SamyGO - User contributions [en]

This is the first document you have to read

2012-03-11T09:21:34Z

Latas: /* What is ExLink */

== '''This article is specially written for everyone who wants to hack their TV's.''' ==

Important things to take in care when you read this article. 
* ''Take in care the dates when the things are referenced''. 
The information changes and some of it written here today will become obsolet tomorrow. So let's begin.

== Before to begin ==

''What are TV's series?'' 
I'm not talking about small films of duration splited in several chapters. I'm talking about the serial identification code of each Samsung TV. 
Usually is composed by:
* an international region code, it could be UE (for Europe), US for United States,
* the TV size in inches, maybe 40, 46, 50, 55 and so on,
* a code for the Serie, which usually is A, B, C, D,
* and the code of your TV model inside that serie. 
For example: 
'''UE40C8000''' 
You will find a lot of references about series on the SamyGO wiki. Take this information in care, because depending on this you will have to take one action or other, and some information could be valid for you or not.
 

== Hack your TV can be a very easy procedure, or a very complicated procedure. What depends on? ==
Well, Samsung TV's, runs Linux based OS. So, this means, as much knowledge you've got from Linux, more comfortable you'll feel when you proceed to hack your TV.
 

== Does this mean if I don't know Linux, I can not hack my TV? ==
No. Following the instructions you will be able to hack it, but you will have to take care about what are you doing. And this is the important part, if you don't have linux knowledge you won't know what are you doing, just simply following a script as a film.
 
So, first thing we should know, '''if you've got doubts, DO NOT FOLLOW! Take your time, read the documentation, and if you need further info, ask'''.
 
== What is the worst could happen? ==
You can brick your TV. 

== What means brick? ==
Basically you will have a TV with problems. Some part of its funcionality could be broken. 

== What functionalities of my TV are in risk if I decide to hack my TV? ==
''March, 3, 2012.'' 
There are several procedures to hack your TV defined in the SamyGO wiki. The concept of all of them is the same. Modify the internal system of your TV that mount your USB devices to do something more before to proceed to the mount step.
Depending on your Firmware installed on your TV, you will be able to use one hack way or both.
 
So this means, the most important part in risk when you decide to hack your TV, is the USB system of your TV.
 
You should take a look to the firmware version of your TV, that you can check in the menu option of update firmware of your TV. With that information you can check the table in the SamyGO wiki to know what kind of hack you could use.
 
== Is there an undo procedure if I break my TV? ==
Usually yes. But not as easy as undo. If you simply followed the hack steps, then there is an option to restore your TV. If you made a big disaster when you did login into the system, and you broke other things, then that will depend. I will explain later the "panic connection" to the TV.
 
== Internet TV Hack ==
This hack consist of the installation of a Smart TV app, that will do some operations to proceed with the hack. The exploit used in this type of hack was fixed by Samsung in new firmware releases, so if you've got your TV updated to the latest firmware available you won't be able to use this. Forget it.
 
== Hotel Hack ==
This hack consist of make an import of files from an USB memory stick in the Hotel mode of your TV.
 
== What is Hotel Mode? ==
Samsung TV's, some models, many of them, has an option, to make the TV works when they're installed in hotels. This makes the TV to work in an isolated environment, that protects some functions from the modifications hotel guests want to do. Because there are usually many rooms in a hotel, the service menu of Hotel option, has the choice to make a configuration, and export it to an USB stick, and also import it from a USB stick. The goal of this, is get an easy way to replicate information to a lot of TV's.
In your house, you won't use Hotel mode, but this feature, to export and import files, will be used, to inject some modificated files, to operate as we want to open a backdoor in the system, and then get access to it.
 
I'm not going to explain here, step by step, how to hack the TV by this way, but I will continue giving advices about the procedure.
 
== "Panic connection" to the TV ==
I decided to name this, the Panic Connection, because usually everyone proceeds to hack their tv's without take this in care. If something goes wrong, and you loose some TV features, you get panic. And you will try to look for how to connect to your TV to fix what you've done, and you will get more panic.
 
== So what to do to fix your panic? ==
It is '''ExLink'''. 

== What is ExLink ==
ExLink in some series ( '''Usually A, B''' ) consist of a cable ( [[Enable Serial Console on non CI+ Devices]] ), which has in one side a 3.5mm jack, like the audio ones, and on the other side an RS232 ( Serial ) DB9 connector. This cable will allow you to connect your PC computer to the TV, and enter in the Serial mode. It's the emergency door to your TV. To communicate with your TV using this port, you will have to use a Serial Communications Software, like Hyperterminal from Windows. Windows 7 removed Hyperterminal from the operating system, but you can download it from several websites. Just Google it. 
If you feel more comfortable from other tools or Operating Systems like Linux, use others.
If your TV is from this series, then you can buy the cable, or make your own one.
 
'''For C,D Series'''. There is no ExLink any more. I say this, because the serial communication exists, but the concept ExLink as cable not. So don't buy an ExLink cable for your C,D series, because you can not use it in this models. So the communication, we can say, is made with other methods, but the emergency door exists in this models aswell.
So, for C, D series, the serial connection is made thru the VGA port of your TV. The explanation about this is in the wiki, but I will give a recommendation from here. Many of us are not comfortables making electronic circuits, and this operation requires it. We don't need a cable, we need a converter. The signal we get from an VGA port adapter, is in TTL convention. It means the power intensity we've got in circuits like that is around 3.3V. On the contrary a serial port, works at 10V more or less. So before we could connect the VGA port from the TV to a serial port in a PC, we need to adapt the power of both communciatios. Then we need a converter. The converter is called RS232 to TTL converter.
 
[[File:rs232_to_ttl_big.jpg]]
[http://www.amazon.com/MAX232-RS232-Converter-Adapter-Board/dp/B00471S6MC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330856098&sr=8-1 You can find it a Amazon for example]. 
Take in care, this not a RS232 to USB converter. That's a second step. So the first we need is, convert the TTL signal, into a RS232 signal. Then we can convert that signal to USB. 
You can use a RS232 to USB converter. New models works even with Mac and linux. 
[[File:rs232_to_usb.jpg]]
[http://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Adapter-Prolific-PL2303HX-Chipset/dp/B00425S1H8/ref=pd_bxgy_e_img_b You can see here in Amazon too].
 
If you prefer a simplest and chipest solution you can use an USB Converter that accepts RS232 TTL signal directly, so you don't need to the first step conversion.
Take a look [http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-to-RS232-TTL-PL2303-Chip-Module-Converter-Adapter-/280838366441?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item41634564e9 to this link].

== Ok and now what? ==
[[File:Jumper_wires.jpg]]
Well if you don't want to soldier anything you can use wires jumper to connect the converter and the TV. [http://www.amazon.com/Jumper-Wires-Premium-Male-Pack/dp/B004ZRO06Y/ref=sr_1_15?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1330856372&sr=1-15 I will try to use cables like this].
 
If you took a look to the converter, you see there are several pines in one side of the converter. You will provide power in two of those pines and you will have to connect the pines for RX, and TX as explained in the wiki. I don't want to put here all the information because probably in the wiki there will be information that you should read. This is one of the main problems, because I decided to write this. Because if you follow one post of this forum only you're missing important information from other place and viceversa. 
So you will need a power adapter that provides to you 5V. You can find one of this in a lot of phone power supplies, because usually they work at 5v. So you can probably get a USB cable that you don't need and cut on of the sides.With the help of a polymeter, you can identify which are the wires for +5V and -5V signals. Then you can use a jumper wire to connect to that wires and then finally plugin in the correct pin of the RS232 coverter. In that way you will be providing power to your converter. This will increase the power of the signal from 3.3V-5V to the 10V power needed. Using the same type of jumper wires you can connect the other pins as explained in the Wiki. 
Finally connect the RS232 DB9 connector, to the RS232 - USB adapter, and the USB adapter plugged in your USB port of your computer. Then you can run hyperterminal, and open a serial connection with your TV. The procedure from here is read the emergency steps you have to do thru this serial comms, in the forum post of hacking your TV using Hotel method.
 
'''Well, if you've read until here, you now got more knowledge than before, isn't it?''' 

== So, what we've learned? ==
* 1.- Hack is critical.
* 2.- Our TV can be broken.
* 3.- There is a method to make it alive again, but depends on the disaster you've done.
* 4.- Always we should get ready to stablish the "Panic Connection", which requires specific hardware. Ex-Link or RS232-TTL Converter.
 
And now, you can stop here, or continue. My Last Message, if you're not experienced user, prepare your Ex-Link or RS232-TTL Converter before continue. 
I consider myself an experienced user, and I've got my TV USB bricked :)
 

----

== Road to the Hack ==
Well, you're here :) 
It looks you're ready. 
There is no much to say here, but I will do several advices. 

