FOXSAT-HDR: Can I gain access to existing recordings in the absence of an LNB connection and no channels tuned in?

Rodders53 said:
However, reading the CF Documentation around the Channel Editor it's unlikely to work I feel...
See CF Documentation: Channel Editor: Some Important Information Tab as the 'nothing stored' data probably trumps the CF channel editor update...
Certainly seems to on mine (showing a very old Channel Edit list in the WebIF but no dice for watching the recordings on a connected TV, other than via streaming after reboots). It'd not been switched on in a very long time.

I have two Foxsat-HDRs:
The one, mentioned above, now stuck in the tuning/no signal (as LNB disconnected and factory reset).
Both running CF so I can, potentially, do the necessary file copy/paste manipulations before (re)connecting the second one to my dish to (re)gain access to the Media files in the Humax UI after a proper freesat tune.
Click to expand...
On a Foxsat-HDR (with custom FW) with no tuned channels (in "setup Wizard" state), maybe can telnet in and copy the FOXSAT-HDR_channels_backup.fcl file back to /dev/mtd6 - then reboot the box. If by some chance /dev/mtd6 can't be copied over (e.g. because it may be 'locked' as in use), then maybe try stopping the settop process, copy the file, then reboot the box.
 
So, from the machine root: it's in

mnt/hd4/opt/channels/

Note that after a reboot one needs to OK / EXIT out of the retune prompt to the MENU dialog screen for the CF ethernet connection via WebIF to work... including FTP access... not sure wrt Telnet, I never tried.

Test 1
Copy FOXSAT-HDR_channels_backup.fcl from my Lounge -HDR to the Bedroom one (via FTP).
Reboot via the CF restart now plugin... and wait...
Traipse upstairs to EXIT from the retune prompt screen: so that didn't work, then.

Test 2
Copy FOXSAT-HDR_channels_update.fcl from Lounge via FTP.
Reboot via the CF restart now plugin... and wait...
Traipse upstairs to EXIT from the retune.
As that didn't work either.

Even a full mains reboot did nothing useful.
So it needs connecting to a working (universal) LNB.
 
Rodders53 said:
So, from the machine root: it's in

mnt/hd4/opt/channels/

Note that after a reboot one needs to OK / EXIT out of the retune prompt to the MENU dialog screen for the CF ethernet connection via WebIF to work... including FTP access... not sure wrt Telnet, I never tried.

Test 1
Copy FOXSAT-HDR_channels_backup.fcl from my Lounge -HDR to the Bedroom one (via FTP).
Reboot via the CF restart now plugin... and wait...
Traipse upstairs to EXIT from the retune prompt screen: so that didn't work, then.

Test 2
Copy FOXSAT-HDR_channels_update.fcl from Lounge via FTP.
Reboot via the CF restart now plugin... and wait...
Traipse upstairs to EXIT from the retune.
As that didn't work either.

Even a full mains reboot did nothing useful.
So it needs connecting to a working (universal) LNB.
Click to expand...
Worth a try (via Channel Editor)!
As per my previous post, maybe try bypassing Channel Editor... copy the box's actual channel data /dev/mtd6 out to a file (on the 'tuned in' box), and copy it back from the file to /dev/mtd6 on the box in setup wizard / tuning mode.
 
HugeMaximum said:
Worth a try (via Channel Editor)!
As per my previous post, maybe try bypassing Channel Editor... copy the box's actual channel data /dev/mtd6 out to a file (on the 'tuned in' box), and copy it back from the file to /dev/mtd6 on the box in setup wizard / tuning mode.
Click to expand...
One has no ftp access in that state... Dunno about telnet... only use it once in a blue moon to get into maintenance mode for fixdisk; and have to follow the instructions in the Documentation to do that!
But exiting to the -- MENU -- mode on the display will allow FTP.

If/when I get inclined to fire them both up and go searching for wherever that directory lurks.... (see post #23) There's numerous /dev/ folders on my machines!! I'll give that a try.
 
