yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Fire TV General] rbox:
Unfortunately, nothing I'm working on can really fix that. Anything I'm doing would require being rooted and being able to boot fully into the OS. Recovering a bricked system is pretty limited right now. Fastboot doesn't allow boot or flash and I don't know of any way to manually load a file onto it while in stock recovery because ADB over USB doesn't work and it doesn't have the ability to use external USB. Even if there was a way to force the kernel into peripheral mode, adb is disabled to begin with.

I assume adb doesn't work when its stuck in registration?
[Fire TV General] quilop:
AFTV Root

Last Sunday August 31 I bought five AFTV, In BEST BUY, I had no problem rooting for all five AFTV. this could be because my IP is not in USA? When looking for an Upgrade from a Foreign IP, being a Foreign IP could reject the latest update? you should try
[Fire TV General] rbox:
There have only been a handful of reports of the latest unrootable firmware as of yet. Nothing to do with foreign IP.
[Fire TV General] rbox:
Correct, but I only know of a few people who have gotten it. And even one person who claims to have gotten it and still rooted, but I don't know if I believe that.
[Fire TV General] ImolaDan:
Hmm, not good. I'm in the UK and I'm tempted to order one, but we wouldn't start receiving units until the end of October, who knows what firmware will be preloaded by then. I'd definitely want to be able to root and mount external storage, plus rig it up to auto load xbmc on boot.

A bit extreme compared to software methods, but has anyone on the newest software tried injecting the su binary along with a companion/manager apk like SuperSU in to the system partition by hooking the eMMC up to an SD card reader?

http://www.gtvhacker.com/index.php/Amazon_FireTV
[Fire TV General] pumpinepie:
so I just unboxed my amazon fire tv and am hoping to root and install xbmc.

I have read the instructions but as soon as I plug the FTV in it begins to download the latest firmware which I think is not rootable.

I quickly unplugged it so now I am wondering how I even start this as I am stuck on the first screen when booting which is to connect to network

at the very least, if it upgrades the firmware can I still install XBMC ?
[Fire TV General] Hacktacular:
pumpinepie: yes, you can still sideload apps. You can still root if you let it get to the point where the video begins to play unplug your router and do not disrupt the video. When the video finishes, follow the root instructions....

FYI...You will need to connect back to the internet for towel root...
[Fire TV General] Annunneo:
So this new firmware is really unrootable? A lot of persons seem to be guessing.
[Fire TV General] rbox:
I really only know about a small handful of people that actually got it. I know 1 or 2 said they couldn't root, and 1 claimed he could. So not sure.
[Fire TV General] pumpinepie:
when you say the video begins to play is that immediately after starting it when the amazon logo comes up ?

I try that and the first thing it wants me to do is connect to my network. and once I connect it starts to download an update.

Im pretty sure it needs to be connected to my network to root doesn't it ? or do I connect the fire tv directly to my computer ?
[Fire TV General] Annunneo:
I had mine rooted then I started to get some hiccups here and there and factory reseted it. Then for a about 2 moths I was root free and one day I said what the heck and re rooted. I was still on the .1 firmware thank goodness now all is fine. This was after people were reporting the .2 firmware upgrade.

I've read with the upgrade you get the option to install from unknown sources.

---------- Post added at 02:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:40 PM ----------

I think it needs to be connected to the network because I've never connected mine directly to the pc to root.
[Fire TV General] pumpinepie:
that's what I thought - anyone with help as to how to get this thing rooted before it updates would be greatly appreciated.

someone was mentioned a factory restore option - if it updates to the latest firmware can it be factory restored to a rootable firmware ?
[Fire TV General] Hacktacular:
Connect to your network and when you see a cartoon like video start then unplug your modem or router. After the video finishes you should be at the main menu and can then continue root...

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=54862303
[Fire TV General] simondo22:
I m wating for my ftv in germany. No one knows with witch one Firmware it will send

Maybe it comes with an unrootable firmware. But someone is going to root that in the future.

Maybe its coming with an older Firmware wich is rootable, then make sure that you blok update by using opendns or router confik
[Fire TV General] Phat Phreddy:
Your in exactly the same situation as me.. The box knows theres an update even after factory restores and cache flushing.. It wont boot to the home screen it gets stuck after the initial amazon fire splash screen and detecting remote and ethernet. Oddly 2 others worked fine, this one box wont.

