Develop Bugs

How is the device pre linked to my account?

The first thing I noticed when I received my Fire TV was that it was auto linked to my amazon account that I purchased the unit with. Is this done with the RFID chip that was in the ifixit tear down pictures? I am trying to remember if I had to re-authenticate at any point or if purchases could be made immediately. I wouldn't want to have the device lost in transit if someone can make purchases from the get-go.

meber said:
The first thing I noticed when I received my Fire TV was that it was auto linked to my amazon account that I purchased the unit with. Is this done with the RFID chip that was in the ifixit tear down pictures? I am trying to remember if I had to re-authenticate at any point or if purchases could be made immediately. I wouldn't want to have the device lost in transit if someone can make purchases from the get-go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, the RFID chip is not even connected to anything.
I doubt they do anything to do the device, they probably just have some sort of serial no->user binding they use for the linking process when your box connects to the service.

FISKER_Q said:
No, the RFID chip is not even connected to anything.
I doubt they do anything to do the device, they probably just have some sort of serial no->user binding they use for the linking process when your box connects to the service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was thinking they scanned the RFID chip before shipping which contains the device serial number which then auto links it to your account.
But like I said if they come pre-connected.. if someone else took it would they be able to make unauthorized purchases.

I know for a fact how they do it. When the device is scanned for your order the devices s/n is recorded. Then when the device hits the internet Amazon sees the s/n and it automatically authenticates itself to your account.

kbowman said:
I know for a fact how they do it. When the device is scanned for your order the devices s/n is recorded. Then when the device hits the internet Amazon sees the s/n and it automatically authenticates itself to your account.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Isn't this dangerous to send a pre-authenticated device shipped? Thanks for the confirmation though.

kbowman said:
I know for a fact how they do it. When the device is scanned for your order the devices s/n is recorded. Then when the device hits the internet Amazon sees the s/n and it automatically authenticates itself to your account.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how would this work when you resell device.

if they're tying the user to the device using the s/n, doesn't really matter if it's a bar code, qr code, rfid, etc... functionally all equivalent.
the rfid makes sense in that bar code labels wear off, rfid is easier to read for inventory, processing, shipping, returns/repairs etc. - you don't have to physically locate an optical code to scan it. it's probably a lot more prevalent than we think - you already see rfid-type stickers on the inside of packaging (in the past mostly for loss prevention?) - why not just put it inside the item itself.
but...
seems like amazon could have planned that a little better - yeah, anyone could take it and have access to your account.
also the fact that when I ordered, I was not given any option if the device was not meant for myself, no option for either a blank one or specify the recipient.
if I selected "as gift" at checkout, would it still put my account on it and then either I have to fix it or the gift recipient simply has to deal with it?
if I bought it for someone through their wishlist - same questions.
I think I read that you can change the amazon account on it. which is only common sense. so at least you can remove your account and give it to a friend or family, or sell it.
also have to wonder how they manage the association on their end - what if I do change the account on the device, then do whatever factory reset / total clean wipe? when it initializes again, which account will come up?

YoColdRain said:
how would this work when you resell device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have not tried this, but my guess is you log on to Amazon and click on devices and deregister your device. Then do a factory reset on the Fire TV.
tarvoke said:
if they're tying the user to the device using the s/n, doesn't really matter if it's a bar code, qr code, rfid, etc... functionally all equivalent.
the rfid makes sense in that bar code labels wear off, rfid is easier to read for inventory, processing, shipping, returns/repairs etc. - you don't have to physically locate an optical code to scan it. it's probably a lot more prevalent than we think - you already see rfid-type stickers on the inside of packaging (in the past mostly for loss prevention?) - why not just put it inside the item itself.
but...
seems like amazon could have planned that a little better - yeah, anyone could take it and have access to your account.
also the fact that when I ordered, I was not given any option if the device was not meant for myself, no option for either a blank one or specify the recipient.
if I selected "as gift" at checkout, would it still put my account on it and then either I have to fix it or the gift recipient simply has to deal with it?
if I bought it for someone through their wishlist - same questions.
I think I read that you can change the amazon account on it. which is only common sense. so at least you can remove your account and give it to a friend or family, or sell it.
also have to wonder how they manage the association on their end - what if I do change the account on the device, then do whatever factory reset / total clean wipe? when it initializes again, which account will come up?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I hope this gets more attention.

YoColdRain said:
how would this work when you resell device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you go to settings there an option to de-authorize the FireTV, after you select this it will then prompt you to login to a Amazon account of your choosing.

hm, yep, I went to "Your Devices" in my amazon account, and there's the firetv, registered at the date&time that I ordered it.
they haven't even shipped it yet lol, but they already registered it for me! is this how amazon does kindles too?
are people too incredibly lazy for the extra step of entering ID and password? (amazon wants to be super friendly like apple where "things just work right away" and screw that security nonsense?)
poking around my amazon account, I have the option to delete the device - hm I guess that *might* be one way to secure the firetv before you receive it, or if you're giving as a gift.
I think I'll delete it, before I boot it the first time, just to see - it shouldn't hurt anything... probably.
- expected case: makes me enter a new id/pass.
- worst case: limbo state where I can't enter id/pass.
- scary case: starts up normally with my ID anyway and re-adds the device in my account.