I can't help but think that most (if not all) of the answers are in the channel-editor package already.
/opt/sbin/chanlist save creates a backup on the working machine into /opt/channels/FOXSAT-HDR_channels_backup.fcl
Then transport this file to the non-working machine, rename it to /opt/channels/FOXSAT-HDR_channels_update.fcl and then /opt/sbin/chanlist load (or better, just copy the file into
/tmp/ and run the equivalent commands manually as found in the script).
Reboot and see what happens.
I have no idea what the file format of the .fcl file/tuning data is, as it's been ages since I looked at it, but possibly you could eliminate the backup step and just fabricate something instead, but it always helps to start with known good data.
Reading the help for the package tells you how it all works.
 
prpr said:
I can't help but think that most (if not all) of the answers are in the channel-editor package already.
Reading the help for the package tells you how it all works.
Click to expand...

See above post #23. In my no Linux knowledge untrained way done via FTP file copy and replace plus machine reboots. From my Lounge Foxsat to a once working but factory reset Bedroom Foxsat with no LNB connection. No joy. Having read the Help Documentation of the Channel Editor plugin myself prior to doing it, I was fairly sure it wouldn't/couldn't work; and it didn't!

The only place I can find a /dev/mtd6 is a zero bytes file in both boxes' /ROOT/dev/ folder dated 09/02/2014 (on both). So nothing to see or do there either... unless I'm missing summat special about Linux on the Foxsat?

I conclude that I now need to reconnect the LNB to the Bedroom unit to get it to function properly. Unless others conclude differently. I'll wait a few days.

PS FTP was via my Qnap NAS (Linux, probably) File Manager not my windoze laptop. Should that matter.
 
Rodders53 said:
In my no Linux knowledge untrained way done via FTP file copy and replace plus machine reboots. From my Lounge Foxsat to a once working but factory reset Bedroom Foxsat with no LNB connection. No joy. Having read the Help Documentation of the Channel Editor plugin myself prior to doing it, I was fairly sure it wouldn't/couldn't work; and it didn't!

The only place I can find a /dev/mtd6 is a zero bytes file in both boxes' /ROOT/dev/ folder dated 09/02/2014 (on both). So nothing to see or do there either... unless I'm missing summat special about Linux on the Foxsat?
Click to expand...
You can't write stuff to /dev/mtd6 using FTP, so stop pi55ing about with it and follow the instructions above, or at least read the script I mentioned. You need to use Telnet for this. I assume you can get that to work.
If not, then things are even harder. It might still be possible by crafting a package, putting on a USB stick and plugging it in, but that's a whole new level of complexity.

/dev is for devices on Linux, either character or block, alongside a smattering of directories, links and possibly an odd regular file.
 
prpr said:
You can't write stuff to /dev/mtd6 using FTP, so stop pi55ing about with it and follow the instructions above, or at least read the script I mentioned. You need to use Telnet for this. I assume you can get that to work.
If not, then things are even harder. It might still be possible by crafting a package, putting on a USB stick and plugging it in, but that's a whole new level of complexity.

/dev is for devices on Linux, either character or block, alongside a smattering of directories, links and possibly an odd regular file.
Click to expand...
Sorry. It's as clear as pi55 to me... So I'm out. Unless you are willing to explain in baby steps for this idiot you are speaking to...
 
Those that need to download the Foxsat-HDR Custom Firmware (CF) 4.1.3: https://hummy.tv/forum/threads/useful-links-for-the-foxsat-hdr-customised-firmware.3330/

There is a readme.txt in the Foxsat-HDR CF 4.1.3 archive file that you download. It has information about installing telnet... but when you do 'part 2' of the CF install - when you clicked the "Download & Install the Full Web Interface", telnet should be installed from that point in time.

Post#22...
HugeMaximum said:
Important to say the the commands are those issued on a telnet session into a Foxsat-HDR that has custom firmware! Edited earlier post to point that out.
Click to expand...