Are you outside the US ???

See

http://xdaforums.com/fire-tv/general/ota-update-51-1-2-0-t2847751/page13

And

http://xdaforums.com/fire-tv/help/ftv-trying-to-update-t2868787#post55270256

---------- Post added at 07:01 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:56 AM ----------

I have done this and it still knew there was an update on a blocked (open DNS block) network connetions.

You dont even get to the video.. It goes into a loop right after it finds the remote and ethernet. Thats with the exact same block that allowed 2 other boxes to boot fine.

Plus.. I have just factory reset it and let it onto an open network connection.. and its doing the same, says theres an update, wont fully boot, but cant find the update server !!

Is anyone else not in the US.. Is the update being held back for US IPs only ??
[Fire TV General] pumpinepie:
8161

I am not in the US and finally just decided to let my FTV update as I couldn't get past the screen wanting to update.

luckily for me it just update to the last firmware that is rootable !!

I did however add this to my blocked sites in my router - 51.1.2.0_user_512073320
[Fire TV General] rbox:
All you need to do is block dcp.
[Fire TV General] Phat Phreddy:
This is then now officially crazy.. Do I have a dud box ??

I cant get it to even update with an open network connection now !!!
[Fire TV General] pumpinepie:
I am trying to sideload the apps to get my firetv rooted and when I try and sideload an app it keeps giving me the following errors :

error - more than one device and emulator

-waiting for device

error - protocol fault (status read)

-waiting for device

and it just keeps looping with these error messages

any ideas ?

I get the same errors when trying to sideload apps through commard prompt and when using the app found on this site

edit - also when connecting to the FTV via adb and listing the devices - it does show the FTV and an emulator so not sure how I am connecting to 2 separate devices

anyone else get these messagaes ?

I have tried 2 separate FTV's now and they both give the same error.
[Fire TV General] drumst1x:
Did you first do

adb kill-server

Then

adb start-server

Then

adb connect [ip of aftv]

? The kill server/start server should always be done first.
[Fire TV General] pumpinepie:
yes I did that first
[Fire TV General] collindv:
Yes
[Fire TV General] pmcdunnough:
What do you need root for that?

Philip
[Fire TV General] bobq1979:
I didn't found where I can write the dns.In the end I wrote the dns in my router for all my network but I'd like to know how I can do it.

I am root.

Have fun
[Fire TV General] pmcdunnough:
- select your wifi network

- press option button which then forgets the network

- select your WiFi network

- enter pwd and click on advanced

- fill out the ip, dns numbers

Or do what you did and have your dhcp server send the numbers.

Philip
[Fire TV General] bobq1979:
Thank you very much for your help. I'll do it

Have fun
[Fire TV General] downloadonlyaccount:
If i've installed a new update which can't be rooted, is it always possible to downgrade to the latest rootable version and proceed with the steps in first post?
[Fire TV General] collindv:
No. You need root to downgrade.
[Fire TV General] pumpinepie:
for those that have rooted and blocked firmware updates - is your machine constantly checking for a system upgrade ?

I just checked mine after rooting and it says that is it checking now for 'installed date' and 'last checked'.

Im sure it is blocked as it just stays there and doesn't move along any further but just curious if this is usual.
[Fire TV General] rbox:
As long as dcp is disabled, it's not doing anything. I think that's just the default string that gets put there before it gets the status from dcp. Because dcp isn't running, it can never get the status from it.
[Fire TV General] roligov:
All 3 version of TR added to mediafire mirror and updated with more links to guides :)
[Fire TV General] Tight_wad:
How does one unroot the Ftv? Not seen any "how to's" for unrooting.
[Fire TV General] rbox:
Easiest would probably be to follow the downgrade instructions, do a factory reset, install whatever version you want, and just don't reroot afterwards.
[Fire TV General] roligov:
Not sure why anyone would want to unroot, but yeah reset to factory defaults and a firmware restore should accomplish that.
[Fire TV General] Tight_wad:
I 3 Ftv boxes, and this one is have some issues that none of the other 2 are having. All of them have firmware 51.1.1.0_user_511070220 and are setup the same with:

Rooted with towelroot

Busybox

SSH Daemon

SU

Fire TV mods using Xposed

ES File Explorer

SPMC-XBMC

Some issues I have at times are:

Resume from screen saver on XBMC sometimes causes loss of any response. Only thing that does function is holding play/select buttons to restart.