It could also be from IP address association.

tarvoke said:
are people too incredibly lazy for the extra step of entering ID and password? (amazon wants to be super friendly like apple where "things just work right away" and screw that security nonsense?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
User experience sells, the less work a user has to do to access content the better.
As for all the security complaints I dont see the issue. People are looking way to much into this. Worst case your firetv goes to the wrong house and someone starts buying movies with it. Then you get on the phone/computer and deactivate the device and then contact amazon and get refunded, they probably have some of the best customer service anywhere. I ordered a gpu from the amazon warehouse and all I got was an empty box(you could tell something was amiss by the shipping weight), called them and got refunded the $500 something I paid in a matter of 2 minutes. Also its not like they are going to have access to buy a 80" 4K tv from your firetv, worst they could do is a couple seasons of shows. Also if you don't notice that your device isn't delivered after its marked as delivered, well then you probably have worse things going on.

meber said:
The first thing I noticed when I received my Fire TV was that it was auto linked to my amazon account that I purchased the unit with. Is this done with the RFID chip that was in the ifixit tear down pictures? I am trying to remember if I had to re-authenticate at any point or if purchases could be made immediately. I wouldn't want to have the device lost in transit if someone can make purchases from the get-go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am 80% sure that I never had to type in any passwords before making a purchase and I bought Plex and Sev pretty much right after it updated.

so, before booting for the first time, I did this:
- delete device from my amazon account
- delete all autoloaded-because-of-firetv apps from my amazon account
the behavior on first boot was:
- dl latest software
- reboot
- install latest software
- reboot
- continue install latest software
- check for updates
- ask me to register with email/pass
- stupid tutorial video
I tried hitting Esc, which did quit the video - for some reason dropped me back to the Wifi setup screen. got past that and then the tutorial video started again, from the very beginning.
other notes:
all of those autoloaded apps are on the device anyway, and there is no way to delete them (yet)
and they all reappeared in my app list in my amazon account webpage.

When I got mine and first plugged it in, it prompted me for my Amazon username and password. I believe it also prompted me to enable parental controls, either that or I went into setting immediately and turned that on. That allowed me to protect purchases with a PIN.

In Germany Amazon will pre-register Kindles.
If u want to avoid registering it to your account u can mark it as a gift i think

I remembered purchasing a Fire HDX for a friend using my account and it came preregistered for me. All I have to do is de-authorize and reset it.
I have already set up a pin for one-click. I'm don't know if this is a default option now but Amazon should make it more secure.

tarvoke said:
hm, yep, I went to "Your Devices" in my amazon account, and there's the firetv, registered at the date&time that I ordered it.
they haven't even shipped it yet lol, but they already registered it for me! is this how amazon does kindles too?
are people too incredibly lazy for the extra step of entering ID and password? (amazon wants to be super friendly like apple where "things just work right away" and screw that security nonsense?)
poking around my amazon account, I have the option to delete the device - hm I guess that *might* be one way to secure the firetv before you receive it, or if you're giving as a gift.
I think I'll delete it, before I boot it the first time, just to see - it shouldn't hurt anything... probably.
- expected case: makes me enter a new id/pass.
- worst case: limbo state where I can't enter id/pass.
- scary case: starts up normally with my ID anyway and re-adds the device in my account.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Another scary thing, is saving your WiFi passwords, that will link to your account.

How is the device pre linked to my account?

The first thing I noticed when I received my Fire TV was that it was auto linked to my amazon account that I purchased the unit with. Is this done with the RFID chip that was in the ifixit tear down pictures? I am trying to remember if I had to re-authenticate at any point or if purchases could be made immediately. I wouldn't want to have the device lost in transit if someone can make purchases from the get-go.

meber said:
The first thing I noticed when I received my Fire TV was that it was auto linked to my amazon account that I purchased the unit with. Is this done with the RFID chip that was in the ifixit tear down pictures? I am trying to remember if I had to re-authenticate at any point or if purchases could be made immediately. I wouldn't want to have the device lost in transit if someone can make purchases from the get-go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, the RFID chip is not even connected to anything.
I doubt they do anything to do the device, they probably just have some sort of serial no->user binding they use for the linking process when your box connects to the service.

FISKER_Q said:
No, the RFID chip is not even connected to anything.
I doubt they do anything to do the device, they probably just have some sort of serial no->user binding they use for the linking process when your box connects to the service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was thinking they scanned the RFID chip before shipping which contains the device serial number which then auto links it to your account.
But like I said if they come pre-connected.. if someone else took it would they be able to make unauthorized purchases.