''March, 03, 2012'' 
[http://wiki.samygo.tv/index.php5/Hacking_TV_over_Hotel_mode_%28most_C_series_models%29 The binary image file referenced in the SamyGo wiki, to hack using this method '''(Hotel Hack)''', have been removed because of the bricks produced with it]. 
So you have to use the [http://forum.samygo.tv/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1076 '''Hotel hack manual method''']. 
But don't go away so fast from this page. Please continue reading this document, and you can go to other page when you finish it. '''It is for your safe'''. 
To prepare the files you will need to upload to your TV, '''you will need Linux'''. 
All the steps referenced in that installation procedure are made '''within a Linux system'''. 
There are some steps not explained in that forum post, but if you read the [http://wiki.samygo.tv/index.php5/Hacking_TV_over_Hotel_mode_%28most_C_series_models%29 SamyGO wiki hotel hack], you will be complementing the information you need. 
Remember most of the information in that wiki page can not be used because the main file you need is not available anymore for safety reasons, but the most important part of the procedure you will have to do it using the [http://forum.samygo.tv/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1076 Hotel Hack manual method, referenced here before]. 
In a very intelligent way, the guy who explained the hotel hack, included into the script, a way to auto remove the hack two minutes after installed. 
It means it will be auto removed two minutes after you apply the hack. 
''Now you don't understand this, but please continue reading.'' 

* This is the script which contains this lines:
#!/bin/sh
sleep 120
echo killself >>/mtd_rwarea/cmd1
sh -x /dtv/usb/sda/run4.sh &
rm -rf /mtd_rwarea/usb_mount/usb_cmd
rm -rf /mtd_rwarea/usb_mount/usb_mount
rm -rf /mtd_rwarea/usb_mount/killself.sh

* Listen, '''do not remove this by the way'''.
If you want, increase that time. 
Instead 120 seconds, set that time for example at 3600 seconds. ('''One hour''') 
The goal of this is, during the first minutes, you will stablish contact with something completely new. The posiblities you break something are potentially high. If you changed the time to 3600, after one hour in the worst of cases your TV will to work as before. When you made all the modifications you want for your system, and everything is tested and working perfect, you can then remove that script, or upload the hack again without that lines in that file, as explained some posts later in that hotel hack topic.
 
After that hour your hack will be removed. '''But it will be easy to upload it again because you will have your USB stick''', with all the files needed prepared from the last time. So the only thing you need to do, if you want, is remove or comment the lines that makes the hack autoremove by itself and upload it again to the TV in the same way as you did before. 

Because this method consist of a modification in the moment of mounting the USB devices in the TV, one of the things that commonly happens is, '''you break this system and you can not mount any USB device anymore'''. 

== Is that a problem? ==
'''Sure it is'''.
* Your situation will be:
You can not mount your hard disks,
you miss the capability to reproduce films thru USB,
you've lost any capability to run any command from your hacked system,
you can not flash any firmware because you can't access to the USB,
you can not apply again the hack because you can not upload files to your TV
* so your TV lacks the choice to get information from the outside world, except from network port or serial comm. 

So if you're in this case, '''as I am today''', in the moment of writing this post, then you only got two options:
* first one, if you're lucky samsung releases a new firmware that replace the partitions stored on your TV, and luckly you check today and you can update your TV thru Online option, and you fix the problem. This is low probably if you've got your tv updated to the latest firmware, as usual for most users.
* You have to use the '''"Panic connection"'''. 

== Can this be fixed with the Factory Reset? ==
'''No'''. It's true there is an option in the Service Menu, where you can make a '''Factory Reset'''. That options clear information about your TV setup, but does not remove files, at least the files that resides in the partition, where the new hacked files where copied. 

== Could I use other methods to send serial commands without the use of Ex-Link adapter or cable? ==
I see, some Samsung TV models, can be managed thru network against the serial comms, and use the phone as a remote control. Could I send the needed commands to the serial port from here, or using the German Application ruSamsung TV?
I guess not. You have to enable the Serial Communication, and it looks it can not be done thru this communication. It is only able thru the Ex-Link connection or VGA Port connection.
 

== It could be possible to remove the hack from a Widget developed in the internet TV? ==
'''Well it could be'''. I tried, but it didn't work because my TV is in a firmware release that has fixed the choice to get access to files on the Samsung TV operation system disk located outside of the Widget user folder. If your firmware release is old and in your case the Internet TV hack is a good option, then if you make some mistake and you've lost the ssh connection, and you've lost USB capabilities, then you could develop an small Widget App, with 4 lines of code, that could remove the files you copied in the hack. I will try to talk about this later and developing a sample. But I guess it won't be very useful, because once Samsung release new updated firmwares, the users, usually update their systems. So internet hack today, we could say is deprecated. Unless you decide to downgrade your firmware to get access to this hack, and then upgrade. But many users confirm that this hack stop working when you upgrade. 
So at date of this post, the power is hotel hack for most users.
 
== SamyGO Extensions. What are they? ==
Well, once you've installed your hack, you will do some important things. A lot of users usually want to do the same, which is, get SSH access, get FTP access, share Samba drives, or share NFS drivers. SamyGO Extensions, is a pack of utilities, prepared in a folder structure, to be run, from the USB device when you plugged in to your TV.
 
Because the hack you've done in your TV, has the ability to run an script called run.sh in the root folder of your USB device, if you copy SamyGO extensions, in your USB device, and then you modifiy the file run.sh to call the SamyGO startup script, then your system will load all you needs when your USB device connects to your TV.
 
Some people, ( as me :) ) thought why not to copy SamyGO extensions in the own Samsung TV flash disk ( the own memory of the TV ) to be loaded in the same way, but without the need to read it from the USB disk. '''WRONG!'''. Probably, as everything, it could be done, but forget to do that, and you will be far from brick your TV.
 
I will try to post a second detailed part of this post, when my restore TV process begins, I hope next week. By the way I'm waiting for the RS232-TTL adapter.
 
I also will try to complete all of this information with the links to the forum posts and SamyGO wiki as it is referenced in some parts of this post.

This is the first document you have to read

2012-03-11T08:49:29Z

Latas: /* Hack your TV can be a very easy procedure, or a very complicated procedure. What depends on? */

== '''This article is specially written for everyone who wants to hack their TV's.''' ==

Important things to take in care when you read this article. 
* ''Take in care the dates when the things are referenced''. 
The information changes and some of it written here today will become obsolet tomorrow. So let's begin.

== Before to begin ==

''What are TV's series?'' 
I'm not talking about small films of duration splited in several chapters. I'm talking about the serial identification code of each Samsung TV. 
Usually is composed by:
* an international region code, it could be UE (for Europe), US for United States,
* the TV size in inches, maybe 40, 46, 50, 55 and so on,
* a code for the Serie, which usually is A, B, C, D,
* and the code of your TV model inside that serie. 
For example: 
'''UE40C8000''' 
You will find a lot of references about series on the SamyGO wiki. Take this information in care, because depending on this you will have to take one action or other, and some information could be valid for you or not.
 

== Hack your TV can be a very easy procedure, or a very complicated procedure. What depends on? ==
Well, Samsung TV's, runs Linux based OS. So, this means, as much knowledge you've got from Linux, more comfortable you'll feel when you proceed to hack your TV.
 

== Does this mean if I don't know Linux, I can not hack my TV? ==
No. Following the instructions you will be able to hack it, but you will have to take care about what are you doing. And this is the important part, if you don't have linux knowledge you won't know what are you doing, just simply following a script as a film.
 
So, first thing we should know, '''if you've got doubts, DO NOT FOLLOW! Take your time, read the documentation, and if you need further info, ask'''.
 
== What is the worst could happen? ==
You can brick your TV. 

== What means brick? ==
Basically you will have a TV with problems. Some part of its funcionality could be broken. 

== What functionalities of my TV are in risk if I decide to hack my TV? ==
''March, 3, 2012.'' 
There are several procedures to hack your TV defined in the SamyGO wiki. The concept of all of them is the same. Modify the internal system of your TV that mount your USB devices to do something more before to proceed to the mount step.
Depending on your Firmware installed on your TV, you will be able to use one hack way or both.
 
So this means, the most important part in risk when you decide to hack your TV, is the USB system of your TV.
 
You should take a look to the firmware version of your TV, that you can check in the menu option of update firmware of your TV. With that information you can check the table in the SamyGO wiki to know what kind of hack you could use.
 
== Is there an undo procedure if I break my TV? ==
Usually yes. But not as easy as undo. If you simply followed the hack steps, then there is an option to restore your TV. If you made a big disaster when you did login into the system, and you broke other things, then that will depend. I will explain later the "panic connection" to the TV.
 
== Internet TV Hack ==
This hack consist of the installation of a Smart TV app, that will do some operations to proceed with the hack. The exploit used in this type of hack was fixed by Samsung in new firmware releases, so if you've got your TV updated to the latest firmware available you won't be able to use this. Forget it.
 