On a restart, XBMC library is sometimes missing. Have to go to AFtv settings>apps>xbmc and force stop and then launch app.

Every once in a while, SU will popup with a 15 sec countdown to grant access in XBMC, even though I have set default access to "Grant" in it's settings. (It's also the only box that doesn't list any apps in the SU apps list.)

Tried the Firedtv launcher on this same box and it was a mess. Very dysfunctional, even with xposed.

I have tried removing all the apps that I have installed and reloading them, but didn't seem to make any difference. Unless there is another way to do it, unroot & reset to factory might clear out what ever is causing the issues. At least that is my thinking. Maybe there is another way?
[Fire TV General] roligov:
Having that many issues you probably better off restoring back to the latest firmware (http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2796067) then reset to factory defaults. Don't forget to disable the updates when you done (http://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-block-ota-update-for-amazon-fire-tv-and-keep-root-access/).
[Fire TV General] vook:
I just ordered a FireTV from Amazon that arrived today. Is the method of the first post still valid or is there some other guide I should be following? I've read a lot of these forum threads but there is a lot of conflicting information at this point.

Thanks
[Fire TV General] mjbxx:
AFTVnews

I used the How to setup a new Fire TV without blocking Root guide from the AFTVnews site with great success.
[Fire TV General] jbl0ggs:
I also used the guide at AFTVnews, although looking at the first post it is pretty much the same. It did not have any instructions for installing and configuring SSH like the first post here, but I'm not even sure why BusyBox & SSH are needed or if I still should install SSH. The guides just tell you what to do to install not necessarily why you need it, except for the obvious. :confused:
[Fire TV General] mjbxx:
I do not have SSH installed and not sure what it is used for. BusyBox is installed and needed to be able to install the Google Play Store app to the Fire TV.
[Fire TV General] roligov:
I would have thought SSH was obvious? I suppose not everyone has an IT or Linux background.

SSH is used as another form of management, SSH is always one of the first apps I install, regardless of the device, unless it's windows based. Also if you wish to scp files to the device with WinSCP etc, ssh allows for that too. It's not a requirement, it's just something I never go without.
[Fire TV General] Wa||acE:
GTV Hardware hack

Has anyone tried the hardware hack on the new unrootable firmwares? its mentioned on GTV Hacker and it states that it enables you to read/write the embedded sdcard to enable root access

I can't post links but if you google gtvhacker firetv you should find it.

I am willing to try it out when the UK fire tvs are shipped but it would be handy to know if it works.
[Fire TV General] rbox:
I don't see any reason that it wouldn't work. It's not "unrootable" firmware, it's just been patched against the root exploit that was being used. If you can get /system/bin/su in place with the correct permissions, then you'll have root.
[Fire TV General] mjbxx:
Is this the gtvhacker link you are referring to? I do not understand any of it but someone more knowledgable may very well be able to.
[Fire TV General] rbox:
That's it. Basically you connect the EMMC chip on the FireTV to a Linux computer through an SD card reader and access the flash memory on it just like you would with a normal sd card. Then you just need to mount the /system partition and write the su binary. Could also be used to downgrade the bootloader.
[Fire TV General] mjbxx:
Have you actually tried this and if so, did it work? Seems overly complicated for a novice like me. I do not have Linux. Can it be done using Windows? I realize I am probably reaching here but nothing is lost in asking.
[Fire TV General] rbox:
I haven't, but in concept it doesn't' seem too bad. No clue if it would work in Windows, probably not. If you're not comfortable with a soldering iron and that kind of stuff, I probably wouldn't' recommend it.
[Fire TV General] retroben:
Can one just,say,install something like Puppy Linux next to Windows as an extra OS?

By install,I mean setting it up in a CD or maybe even USB.

I have not tried it yet,but I should if it boosts performance on old worn out PCs like mine.
[Fire TV General] Wa||acE:
That's good to know :) apologies for the terminology I meant unrootable in the sense of publicly available s/w exploits.