I know for a fact how they do it. When the device is scanned for your order the devices s/n is recorded. Then when the device hits the internet Amazon sees the s/n and it automatically authenticates itself to your account.

kbowman said:
I know for a fact how they do it. When the device is scanned for your order the devices s/n is recorded. Then when the device hits the internet Amazon sees the s/n and it automatically authenticates itself to your account.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Isn't this dangerous to send a pre-authenticated device shipped? Thanks for the confirmation though.

kbowman said:
I know for a fact how they do it. When the device is scanned for your order the devices s/n is recorded. Then when the device hits the internet Amazon sees the s/n and it automatically authenticates itself to your account.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how would this work when you resell device.

if they're tying the user to the device using the s/n, doesn't really matter if it's a bar code, qr code, rfid, etc... functionally all equivalent.
the rfid makes sense in that bar code labels wear off, rfid is easier to read for inventory, processing, shipping, returns/repairs etc. - you don't have to physically locate an optical code to scan it. it's probably a lot more prevalent than we think - you already see rfid-type stickers on the inside of packaging (in the past mostly for loss prevention?) - why not just put it inside the item itself.
but...
seems like amazon could have planned that a little better - yeah, anyone could take it and have access to your account.
also the fact that when I ordered, I was not given any option if the device was not meant for myself, no option for either a blank one or specify the recipient.
if I selected "as gift" at checkout, would it still put my account on it and then either I have to fix it or the gift recipient simply has to deal with it?
if I bought it for someone through their wishlist - same questions.
I think I read that you can change the amazon account on it. which is only common sense. so at least you can remove your account and give it to a friend or family, or sell it.
also have to wonder how they manage the association on their end - what if I do change the account on the device, then do whatever factory reset / total clean wipe? when it initializes again, which account will come up?

YoColdRain said:
how would this work when you resell device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have not tried this, but my guess is you log on to Amazon and click on devices and deregister your device. Then do a factory reset on the Fire TV.
tarvoke said:
if they're tying the user to the device using the s/n, doesn't really matter if it's a bar code, qr code, rfid, etc... functionally all equivalent.
the rfid makes sense in that bar code labels wear off, rfid is easier to read for inventory, processing, shipping, returns/repairs etc. - you don't have to physically locate an optical code to scan it. it's probably a lot more prevalent than we think - you already see rfid-type stickers on the inside of packaging (in the past mostly for loss prevention?) - why not just put it inside the item itself.
but...
seems like amazon could have planned that a little better - yeah, anyone could take it and have access to your account.
also the fact that when I ordered, I was not given any option if the device was not meant for myself, no option for either a blank one or specify the recipient.
if I selected "as gift" at checkout, would it still put my account on it and then either I have to fix it or the gift recipient simply has to deal with it?
if I bought it for someone through their wishlist - same questions.
I think I read that you can change the amazon account on it. which is only common sense. so at least you can remove your account and give it to a friend or family, or sell it.
also have to wonder how they manage the association on their end - what if I do change the account on the device, then do whatever factory reset / total clean wipe? when it initializes again, which account will come up?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I hope this gets more attention.

YoColdRain said:
how would this work when you resell device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you go to settings there an option to de-authorize the FireTV, after you select this it will then prompt you to login to a Amazon account of your choosing.

hm, yep, I went to "Your Devices" in my amazon account, and there's the firetv, registered at the date&time that I ordered it.
they haven't even shipped it yet lol, but they already registered it for me! is this how amazon does kindles too?
are people too incredibly lazy for the extra step of entering ID and password? (amazon wants to be super friendly like apple where "things just work right away" and screw that security nonsense?)
poking around my amazon account, I have the option to delete the device - hm I guess that *might* be one way to secure the firetv before you receive it, or if you're giving as a gift.
I think I'll delete it, before I boot it the first time, just to see - it shouldn't hurt anything... probably.
- expected case: makes me enter a new id/pass.
- worst case: limbo state where I can't enter id/pass.
- scary case: starts up normally with my ID anyway and re-adds the device in my account.

It could also be from IP address association.

tarvoke said:
are people too incredibly lazy for the extra step of entering ID and password? (amazon wants to be super friendly like apple where "things just work right away" and screw that security nonsense?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
User experience sells, the less work a user has to do to access content the better.
As for all the security complaints I dont see the issue. People are looking way to much into this. Worst case your firetv goes to the wrong house and someone starts buying movies with it. Then you get on the phone/computer and deactivate the device and then contact amazon and get refunded, they probably have some of the best customer service anywhere. I ordered a gpu from the amazon warehouse and all I got was an empty box(you could tell something was amiss by the shipping weight), called them and got refunded the $500 something I paid in a matter of 2 minutes. Also its not like they are going to have access to buy a 80" 4K tv from your firetv, worst they could do is a couple seasons of shows. Also if you don't notice that your device isn't delivered after its marked as delivered, well then you probably have worse things going on.