== Hotel Hack ==
This hack consist of make an import of files from an USB memory stick in the Hotel mode of your TV.
 
== What is Hotel Mode? ==
Samsung TV's, some models, many of them, has an option, to make the TV works when they're installed in hotels. This makes the TV to work in an isolated environment, that protects some functions from the modifications hotel guests want to do. Because there are usually many rooms in a hotel, the service menu of Hotel option, has the choice to make a configuration, and export it to an USB stick, and also import it from a USB stick. The goal of this, is get an easy way to replicate information to a lot of TV's.
In your house, you won't use Hotel mode, but this feature, to export and import files, will be used, to inject some modificated files, to operate as we want to open a backdoor in the system, and then get access to it.
 
I'm not going to explain here, step by step, how to hack the TV by this way, but I will continue giving advices about the procedure.
 
== "Panic connection" to the TV ==
I decided to name this, the Panic Connection, because usually everyone proceeds to hack their tv's without take this in care. If something goes wrong, and you loose some TV features, you get panic. And you will try to look for how to connect to your TV to fix what you've done, and you will get more panic.
 
== So what to do to fix your panic? ==
It is '''ExLink'''. 

== What is ExLink ==
ExLink in some series ( '''Usually A, B''' ) consist of a cable ( [[Enable Serial Console on non CI+ Devices]] ), which has in one side a 3.5mm jack, like the audio ones, and on the other side an RS232 ( Serial ) DB9 connector. This cable will allow you to connect your PC computer to the TV, and enter in the Serial mode. It's the emergency door to your TV. To communicate with your TV using this port, you will have to use a Serial Communications Software, like Hyperterminal from Windows. Windows 7 removed Hyperterminal from the operating system, but you can download it from several websites. Just Google it. 
If you feel more comfortable from other tools or Operating Systems like Linux, use others.
If your TV is from this series, then you can buy the cable, or make your own one.
 
'''For C,D Series'''. There is no ExLink any more. I say this, because the serial communication exists, but the concept ExLink as cable not. So don't buy an ExLink cable for your C,D series, because you can not use it in this models. So the communication, we can say, is made with other methods, but the emergency door exists in this models aswell.
So, for C, D series, the serial connection is made thru the VGA port of your TV. The explanation about this is in the wiki, but I will give a recommendation from here. Many of us are not comfortables making electronic circuits, and this operation requires it. We don't need a cable, we need a converter. The signal we get from an VGA port adapter, is in TTL convention. It means the power intensity we've got in circuits like that is around 3.3V. On the contrary a serial port, works at 10V more or less. So before we could connect the VGA port from the TV to a serial port in a PC, we need to adapt the power of both communciatios. Then we need a converter. The converter is called RS232 to TTL converter.
 
[[File:rs232_to_ttl_big.jpg]]
[http://www.amazon.com/MAX232-RS232-Converter-Adapter-Board/dp/B00471S6MC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330856098&sr=8-1 You can find it a Amazon for example]. 
Take in care, this not a RS232 to USB converter. That's a second step. So the first we need is, convert the TTL signal, into a RS232 signal. Then we can convert that signal to USB. 
You can use a RS232 to USB converter. New models requires no drivers, and works even with Mac. 
[[File:rs232_to_usb.jpg]]
[http://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Adapter-Prolific-PL2303HX-Chipset/dp/B00425S1H8/ref=pd_bxgy_e_img_b You can see here in Amazon too].
 
If you prefer a simplest and chipest solution you can use an USB Converter that accepts RS232 TTL signal directly, so you don't need to the first step conversion.
Take a look [http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-to-RS232-TTL-PL2303-Chip-Module-Converter-Adapter-/280838366441?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item41634564e9 to this link].

== Ok and now what? ==
[[File:Jumper_wires.jpg]]
Well if you don't want to soldier anything you can use wires jumper to connect the converter and the TV. [http://www.amazon.com/Jumper-Wires-Premium-Male-Pack/dp/B004ZRO06Y/ref=sr_1_15?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1330856372&sr=1-15 I will try to use cables like this].
 
If you took a look to the converter, you see there are several pines in one side of the converter. You will provide power in two of those pines and you will have to connect the pines for RX, and TX as explained in the wiki. I don't want to put here all the information because probably in the wiki there will be information that you should read. This is one of the main problems, because I decided to write this. Because if you follow one post of this forum only you're missing important information from other place and viceversa. 
So you will need a power adapter that provides to you 5V. You can find one of this in a lot of phone power supplies, because usually they work at 5v. So you can probably get a USB cable that you don't need and cut on of the sides.With the help of a polymeter, you can identify which are the wires for +5V and -5V signals. Then you can use a jumper wire to connect to that wires and then finally plugin in the correct pin of the RS232 coverter. In that way you will be providing power to your converter. This will increase the power of the signal from 3.3V-5V to the 10V power needed. Using the same type of jumper wires you can connect the other pins as explained in the Wiki. 
Finally connect the RS232 DB9 connector, to the RS232 - USB adapter, and the USB adapter plugged in your USB port of your computer. Then you can run hyperterminal, and open a serial connection with your TV. The procedure from here is read the emergency steps you have to do thru this serial comms, in the forum post of hacking your TV using Hotel method.
 
'''Well, if you've read until here, you now got more knowledge than before, isn't it?''' 

== So, what we've learned? ==
* 1.- Hack is critical.
* 2.- Our TV can be broken.
* 3.- There is a method to make it alive again, but depends on the disaster you've done.
* 4.- Always we should get ready to stablish the "Panic Connection", which requires specific hardware. Ex-Link or RS232-TTL Converter.
 
And now, you can stop here, or continue. My Last Message, if you're not experienced user, prepare your Ex-Link or RS232-TTL Converter before continue. 
I consider myself an experienced user, and I've got my TV USB bricked :)
 

----

== Road to the Hack ==
Well, you're here :) 
It looks you're ready. 
There is no much to say here, but I will do several advices. 

''March, 03, 2012'' 
[http://wiki.samygo.tv/index.php5/Hacking_TV_over_Hotel_mode_%28most_C_series_models%29 The binary image file referenced in the SamyGo wiki, to hack using this method '''(Hotel Hack)''', have been removed because of the bricks produced with it]. 
So you have to use the [http://forum.samygo.tv/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1076 '''Hotel hack manual method''']. 
But don't go away so fast from this page. Please continue reading this document, and you can go to other page when you finish it. '''It is for your safe'''. 
To prepare the files you will need to upload to your TV, '''you will need Linux'''. 
All the steps referenced in that installation procedure are made '''within a Linux system'''. 
There are some steps not explained in that forum post, but if you read the [http://wiki.samygo.tv/index.php5/Hacking_TV_over_Hotel_mode_%28most_C_series_models%29 SamyGO wiki hotel hack], you will be complementing the information you need. 
Remember most of the information in that wiki page can not be used because the main file you need is not available anymore for safety reasons, but the most important part of the procedure you will have to do it using the [http://forum.samygo.tv/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1076 Hotel Hack manual method, referenced here before]. 
In a very intelligent way, the guy who explained the hotel hack, included into the script, a way to auto remove the hack two minutes after installed. 
It means it will be auto removed two minutes after you apply the hack. 
''Now you don't understand this, but please continue reading.'' 

* This is the script which contains this lines:
#!/bin/sh
sleep 120
echo killself >>/mtd_rwarea/cmd1
sh -x /dtv/usb/sda/run4.sh &
rm -rf /mtd_rwarea/usb_mount/usb_cmd
rm -rf /mtd_rwarea/usb_mount/usb_mount
rm -rf /mtd_rwarea/usb_mount/killself.sh

* Listen, '''do not remove this by the way'''.
If you want, increase that time. 
Instead 120 seconds, set that time for example at 3600 seconds. ('''One hour''') 
The goal of this is, during the first minutes, you will stablish contact with something completely new. The posiblities you break something are potentially high. If you changed the time to 3600, after one hour in the worst of cases your TV will to work as before. When you made all the modifications you want for your system, and everything is tested and working perfect, you can then remove that script, or upload the hack again without that lines in that file, as explained some posts later in that hotel hack topic.
 
After that hour your hack will be removed. '''But it will be easy to upload it again because you will have your USB stick''', with all the files needed prepared from the last time. So the only thing you need to do, if you want, is remove or comment the lines that makes the hack autoremove by itself and upload it again to the TV in the same way as you did before. 

Because this method consist of a modification in the moment of mounting the USB devices in the TV, one of the things that commonly happens is, '''you break this system and you can not mount any USB device anymore'''. 

