I know these DM500-S boxes are old hat now, but I am looking at re-purposing one which is bound to be a clone to the point where I am not interested in the video output aspect. I just want to make sure I stay clear of this bomb thing, hence the questions. I am hoping there are a few around who might remember some the details.
With respect to the hardware whats the real difference between the original design made with off the shelf US designed, Asian produced components and the clone produced in Asia from the same component stocks apart from price and wounded pride?
I see they run on busy box linux so any one can program what they like into it. I assume the electrical circuit is identical at least as far as the processor concerned, is that correct?
I have read about the mac addy being different in the network chip, and how to change it, obviously the stock firmware could be made to read that. Is there more like something custom mask programed into a register by IBM in the factory that can't accessed later?
And how does the time bit work? there's no RTC in the box, is it getting the date from the satellite stream or keeping a count somewhere in eeprom or the flash? I suppose the time aspect was just a bit of vengeance by the original firmware code writers
Where was it in the firmware? bootloader, busybox os, or the receiver code. I have 2 boxes with Gemini project code in them, the box Is using DM mac address but the labels are different. I am guessing the tweak to busy box or a software patch applied somewhere.
And finally what did this bomb do to brick the box when triggered, modify the bootloader, the OS thereby requiring a Jtag reflash or suicide the the receiver code? Or worse, like something secured internal to the processor? Something requiring access to a pin not brought out from under the BGA.
I am still searching around clipping bits and pieces of DM500-S info into a file where ever I find it but with time most of the discussion, code and tools have disappeared from the net over time. Lots of dead links remain. So if any one can shed some light on this I will be most grateful!
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