meber said:
The first thing I noticed when I received my Fire TV was that it was auto linked to my amazon account that I purchased the unit with. Is this done with the RFID chip that was in the ifixit tear down pictures? I am trying to remember if I had to re-authenticate at any point or if purchases could be made immediately. I wouldn't want to have the device lost in transit if someone can make purchases from the get-go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am 80% sure that I never had to type in any passwords before making a purchase and I bought Plex and Sev pretty much right after it updated.

so, before booting for the first time, I did this:
- delete device from my amazon account
- delete all autoloaded-because-of-firetv apps from my amazon account
the behavior on first boot was:
- dl latest software
- reboot
- install latest software
- reboot
- continue install latest software
- check for updates
- ask me to register with email/pass
- stupid tutorial video
I tried hitting Esc, which did quit the video - for some reason dropped me back to the Wifi setup screen. got past that and then the tutorial video started again, from the very beginning.
other notes:
all of those autoloaded apps are on the device anyway, and there is no way to delete them (yet)
and they all reappeared in my app list in my amazon account webpage.

When I got mine and first plugged it in, it prompted me for my Amazon username and password. I believe it also prompted me to enable parental controls, either that or I went into setting immediately and turned that on. That allowed me to protect purchases with a PIN.

In Germany Amazon will pre-register Kindles.
If u want to avoid registering it to your account u can mark it as a gift i think

I remembered purchasing a Fire HDX for a friend using my account and it came preregistered for me. All I have to do is de-authorize and reset it.
I have already set up a pin for one-click. I'm don't know if this is a default option now but Amazon should make it more secure.

I want to sell my FTV. If I deactivate it on Amazon.com will it still work for the new buyer. If I have loaded xbmc on it, will that continue to work?

Looked everywhere, going nuts, can't get into home screen

hey guys, bought firetv a while ago in usa, worked perfectly, was a prime member so it came all setup for me. moved to canada, screen popped up:enter your existing PIN set for amazon instant video. i try what i think it is, like 00000 or 12345, doesn't work AND the error is A connection to the internet could not be established. Please try again later. got a new modem/router when i got internet here in canada, then switched to my original router from usa, still has the same problem.
i mostly use it as a media streamer using plex, i don't expect to get amazon instant video, but i can't even get past this screen.
thanks a ton!!

Did you try contacting Amazon support? They're usually very responsive.
Also, look up a way to remove the FireTV from your account so it can be reinitialized. It's probably confused because of the country change. You should find this from your Amazon account on the web.

Couldn't find the number!
Newcron said:
Did you try contacting Amazon support? They're usually very responsive.
Also, look up a way to remove the FireTV from your account so it can be reinitialized. It's probably confused because of the country change. You should find this from your Amazon account on the web.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

BradFazner said:
Couldn't find the number!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From the Amazon homepage, all the way down to the right there's a link for 'Help'. Click on that and just follow the instruction. There's a bunch of options and one of the options is 'Call Us'. The last time I had to contact Amazon support I didn't find a phone number either, but after following the instruction I had the option for them calling me. They called me within 2 minutes!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/settings?ie=UTF8&ref_=aiv_rdr_pin
aka
http://amazon.com/pin

AHA! figured it out. plugged in ethernet cable, so internet works without having to log into my wifi, then code works one time out of a bunch of tries, then it still wants me to put in that code again for some reason at random times, so i factory reset it, and unplugged the internet, started and it prompted me to join a wifi connection. now it works great, but i took off the parental controls so it wouldn't ask me for my pin (i had fyi changed my pin to 00000 but it only worked every once in a while). thanks for the help guys

New url for updates!!!

I just went to setup one of my new units and even with the router blocking the 2 urls which worked fine yesterday my unit tonight did in fact take the update and is now at 51.1.4.0 !
Is anyone aware of a new server that Amazon is using to push updates when first setting up the unit??? This is very upsetting!
I CANNOT CHANGE THE TITLE OF THIS THREAD BUT DISCOVERED MY ROUTER WAS NOT BLOCKING URLS PROPERLY. WITH A NEW ROUTER THAT IS BLOCKING THE CURRENT URLS THE UNIT WILL NOT LOAD SO MY ASSUMPTION WAS INCORRECT AND I APOLOGIZE FOR ANY CONFUSION THAT THIS POST MIGHT HAVE CAUSED!!
(Perhaps a mod can change the title of this thread to a question instead of a statement???)

This is not good news. Hopefully someone has an answer for you as I am curious as well. I still have a couple that I need to set-up and really don't want to lose root.

fxbill said:
I just went to setup one of my new units and even with the router blocking the 2 urls which worked fine yesterday my unit tonight did in fact take the update and is now at 51.1.4.0 !
Is anyone aware of a new server that Amazon is using to push updates when first setting up the unit??? This is very upsetting!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine had something weird happen yesterday too. I was trying to backup my XBMC using adbFire and kept getting disconnected. So I'd connect again, get an error message, connect, then get disconnected. When it finally connected with a solid connection, I noticed that the Amazon Updates went from being turned OFF to ON. I unplugged everything and blocked all traffic through my modem before reconnecting. I've done a few reboots since then and everything is back to normal...on 51.1.1.0 with updates back off.
It felt like Amazon was trying to push an update to my unit, but I have no way to prove that. I'm very interested in seeing what is going on.