== Is that a problem? ==
'''Sure it is'''.
* Your situation will be:
You can not mount your hard disks,
you miss the capability to reproduce films thru USB,
you've lost any capability to run any command from your hacked system,
you can not flash any firmware because you can't access to the USB,
you can not apply again the hack because you can not upload files to your TV
* so your TV lacks the choice to get information from the outside world, except from network port or serial comm. 

So if you're in this case, '''as I am today''', in the moment of writing this post, then you only got two options:
* first one, if you're lucky samsung releases a new firmware that replace the partitions stored on your TV, and luckly you check today and you can update your TV thru Online option, and you fix the problem. This is low probably if you've got your tv updated to the latest firmware, as usual for most users.
* You have to use the '''"Panic connection"'''. 

== Can this be fixed with the Factory Reset? ==
'''No'''. It's true there is an option in the Service Menu, where you can make a '''Factory Reset'''. That options clear information about your TV setup, but does not remove files, at least the files that resides in the partition, where the new hacked files where copied. 

== Could I use other methods to send serial commands without the use of Ex-Link adapter or cable? ==
I see, some Samsung TV models, can be managed thru network against the serial comms, and use the phone as a remote control. Could I send the needed commands to the serial port from here, or using the German Application ruSamsung TV?
I guess not. You have to enable the Serial Communication, and it looks it can not be done thru this communication. It is only able thru the Ex-Link connection or VGA Port connection.
 

== It could be possible to remove the hack from a Widget developed in the internet TV? ==
'''Well it could be'''. I tried, but it didn't work because my TV is in a firmware release that has fixed the choice to get access to files on the Samsung TV operation system disk located outside of the Widget user folder. If your firmware release is old and in your case the Internet TV hack is a good option, then if you make some mistake and you've lost the ssh connection, and you've lost USB capabilities, then you could develop an small Widget App, with 4 lines of code, that could remove the files you copied in the hack. I will try to talk about this later and developing a sample. But I guess it won't be very useful, because once Samsung release new updated firmwares, the users, usually update their systems. So internet hack today, we could say is deprecated. Unless you decide to downgrade your firmware to get access to this hack, and then upgrade. But many users confirm that this hack stop working when you upgrade. 
So at date of this post, the power is hotel hack for most users.
 
== SamyGO Extensions. What are they? ==
Well, once you've installed your hack, you will do some important things. A lot of users usually want to do the same, which is, get SSH access, get FTP access, share Samba drives, or share NFS drivers. SamyGO Extensions, is a pack of utilities, prepared in a folder structure, to be run, from the USB device when you plugged in to your TV.
 
Because the hack you've done in your TV, has the ability to run an script called run.sh in the root folder of your USB device, if you copy SamyGO extensions, in your USB device, and then you modifiy the file run.sh to call the SamyGO startup script, then your system will load all you needs when your USB device connects to your TV.
 
Some people, ( as me :) ) thought why not to copy SamyGO extensions in the own Samsung TV flash disk ( the own memory of the TV ) to be loaded in the same way, but without the need to read it from the USB disk. '''WRONG!'''. Probably, as everything, it could be done, but forget to do that, and you will be far from brick your TV.
 
I will try to post a second detailed part of this post, when my restore TV process begins, I hope next week. By the way I'm waiting for the RS232-TTL adapter.
 
I also will try to complete all of this information with the links to the forum posts and SamyGO wiki as it is referenced in some parts of this post.

Hacking TV over Hotel mode (most C series models)

2012-03-07T18:58:14Z

Latas: /* Tested and works on TV */

'''Universal USB disk to hack C series TV'''

'''WARNING''' - Do not type '''reboot, halt, shutdown''' in console - it was the reason on few bricked TVs. Temporary '''stop using channel editor in web-ui''' until next version of hack is released
<hr>
'''The hack disk image is removed from download area due increasing count of bricks. It will be opened after new version is released. Sorry.''' 
Related samygo.tv thread and the HOW TO ROOT TV without hack USB image is [http://forum.samygo.tv/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1076#p9261 here]
<hr>
After hack your TV you can connect to TV via Telnet, you get CIFS (Samba) and NFS support, FTP Server, WebUI, crond, ... 
Moreover, if you attach USB with script file "SamyGO.sh", it will be executed. 
This hack has unificated structure for comfortable script execution for developers (read below).
 
==Safety measures for C series TVs==
Make some important settings before start hacking TV:
* In service menu, '''enable Debug mode''' for the RS232 port.
::With TV switched off, press the following sequence on the remote: '''[INFO] [MENU] [MUTE] [POWER]'''
::Enter the '''Control''' menu and set the value of the '''RS232 mode''' to '''Debug'''.
::Once you're back to the main Service menu, you will have to power off the TV for normal operation.
::Notice that your TV will reset RS232 mode back to UART when you install another firmware (no matter if it's older or newer).
* Have a working '''[[Ex-Link Cable for C-Series]]''' at hand. (desirable)
::If you don't feel capable of soldering such a cable, you can find and buy a cheap (under '''$5''') '''[http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_trkparms=65%253A12%257C66%253A2%257C39%253A1%257C72%253A4030&rt=nc&_nkw=usb+ttl&_sticky=1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_sop=15&_sc=1 USB to TTL adapter]''' at eBay.

== Supported TV models ==
TV model is not important, you should check your firmware. 
* This hack '''works''' on all firmware versions (even latest firmwares):
T-TDT5DEUC
T-MSX5DEUC
T-MSX6DEUC
T-VALDEUC
T-VALAUSC (modification of hack needed)
* Hack '''does not''' work on TV with '''T-VAL6DEUC''' firmware.

== Preparation ==
1. USB > 1GB space (Windows users can use FAT32 formatted USB) 
2. TV in normal mode. Export channels from TV to clean FAT32 USB 
3. Activate Hotel Mode
[Mute] [1] [1] [9] [Enter]
set to '''on''' by pressing [left]
4. Export settings from TV to the same FAT32 USB ("Clone TV to USB") 
5. Unplug USB stick from TV and save files you get anywhere on PC 
6. Download [http://download.samygo.tv/C%20Series/HotelMode%20hack/network_opt_18.02.2011_1.zip network_opt_18.02.2011_1.zip], extract archive. You get 1GB file '''network_opt_18.02.2011_sda2.img''' 
*'''IMPORTANT:''' This is the 3rd version of the USB image, updated on 18.2.2011. 
::If you have hacked TV with the earlier version or over widget and you want have benefits of this hack, 
::you should [http://wiki.samygo.tv/index.php?title=Hacking_TV_over_Hotel_mode_%28most_C_series_models%29#TV_is_already_hacked re-hack TV].[[File:Win32diskimage_howto.png |right]] 
7. Make USB from this image with help of included win32diskimager (or "dd" if you are using linux)
* After win32diskimager finishes, you get two partitions on USB: one FAT32, accessible under Windows and a second, ext3 - not accessible under Windows. 
* You '''do not need''' to do any changes on ext3 partition. 
* '''All operations have to be done on the FAT32 partition, no linux needed.'''
 

== Installation. What to do if... ==
 
=== '''TV is not hacked''' ===
8. Attach Universal hack USB you made to PC. Copy channel settings file (you made in normal mode) to root of USB. 
9. Rename file (channel_list_LE32C550_1001.scm for C550) to zip
channel_list_LE32C550_1001.scm.zip
10. Add directory ''usb_mount'' with empty file in it (e.g. ''1.txt;'' - very important) to archive 
11. Rename back to channel_list_LE32C550_1001.scm
* You get files inside of archive:
Archive: channel_list_LE32C550_1001.scm
Length Date Time Name
--------- ---------- ----- ----
68 2038-01-19 06:14 CloneInfo
96 2038-01-19 06:14 FineTune_Digital
40000 2038-01-19 06:14 map-AirA
292000 2038-01-19 06:14 map-AirD
40000 2038-01-19 06:14 map-CableA
292000 2038-01-19 06:14 map-CableD
4 2038-01-19 06:14 map-ChKey
720 2038-01-19 06:14 RadioMap
0 2010-11-30 21:55 usb_mount/
8 2010-11-30 21:55 usb_mount/1.txt
--------- -------
664896 10 files
12. Copy files exported in Hotel mode (from the step "Clone TV to USB" above, only files, without directories) to '''/HotelMode''' directory on USB
* Exported in HotelMode files to copy:
./T-MSX5DEUC/Clone:

drwxr-xr-x 2 root root 4096 2010-12-27 18:39 .
drwxr-xr-x 3 root root 4096 2010-12-27 18:39 ..
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 2304 1980-01-01 00:00 Clone.dat
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 378 1980-01-01 00:00 FADAT
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 144 1980-01-01 00:00 FineTune_Digital
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 188 1980-01-01 00:00 LNBSettingsDataBase.dat
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 40000 1980-01-01 00:00 map-AirA
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 292000 1980-01-01 00:00 map-AirD
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 40000 1980-01-01 00:00 map-CableA
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 292000 1980-01-01 00:00 map-CableD
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 4 1980-01-01 00:00 map-ChKey
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 144000 1980-01-01 00:00 map-SateD
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 95 1980-01-01 00:00 PackageDataBase.dat
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 5382 1980-01-01 00:00 PLDAT
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 720 1980-01-01 00:00 RadioMap
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 7979 1980-01-01 00:00 SatDataBase.dat
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 324 1980-01-01 00:00 ServiceProviders
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 9478 1980-01-01 00:00 SSDAT
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 98554 1980-01-01 00:00 TransponderDataBase.dat
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 28 1980-01-01 00:00 TSIDList
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 4 1980-01-01 00:00 UserTransponderDataBase.dat

