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Omnimaga => News => Topic started by: critor on September 05, 2012, 07:52:36 pm

Title: 1st mod of a TI-Nspire prototype into a TI-Nspire CAS
Post by: critor on September 05, 2012, 07:52:36 pm
Basic TI-Nspire and TI-Nspire CAS share the same hardware. Yet, installing a CAS OS on a basic TI-Nspire is not possible, nor is possible installing a basic OS on a TI-Nspire CAS. Thus, this impossibility is not due to the hardware but to many software protections without which TI wouldn't be serious when selling both models at different prices.
The TI community always wanted to use TI calculators at their best and long looked for using a CAS OS on a basic TI-Nspire.

The first solution (http://tiplanet.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7974#p115363) was found using Ndless 2.0, a software - whose creator wishes to stay anonymous - decrypting the OS on computer and the little calculator software OSLauncher, developed by Lionel Debroux. Starting from a basic TI-Nspire with OS 1.7, 2.0.1 or 2.1.0 and running Ndless 2.0, it was possible to launch the CAS version of the OS sharing the same number and vice versa.
(http://i23.servimg.com/u/f23/13/23/13/53/bascas11.jpg)
Note that the OS was only launched - not installed. The mod was temporary, cancelled by any reboot of the calculator.

Since OS 3.0.1, installing an OS 2.1 or older isn't possible anymore - officially. This is due to a minimum installable version number written in the NAND chip in a zone out of the file system. Even though there is an unofficial method (http://tiplanet.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7993) to get rid of this problem, this method cannot be used on TI-Nspire CX, as the first OS supported by their new hardware is 3.0.1.

From now on, this is not Lionel but Compu who updates OSlauncher (https://tiplanet.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=8886) for using it with Ndless 3.1.
We did not write much about it because of many inconveniences of this new version, making it almost impossible to use for most users:

In a previous news (http://tiplanet.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9676), I revealed that my basic TI-Nspire prototypes were detected as TI-Nspire CAS when using OS 3.1 or later.
(http://tiplanet.org/forum/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=13&image_id=1198) (http://tiplanet.org/forum/gallery/image_page.php?image_id=1198)
Such an information must have gone unnoticed this summer, yet everything finally came clear in my head. A routine detecting the type of hardware has been changed since OS 3.1, making OSLauncher not working anymore. We may suppose that OS 3.1 was modified for this purpose, using the updated routine on the OS startup.
This -apparently useless - information made us find today a way of changing permanently a basic TI-Nspire prototype in a TI-Nspire CAS !
Once again, TI-Planet achieves what was impossible ! ;)

What was so different between my TI-Nspire prototypes and the commercial versions ?
Let's have a further look using a software that I made :
(http://tiplanet.org/forum/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=13&image_id=1300) (http://tiplanet.org/forum/gallery/image_page.php?image_id=1300)

TI-Nspire identify themselves with two values:

The model ID stored in NAND specifies entirely the TI-Nspire model:

The model type, store in the ASIC chip, respecifies if the TI-Nspire is CAS or basic:

Permanently modding a TI-Nspire model into another one sharing the same hardware can be achieved by changing these two values.
It is possible for the id stored in the NAND, which is publicly documented. We already did something like that for modifying the Boot2 (http://tiplanet.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8973), the diagnostic software (http://tiplanet.org/forum/archives_voir.php?id=4272) or even for reinstalling previous versions of the OS (http://tiplanet.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8955).
However, the ASIC is that fat undocumented chip from TI.
(http://www.datamath.org/Graphing/Images/TI-NspireCASTP_SOC.jpg)
(source for image: http://www.datamath.org)
Unfortunately, even if we had documentation, we don't even know if this chip is flashable...

Let's get back to my basic TI-Nspire prototypes, identified as TI-Nspire CAS by the computer since OS 3.1.
There must be something looking more like "CAS" on them... Everything looks normal on the About... screen, which shows an id starting with 0E :
(http://tiplanet.org/forum/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=13&image_id=1301) (http://tiplanet.org/forum/gallery/image_page.php?image_id=1301)
But if we use the software previously used...
(http://tiplanet.org/forum/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=13&image_id=1302) (http://tiplanet.org/forum/gallery/image_page.php?image_id=1302)
... we finally find the difference ! The ASIC chip doesn't have the value giving the type of the model, which defaults here to all bits high. :o On these prototypes, changing only the id in the NAND should change them in CAS models. Let's do it using the tool menu! ;)

The calculators can then be rebooted: they will remove the basic OS and wait for a new CAS OS to be sent.
(http://tiplanet.org/forum/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=13&image_id=1307) (http://tiplanet.org/forum/gallery/image_page.php?image_id=1307)

Here's a video with such a modded TI-Nspire prototype on which you'll see that the mod is permanent as I reboot the calculator:

It took us time, but people who were scammed into buying TI-Nspire prototypes online finally get something far more interesting than production Nspire! ;)



Source with access to fullsize images and to the tool download page:
http://tiplanet.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10331&lang=en