Well it is a possibility... Just glad I don't have to worry to much about it with CWM installed on all my FTV's...
Anyway... Guess @AFTVnews.com or some of those experiencing the problems can sniff if anything has changed using the WireShark prog. :cyclops:

Y314K said:
Well it is a possibility... Just glad I don't have to worry to much about it with CWM installed on all my FTV's...
Anyway... Guess @AFTVnews.com or some of those experiencing the problems can sniff if anything has changed using the WireShark prog. :cyclops:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just wish people weren't bricking their devices trying to load CWM...

spyder3 said:
Just wish people weren't bricking their devices trying to load CWM...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem I've seen are folks starting from the same info point (guide/order) while their AFTV's are in different device states. It's not hard to do at all once you know from where you are starting. That way you can map out the correct order of steps with the Apps... You do have to choose weather to do it manually thru ADB or with an APP... I trust the APP more then doing it manually... I have seen folks trying to do stuff from the guides like the renaming of FW or Recovery files while trying to use the APP which is not necessary(Not sure if the .zip is being renamed twice, manually & by the app). Also RBox mentioned he is working on trying to stop the possible bricking....
Start at the first post here to get an idea how easy it should be. But the steps order or numbers can change depending what FW you are starting at & if it's a new out of the box or if its one that needs to be FW downgraded or both Recovery & FW downgraded.
Read page 47 just to familiarize yourself with the process. Don't try it right now.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2736774&page=47
If the problem is a new IP address that needs to be blocked. You need to wait for confirmation. If you can't wait then I would try to do the Stock Recovery Downgrade/ReRoot/Disable OTA Updates/FW Downgrade/CWM Installation, etc with only ADB allowed aka Offline. But not sure how some of the changes will require internet... Like to reconnect to your Amazon account. I would wait for confirmation of a new IP or other problem.. Probably offline...

spyder3 said:
Just wish people weren't bricking their devices trying to load CWM...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know of anyone who bricked installing CWM.

rbox said:
I don't know of anyone who bricked installing CWM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Completely Correct... Some folks have run into problems during the downgrading. But even for them the keyboard trick with patience should/have get them back on the road to CWM. Got confirmation on a few threads here of folks getting CWM installed after getting stuck with the white Amazon screen or black screen.

I just tested with a Fire TV running stock 51.1.3.0_user_513011820 and it tried to download 51.1.4.0_user_514006420 from the same domain and URL as it always had. I then factory reset it and it again tried to download 51.1.4.0_user_514006420 during the initial setup form the same domain: amzdigitaldownloads.edgesuite.net
So based on this test, I see no indication the update URL has changed. Of Course, it's possible Amazon is using a new URL for some Fire TVs while others are using the known URLs.
I'll continue checking periodically and report back if the URL changes for this particular FIre TV.

AFTVnews.com said:
I just tested with a Fire TV running stock 51.1.3.0_user_513011820 and it tried to download 51.1.4.0_user_514006420 from the same domain and URL as it always had. I then factory reset it and it again tried to download 51.1.4.0_user_514006420 during the initial setup form the same domain: amzdigitaldownloads.edgesuite.net
So based on this test, I see no indication the update URL has changed. Of Course, it's possible Amazon is using a new URL for some Fire TVs while others are using the known URLs.
I'll continue checking periodically and report back if the URL changes for this particular FIre TV.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You didn't indicate whether it took the new firmware or not....did it upgrade to 51.1.4.0 or download the firmware?
I had a thought about this last night, but of course it's too late to try it on my units, but my router has 2 options....One is to block specific URLs which is what I did. The other is to only allow specific urls to be accessed. I'm wondering if you only allowed firs-ta-g7g.amazon.com to be accessed since you need that to register the unit and complete the setup if you could still get through the setup routine. It wouldn't allow any connection except to firs-ta-g7g.amazon.com. Don't have a unit to try it with, but it might just work and if not the worst that would happen is that you wouldn't get through the setup....no harm done.

fxbill said:
You didn't indicate whether it took the new firmware or not....did it upgrade to 51.1.4.0 or download the firmware?
I had a thought about this last night, but of course it's too late to try it on my units, but my router has 2 options....One is to block specific URLs which is what I did. The other is to only allow specific urls to be accessed. I'm wondering if you only allowed firs-ta-g7g.amazon.com to be accessed since you need that to register the unit and complete the setup if you could still get through the setup routine. It wouldn't allow any connection except to firs-ta-g7g.amazon.com. Don't have a unit to try it with, but it might just work and if not the worst that would happen is that you wouldn't get through the setup....no harm done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the download domain blocked so it couldn't download the update. As for your suggestion, I tried it with one of the earlier units that would not proceed past a failed update. I monitored every domain it tried to access and slowly fed it more access one domain at a time. The result was always the same: it gives various error messages because it can't reach certain domains. It never got past the update point in the initial setup.