13. Exit from Hotel mode:
Mute-1-1-9-Enter
set to '''off'''
* Hotel Mode → Off
14. Attach USB to TV and import channel settings to TV. Everything must work without errors. 
15. Activate Hotel mode again.
Mute-1-1-9-Enter
set to '''on''' by pressing "left"
16. Import HotelMode settings you exported before (as is, with directories) ("Clone USB to TV") 
17. Press OK. 
18. TV restarts few times and starts in ''black screen''. DO NOT POWER OFF, DO NOT DISCONNECT USB! 
* '''Wait 3 minutes'''. After three minutes you can switch off TV.
* Switch on TV again
* Try connect to TV over Telnet (Port 23).
* If you get to console, congratulations.
* TV starts in Hotel mode. If you have your channel settings, you can deactivate hotel mode from service menu.
19. If you haven't got your channels back and if you can't Telnet to TV, it means something went wrong.
* Look for file ''first_run.ok'' and content of directory ''/result'' on USB
20. If you have Telnet after hack, execute:
cp $OPT_DIR/usr/restore/start.sh /mtd_rwarea/start.sh
21. Done.

=== '''TV is already hacked''' ===
(Over Hotel Mode or Widget - doesn`t matter)
* Make USB (steps 6. and 7.)
* Do not change anything
* Attach to TV and connect via SSH/Telnet
* Find your usb:
df -h | grep "/dtv/usb/sd"
* execute script '''first_run.sh''' with parameter of path to USB.
::e.g. if path to USB is '''/dtv/usb/sda1''', then command to enter is:
sh +x /dtv/usb/sda1/first_run.sh /dtv/usb/sda1
Path might be different on your TV, for example:
::/dtv/usb/sdb1/first_run.sh /dtv/usb/sdb1
::/dtv/usb/sdc1/first_run.sh /dtv/usb/sdc1
Check exact path over Telnet before you start.
* Wait until you get the message "Installation Completed!", but '''do not reboot TV 3 minutes''' (TV is making some dumps in this time, do not interrupt it.)
* Reboot TV (switch off, wait, switch on again)
* Done

== Normal operating of hacked TV ==
* To get access to TV (Telnet/FTP/WebUI) you must attach the same USB-stick that you created for this hack '''or''' prepare USB-stick with the latest [http://download.samygo.tv/C%20Series/ SamyGO-Extensions]. (If you need to know your CPU type enter '''cat /proc/cpuinfo''' into console.)

* Example for mounting a NFS-share manually:
cd /dtv/usb/sda1
mkdir videos
/bin/mount -o nolock 192.168.1.123:/videos /dtv/usb/sda1/videos -t nfs
Change IP to your NFS-server IP, path to USB might differ too (sdb1/sdc1).
* To watch movies, create empty directory on root of usb:
!network

== Bricked TV ==
* ''''''WARNING - Do not type ''reboot'' in console - it was the reason on few bricked TVs.'''

=== '''ExLink cable available''' ===
==== Screen is blank ====
If your start.sh has been written with errors, TV does not boot properly... 
* Unplug TV and wait 30 sec. Plug to AC, power on TV.
This should remove /mtd_rwarea/start.sh. If that did not help, try:
* Connect [[Ex-Link Cable for C-Series]], switch to debug mode:
10041004
enter:
31337 (removes /mtd_rwarea/start.sh)
or:
666 (removes /mtd_rwarea/start.sh, /mtd_rwarea/usb_mount, /mtd_rwarea/network_opt)
or:
44337794 (check file to know better what it does /mtd_rwarea/network_opt/sbin/44337794)

==== No reaction to USB, no telnet, but screen is on ====
* create empty file named '''kill_start.sh''' on root of USB
* power off TV
* attach USB and power on TV
/mtd_rwarea/start.sh should be deleted

If no success, then:
==== format /mtd_rwarea/ ====
If you do not have success or script finishes with error,
or you have hacked over Widget and it stopped working (on latest firmwares),
Format /mtd_rwarea over ExLink and get "virgin" TV back:
* Make [[Ex-Link Cable for C-Series]] attach to TV.
* Power off TV.
* Unplug network and antenna cable. Leave only ExLink and power cable plugged.
* Power on TV.
* Open terminal and connect to TV over ExLink.
* Apply these commands (followed by Enter):
10041004
81588
20089999
2
0
0
2 (advanced)
2 (DeviceManager Debug)
90 (DeviceManager MW Debug)
12 (DLNA, FLASH, ODD, HDD, MoIP Test)
11 (FLASH, HDD Format Test)
10 (or another, /mtd_rwarea/ partition number (14)

::On the last line you have to enter number of your /mtd_rwarea/. On C550 it is 10, but on other TV it can be other (e.g. 14)
::Try to hack TV again starting from step 7.

=== '''no ExLink cable available''' ===

* Create script on USB '''emergency_start.sh''' (kill_start.sh is to delete)
* Attach USB to TV on stand-by mode and power it on
* TV executes this script on boot.
Factory reset on ServiceMenu. This operation should delete ''/mtd_rwarea/network_opt''
*Hack TV with universal USB disk again

'''If you lost the hack and try to rehack and get message "failed to receive file from usb..."'''
Try this
*Copy channel list to usb and rename it as zip file
*Add the directory usb_mount with the file 1.txt in it
*Add this directories (only directories no file): network_opt/usr/sbin/usb_mount
*rename the file in scm.
*re-hack using this channel list.
(works on 3008.3 T-Valdeuc firmware)

== FAQ ==
To be updated...

== Tested and works on TV ==
* LE32C530 [T-MSX5DEUC-2007.4]
* LE32C550J1W [T-MSX5DEUC-2005.4]
* LE32C550J1WU [T-MSX5DEUC-2007.4]
* LE32C550J1WX [T-MSX5DEUC-2005.4]
* LE37C630 [T-MSX6DEUC 1002.1] 
* LE40C650L1WX [T-VALDEUC-2002]
* LE40C650L1WXZG [T-VALDEUC '''3007.1''']
* LE40C550 [T-MSX5DEUC-2003.1]
* LE40C750 [T-VALDEUC 3007.1]
* PN58C7000 [T-VALAUSC 001035] - some [http://forum.samygo.tv/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=974&p=13650#p13642 modification] of hack is needed.
* PS50C550 [T-TDT5DEUC]
* UE32C5100QW [T-MSX5DEUC-2007.4]
* UE32C5000QW [T-TDT5DEUC-1022.0 ]
* UE40C8700 [T-VALDEUC-'''3006.2''']
* UE40C8700 [T-VALDEUC '''3007.1''']
* UE40C6700 [T-VALDEUC '''3007.1''']
* UE46C6105 [T-MSX5DEUC-2005.4]
* UE55C7700 [T-VALDEUC '''3006.1''']
* UE55C8705 [T-VALDEUC '''3007.1''']
* UE32C6000 [T-VALDEUC '''3008.3''']
* UE32C6000 [T-VALDEUC '''3009.2''']
* UE40C8000 [T-VALDEUC '''3011''']
::To be updated... 
 
Author and developer of universal USB hack disk - Perforator from forum.ixbt.com (He made the first hack for C series TV also). 
 
 
--[[User:Juzis28|Juzis28]] 12:13, 11 March 2011 (UTC)

Formatting /mtd rwarea/

2012-03-07T18:55:55Z

Latas: /* Known partition numbers for /mtd_rwarea (add yours here) */

* Make [[Ex-Link Cable for C-Series]] attach to TV.
* Power off TV.
* Unplug Network cable, might antenna too. Leave only ExLink and Power cable plugged.
* Power on TV.
* Open terminal and connect TV over ExLink.
* Enter commands following by Enter:
10041004 (Enables serial input)
81588 (Responds with Key Record Start)
20089999 (Brings up TOP Debug Menu)
2 (Platform Print Sharing)
0 (Start level)
0 (End level)
2 (Advanced Platform)
2 (DeviceManager Debug)
90 (DeviceManager MW Debug)
12 (DLNA, FLASH, ODD, HDD, MoIP Test)
* If you know the partition number of /mtd_rwarea on your TV, skip to the next step. Otherwise, choose:
02 (PRINT FLASH Device Info)
This will show you a list of mounted devices and partitions. Find the one whose mount path is /mtd_rwarea. You can find the mount path on the second line of each chunk of info for each device. The partition number you need is the partition key on the first line. Now proceed with the rest of the steps.
11 (FLASH, HDD Format Test)
Enter the partition number for /mtd_rwarea

On the last line you have to enter number of your /mtd_rwarea/. On C550 it is 10, but on other TV it can be other (e.g. 14)

If you get warning "Device is busy", enter HotelMode and try format again.

