booted to the CD and typed the following:
bootpage -p /dev/hdc

This is what i have:
root=/dev/hda4

So should I do the following:
bootpage -P "root=/dev/hda4 dsscon=true console=2,115200 /dev/hda"
(what is this doing?)


I have modded kernels on the disk that I purchased from ptvupgrade.com. How do I replace the "4) replace the kernel with one that has been killhdinitrd'd." as eastwind mentioned.

I am currently running software version 3.1.1c01-2-321

Thanks again for the help.
Hoo, boy!!! I'm afraid this is leading into one of those threads where someone is blindly following instructions without understanding them. OTOH, you are asking good questions, and deserve points for trying to learn.

Dissecting the bootpage command: The original command you typed was bootpage -p /dev/hdc

bootpage - the command name
-p - report parameters
/dev/hdc - check the drive on the secondary master controller.

The command you want to use to change the parameters is bootpage -P "root=/dev/hda4 dsscon=true console=2,115200" - C /dev/hdc (note that the one you suggested has two errors)

bootpage - the command name
-P - Set parameters
"root=/dev/hda4 dsscon=true console=2,115200" - the parameters to be set
-C - the drive location follows
/dev/hdc - write to the drive on the secondary master controller.

As the system boots it checks the parameters area of the drive's partition table for the boot parameters. root=/dev/hda4 indicates the software will be on the fourth partition of the drive connected to the primary master controller. The rest of the parameters are setting variables. There is another command -b which tells the firmware where to find the kernel.

PlainBill

[captainmorgank]

Hoo, boy!!! I'm afraid this is leading into one of those threads where someone is blindly following instructions without understanding them. OTOH, you are asking good questions, and deserve points for trying to learn.

Dissecting the bootpage command: The original command you typed was bootpage -p /dev/hdc

bootpage - the command name
-p - report parameters
/dev/hdc - check the drive on the secondary master controller.

The command you want to use to change the parameters is bootpage -P "root=/dev/hda4 dsscon=true console=2,115200" - C /dev/hdc (note that the one you suggested has two errors)

bootpage - the command name
-P - Set parameters
"root=/dev/hda4 dsscon=true console=2,115200" - the parameters to be set
-C - the drive location follows
/dev/hdc - write to the drive on the secondary master controller.

As the system boots it checks the parameters area of the drive's partition table for the boot parameters. root=/dev/hda4 indicates the software will be on the fourth partition of the drive connected to the primary master controller. The rest of the parameters are setting variables. There is another command -b which tells the firmware where to find the kernel.

PlainBill
Thanks for the great explanation. I want to know what and why I am doing something. I have been doing a lot of reading in the forum and I find a lot of stuff that tells you what to do but not what the command line is doing. I don't know, maybe I'm not looking in the right areas.

Thanks again for the help.

[cheer]

Thanks for the great explanation. I want to know what and why I am doing something. I have been doing a lot of reading in the forum and I find a lot of stuff that tells you what to do but not what the command line is doing. I don't know, maybe I'm not looking in the right areas.
It can be difficult, because most threads build on older threads that had the initial explanations. However, you have exactly the right attitude: don't just tell me what to do, tell me WHY. It takes longer to get this understanding, but you'll be much better off for it.

FWIW you might want to consider changing your bootpage command to this:
bootpage -P "root=/dev/hda4 dsscon=true console=2,115200 upgradesoftware=false" - C /dev/hdc
This will prevent automatic software updates. Not that you don't want to update, but this will allow you to do it in a more controlled (i.e. hack-preserving) fashion.

UPDATE: on second thought, don't do this. I forgot you had a standalone Tivo...there are a number of issues with blocking software updates. See this thread (http://www.dealdatabase.com/forum/showthread.php?t=41782) for more info.

[captainmorgank]

It can be difficult, because most threads build on older threads that had the initial explanations. However, you have exactly the right attitude: don't just tell me what to do, tell me WHY. It takes longer to get this understanding, but you'll be much better off for it.

FWIW you might want to consider changing your bootpage command to this:
bootpage -P "root=/dev/hda4 dsscon=true console=2,115200 upgradesoftware=false" - C /dev/hdc
This will prevent automatic software updates. Not that you don't want to update, but this will allow you to do it in a more controlled (i.e. hack-preserving) fashion.

UPDATE: on second thought, don't do this. I forgot you had a standalone Tivo...there are a number of issues with blocking software updates. See this thread (http://www.dealdatabase.com/forum/showthread.php?t=41782) for more info.
actually I have a series 2 Dtivo. Thanks for taking the time to explain the command. I will give it a try.

I had upgraded the HD in my RCA DVR40 from a 40G to a 160G last year. I have a bunch of recordings on it that I do not want to lose. I think that I am going to get another drive to test with. That way I will not screw up the one that s currently working.

Thanks again

[cheer]

actually I have a series 2 Dtivo. Thanks for taking the time to explain the command. I will give it a try.
Ah, with a DTivo then you definitely want the upgradesoftware=false. This way, if/when D* rolls out an update you can manually do it in a controlled fashion so you don't have to rehack.
I had upgraded the HD in my RCA DVR40 from a 40G to a 160G last year. I have a bunch of recordings on it that I do not want to lose. I think that I am going to get another drive to test with. That way I will not screw up the one that s currently working.

Outstanding idea! Newbies should be forced at gunpoint to read this. (I say this arrogantly since I didn't get a spare drive for my first hack. But in my defense, I did get an entire spare DTivo.)

[eastwind]

Thanks for the great explanation. I want to know what and why I am doing something. I have been doing a lot of reading in the forum and I find a lot of stuff that tells you what to do but not what the command line is doing. I don't know, maybe I'm not looking in the right areas.

Thanks again for the help.
You can find out what a lot of options are for a command by passing a '--help' as the only parameter.

You can find out what most commands do by looking up their manual pages--google man page ls and you'll see what I mean.

ew

[tivo24me]

Is it safe to assume that any USB-to-serial adapter will work. I have an SD-DVR40 with only USB ports on the back. Not sure if other models might have an actual DB-9 or RJ serial port. Or if I need to open the lid to get to an internal serial port.

Thanks.

[PlainBill]

Is it safe to assume that any USB-to-serial adapter will work. I have an SD-DVR40 with only USB ports on the back. Not sure if other models might have an actual DB-9 or RJ serial port. Or if I need to open the lid to get to an internal serial port.

Thanks.

I'm not sure about different usb to serial adapters. Unless you are willing (eager?) for a trying experience, I would tend to go with adapters that are KNOWN to work.

You DO have a serial port on the back of the TiVo. It's the jack labeled 'Serial'

PlainBill

[eastwind]

Is it safe to assume that any USB-to-serial adapter will work. I have an SD-DVR40 with only USB ports on the back. Not sure if other models might have an actual DB-9 or RJ serial port. Or if I need to open the lid to get to an internal serial port.

Thanks.
I use a Belkin USB-Serial adapter, but I use it on the computer side--not the TiVo side as my laptop doesn't have a serial port. I don't think you'll get any USB-Serial adapters to work on the TiVo side without a linux version of the drive (most ship with Window's drivers).

ew