fxbill said:
I just went to setup one of my new units and even with the router blocking the 2 urls which worked fine yesterday my unit tonight did in fact take the update and is now at 51.1.4.0 !
Is anyone aware of a new server that Amazon is using to push updates when first setting up the unit??? This is very upsetting!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are blocking using a ASUS router that might be the problem. When I loaded the latest ASUS firmware on my RT-AC66U all my blocked URLs stopped being blocked. I had to step back to an old firmware to get the feature working again

krawhitham said:
If you are blocking using a ASUS router that might be the problem. When I loaded the latest ASUS firmware on my RT-AC66U all my blocked URLs stopped being blocked. I had to step back to an old firmware to get the feature working again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's exactly what happened!!! I put facebook and ebay on the block list just to check and it wasn't blocking either of them! I'm off to get a new NetGear tomorrow. They have a "genie" program that is extremely easy to use for blocking sites or words (or update numbers) and it's only $39. I took one of the updated units back to Staples today and told them it had connectivity problems...( it really did....it connected with the darned upgrader!) and asked the girl in this tiny store if she would get one from the back that was way in the back and on the bottom of the pile if she could. She actually did for me! It's the lowest serial number I own now, but I'm not touching it until I get the new router and prove to myself that the sites are being blocked. I need the break and a little sleep anyway....too many hours at this for the last week.
By the way.... I do believe I have a way of downgrading the new firmware to any older firmware that was ever out. I'm going to have to sacrifice a unit to verify, but if they store the firmware on a TSOP I can do it. Clone time coming up!
I'm not a software guy, but am a hellofa hardware tech. Did it with satellite receivers for years..... ( Still love tubes more than any solid state stuff though!)

fxbill said:
That's exactly what happened!!! I put facebook and ebay on the block list just to check and it wasn't blocking either of them! I'm off to get a new NetGear tomorrow. They have a "genie" program that is extremely easy to use for blocking sites or words (or update numbers) and it's only $39. I took one of the updated units back to Staples today and told them it had connectivity problems...( it really did....it connected with the darned upgrader!) and asked the girl in this tiny store if she would get one from the back that was way in the back and on the bottom of the pile if she could. She actually did for me! It's the lowest serial number I own now, but I'm not touching it until I get the new router and prove to myself that the sites are being blocked. I need the break and a little sleep anyway....too many hours at this for the last week.
By the way.... I do believe I have a way of downgrading the new firmware to any older firmware that was ever out. I'm going to have to sacrifice a unit to verify, but if they store the firmware on a TSOP I can do it. Clone time coming up!
I'm not a software guy, but am a hellofa hardware tech. Did it with satellite receivers for years..... ( Still love tubes more than any solid state stuff though!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It just dawned on me....with all of the excellent coders here and knowing that with Backtrack you can spoof a url or an IP. Someone could discover where the units are updating from and where they connect to and spoof the information..( along with the older firmware) and never actually have to connect with Amazon. The unit would think that it is connecting and download whatever it was fed and finish the initial install in order to root it.....just a wild thought, but I think a good programer could come up with a way to do it.

fxbill said:
It just dawned on me....with all of the excellent coders here and knowing that with Backtrack you can spoof a url or an IP. Someone could discover where the units are updating from and where they connect to and spoof the information..( along with the older firmware) and never actually have to connect with Amazon. The unit would think that it is connecting and download whatever it was fed and finish the initial install in order to root it.....just a wild thought, but I think a good programer could come up with a way to do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
RBox & AFTVNews.com & others have already looked into this. Do a search for spoofing on the full thread & u'll probably find it.. Basically there are parts that are encrypted & we can't give the FTV the right answer to allow the older FW to be flashed.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-tv/help/trick-amazon-update-url-redirect-to-t2900031

Y314K said:
RBox & AFTVNews.com & others have already looked into this. Do a search for spoofing on the full thread & u'll probably find it.. Basically there are parts that are encrypted & we can't give the FTV the right answer to allow the older FW to be flashed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are 2 things to spoof. One is the response from softwareupdates.amazon.com. Aside from the fact that if you spoof it the server has to be using a valid certificate (which you won't get), it's response is signed and encrypted. The second thing to spoof is the actual firmware download. That has to be signed or else it will reject it. It also has to match the version it's expecting to download. So you can't spoof the response that would make the fire tv download an old version, and you can't spoof the update itself because it won't match what it wants.
Furthmore... Backtrack has nothing to do with it. Backtrack is a huge piece of **** that doesn't do anything magical that any SANE Linux dist can't do. And what the... XDA censors? How lame is that...