== Known partition numbers for /mtd_rwarea (add yours here) ==

* C550: Partition 10
* C6510: Partition 14
* C7000: Partition 14
* C6000: Partition 14
* C8000: Partition 14

* D6000: Partition 12
* D8000: Partition 12

Ex-Link Cable for C/D/E Series and BD players

2012-03-07T18:35:43Z

Latas: /* Enabling serial input */

On most C-Series the Ex-Link port is located at the VGA connector of the TV.

This page explains how to access the serial console on C-Series TVs with no 3.5mm Ex-Link jack.

If you don't feel capable of soldering such a cable, you can find and buy a cheap (under '''$5''') '''[http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_trkparms=65%253A12%257C66%253A2%257C39%253A1%257C72%253A4030&rt=nc&_nkw=usb+ttl&_sticky=1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_sop=15&_sc=1 USB to TTL adapter]''' at eBay.

== Enable Debug mode in service menu ==
Prerequisite: Set the RS232 Jack to "Debug" in the [[Service_Menu]].
* In service menu, '''enable Debug mode''' for the RS232 port:
:: With TV switched off, press the following sequence on the remote: 
:::*UE,LE models:'''[INFO] [MENU] [MUTE] [POWER]''' 
:::*UN,UA models:'''[MUTE] 1 8 2 [POWER]''' 
:: Enter the '''Control''' menu and set the value of the '''RS232 mode''' to '''Debug'''.
:: Once you're back to the main Service menu, you will have to power off the TV for normal operation.
:: Notice that your TV will reset RS232 mode back to UART when you install another firmware (no matter if it's older or newer).
* Have a working '''[[Ex-Link Cable for C/D Series]]''' at hand (May help if TV bricks).
:: If you don't feel capable of soldering such a cable, you can find and buy a cheap (under '''$5''') '''[http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_trkparms=65%253A12%257C66%253A2%257C39%253A1%257C72%253A4030&rt=nc&_nkw=usb+ttl&_sticky=1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_sop=15&_sc=1 USB to TTL adapter]''' at eBay.

== Cabling ==
As the TV has TTL level serial output (3.3V) a TTL-level to RS232-level adaptor is needed,
normal RS232 Level is up to 15V which can cause seriously damage at your TV!

=== Nokia CA-42/DKU-5 USB ===
--[[User:Greenhorn|Greenhorn]] 11:17, 7 March 2012 (UTC)
This is pre-made Exlink cable that cost less than 3 EUR. You have to do just simple modification of old Nokia data cable.

----

'''What you will need:'''

- Some soldering skills.

- Some means of determining continuity (e.g. a multimeter + hand-held probe leads).

- Some means of stripping insulated wires.

- A willingness to invalidate your warranty.

- A CA-42, or DKU-5 (some later Nokia phone cables e.g. the DKU-2, CA-53, CA-70 - which look similar are actually pure USB cables with no transceiver - DON'T use these, they won't work.

- 15 Pin Male VGA Case Replacement Adapter Set Assembly

- Suitable safety gear.

- Pliers, glue/tape, and volt meter (optional).

'''Cut and Strip Insulation from the Cable'''

Cut the data cable about 60mm from the Nokia connector end, strip away approx 20mm of the outer sheath, and remove approx 3mm of insulation from each inner core.

[[File:CA-42_and_DKU-5_disassembled.jpg]]

The cables I bought were of two different designs, this may well vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.

1.CA-42 cable, and had 3 wires - ground, data transmit, and data receive.

2.DKU-5 cable had 5 wires - well as txd, rxd, gnd and additional wires can be safely left disconnected.

'''Identify Each Wire'''

Establish which core is connected to which pin on the Nokia connector end (Nokia "pop port") using your continuity tester. The part of the "pin-out" which we care about are:

- pin 1 On both of the cables I used, pin 1 is actually missing.

- pin 2 On both of the cables I used, pin 2 is also missing.

- pin 3 (normal length) connected to one of the wires on DKU5, but not needed (isolate this wire)

- pin 4 (sticks out a bit further)+3.3v this is used to power the transceiver on the DKU-5 cable I have (red), but not the CA-42

- pin 5 (not connected)

- pin 6 (normal length) serial Rxd

- pin 7 (normal length) serial Txd

- pin 8 (sticks out a bit further) Signal Ground (GND)

- pin 9 to 14 not connected, and missing on both my connectors

[[File:CA-42_DKU-5_pinout.jpg]]

Now get the wires that goes to pin 6,7,8. As you already identified which are Rx, Tx, GND, have to connect/solder the CA-42/DKU-5 wires with the 15 Pin Male VGA Case Replacement Adapter Set Assembly

[[File:plug.jpg]]

and build this:

[[File:VGA-Exlink.jpg]]

Finally will looks like:

[[File:Cable DKU-5.jpg]]

===Build MAX232 based cable ===

*Pin 4 at the VGA connector is RX (from the TV's point of view)
*Pin 11 at the VGA connector is TX (from the TV's point of view)
*Pin 5,6,7,8 and the case at the VGA connector are GND

==== MAX232 adaptor circuit V1 ====
Here is a simple circuit using a MAX232 chip to convert the signal from TTL to RS232 level.
The Pinout of the connectors is shown at the circuit:

[[File:circuit.jpg]]

And a picture of the completely assembled board:

[[File:Board.jpg]]

==== MAX232 adaptor circuit V2 ====
See here [http://www.mikrocontroller.net/articles/AVR-Tutorial:_UART]

==== Warning ====
As written before, do never connect your TV directly to the serial port of your PC, as the TV has TTL-level (3.3V) and the PC has normal RS232-level your TV could seriously get damaged by dircet connection!

==== Connection chain over USB ====
Recent PCs do not have a RS232 port anymore, but there are USB adaptors available. Most of them use a PL2303 chip for converting the RS232 signal to USB.

The following figure shows the connection chain:
[[File:Samsung_tv_serial_console_connections.jpg]]

This could look like:

[[File:Picture_of_cabling.jpg]]

----
== Start the terminal ==
On a Linux PC, install 'cu' (call up) tool from the ''uucp'' package and run
<pre>cu -l /dev/ttyUSB0 -s 115200</pre>

On a Windows PC, use Hyper Terminal or Putty.

Settings are: Speed 115200, 8N1, no flow control.

== Turn on TV ==

== Read output ==
Output should be human readable, like in the following listing. If you get nothing, then your cabling/settings are incorrect. If you get garbage, then you have problems with the MAX232 circuit.
<pre>
================================================================================
SAMSUNG: v2.6.24_SELP_4.3.x_GA(P20)
(Detailed Information: /sys/selp/vd/lspinfo/summary)
================================================================================
2.0 : 0 : 256
init started: SELP-BusyBox v1.6.0-VD Linux SELP.4.2.1.x (2010-01-21 19:31:50 KST ) multi-call binary
starting pid 29, tty '/dev/ttyS1': '/etc/rcS'
/etc/rcS start!!!!
=====================================================
ROOTFS VERSION : 65-1G-65
=====================================================
it's not dev!
starting pid 43, tty '/dev/ttyS1': '/bin/sh'
-sh: id: not found
1st partition!!
/dtv/PART_FLAG_0 is detected...
1st Partition is selected....
</pre>

== Enabling serial input and recover your TV from bricked hack==
*Connect your communications software and open the serial port
I usually use Mac. Even I could open the port and I could see the info from the TV I couldn't interact with keyboard.
So I decided to use HyperTerminal. The old Windows built-in communications software.
Windows 7 does not include this software, but you can download it from the web. Just google it.

*Turn on your TV set, if everything is connected like described at the steps before the serial log should be shown at the serial terminal.
*The TV will keep on sending info, but when the rithm stops a little bit then send next command.

