Customizing

[MB_lmk]

hi..

I really would like to customize the look of the box on screen(colour,
icons and so on)...
I was able to get the files after reading this >
http://rtd1261.wikidot.com/tweaking-the-official-firmware (Nr. 3)...
However, unfortunately i am not able to copy the changed images back
to the box as the telnet says "Read-only file system"... is there any
way to get the changed images back into the Resource folder or
changing the access status of the root partition? Has anyone made a
custom theme yet?

any hint or help is welcome on this :)

Thanks

[mowax]

This is very intresting, i would think that if this is linux ?? then
do we not need to ftp to the box and chmod the files to 777 so they
are read and write etc......i'm just nipping to the shops and then i'm
coming back will fire up an ftp program and have a look at it, or am i
barking up the wrong tree?

On Aug 6, 10:32 am, MB_lmk <trabt...@gmx.de> wrote:
> hi..
>
> I really would like to customize the look of the box on screen(colour,
> icons and so on)...

> I was able to get the files after reading  this >http://rtd1261.wikidot.com/tweaking-the-official-firmware(Nr. 3)...

[MB_lmk]

yes and no...

indeed it is just linux, but as the "main BusyBox Linux" is installed
by the firmware it does not install any ftp with it.
Dont confound things with the "samba Linux", that is a totally
different thing and runs beside the "main BusyBox Linux"...
just try to connect via telnet(port 23) and try to chmod the Resource
folder...
"chmod -R 777 /usr/local/bin/Resource/*"
...you will get on every file "Read-only file system"...
so it is not as easy with the chmod :/ .. that's why i hope of an
answer of Emprex ;)

i still think this little box is so brilliant for its money and hope
to make it even more so with customizing the look of it :)

[Mowax]

ah i see......ill try and help you all i can but it sounds you know more about them than i do, i've only had mine a few days and i'm loving it all.

 

I can record from any source and play it instantly back or play with it in a video editing suite instantly

 

amazing piece of equipment for the cash.

 

ok so how can we edit that start up picture via telnet or ftp????

 

mmmmmmmmmm

2008/8/6 MB_lmk <trab...@gmx.de>

[MB_lmk]

the start-up image i did try to change with the firmaware
packet(logo_pal.bmp), but for some strange reason the old one
remained :/ ... i wanted to change it as a surprise for my wife with
our dog'is on it :)
... as lon as we not get to write in telnet "/usr/local/bin/Resource/"
we will not be able to change a thing.. that's where all the images
are..

btw. i only got the box since Monday myself...

On 6 Aug., 17:29, Mowax <mowa...@googlemail.com> wrote:
> ah i see......ill try and help you all i can but it sounds you know more
> about them than i do, i've only had mine a few days and i'm loving it all.
>
> I can record from any source and play it instantly back or play with it in a
> video editing suite instantly
>
> amazing piece of equipment for the cash.
>
> ok so how can we edit that start up picture via telnet or ftp????
>
> mmmmmmmmmm
>

> 2008/8/6 MB_lmk <trabt...@gmx.de>

[pruano]

On Aug 6, 5:26 pm, MB_lmk <trabt...@gmx.de> wrote:
> yes and no...
>
> indeed it is just linux, but as the "main BusyBox Linux" is installed
> by the firmware it does not install any ftp with it.
> Dont confound things with the "samba Linux", that is a totally
> different thing and runs beside the "main BusyBox Linux"...
> just try to connect via telnet(port 23) and try to chmod the Resource
> folder...
> "chmod -R 777 /usr/local/bin/Resource/*"
> ...you will get on every file "Read-only file system"...
> so it is not as easy with the chmod :/ .. that's why i hope of an
> answer of Emprex ;)

Not sure why yours is read only, but mine isnt.

It was rw for root, and a chmod 777 changed the permissions correctly.

[pruano]

On Aug 6, 3:32 pm, MB_lmk <trabt...@gmx.de> wrote:
> Has anyone made a custom theme yet?
>
> any hint or help is welcome on this :)

http://rtd1261.wikidot.com/tweaking-the-official-firmware#toc3

[MB_lmk]

THX...

now that is what i call strange :/ ...

what firmware do you use?
have you samba installed?