fxbill said:
That's exactly what happened!!! I put facebook and ebay on the block list just to check and it wasn't blocking either of them! I'm off to get a new NetGear tomorrow. They have a "genie" program that is extremely easy to use for blocking sites or words (or update numbers) and it's only $39. I took one of the updated units back to Staples today and told them it had connectivity problems...( it really did....it connected with the darned upgrader!) and asked the girl in this tiny store if she would get one from the back that was way in the back and on the bottom of the pile if she could. She actually did for me! It's the lowest serial number I own now, but I'm not touching it until I get the new router and prove to myself that the sites are being blocked. I need the break and a little sleep anyway....too many hours at this for the last week.
By the way.... I do believe I have a way of downgrading the new firmware to any older firmware that was ever out. I'm going to have to sacrifice a unit to verify, but if they store the firmware on a TSOP I can do it. Clone time coming up!
I'm not a software guy, but am a hellofa hardware tech. Did it with satellite receivers for years..... ( Still love tubes more than any solid state stuff though!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
fxbill said:
I just went to setup one of my new units and even with the router blocking the 2 urls which worked fine yesterday my unit tonight did in fact take the update and is now at 51.1.4.0 !
Is anyone aware of a new server that Amazon is using to push updates when first setting up the unit??? This is very upsetting!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would advice you add a note to the #1 post saying that it's been resolved & it was a Router Software problem (in bold). Maybe change the title of the thread too. Some folks might not read past the tittle or first posts & start to repeat that there is a new IP updating FTV's when that is not the case.
Tip: Tomato FW Routers block IP's like a BOSS!!!

Urls dont work
I have blocked the urls amzdigitaldownloads.edgesuite softwareupdates.amazon.com through router before setting up my firetv and it had updated to the latest firmware uk version so just to let people know they do not work is amazon using new urls for updating

Y314K said:
I would advice you add a note to the #1 post saying that it's been resolved & it was a Router Software problem (in bold). Maybe change the title of the thread too. Some folks might not read past the tittle or first posts & start to repeat that there is a new IP updating FTV's when that is not the case.
Tip: Tomato FW Routers block IP's like a BOSS!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I plan on doing that, but only after I pick up the new router today and verify. Thanks for the tip on the router!
( Just discovered that I can't edit the title of the thread.)

rbox said:
There are 2 things to spoof. One is the response from softwareupdates.amazon.com. Aside from the fact that if you spoof it the server has to be using a valid certificate (which you won't get), it's response is signed and encrypted. The second thing to spoof is the actual firmware download. That has to be signed or else it will reject it. It also has to match the version it's expecting to download. So you can't spoof the response that would make the fire tv download an old version, and you can't spoof the update itself because it won't match what it wants.
Furthmore... Backtrack has nothing to do with it. Backtrack is a huge piece of **** that doesn't do anything magical that any SANE Linux dist can't do. And what the... XDA censors? How lame is that...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I only brought up Backtrack as an example. It's merely a collection of programs written by other coders. Say what you will about it. Makes no difference to me, but it has served me pretty well since I am not a coder and have little knowledge in writing my own codes. Kudos to you for being able to. As I stated, I'm a hardware person and a technician. I can design a board, but programming for me is an entirely different story. Years ago satellite TV receivers had a similar issue where a receiver would not accept a card that was not the correct card for the unit. It was called the ZKT...( zero knowledge test) The receiver had some information encoded in the prom... (supposedly some sort of question that it asked of the card). The card also had some info coded into it. Neither had any purpose by itself, but when a card was inserted into the unit the unit sent out the encoded "question". If the card responded with anything other than the correct information the unit would not function. A coder discovered a way to program eproms that did not have this ZKT information in it and after programming an eprom and replacing the prom in the unit with the newly coded eprom the unit would accept any card that was put into it.
I'm only stating this as an example. It might come down to cloning the eprom from one good unit to one that has the newer firmware on it, but I feel very confident that someone can and will do it at some point. I rarely ever say it can't be done....too many times have I been proven wrong by someone knowing much more than I do and no matter how good you might be at something someone a little or a lot better is going to come along and do what you couldn't.

Fire TV wiped???

I set up a 2nd gen Fire TV for my friend with Kodi and other Addons, and everything was working fine. The other day he went to use it, and everything was gone, and it was in a state like it was factory reset. Does anyone know what could have caused that to happen?

lennie paz said:
I set up a 2nd gen Fire TV for my friend with Kodi and other Addons, and everything was working fine. The other day he went to use it, and everything was gone, and it was in a state like it was factory reset. Does anyone know what could have caused that to happen?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sound like some one else in the home, kid or less tech savvy person or someone that might of done something on it that they wanted hidden hit "Factory Reset". It really sounds like user bug. Haven't heard about a hardware bug that "Factory Resets" them. Unless maybe it tried to take an update & things went really bad. But if that was the case it would probably be on a startup loop.