*Enter '''10041004''' (when typing the digits '''No Imput is shown''' at the serial terminal) and confirm with '''Enter'''.
*In my case the SERIAL INPUT MANAGE was activated just pressed 10041004. No ENTER was needed.

after that you should see:
<pre>
[SERIAL INPUT MANAGE] serial input ENABLE!!!!!
</pre>

*Now enter '''81588'''
*You will see this:
Aleady made Scenario File...so delete file
@@@@@@@@@@@ Key Record Start @@@@@@@@@@@

*Now enter '''20089999'''
*You will see this:
====================================
[ TOP Debug Menu]
------------------------------------
1 : SubSystem Print On/Off
2 : Platform Print Setting
3 : TD Print Setting
4 : Performance Print Setting
5 : Sdal Print Setting
6 : Sdal Trace Setting
10 : Factory Debug
11 : TD Debug
12 : SubSystem DBG
13 : SubSystem Info Print
20 : Performance File Write
21 : Louvre Print Setting
------------------------------------
70 : Jade Debug
80 : PVR Debug
====================================
99 : Exit
====================================
DBG> :

*Now enter '''2'''
*You will see this:
Input Start Level << :

*Now enter '''0'''
*You will see this:
Input End Level << :

*Now enter '''0'''
*You will see this:

====================================
[Platform Debug List]
------------------------------------
1. Basic Platform
2. Advanced Platform
3. Java
------------------------------------
99 : Exit
====================================
cmd>

*Now enter '''2'''
*You will see this:

====================================
[Platform Debug List]
------------------------------------
1 : FrontRunner Debug
2 : DeviceManager Debug
3 : InfoLink Debug
4 : NetworkManager Debug
5 : PVR Debug
6 : MediaPlay Debug
7 : CEC Debug
8 : PSA Debug
9 : SWU Debug
10 : DMR Debug
11 : PMR Debug
12 : HNC Debug
13 : MoIP Debug
------------------------------------
99 : Exit
====================================
cmd>

*Now enter '''2'''
*You will see this:
====================================
[DeviceManager Debug Module]
------------------------------------
1 : [OFF] DevMgr 2 : [OFF] DevMgr_SS
====================================
Debug Level = Fatal
====================================
80 : All OFF
81 : All ON
85 : Set Debug Level
====================================
90 : DeviceManager MW Debug
91 : DeviceManager SS Debug
92 : ROSE Print Setting
93 : ROSE Debug (For UNIPLAYER)
99 : Exit
====================================
cmd>

*Now enter '''90'''
*You will see this:

====================================
[ Device Manager - TOP Debug Menu]
------------------------------------
01 : Start DeviceManager
02 : Stop DeviceManager
03 : Suspend Mode Test
04 : Start Stress Test
05 : Stop Stress Test
------------------------------------
11 : USB Test
12 : DLNA, FLASH, ODD, HDD, MoIP Test
====================================
21 : Print ALL Device Info
22 : Print Device Info with KEY
23 : Print ALL Partition Info
====================================
FF : Exit
====================================
DBG> : 0x

*Now enter '''12'''
*You will see this:

====================================
[ MISC Debug Menu]
------------------------------------
01 : PRINT DLNA Device Info
02 : PRINT FLASH Device Info
03 : PRINT ODD Device Info
04 : PRINT HDD Device Info
05 : PRINT MoIP Device Info
====================================
11 : FLASH, HDD Format Test
====================================
88 : Shell
====================================
FF : Exit
====================================
DBG> : 0x

*Now enter '''11'''
*You will see this:

Input Partition Key :

*Now enter, usually, for C Series, '''14'''
*If everything goes OK you will see the status of the filesystem and information about if partition has been formated:

Filesystem 1k-blocks Used Available Use% Mounted on
/dev/tbml6 3456 3456 0 100% /
none 10240 4 10236 0% /dtv
none 10240 0 10240 0% /dsm
none 235556 0 235556 0% /core
none 10240 0 10240 0% /tmp
/dev/stl0/14 25478 2480 22998 10% /mtd_rwarea
/dev/stl0/19 49664 49664 0 100% /mtd_rocommon
/dev/stl0/15 91080 87336 3744 96% /mtd_exe
/dev/stl0/16 40832 40832 0 100% /mtd_appdata
/dev/stl0/13 10942 130 10812 1% /mtd_contents
/dev/stl0/20 102368 47600 54768 46% /mtd_swu
/dev/stl0/21 401712 76112 325600 19% /mtd_rwcommon
Filesystem 1k-blocks Used Available Use% Mounted on
/dev/tbml6 3456 3456 0 100% /
none 10240 4 10236 0% /dtv
none 10240 0 10240 0% /dsm
none 235556 0 235556 0% /core
none 10240 0 10240 0% /tmp
/dev/stl0/19 49664 49664 0 100% /mtd_rocommon
/dev/stl0/15 91080 87336 3744 96% /mtd_exe
/dev/stl0/16 40832 40832 0 100% /mtd_appdata
/dev/stl0/13 10942 130 10812 1% /mtd_contents
/dev/stl0/20 102368 47600 54768 46% /mtd_swu
/dev/stl0/21 401712 76112 325600 19% /mtd_rwcommon
rootfs on / type rootfs (rw)
/dev/root on / type squashfs (ro)
none on /proc type proc (rw)
none on /sys type sysfs (rw)
none on /dev/sam type tmpfs (rw)
none on /dtv type tmpfs (rw)
none on /dsm type tmpfs (rw)
none on /core type tmpfs (rw)
none on /tmp type tmpfs (rw)
/dev/stl0/19 on /mtd_rocommon type squashfs (ro)
/dev/stl0/15 on /mtd_exe type rfs (ro,codepage=cp949,vfat,fcache(blks)=128)
/dev/stl0/16 on /mtd_appdata type squashfs (ro)
/dev/stl0/13 on /mtd_contents type rfs (rw,codepage=utf8,vfat,fcache(blks)=128)
/dev/stl0/20 on /mtd_swu type rfs (rw,codepage=cp949,vfat,fcache(blks)=128)
/dev/stl0/21 on /mtd_rwcommon type rfs (rw,codepage=utf8,vfat,fcache(blks)=128)
none on /proc/bus/usb type usbfs (rw)
This program is operated over FSR based
The flash memory blocks have been erased successfully.
+---------------------------------------------------------------------+
| stl.format : STL-level Partitioning Tool for Flash Block Devices |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------+
This partition does not have GWL attribute
[Block size : 256 KB]
[Total unit : 112]
[Block Device Information for /dev/bml0/14]
--------------------------------------------
Total number of sectors = 51200 (25 MB/28 MB)
--------------------------------------------
STL format complete.
Success to format
Filesystem 1k-blocks Used Available Use% Mounted on
/dev/tbml6 3456 3456 0 100% /
none 10240 4 10236 0% /dtv
none 10240 0 10240 0% /dsm
none 235556 0 235556 0% /core
none 10240 0 10240 0% /tmp
/dev/stl0/19 49664 49664 0 100% /mtd_rocommon
/dev/stl0/15 91080 87336 3744 96% /mtd_exe
/dev/stl0/16 40832 40832 0 100% /mtd_appdata
/dev/stl0/13 10942 130 10812 1% /mtd_contents
/dev/stl0/20 102368 47600 54768 46% /mtd_swu
/dev/stl0/21 401712 76112 325600 19% /mtd_rwcommon
/dev/stl0/14 25478 130 25348 1% /mtd_rwarea
rootfs on / type rootfs (rw)
/dev/root on / type squashfs (ro)
none on /proc type proc (rw)
none on /sys type sysfs (rw)
none on /dev/sam type tmpfs (rw)
none on /dtv type tmpfs (rw)
none on /dsm type tmpfs (rw)
none on /core type tmpfs (rw)
none on /tmp type tmpfs (rw)
/dev/stl0/19 on /mtd_rocommon type squashfs (ro)
/dev/stl0/15 on /mtd_exe type rfs (ro,codepage=cp949,vfat,fcache(blks)=128)
/dev/stl0/16 on /mtd_appdata type squashfs (ro)
/dev/stl0/13 on /mtd_contents type rfs (rw,codepage=utf8,vfat,fcache(blks)=128)
/dev/stl0/20 on /mtd_swu type rfs (rw,codepage=cp949,vfat,fcache(blks)=128)
/dev/stl0/21 on /mtd_rwcommon type rfs (rw,codepage=utf8,vfat,fcache(blks)=128)
none on /proc/bus/usb type usbfs (rw)
/dev/stl0/14 on /mtd_rwarea type rfs (rw,codepage=utf8,vfat,fcache(blks)=128)

*Now your system is clean. On next reboot your TV will regenerate that partition, and your devices will be mounted again as before.
*Now you've learn this lesson, you can hack your TV again :)

This is the first document you have to read

2012-03-05T19:17:40Z

Latas: /* Before to begin */

== '''This article is specially written for everyone who wants to hack their TV's.''' ==

Important things to take in care when you read this article. 
* ''Take in care the dates when the things are referenced''. 
The information changes and some of it written here today will become obsolet tomorrow. So let's begin.