... dont really understand why i get this "Read only System"
message... i am not a linux pro, but not a total noob either, i run 2
linux root servers since quit a while, so i know what i am doing when
i do it, but never came across such a situation... :/

i will try some different stuff, maybe i am lucky

[MB_lmk]

nope... idea why my box is a Read-only OS... tried reinstalling the
two latest firmwares, but no luck... that is still what i get:
__________________________________
Venus login: root
warning: cannot change to home directory

BusyBox v1.1.3 (2007.11.14-01:28+0000) Built-in shell (ash)
Enter 'help' for a list of built-in commands.

/ # chmod 777 /usr/local/bin/Resource
chmod: /usr/local/bin/Resource: Read-only file system
/ #
__________________________________

[pruano]

On Aug 7, 12:14 am, MB_lmk <trabt...@gmx.de> wrote:
> nope... idea why my box is a Read-only OS... tried reinstalling the
> two latest firmwares, but no luck... that is still what i get:
> __________________________________
> Venus login: root
> warning: cannot change to home directory
>
> BusyBox v1.1.3 (2007.11.14-01:28+0000) Built-in shell (ash)
> Enter 'help' for a list of built-in commands.
>
> / # chmod 777 /usr/local/bin/Resource
> chmod: /usr/local/bin/Resource: Read-only file system
> / #

What does mount says?

[MB_lmk]

___________________________________
/ # mount
/dev/root on / type squashfs (ro)
none on /dev type devfs (rw)
none on /proc type proc (rw,nodiratime)
devpts on /dev/pts type devpts (rw)
none on /sys type sysfs (rw)
/dev/mtdblock/3 on /usr/local/etc type jffs2 (rw,noatime)
none on /tmp type ramfs (rw)
/dev/rd/0 on /mnt/rd type vfat
(rw,nodiratime,fmask=0022,dmask=0022,codepage=cp437,iocharset=iso8859-1)
/dev/ide/host0/bus0/target0/lun0/part1 on /usr/local/etc/hdd/volumes/
HDD1 type vfat
(rw,nodiratime,fmask=0022,dmask=0022,codepage=cp437,iocharset=iso8859-1,shortname=winnt,utf8)
/dev/ide/host0/bus0/target0/lun0/part3 on /usr/local/etc/hdd/dvdvr
type udf (rw)
/dev/ide/host0/bus0/target0/lun0/part6 on /usr/local/etc/hdd/root type
ext3 (rw)
/dev/ide/host0/bus0/target0/lun0/part2 on /usr/local/etc/hdd/livepause
type udf (rw)
___________________________________

.... so as you can see the first partition is ro - read only :/

.... however, i will try one last thing, i read that there can be a
read only problem with such a system if the hard drive has a fault or
problem and the OS boots up in ro mode than...

i cant belive i have that one box that cant be customized as i am such
a customize freak ...

[MB_lmk]

...no, i did try 3 other hard disks, but that was not the issue it
seams... still read only :(

[MB_lmk]

sorry guys to bother you, but i want to get this sorted or have a
clarification that it is not working at all... i did try by now
everything i could think of and what i found with google and nothing
absolute nothing worked...

another thing i tried was remounting it , but:
________________________________
/ # mount -o rw,remount /
mount: /dev/root is write-protected, mounting read-only
________________________________

...would anyone else check what "mount" says on his box beside pruano,
not that i dont trust you but its 1:1 at the moment ....

thanks a million...

[rob.m....@googlemail.com]

On Aug 7, 1:11 pm, MB_lmk <trabt...@gmx.de> wrote:
>
> another thing i tried was remounting it , but:
> ________________________________
> / # mount -o rw,remount /
> mount: /dev/root is write-protected, mounting read-only
> ________________________________
>

I'm going to have to let you down gently here.
lets take another look at the output from mount

>>/ # mount
>> /dev/root on / type squashfs (ro)

The (ro) does indicate that this mount point is readonly but its all
to do with the type of filesystem being used.

A quick google on squashfs returns this page
http://packages.debian.org/unstable/admin/squashfs-tools

Which states "Squashfs is a highly compressed read-only filesystem for
Linux.".

So it appears that we're not going to get very far trying to do
anything with /dev/root on the ME1.

My gut feel is that a firmware hack is going to be the way to go.