Many thanks to Bisam and SilverOne for helping me translating this big news into english.
Many thanks to Bsl, Goplat and Jimbauwens, who made me able to develop this tool after exchanging about dumping/flashing for several years now.
Title: Re: 1st mod of a TI-Nspire prototype into a TI-Nspire CAS
Post by: Jim Bauwens on September 06, 2012, 03:21:35 am
Great job Critor !
Indeed, these prototypes are looking very interesting with all this stuff :D
Title: Re: 1st mod of a TI-Nspire prototype into a TI-Nspire CAS
Post by: renatose on September 06, 2012, 05:11:09 am
This is great news! Did you tried to change the NAND bit of a production nspire into CAS to see if it conflicts with the ASIC information or not?
However I understand that even if you found a way of turning a production nspire into a CAS one you would prefer to stay quiet about that just because of the many legal issues that you may find...
Title: Re: 1st mod of a TI-Nspire prototype into a TI-Nspire CAS
Post by: critor on September 06, 2012, 06:00:37 am
Quote from: renatose on September 06, 2012, 05:11:09 am
This is great news! Did you tried to change the NAND bit of a production nspire into CAS to see if it conflicts with the ASIC information or not?

I tried on emulator. The original OS is removed and you can't install any OS anymore.
CAS OSes are rejected because of the ASIC bits, and non-CAS OSes are rejected because of the new Flash model ID.

The hwMod program checks if it's running on production hardware and aborts in that case.
Don't try to disable this in the source code: you'll permanently brick your calculator because of this NAND/ASIC conflict.

Quote from: renatose on September 06, 2012, 05:11:09 am
However I understand that even if you found a way of turning a production nspire into a CAS one you would prefer to stay quiet about that just because of the many legal issues that you may find...

No problem with answering you ;)
The ASIC is probably a one-time writable chip.

I'm pretty sure there is no way you can change the model type bits, which are stored at the same address as the ProductID.
Being able to change the model type bits mean that you'll be able to modify the ProductID.

As far as I know, the only way to use a CAS OS on production hardware is OSlauncher, with all drawbacks listed above.
Title: Re: 1st mod of a TI-Nspire prototype into a TI-Nspire CAS
Post by: blue_bear_94 on September 06, 2012, 04:41:50 pm
This is not good; this provides another reason for TI to lock the Nspires down.
Title: Re: 1st mod of a TI-Nspire prototype into a TI-Nspire CAS
Post by: critor on September 06, 2012, 05:34:37 pm
You sure?

It only works on prototypes, and there is no way it will become possible on production Nspire.
Title: Re: 1st mod of a TI-Nspire prototype into a TI-Nspire CAS
Post by: Sorunome on September 06, 2012, 07:24:46 pm
Nice mod! :D And now make the impossible true and run it on a normal nSpire :P
Title: Re: 1st mod of a TI-Nspire prototype into a TI-Nspire CAS
Post by: Adriweb on September 08, 2012, 02:43:56 am
Quote from: blue_bear_94 on September 06, 2012, 04:41:50 pm
This is not good; this provides another reason for TI to lock the Nspires down.
I would have agreed if it were done on production Nspires and as much publicized too but indeed, as critor said, it's only for prototypes, which are extremely rare. So if anything, that would make TI smile, maybe. Hardware protections are on Production models that make the required modifications impossible.
Title: Re: 1st mod of a TI-Nspire prototype into a TI-Nspire CAS
Post by: willrandship on September 08, 2012, 03:09:08 am
So, are there any known prototype CX models?
Title: Re: 1st mod of a TI-Nspire prototype into a TI-Nspire CAS
Post by: Lionel Debroux on September 08, 2012, 05:02:38 am
Quote
it's only for prototypes, which are extremely rare.
To add to the rarity of Clickpad prototypes, a number of them are already in the hands of members of the open development community who don't take standardized tests. hwMOD is in no way a significant threat to TI.

Quote
Hardware protections are on Production models that make the required modifications impossible.
In their pristine form, indeed. No longer with a minor hardware modification, described publicly months ago on multiple venues ;)

Quote
So, are there any known prototype CX models?
I'm not aware that we're aware of any prototype CX items.
Perhaps TI learnt their lesson and changed something in the handling of prototypes, so as to get all of them returned (like, having every single person who used a CX prototype sign a NDA which states that if they don't return them, they'll be sued for theft and go to jail ^^).
Title: Re: 1st mod of a TI-Nspire prototype into a TI-Nspire CAS
Post by: willrandship on September 08, 2012, 05:37:36 pm
I know I won't need to take the ACT ever again. The SAT allows CAS calcs anyhow.
Title: Re: 1st mod of a TI-Nspire prototype into a TI-Nspire CAS
Post by: Sanctuary on October 25, 2013, 02:22:40 pm
Hi, Critor,

I've just got a TI CAS clickpad DVT2.0. Would you please give me a quick instruction about how to mod it to be a production type? Currently it's OS is 1.7, and the upgrading via TI Nspire failed at the last minute.

