Samsung Blu-ray players bricked because of an XML config file
1–10 of 181 posts
Re: Samsung Blu-ray players bricked because of an XML config file
#2That's why: "What does a factory reset entail?" is a fascinating question.
Everyone assumes you'll lose your settings during a factory reset, but what isn't as clear cut: Does it revert the firmware to whatever it was shipped with (bugs and all)? Some vendors do, but most vendors do not.
A legitimate factory reset (inc. firmware) mechanism or USB boot/reflash would have likely saved Samsung considerable amounts of money here (relative to mailing all of them two ways, they could have e.g. sent out free USB keys with the firmware).
Re: Samsung Blu-ray players bricked because of an XML config file
#3That's why: " What does a factory reset entail?" is a fascinating question. Everyone assumes you'll lose your settings during a factory reset, but what isn't as clear cut: Does it revert the firmware to whatever it was shipped with (bugs and all)? Some vendors do, but most vendors do not. A legitimate factory reset (inc. firmware) mechanism or USB boot/reflash would have likely saved Samsung considerable amounts of m…
That article explains why that solution it isn't possible: 'there seems to be no way to recover the devices from the boot loop using normal means – such as a USB stick, CD or network – because the crash happens too early in the boot sequence.'
Re: Samsung Blu-ray players bricked because of an XML config file
#4That's why: " What does a factory reset entail?" is a fascinating question. Everyone assumes you'll lose your settings during a factory reset, but what isn't as clear cut: Does it revert the firmware to whatever it was shipped with (bugs and all)? Some vendors do, but most vendors do not. A legitimate factory reset (inc. firmware) mechanism or USB boot/reflash would have likely saved Samsung considerable amounts of m…
> Does it revert the firmware to whatever it was shipped with (bugs and all)? Some vendors do, but most vendors do not.
I think that's the only reasonable thing to do. Have the original firmware either as an actual rom, or only writable with an enable jumper flipped; use a power on key sequence to boot from the original firmware, copy to normal firmware and reboot into normal firmware (which is now the original firmware). Run through that process during manufacturing to confirm it works.
Regularly test that all released firmware images, especially those in the original firmware slot can successfully upgrade (or at least not crash). Preferably include current firmware version in all requests so you can give workaround responses as needed when you figure out you broke something -- in the hostname is ideal, as you can use that to work around version specific certificate issues.
The reason a Blu-Ray player (or a video game console) might not let you go back to original firmware is to prevent reverting to earlier firmwares that allowed copied media, etc. For those, you probably want to have a 'safe' firmware slot (or two, ideally) that drives the factory reset process, and only reflash those slots on some updates (to reduce testing needs)
Re: Samsung Blu-ray players bricked because of an XML config file
#5That's why: " What does a factory reset entail?" is a fascinating question. Everyone assumes you'll lose your settings during a factory reset, but what isn't as clear cut: Does it revert the firmware to whatever it was shipped with (bugs and all)? Some vendors do, but most vendors do not. A legitimate factory reset (inc. firmware) mechanism or USB boot/reflash would have likely saved Samsung considerable amounts of m…
That article explains why that solution it isn't possible: 'there seems to be no way to recover the devices from the boot loop using normal means – such as a USB stick, CD or network – because the crash happens too early in the boot sequence.'
It would have been possible if it was done this way in the first place.
Re: Samsung Blu-ray players bricked because of an XML config file
#6That's why: " What does a factory reset entail?" is a fascinating question. Everyone assumes you'll lose your settings during a factory reset, but what isn't as clear cut: Does it revert the firmware to whatever it was shipped with (bugs and all)? Some vendors do, but most vendors do not. A legitimate factory reset (inc. firmware) mechanism or USB boot/reflash would have likely saved Samsung considerable amounts of m…
That article explains why that solution it isn't possible: 'there seems to be no way to recover the devices from the boot loop using normal means – such as a USB stick, CD or network – because the crash happens too early in the boot sequence.'
Thus, the discussion on how factory resets could/should work in consumer electronics...
Re: Samsung Blu-ray players bricked because of an XML config file
#7That's why: " What does a factory reset entail?" is a fascinating question. Everyone assumes you'll lose your settings during a factory reset, but what isn't as clear cut: Does it revert the firmware to whatever it was shipped with (bugs and all)? Some vendors do, but most vendors do not. A legitimate factory reset (inc. firmware) mechanism or USB boot/reflash would have likely saved Samsung considerable amounts of m…
I tried a factory reset with my Samsung TV after a firmware update injected advertising into the UI. Unfortunately it remained on the current firmware version and just cleared the settings.
Re: Samsung Blu-ray players bricked because of an XML config file
#8That's why: " What does a factory reset entail?" is a fascinating question. Everyone assumes you'll lose your settings during a factory reset, but what isn't as clear cut: Does it revert the firmware to whatever it was shipped with (bugs and all)? Some vendors do, but most vendors do not. A legitimate factory reset (inc. firmware) mechanism or USB boot/reflash would have likely saved Samsung considerable amounts of m…
I like the way you can erase and recover a Mac to a fresh install of MacOS, without needing a USB key or another working Mac. As long as you have an unmetered internet connection, you can recover to the same version of MacOS that shipped with the device.
Re: Samsung Blu-ray players bricked because of an XML config file
#9That's why: " What does a factory reset entail?" is a fascinating question. Everyone assumes you'll lose your settings during a factory reset, but what isn't as clear cut: Does it revert the firmware to whatever it was shipped with (bugs and all)? Some vendors do, but most vendors do not. A legitimate factory reset (inc. firmware) mechanism or USB boot/reflash would have likely saved Samsung considerable amounts of m…
I tried a factory reset with my Samsung TV after a firmware update injected advertising into the UI. Unfortunately it remained on the current firmware version and just cleared the settings.
>Samsung TV after a firmware update injected advertising into the UI.
Wouldn't Samsung and the rest have stopped this if people just returned the TV?
Re: Samsung Blu-ray players bricked because of an XML config file
#10That's why: " What does a factory reset entail?" is a fascinating question. Everyone assumes you'll lose your settings during a factory reset, but what isn't as clear cut: Does it revert the firmware to whatever it was shipped with (bugs and all)? Some vendors do, but most vendors do not. A legitimate factory reset (inc. firmware) mechanism or USB boot/reflash would have likely saved Samsung considerable amounts of m…
> Does it revert the firmware to whatever it was shipped with (bugs and all)? Some vendors do, but most vendors do not. I think that's the only reasonable thing to do. Have the original firmware either as an actual rom, or only writable with an enable jumper flipped; use a power on key sequence to boot from the original firmware, copy to normal firmware and reboot into normal firmware (which is now the original firmw…
As the owner of the device, I couldn’t care less if reverting to earlier firmware has been exploited. Are device manufacturers making more money from customers or studios?