[MB_lmk]

Thanks a mill for that,

i did came across that as well of course, however what made me still
check and try was pruano's comment:
Quote>>>

Not sure why yours is read only, but mine isnt.
It was rw for root, and a chmod 777 changed the permissions
correctly.
<<<

...so why pruano's is working then i do not understand...

was the very first firmware a different file sys? if so, where could i
get my hands on the original firmware?

unfortunately i have no idea how to access the firmware img file, i
tried different common google suggestions, but they where no good...



On 7 Aug., 13:23, "rob.m.cla...@googlemail.com"

<rob.m.cla...@googlemail.com> wrote:
> On Aug 7, 1:11 pm, MB_lmk <trabt...@gmx.de> wrote:
>
>
>
> > another thing i tried was remounting it , but:
> > ________________________________
> > / # mount -o rw,remount /
> > mount: /dev/root is write-protected, mounting read-only
> > ________________________________
>
> I'm going to have to let you down gently here.
> lets take another look at the output from mount
>
> >>/ # mount
> >> /dev/root on / type squashfs (ro)
>
> The (ro) does indicate that this mount point is readonly but its all
> to do with the type of filesystem being used.
>

> A quick google on squashfs returns this pagehttp://packages.debian.org/unstable/admin/squashfs-tools

[Mowax]

yeah what you want me to type in ? on telnet?

 

won't ruin any thing will i?? ...lolol...just set my self back up you see......

2008/8/7 MB_lmk <trab...@gmx.de>

[rob.m....@googlemail.com]

On Aug 7, 1:37 pm, MB_lmk <trabt...@gmx.de> wrote:

> was the very first firmware a different file sys? if so, where could i
> get my hands on the original firmware?

I'm not running the scheduled recording firmware (fw2.08) at the
moment, as I'm still on the filecopy firmware (fw1.08)
for me the root partition is also squashfs.

I don't really want to play around with that too much at the moment,
as I have had trouble with bricked hardware in the past. lol.

Just bought an 8gb usb flashkey for the box and i'm trying to get it
mounted as filesystem. I have a mate at work who swears by his slug
(nslu2 pah!) and he's got the swap file running off of a usbkey to
give the device so more oomph.

i'm going to have a look and see what is possible with my ME1. ;)

[Mowax]

now that would be amazing if we can do that..... good luck here man i'll keep my fingers crossed and bow down with respect to what your trying to achive for us, hope you get it working like that be really cool.

2008/8/7 rob.m....@googlemail.com <rob.m....@googlemail.com>

[MB_lmk]

i guess there is a free usb port on the board somewhere anyway... i
did a similar thing with my eeepc and soldered an 8GB usb stick
straight on the board to have an extra drive... its just so bugging me
that the me1 cant be customized because of the compressed file
sys... :/

if anyone has an idea how to edit the FW-img, please hint me there ;)

On 7 Aug., 14:07, "rob.m.cla...@googlemail.com"

[pruano]

On Aug 7, 1:37 pm, MB_lmk <trabt...@gmx.de> wrote:

> Thanks a mill for that,
>
> i did came across that as well of course, however what made me still
> check and try was pruano's comment:
> Quote>>>
> Not sure why yours is read only, but mine isnt.
> It was rw for root, and a chmod 777 changed the permissions
> correctly.
> <<<
>
> ...so why pruano's is working then i do not understand...

Ok, i got it now.

The one i was checking, and for which the instructions were for was a
Cube R100; /dev/root in this one is ext3, so possible to mount rw.

Both models are similar, but apparently there are some differences;
sorry about that.

[tc]

if u want change the ui , u can try copy /usr/local/bin/Resource/ to /
usr/local/etc/hdd/root/ and
#mount /usr/local/etc/hdd/root/Resource /usr/local/bin/Resource
copy the ui files from http://rtd1261.wikidot.com/tweaking-the-official-firmware
rename CHILI_AVIN_FOCUS.bmp to IMAGE_AVIN_FOCUS.BMP
I had try modify the BMP file by painter , but the ME1 will crash .

[pruano]

On Aug 8, 3:18 am, tc <tic...@gmail.com> wrote:
> and
> #mount /usr/local/etc/hdd/root/Resource /usr/local/bin/Resource

Does this work? From what i could see in the man pages, the first
argument is a device, and /usr/local/etc/hdd/root/Resource is a
directory.

