Omnimaga

Omnimaga => News => Topic started by: critor on May 13, 2012, 03:05:43 pm

Title: Nspire prototypes: you can't even trust the version number!
Post by: critor on May 13, 2012, 03:05:43 pm
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 (http://tiplanet.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8954&p=122204) 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:

(http://i73.servimg.com/u/f73/13/23/13/53/caspro10.jpg)


We had allready told you:

(http://i43.servimg.com/u/f43/13/23/13/53/protob10.gif)


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! :o

Just check:

development TI-Nspire prototype
production TI-Nspire
Code: [Select]
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]
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
Title: Re: Nspire prototypes: you can't even trust the version number!
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on May 13, 2012, 05:17:48 pm
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.
Title: Re: Nspire prototypes: you can't even trust the version number!
Post by: blue_bear_94 on May 13, 2012, 05:19:31 pm
Thanks for the info. Hopefully I won't be buying an Nspire soon.
Title: Re: Nspire prototypes: you can't even trust the version number!
Post by: apcalc on May 13, 2012, 05:30:05 pm
Interesting, thanks for your work critor! :)
Title: Re: Nspire prototypes: you can't even trust the version number!
Post by: Levak on May 13, 2012, 06:25:31 pm
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 =)
Title: Re: Nspire prototypes: you can't even trust the version number!
Post by: cyanophycean314 on May 13, 2012, 06:45:49 pm
Whoa. Interesting stuff. 8 minutes...
Title: Re: Nspire prototypes: you can't even trust the version number!
Post by: Juju on May 13, 2012, 10:44:06 pm
Hm, that's pretty interesting. It prolly gave us a bit of insight into TI's ways of developing stuff.
Title: Re: Nspire prototypes: you can't even trust the version number!
Post by: Dingus on May 14, 2012, 08:48:52 pm
How and why did the prototypes get into circulation?  Did TI sell them?
Title: Re: Nspire prototypes: you can't even trust the version number!
Post by: blue_bear_94 on May 14, 2012, 08:51:33 pm
No. I think they were leaked. TI never meant to distribute them to the public.
Title: Re: Nspire prototypes: you can't even trust the version number!
Post by: Juju on May 14, 2012, 09:00:45 pm
Yeah, they distributed them to beta-testers, who in turn began selling them on eBay.
Title: Re: Nspire prototypes: you can't even trust the version number!
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on May 14, 2012, 09:14:56 pm
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.