Here's how to enable telnet on Windows (ironic post quote alert!)...
prpr said:
...for reference, you can install Telnet by going to Start menu, Control Panel, Programs and Features, Turn Windows features on or off, check the box for Telnet Client, then OK everything.
Click to expand...

Telnet gets you a command prompt, start with getting that working.
You'll also see some explanations in the CF readme.txt about some interesting things, and...
directory "/mnt/hd4/opt" is mounted at boot-time as "/opt" and so can be accessed directly. i.e. "cd /opt"
Click to expand...
/mnt/hd4 is the partition where your recordings are stored, and also used by the CF.
 
HugeMaximum said:
Telnet gets you a command prompt, start with getting that working.
You'll also see some explanations in the CF readme.txt about some interesting things, and...

/mnt/hd4 is the partition where your recordings are stored, and also used by the CF.
Click to expand...
I'm too lazy and /or forgetful and I really don't understand Linux commands via Telnet... DOS and BASIC mayhap... Linux no.
I have read a fair bit of the Documentation but how much is 'embedded' in brain is an unknown.
I can and have done Telnet when needed (it's enabled on this laptop) and the CF Documentation has easy to follow instructions (for fixdisk in maintenance mode) as the one known use I have ever had for it.

I am still 'game' to do it; if it will add to the knowledge base
But sadly I need the instructions much clearer, step by step (ideally with REMarks explaining what why / what happens so I understand a little better at the end) of how to copy the channel tuning data from one box to the other box and apply it to that box.
If it is even possible to do that latter bit?

As I seem to be the only Foxsat owner willing to try to help the OP... who in any case is long gone (last seen 25th July)... If no simple instructions are forthcoming, then I'll just connect it back up to the LNB and do a tune to get it as a working spare and go back into storage.
 
I've followed what @prpr said, and put together the following - which assumes that you'll use a 'USB stick' (AKA UPD - 'USB Pen Drive').

Notes:
  • Make sure the CF firmware is the same version on both Foxsat-HDR boxes (just in case!) - that would likely be 4.1.3.
  • Back up anything you don't want to lose before proceeding!
  • I haven't verified the USB stick mount point is /mnt/sd# - where # is (likely) a number... can always run df -h before and after inserting the USB stick and seeing what is the difference!

On 'donor' Foxsat-HDR box...
  1. Telnet into the box
  2. Paste this into the telnet window: /opt/sbin/chanlist save and press enter
  3. Shove a FAT32 or EXT2/EXT3 formatted USB stick into one of the box's USB ports
  4. Paste this into the telnet window: df -h | grep /mnt/sd and press enter
  5. Note the inserted USB stick's /mnt/sd# - where # is (likely) a number
  6. Paste this into the telnet window: cp /opt/channels/FOXSAT-HDR_channels_backup.fcl [B]/mnt/sd#[/B] and press enter <- where /mnt/sd# is that noted from the previous step
  7. When copy is done, pull the USB stick out

On 'recipient' Foxsat-HDR box...
  1. Telnet into the box
  2. Shove the USB stick into one of the box's USB ports
  3. Paste this into the telnet window: df -h | grep /mnt/sd and press enter
  4. Note the USB stick's /mnt/sd# - where # is (likely) a number
  5. Paste this into the telnet window: cp [B]/mnt/sda#[/B]/FOXSAT-HDR_channels_update.fcl /tmp and press enter <- where /mnt/sd# is that noted from the previous step
  6. When the previous command has completed, wait a 10 seconds or so (or if stick has an activity light, wait until it stops flashing), then un-plug the USB stick from the box
  7. Paste this into the telnet window: /opt/sbin/flash_unlock /dev/mtd6 and press enter
  8. Paste this into the telnet window: /opt/sbin/flashcp /tmp/FOXSAT-HDR_channels_backup.fcl /dev/mtd6 and press enter
  9. Reboot the box
(Rev 1.0) :)
 
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