Y314K said:
Sound like some one else in the home, kid or less tech savvy person or someone that might of done something on it that they wanted hidden hit "Factory Reset". It really sounds like user bug. Haven't heard about a hardware bug that "Factory Resets" them. Unless maybe it tried to take an update & things went really bad. But if that was the case it would probably be on a startup loop.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the updates blocked, and he said he doesn't even know how to do a factory reset.

lennie paz said:
I have the updates blocked, and he said he doesn't even know how to do a factory reset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is the FW still @ same version you rooted at ?
If there are no other folks or kids that could of accidentally done it. Then he either butt/drunk factory reset or he has a ghost/poltergeist.
---------- Post added at 12:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:09 PM ----------
lennie paz said:
I have the updates blocked, and he said he doesn't even know how to do a factory reset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Joking aside. Did you leave KingRoot installed after root... If so it might be related to this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-tv/general/leave-kingroot-installed-disabling-t3339325 Read the full post. Not related to your issue.

Y314K said:
Is the FW still @ same version you rooted at ?
If there are no other folks or kids that could of accidentally done it. Then he either butt/drunk factory reset or he has a ghost/poltergeist.
---------- Post added at 12:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:09 PM ----------
Joking aside. Did you leave KingRoot installed after root... If so it might be related to this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-tv/general/leave-kingroot-installed-disabling-t3339325
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't root it, and the FW is still the same. Is there a button combination that can be pressed by any chance, or do you have to go into the settings,and choose Factory Reset?

lennie paz said:
I didn't root it, and the FW is still the same. Is there a button combination that can be pressed by any chance, or do you have to go into the settings,and choose Factory Reset?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Although I can't get it work work on my FireOS 5.0.5.1 FTVS. So not sure it's now disable. But there is a remote combination for Factory Reset. But I think you would still need to verify you want to Factory Reset.
RIGHT + BACK for 10 seconds will ask you for doing a factory reset on your FireTV.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got it work. So it's still active. It gives a 15 second countdown to Factory Reset. So that combination will Factory Reset unless you stop the countdown.
I think we got to the bottom of that mystery.

Im glad you posted this OP, my stick did the same thing! It was wiped totally clean. his happen on April 4th or 5th, same day you posted this

How do I get past the register screen. I bought it in Feb off eBay. Jail broken

G8rntn said:
How do I get past the register screen. I bought it in Feb off eBay. Jail broken
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are no Jail broken FTV's. Just rooted FTV's or not rooted FTV's. On re-seller FTV's Jail broken is just a marketing term. You could of mod (jail broken) an FTV that you got from Amazon or any store just by following a few guides for much less $. And all FTV's need an Amazon account to get past the register screen no matter if rooted or modded or whatever.

Y314K said:
There are no Jail broken FTV's. Just rooted FTV's or not rooted FTV's. On re-seller FTV's Jail broken is just a marketing term. You could of mod (jail broken) an FTV that you got from Amazon or any store just by following a few guides for much less $. And all FTV's need an Amazon account to get past the register screen no matter if rooted or modded or whatever.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have watched it since February when I bought it and NEVER had to register it. All I had to do was connect to my wifi. NOW it's saying I have to register it.

G8rntn said:
I have watched it since February when I bought it and NEVER had to register it. All I had to do was connect to my wifi. NOW it's saying I have to register it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It must of been sent to you with a pre-logged probably dummy Amazon account. The owner of the Amazon account can de-register the device off their account at anytime or Amazon can close/ban the account. But it's more then likely that the seller had to make room to have other devices registered & took yours off. And that would kick you out of it & will make your FTV ask you for an Amazon account again.
Just create one or use one you already got. Not hard & it's free to create an Amazon account. Nothing should really change in your setup. Unless you had some paid apps that came with it. And any Free apps you can just buy in your new Amazon account. Sideloaded apps like Kodi/SPMC should not be affected at all.

Y314K said:
It must of been sent to you with a pre-logged probably dummy Amazon account. The owner of the Amazon account can de-register the device off their account at anytime or Amazon can close/ban the account. But it's more then likely that the seller had to make room to have other devices registered & took yours off. And that would kick you out of it & will make your FTV ask you for an Amazon account again.
Just create one or use one you already got. Not hard & it's free to create an Amazon account. Nothing should really change in your setup. Unless you had some paid apps that came with it. And any Free apps you can just buy in your new Amazon account. Sideloaded apps like Kodi/SPMC should not be affected at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have to put in a CC #.... Will that charge it?

G8rntn said:
I have to put in a CC #.... Will that charge it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only if you manually purchase PRIME or if you click to purchase an App or other non-free item. You can try to use a Gift Visa or other type of card too. Not sure if it checked how much money is in it. But you might be able to get away with using one without any balance left. Make sure you turn off "in App purchases" in the settings. And you can add parental controls to make you input a pin if anybody wants to purchase anything as extra security on your FTV.

Y314K said:
Only if you manually purchase PRIME or if you click to purchase an App or other non-free item. You can try to use a Gift Visa or other type of card too. Not sure if it checked how much money is in it. But you might be able to get away with using one without any balance left. Make sure you turn off "in App purchases" in the settings. And you can add parental controls to make you input a pin if anybody wants to purchase anything as extra security on your FTV.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks

my amazon firestick updated and wipes everything what is the cause of that and how to get back my apps