Nspire prototypes: you can't even trust the version number!

[critor]

We've allready warned you several times against buying Nspire prototypes online.

They won't let you install the Nspire OSes released by TI. It is now possible to mod them into commercial models which will accept any released OS, but you don't have the right to make any mistake during the mod or you could brick your prototype permanently (to my knowledge, this has never happened up to now).

The problem with Nspire prototypes is that on the 1st look, you can think it's a perfecty normal Nspire:

We had allready told you:

• to check the model name: no "TI-Nspire CAS+" or "TI-XXXXXXXXXXX"
• to check the back for a "prototype not for sale" mention on a sticker or on the case
• to check the serial for a "PVT", "DVT" or "EVT" code
• to check the Boot1 version: 1.X Boot1 have to be 1.1.8916
• to check the Boot2: 1.X Boot2 have to be 1.1.8981 or 1.4.1571
• to check for a sign in the top left-hand corner of the screen during boot

It seems that checking the Boot1/Boot2 versions is not enough to be sure you're not buying a prototype

Comtiral on TI-Planet has bought online a TI-Nspire CAS with Boot1 1.1.8916 and Boot2 1.1.8981.
But he couldn't install any of the OSes released by TI.

Although they were the exact production Boot1 and Boot2 version strings, we've determined that they were different.
(yes - now to make things more complicated, you can have different Boot1/Boot2 versions which share the same version string)

Those were development Boot1 and Boot2 using the RSA development keys which couldn't validate any production OS. And they were built... just 8 minutes before the production Boot1/Boot2!

Just check:

development TI-Nspire prototype

production TI-Nspire

Code: Select All | Copy To Clipboard 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 Boot Loader Stage 1 (1.1.8916) Build: 2007/4/23, 23:29:51 Copyright (c) 2006, 2007 Texas Instruments Incorporated Using developer keys Last boot progress: 1 Clocks:  CPU = 90MHz   AHB = 45MHz   APB = 22MHz Available system memory: 37292 Checking for NAND: NAND Flash ID: ST Micro NAND256R3A SDRAM memory test:   Pass Clearing SDRAM...Done. Clearing SDRAM...Done. Clearing SDRAM...Done. Boot option: Normal Read of bootdata failed Loading DIAGS software... Error reading/validating DIAGS image Error loading DIAGS. Switching to BOOT2. Loading BOOT2 software... 99% BOOT1: loading complete (241 ticks), launching image. Boot Loader Stage 2 (1.1.8981) Build: 2007/4/25, 23:54:51 Copyright (c) 2006, 2007 Texas Instruments Incorporated Using developer keys

Code: Select All | Copy To Clipboard 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 Boot Loader Stage 1 (1.1.8916) Build: 2007/4/23, 23:37:16 Copyright (c) 2006, 2007 Texas Instruments Incorporated Using production keys Last boot progress: 1 Clocks:  CPU = 90MHz   AHB = 45MHz   APB = 22MHz Available system memory: 37292 Checking for NAND: NAND Flash ID: ST Micro NAND256R3A SDRAM memory test:   Pass Clearing SDRAM...Done. Clearing SDRAM...Done. Clearing SDRAM...Done. Boot option: Normal Read of bootdata failed Loading DIAGS software... Error reading/validating DIAGS image Error loading DIAGS. Switching to BOOT2. Loading BOOT2 software... 99% BOOT1: loading complete (240 ticks), launching image. Boot Loader Stage 2 (1.1.8981) Build: 2007/4/26, 0:2:32 Copyright (c) 2006, 2007 Texas Instruments Incorporated Using production keys

So now, you can't even trust Nspire Boot1/Boot2 version strings when you buy online
As the case could also be switched or altered, it seems the only thing which is trustable is the little sign in the top left-hand corner during boot.



Source:
http://tiplanet.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9263

[DJ Omnimaga]

That sucks, especially with Ebay sellers trying to pass prototypes as commercial models or not even knowing they're doing so. Thanks for the info critor.

[blue_bear_94]

Thanks for the info. Hopefully I won't be buying an Nspire soon.

[apcalc]

Interesting, thanks for your work critor!

[Levak]

Something that is on the french topic but not here is a funny fact :
The actual development boot2 has been built 8 minutes before the production one, but with the same version number.

Edit : RAAAH I didn't read it closely. It is here too =)

[cyanophycean314]

Whoa. Interesting stuff. 8 minutes...

[Juju]

Hm, that's pretty interesting. It prolly gave us a bit of insight into TI's ways of developing stuff.

[Dingus]

How and why did the prototypes get into circulation?  Did TI sell them?

[blue_bear_94]

No. I think they were leaked. TI never meant to distribute them to the public.

[Juju]

Yeah, they distributed them to beta-testers, who in turn began selling them on eBay.

[DJ Omnimaga]

Wasn't it untrustworthy teachers employees who stole them then sold them on Ebay?

I know there are bad practices among some teachers too where they will buy TI-Nspires then sell TI-nspire Student Software and other stuff separately for higher.