[tc]

It's work.
$cp -rf /usb/local/bin/Resource /usr/local/etc/hdd/root/
copy the new ui file to fat32 partition and rename files.
ex: I copy new ui files to a folder name " UI"
$cp /usr/local/etc/hdd/volumes/HDD1/UI/* /usr/local/etc/hdd/root/
Resource
$mount /usr/local/etc/hdd/root/Resource /usr/local/bin/Resource
(dont reboot system )
But the menu ui is .....

[MB_lmk]

tc... your a little genius ;)

for what it is it works like a charm, however unfortunately it all is
gone when you take the box of the power source, it will stay when you
just switch it off with the remote and leave it on power.
i put together a little zip file with different 4 icons from the
normal main menu and a txt file with the instructions, i made them
with photoshop and saved them in "R5G6B5"-bmp format (Advanced setting
when saving a bmp in PS).

zip pack with instructions> http://groups.google.com/group/Emprex-ME1/web/little_ME1_costumize_guide.zip
(the dogi on the telly from the AVin is one of mine =P)

as we are that far now, there are two ways to go from here>
1. the perfect solution would be, if Emprex puts a small option into
the setup section, where you can set a name of the sub folder on HDD1
with the custom files. If that section has a folder name in than the
system automatic mounts that folder as the Resource folder.

2. they find a way that you can customize it over the firmware with a
custom images folder.

either way it would be more than nice :)

best regards

[MB_lmk]

ok, me again and here it goes ;)

I did find a solution for the "Unplugging from power source" and still
having the customization again... it is a little bit "dirty"(or not)
but it works... one down side is still that you will have the original
stuff after taking it from the power source for the first seconds
until everything in the background is started up(OS, samba, etc.) ,
but there is nothing else to do after that...
The good thing with that solution is, if you apply changes to the
theme all you have to do is to copy changed images per usb to the "UI"
folder on HDD1, unplug the ME1 and plug it back in... that's all :)

before i tell you how, i have to say: Be warned! I will take no
responsibility if anything goes wrong with your ME1 box, although all
is working great when i try it with my one.

1. set-up smaba server and make sure it is running and you can connect
via WinScp http://emprex-me1.googlegroups.com/web/ME1_samba_winscp.png
2. download http://groups.google.com/group/Emprex-ME1/web/samba_ME1_SSHonly_and_customUI.zip
, unpack anywhere, read the readme.txt and follow the instructions
3. Make the "UI" folder over the usb connection and copy the images in
it http://emprex-me1.googlegroups.com/web/little_ME1_costumize_guide.zip
4. in telnet run "/usr/local/etc/hdd/volumes/HDD1/first" again (to
apply changes from step 2)
5. unplug and re plug the ME1 from the power source

... done

every time you unplug the ME1 from the power and plug it back in, the
"new" Resource folder is deleted, newly made and the custom content
from the UI folder copied to it, if you not unplug it and just switch
it off per remote, than everything stays customized... if you want to
keep the original just empty the UI folder or re freshen the
firmware...

AGAIN >>> DON'T DO IT IF YOU NOT SURE WHAT YOU DOING <<<<

have fun...

[Mowax]

congratulations of getting the muts on the tele man.....lolo...well done.

2008/8/8 MB_lmk <trab...@gmx.de>

[pruano]

On Aug 8, 4:12 pm, MB_lmk <trabt...@gmx.de> wrote:
> ok, me again and here it goes ;)
>
> I did find a solution for the "Unplugging from power source" and still
> having the customization again...

You should add it to the rtd1261.wikidot.com faq entry for future
reference.

[danwood]

You could always just change the init script (/usr/local/etc/rcS) to
point to your new UI folder and launch the dvdplayer app from there as
opposed to deleting and copying the entire dir.

I also managed to extract and decompress the squashfs filesystem
earlier this year so we could make a custom image that permanently
points to this alternate location as opposed to the original.
The only issue is that the /usr/local folder (the rw part of it
anyway) is written when the firmware flash takes place, you do have
access to all the init scripts within the /etc folder though.

There was a small amount of free space in the original firmware update
which I decompressed used some of it up, re compressed and flashed ok
with my new files in there.

[danwood]

I just had a quick flick over my notes (and the squashfs image) and it
would be quite simple to add files directly to the resource folder.
It would also be possible to create a symlink to somewhere else on the
drive so you could have this folder on another partition and not need
to worry about copying or setting up, just mounting the drive.