I've no problem with soldering jtags etc so it should be no problem trying this out once I get my hands on a firetv in the UK next month.

Thanks.

Booting some form of Linux via USB, CD or virtual machine from windows should all work no problem to mount the sd card there is even some tools for windows that look like they can mount ext4 partitions such as "Linux Reader" and ext4explorer.

One way to test would be to format an actual sd card and mess around with it.
[Fire TV General] PLAGWEZ:
following
[Fire TV General] FRooter:
You can subscribe to threads using the Subscribe to Thread link at the top of each thread while signed-in.
[Fire TV General] sammy98:
I just opened up my firetv to look what should be done.

The pins are tiny - but not really a problem. The problem is, you have to remove or cut open the shield around the cpu to get the clk line.

On the picture of the emmc pinout, they removed the flash chip and the shield on top is already cut open.The picture is also lacking the pinout of vss and cmd

So only for the hard ones - and i am out now

Sammy98
[Fire TV General] Luxferro:
Shields should just pop off. They removed the EMMC to ohm out the locations of the pins to other components, as seen on the bank of resistor contacts between the CPU and EMMC. You wouldn't need to remove the EMMC. Also CMD is shown, and VCC and VSS could be gotten for any other chip that uses the same supply voltages, which is likely a lot of the chips on board.

Here's a high res photo from iFixit: https://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/34OAJmxtAhMOgFDZ.huge
[Fire TV General] sammy98:
Alright. Didnt notice you can pop off the shield. In older mobiles i often desoldered it. I know i dont have to desolder the chip...

Will probably play with it when the second ftv arrives

Sammy98

Gesendet von meinem Nexus 7 mit Tapatalk
[Fire TV General] kairnage:
It's odd how much effort they have put into blocking root on the FTV yet on the Kindle Fire HDX they have updated a few times in the last couple of months and Towelroot v1 still restores root with no issues.
[Fire TV General] simondo22:
Can someone show the points to solder vss and vcc?
[Fire TV General] superkoal:
They will be connected to the board's general power lines/planes, so usually you should be able to access them on some resistors/caps/planes on the pcb. Don't know about the vcc voltage or if the board uses different voltages though, so it would be best to check the datasheets of the emmc chip AND do measurements before you start soldering wires to the pins.

EDIT:

I think there should be a separate thread for this, as it's quite a different thing than using towelroot or any other software tool. Until there is a new linux kernel exploit this might also be the only way to root newer aftvs.

EDIT 2:

So I created a thread to collect information about hardware root via emmc chip

Link to the thread
[Fire TV General] roligov:
Hopefully something comes of this attempted hardware root :)
[Fire TV General] d1dd1:
Not much effort. Towelroot uses a known linux kernel bug.

Gesendet von meinem Galaxy Note 3
[Fire TV General] stanleyopar2000:
This is for anyone who was too intimidated by the ADB commands or had problems

I had this same problem today...I couldn't get the ADB commands to work...But I found out it's done via SQLITE editing ...so I did another solution

*buy* (or find) SQLIte Editor...(or an app that can edit SQL database files) and sideload it.

Download LanMote Lite from the play store(you need mouse support) and Sideload it. Once done RUN LanMote Lite and start the server (Free version is limited to 30 minutes so act quickly) On your HTML 5 device (preferrably a smartphone or tablet) [PC works but mouse is slow and wonky] connect to the same wifi as the FTV (if you didnt do it already) and open your web browser and put in the address LANMOTE will show on the FTV (example http://xx.xx.xx:9999) also enable different cursor.

Go to FTV home and go to settings>>APPLICATIONS >> your SQLITE editing program.

(in SQLITE Editor) Allow SU permisions and use your amazon remote (it works for simple navigation for now) to go to FILES TAB and go to

DATA>>>DATA>>>com.android.providers.settings >>SETTINGS.DB

go to the GLOBAL folder. You should see a list with different settings (BE CAREFUL)

(now this is where you need a mouse)

on your HTML 5 device (smartphone) go the MOUSE Tab and use the mouse pad to mouse near the entry that says INSTALL_NON_MARKET_APPS you will notice that default for this option is 0 (which means off/ disabled) Mouse over the 0 and tap the "click" button on your HTML device. you will notice the entire row becomes gray.

