ATMEL AVR AT90USBKEY + Playstation 3

So i havent been able to tinker around with things for a little while because ive been quite busy with work.
But with all the hype around the PS3 jailbreak dongle and then PSGROOVE <-- The Open source code for said dongle.
I had to give it a go.
Many moons ago when Sony stole away from us the ability to install linux on the PS3 it turned many more hackers to spend alot of time tinkering with the PS3 hardware and firmware.

Sure the lure of being able to play games for free is great but not all of us want these devices hacked for that reason!

Now there are alot of oppertunists that appeared somewhat over night in regards to the hardware required to do this hack.
I purchased a Atmel AVR AT90USBKEY development kit for $115 including shipping.... They are normally $30-$40 US to buy from the supplier... But guess what they are out of stock till march next year!!!

I wont mention the company i bought mine from but their drug money price aside i recieved the unit in less than a day from the other side of the country!!!

This post will be less than usual because of all the legal stuff Sony is throwing around at the moment i wont be posting any links to the HEX required to load onto your AVR.

But seriously if you Googled PSGROOVE your bound to find it.

I am currently shaped at the moment at home Zzzz so i will post pictures as soon as i can however here is what you need to do.

Aquire the PSGROOVE HEX suit AT90USBKEY
Download the Atmel Flip utility <-- This lets you program the USB KEY.
Have a PS3 with firmware 3.41 on it. If you have updated then your shit out of luck!

Now on to the HACK:
1. Plug in your AVR and copy the contents of the usb key that appears in my computer incase u want to tinker with this for other projects.
2.Put the unit into DFU mode by pressing RST then HWB button then releasing RST then HWB.
3. The unit will now want to install DFU drivers. These should come with the Atmel Flip utility.
(i couldnt get these working on windows 7 professional 64bit so i used the XP mode Virtual machine)
4. Program the HEX using FLIP.
5. Unplug from your PC and Plug into your PS3.
6. Push the Power button then the eject button Imediately.
7.Done!!


I know this is quite dumbed down but it really is that simple!
Pictures coming soon.

Linksys WRT54GL Version 1.1 Gets a SD Card

So adding a SD Card to a Linksys WRT54GL is pretty simple.

Why would you do this you ask?

Because the WRT54GL Router runs linux natively and there is a shitload of homebrew firmwares available for this device!

Adding the SD Card adds the ability to install more packages than the onboard storage allows, Run a proxy like Squid with a half decent cache capability or even host your own website!

What do i need?

1. Linksys WRT54GL Router Hardware Version 1.0 or 1.1
2. Some Wire
3. Soldering Iorn
4. Solder.. Duh!!
4. SD Card
5. SD Card Prototyping Board ( Optional) I used this to make life easier and picked it up on ebay great peice of kit. See Link BYVAC SD Prototyping Board Datasheet

Lets Get Started:

 Removing the Cover of the unit is fairly straight forward. The Blue section of the router pulls forward from the black section. Just apply pressure top and bottom near the join and make sure you dont go crazy and snap the circuit board inside!!!

Once open identify the locations we will be soldering on to

We will be soldering 6 wires onto the routers circuit board.

Once you have soldered on your 6 wires solder them on to the SD Card in the following order.

Purple: SD Pin 1

Yellow: SD Pin 2

Orange: SD Pin 3 - If you are not using the BYVAC SD Prototype Board you must also jumper this to SD Pin 6

Grey: SD Pin 4

Red: SD Pin 5

Light Blue: SD Pin 7

Firmware Time:

Ok so Linksys never put this functionality in their software so we need to do something about this.

I used the DD-WRT v24 Std Generic Firmware.

Now you cant just install the Standard Generic Firmware off the bat. Well atleast i had problems doing this so.

Get the dd-wrt.v24_mini_generic.bin Firmware first. DD-WRT Download Site For WRT56GL v1.1

Now log into your router using the web.

Go to the administration menu then firmware upgrade.

Select your downloaded dd-wrt.v24_mini_generic.bin file.

Click upgrade.. cross fingers.

Seeing this message is good because you havent trashed your router!! :D

Now log into your router using the username root and password of admin

Now repeat these steps and upgrade to either the mega or standard firmware. Because the mini does not contain SD Card Support.

Once done log back into your router. Go to the services Menu and enable the SSH service. Save your changes.

Go to the administration page and enable SSH Management and enable SD/MMC Support using the default options.

Save and reboot your router.

SD Card Troubles.

I had a few issues with my router booting rather slowly after the SD Card mod.

I overcame this by formatting the SD Card in EXT2.

Done!

You now have a customisable linux operating system running on your router and some additional storage!!

There is a Overclocking option in the main dd-wrt menu i suggest you dont touch this at all!!

The broadcom cpu gets rather hot as it is so my next hack will be a heatsink/fan solution for it. And even after i have done that i wont be touching this function.. Honestly why bother!!

Now i really should go and do something productive like service my car!!

Source of Hack: http://www.hendlsofen.de/WRT54GL/eng/WRT54GL_SDMod.html

Peace out for now

Patrick

Hacks ??

Hey hey, So through bordem and tinkering along the way ive decided it would be a good idea to document some hardware hacks i do along the way for others interested in giving it a go.

I any hardware hacks that i have done using other reference material i will post links up and give them the credit they are due!

Enjoy.

Vlad