Big thanks!
Title: Re: 1st mod of a TI-Nspire prototype into a TI-Nspire CAS
Post by: Streetwalrus on October 25, 2013, 04:50:10 pm
Holy necropost Batman !
You could find some tutorials about this mod on TI Planet. ;) The site is in French by default but you can change the language.
Title: Re: 1st mod of a TI-Nspire prototype into a TI-Nspire CAS
Post by: critor on October 25, 2013, 04:59:24 pm
Hi Sanctuary :)


The public tutorial targets development OSes 1.1 and 1.2 and probably won't work as is with your unknown development OS 1.7 version.

So we first need to check further into your 1.7 OS.

I'll need a dump of your OS in order to test how it is going to react using an emulator.

In order to dump your OS, the easiest way is to install a 3rd party linking software: TiLP II
for windows: http://www.ticalc.org/archives/files/fileinfo/374/37481.html
for Linux: http://www.ticalc.org/archives/files/fileinfo/374/37480.html

Once installed, try to list your TI-Nspire files to check that it works.
If it works you should just need to double-click the 'system' item in the left part of the window to get the installed OS image.

Once I'll be done with testing your OS 1.7 in the emulator, I'll come back to you with all the steps. :)
Title: Re: 1st mod of a TI-Nspire prototype into a TI-Nspire CAS
Post by: Lionel Debroux on October 26, 2013, 01:58:15 am
The files on ticalc.org are outdated, the latest release can be downloaded from http://sourceforge.net/projects/tilp/ .
Title: Re: 1st mod of a TI-Nspire prototype into a TI-Nspire CAS
Post by: Sanctuary on October 26, 2013, 01:04:16 pm
Dear all,

Many thanks! But I could not open sorceforge.net from China. Is it possible for you to post it on cnCalc or send to my emailbox directly?

Big thanks!
Title: Re: 1st mod of a TI-Nspire prototype into a TI-Nspire CAS
Post by: Lionel Debroux on October 26, 2013, 01:11:23 pm
To work around the problem, you can download the latest beta build from http://ourl.ca/4010/360344 .
Title: Re: 1st mod of a TI-Nspire prototype into a TI-Nspire CAS
Post by: Sanctuary on October 26, 2013, 02:01:52 pm
I installed it, and the GTK2runtime, but Tilp could not find the entrance, the message is could not identify the input deflatesetheader on zlib1.dll
Title: Re: 1st mod of a TI-Nspire prototype into a TI-Nspire CAS
Post by: bsl on October 26, 2013, 04:26:37 pm
If you are having trouble installing TiLP:
Here is a couple of small python programs that uses NavNet directly.
1) NNSendOS.py - sends the OS to the calculator [partially tested]
2) NNRecvOS.py - Receive (dump) the OS from the calculator.[tested]

To use NNRecvOS.py you need to download python - say 2.5 or 2.7
Also download ctypes for the version of python your are using.
Run the script - It will wait for you to Send the OS from the calculator side.
Send theOS -> when done look at c:\tmp\or the drive your are using.
Title: Re: 1st mod of a TI-Nspire prototype into a TI-Nspire CAS
Post by: Sanctuary on October 27, 2013, 08:45:58 am
Thanks bsl. It seems too complicate for me. I will try to search someone who can do the upgrade in our city. Thanks a lot for everyone!
Title: Re: 1st mod of a TI-Nspire prototype into a TI-Nspire CAS
Post by: critor on October 27, 2013, 03:50:18 pm
For the moment, you can't upgrade at all.

The method we've developped uses a special Ndless version which has been designed for development OSes 1.1 and 1.2, OSes that you probably can't install.

Your 1.7 development OS is unknown, there is no Ndless for it. We absolutely need the dump - to design a specific upgrade how-to for your calculator. Then (and only then), you may ask someone in your city to perform the how-to for you, but nothing will be done without the dump and its analysis by people experienced with ARM assembly and Nspire technology.

I remember of a topic on cncalc.org on an USB tool for dumping the TI-Nspire OS easily, but I cannot find it back for now.

Why don't you tell us what's complicated for you?
We can even help you by telling you where to click if necessary :)
Title: Re: 1st mod of a TI-Nspire prototype into a TI-Nspire CAS
Post by: Sanctuary on October 28, 2013, 10:59:35 am
Dear all,

Sincerely appreciate the time, patient, and kind encouragement from everyone! I would like to show my respect to all you guys, the rare real technical genius still existing in this materialistic planet, and wish all the best for everyone. It was my dream about 20 years ago to be one of this group, however, I was not lucky enough to keep going…

Since I'm not familiar with IT technology anymore, and do not have time to handle the upcoming modification by myself. It’s time to say adieu to my favorite IT world…

Just contacted with the sales, and get her confirmation to return this prototype to her.

Take care,

Sanctuary
Title: Re: 1st mod of a TI-Nspire prototype into a TI-Nspire CAS
Post by: critor on October 28, 2013, 12:25:25 pm
There is a little luck that your calculator will accept development OS 1.2:
http://tiplanet.org/forum/archives_voir.php?id=2170

If it does, you can just apply the prototype upgrading tutorial.