Use your Amazon Remote and click EDIT RECORD. cursor down to the 0 and change it to a 1

use your remote and scroll below it should give a CANCEL and SAVE button. Click save with the remote.

go back to home and enjoy sideloading unknown sources.
[Fire TV General] inwisso:
Here is a way to root :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3Kbk12R_DI&list=PLq4EPW92B28eDxt-e-tKL1oRDw7A6-CtT&index=2

Then a list for all you need to know/how to root :

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLq4EPW92B28eDxt-e-tKL1oRDw7A6-CtT
[Fire TV General] sammy98:
Dude read again the threads containing firetv and root. If it could be done with software, we were not in need to solder to the firetv chipsets....

Gesendet von meinem Nexus 7 mit Tapatalk
[Fire TV General] inwisso:
It is the same software jute in a video watch be for you write...
[Fire TV General] sammy98:
And you should learn to use a forum and not to spam the threads. Towelroot does not work an the latest firmware, we tried to root here. But you are not the only "no-searcher" ... http://xdaforums.com/fire-tv/general/possibility-to-root-fire-tv-fire-os-t2911813
[Fire TV General] inwisso:
If you failed to root let others get root , there is people that what to know how to block Update to keep a routable software like what I showed in the "all you need to know/how to root" list... there is no harm of sharing. I have rooted 2 Fire TV so I'm experience and my goal is to help.

Sorry anyway you are right in the end Peace.
[Fire TV General] sammy98:
We are talking here about a ftv version that CANNOT be rooted and the ftv is sold with them. So no block and no towelroot in this thread. We have plently of threads here covering block and get root with older version. So post there
[Fire TV General] inwisso:
Thank you for your advice
[Fire TV General] 0xi:
Good stuff, thought I had the update domains blocked in my router but wanted to disable updates on the system too just to be sure. I do the pm disable amazon thing for the whole service and then the next day AFTV has restarted and is mysteriously restored completely to factory defaults. Still have the early software it shipped with so no big deal but pretty annoyed, go to root it again and reinstall everything later and hooray it's already updated itself to the newest firmware so that won't be possible. I'm just wondering what the hell caused it to reset itself and eventually screw me out of root access.
[Fire TV General] altanava:
Firmware version rootable?

Hello! I just got the Fire TV and did the stupid thing connected and got the last Software version, its has 51.1.4.1 is it rootable?

Thanks
[Fire TV General] rubinho:
No
[Fire TV General] Hacktacular:
Do you watch ESPN? C'MON MAN![emoji1]
[Fire TV General] altanava:
?

This meaning? and by the way it's not Man but Mam. New at this so sorry.
[Fire TV General] Hacktacular:
If you don't watch ESPN you wouldn't understand. It is a skit they do on tv when people make mistakes which is rather funny....
[Fire TV General] lennie paz:
I just picked up a FTV, and it was running the 51.1.0.1 firmware. I was able to install towelroot, but when I installed SuperSU, and launched it, nothing happened. I then installed BusyBox, and it did ask me for permissions from SuperSU, so does that mean SuperSU installed properly? BusyBox says it's installed too.
[Fire TV General] drumst1x:
When you opened busy box and tried to install it, did you get a prompt asking you to grant SuperUser access to BusyBox? If yes, then you are rooted. If no, then i'm not sure, but you SHOULD have gotten that prompt. Another test you can do, is connect via ADB and type adb shell then once you're in the shell, type "su" enter. Once you type that, you should get a prompt on the screen asking you to grant access to adb. As long as you see SuperSU asking you about access, and you're able to grant it, you're rooted. If you've already granted access, then instead of a prompt, you should see a toast notification stating that access has been granted.

Good luck.
[Fire TV General] player911:
Sounds like it if you were getting superuser permissions.
[Fire TV General] lennie paz:
Yeah, I think I'm good. I love this thing. I have it in my living room, and it's connected wirelessly, and I'm streaming 30gb BluRay rips from my PC, with zero issues.
[Fire TV General] hank3fan:
I'm planning/hoping to pick my fire TV up on Friday. Will this method still work?

I've been reading conflicting ideas on various other sights.
[Fire TV General] dk1keith:
How are you doing this wirelessly? What are you using to stream such large video wirelessly, without buffering issues?

if you don't mind me asking