== Before to begin ==

''What are TV's series?'' 
I'm not talking about small films of duration splited in several chapters. I'm talking about the serial identification code of each Samsung TV. 
Usually is composed by:
* an international region code, it could be UE (for Europe), US for United States,
* the TV size in inches, maybe 40, 46, 50, 55 and so on,
* a code for the Serie, which usually is A, B, C, D,
* and the code of your TV model inside that serie. 
For example: 
'''UE40C8000''' 
You will find a lot of references about series on the SamyGO wiki. Take this information in care, because depending on this you will have to take one action or other, and some information could be valid for you or not.
 

== Hack your TV can be a very easy procedure, or a very complicated procedure. What depends on? ==
Well, Samsung TV's, runs Linux based OS. So, this meas, as much knowledge you've got from Linux, more comfortable you feel when you proceed to hack your TV.
 
== Does this mean if I don't know Linux, I can not hack my TV? ==
No. Following the instructions you will be able to hack it, but you will have to take care about what are you doing. And this is the important part, if you don't have linux knowledge you won't know what are you doing, just simply following a script as a film.
 
So, first thing we should know, '''if you've got doubts, DO NOT FOLLOW! Take your time, read the documentation, and if you need further info, ask'''.
 
== What is the worst could happen? ==
You can brick your TV. 

== What means brick? ==
Basically you will have a TV with problems. Some part of its funcionality could be broken. 

== What functionalities of my TV are in risk if I decide to hack my TV? ==
''March, 3, 2012.'' 
There are several procedures to hack your TV defined in the SamyGO wiki. The concept of all of them is the same. Modify the internal system of your TV that mount your USB devices to do something more before to proceed to the mount step.
Depending on your Firmware installed on your TV, you will be able to use one hack way or both.
 
So this means, the most important part in risk when you decide to hack your TV, is the USB system of your TV.
 
You should take a look to the firmware version of your TV, that you can check in the menu option of update firmware of your TV. With that information you can check the table in the SamyGO wiki to know what kind of hack you could use.
 
== Is there an undo procedure if I break my TV? ==
Usually yes. But not as easy as undo. If you simply followed the hack steps, then there is an option to restore your TV. If you made a big disaster when you did login into the system, and you broke other things, then that will depend. I will explain later the "panic connection" to the TV.
 
== Internet TV Hack ==
This hack consist of the installation of a Smart TV app, that will do some operations to proceed with the hack. The exploit used in this type of hack was fixed by Samsung in new firmware releases, so if you've got your TV updated to the latest firmware available you won't be able to use this. Forget it.
 
== Hotel Hack ==
This hack consist of make an import of files from an USB memory stick in the Hotel mode of your TV.
 
== What is Hotel Mode? ==
Samsung TV's, some models, many of them, has an option, to make the TV works when they're installed in hotels. This makes the TV to work in an isolated environment, that protects some functions from the modifications hotel guests want to do. Because there are usually many rooms in a hotel, the service menu of Hotel option, has the choice to make a configuration, and export it to an USB stick, and also import it from a USB stick. The goal of this, is get an easy way to replicate information to a lot of TV's.
In your house, you won't use Hotel mode, but this feature, to export and import files, will be used, to inject some modificated files, to operate as we want to open a backdoor in the system, and then get access to it.
 
I'm not going to explain here, step by step, how to hack the TV by this way, but I will continue giving advices about the procedure.
 
== "Panic connection" to the TV ==
I decided to name this, the Panic Connection, because usually everyone proceeds to hack their tv's without take this in care. If something goes wrong, and you loose some TV features, you get panic. And you will try to look for how to connect to your TV to fix what you've done, and you will get more panic.
 
== So what to do to fix your panic? ==
It is '''ExLink'''. 

== What is ExLink ==
ExLink in some series ( '''Usually A, B''' ) consist of a cable ( [[Enable Serial Console on non CI+ Devices]] ), which has in one side a 3.5mm jack, like the audio ones, and on the other side an RS232 ( Serial ) DB9 connector. This cable will allow you to connect your PC computer to the TV, and enter in the Serial mode. It's the emergency door to your TV. To communicate with your TV using this port, you will have to use a Serial Communications Software, like Hyperterminal from Windows. Windows 7 removed Hyperterminal from the operating system, but you can download it from several websites. Just Google it. 
If you feel more comfortable from other tools or Operating Systems like Linux, use others.
If your TV is from this series, then you can buy the cable, or make your own one.
 
'''For C,D Series'''. There is no ExLink any more. I say this, because the serial communication exists, but the concept ExLink as cable not. So don't buy an ExLink cable for your C,D series, because you can not use it in this models. So the communication, we can say, is made with other methods, but the emergency door exists in this models aswell.
So, for C, D series, the serial connection is made thru the VGA port of your TV. The explanation about this is in the wiki, but I will give a recommendation from here. Many of us are not comfortables making electronic circuits, and this operation requires it. We don't need a cable, we need a converter. The signal we get from an VGA port adapter, is in TTL convention. It means the power intensity we've got in circuits like that is around 3.3V. On the contrary a serial port, works at 10V more or less. So before we could connect the VGA port from the TV to a serial port in a PC, we need to adapt the power of both communciatios. Then we need a converter. The converter is called RS232 to TTL converter.
 
[[File:rs232_to_ttl_big.jpg]]
[http://www.amazon.com/MAX232-RS232-Converter-Adapter-Board/dp/B00471S6MC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330856098&sr=8-1 You can find it a Amazon for example]. 
Take in care, this not a RS232 to USB converter. That's a second step. So the first we need is, convert the TTL signal, into a RS232 signal. Then we can convert that signal to USB. 
You can use a RS232 to USB converter. New models requires no drivers, and works even with Mac. 
[[File:rs232_to_usb.jpg]]
[http://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Adapter-Prolific-PL2303HX-Chipset/dp/B00425S1H8/ref=pd_bxgy_e_img_b You can see here in Amazon too].
 
If you prefer a simplest and chipest solution you can use an USB Converter that accepts RS232 TTL signal directly, so you don't need to the first step conversion.
Take a look [http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-to-RS232-TTL-PL2303-Chip-Module-Converter-Adapter-/280838366441?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item41634564e9 to this link].

== Ok and now what? ==
[[File:Jumper_wires.jpg]]
Well if you don't want to soldier anything you can use wires jumper to connect the converter and the TV. [http://www.amazon.com/Jumper-Wires-Premium-Male-Pack/dp/B004ZRO06Y/ref=sr_1_15?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1330856372&sr=1-15 I will try to use cables like this].
 
If you took a look to the converter, you see there are several pines in one side of the converter. You will provide power in two of those pines and you will have to connect the pines for RX, and TX as explained in the wiki. I don't want to put here all the information because probably in the wiki there will be information that you should read. This is one of the main problems, because I decided to write this. Because if you follow one post of this forum only you're missing important information from other place and viceversa. 
So you will need a power adapter that provides to you 5V. You can find one of this in a lot of phone power supplies, because usually they work at 5v. So you can probably get a USB cable that you don't need and cut on of the sides.With the help of a polymeter, you can identify which are the wires for +5V and -5V signals. Then you can use a jumper wire to connect to that wires and then finally plugin in the correct pin of the RS232 coverter. In that way you will be providing power to your converter. This will increase the power of the signal from 3.3V-5V to the 10V power needed. Using the same type of jumper wires you can connect the other pins as explained in the Wiki. 
Finally connect the RS232 DB9 connector, to the RS232 - USB adapter, and the USB adapter plugged in your USB port of your computer. Then you can run hyperterminal, and open a serial connection with your TV. The procedure from here is read the emergency steps you have to do thru this serial comms, in the forum post of hacking your TV using Hotel method.
 
'''Well, if you've read until here, you now got more knowledge than before, isn't it?''' 

== So, what we've learned? ==
* 1.- Hack is critical.
* 2.- Our TV can be broken.
* 3.- There is a method to make it alive again, but depends on the disaster you've done.
* 4.- Always we should get ready to stablish the "Panic Connection", which requires specific hardware. Ex-Link or RS232-TTL Converter.
 
And now, you can stop here, or continue. My Last Message, if you're not experienced user, prepare your Ex-Link or RS232-TTL Converter before continue. 
I consider myself an experienced user, and I've got my TV USB bricked :)
 

----

== Road to the Hack ==
Well, you're here :) 
It looks you're ready. 
There is no much to say here, but I will do several advices. 

''March, 03, 2012'' 
[http://wiki.samygo.tv/index.php5/Hacking_TV_over_Hotel_mode_%28most_C_series_models%29 The binary image file referenced in the SamyGo wiki, to hack using this method '''(Hotel Hack)''', have been removed because of the bricks produced with it]. 
So you have to use the [http://forum.samygo.tv/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1076 '''Hotel hack manual method''']. 
But don't go away so fast from this page. Please continue reading this document, and you can go to other page when you finish it. '''It is for your safe'''. 
To prepare the files you will need to upload to your TV, '''you will need Linux'''. 
All the steps referenced in that installation procedure are made '''within a Linux system'''. 
There are some steps not explained in that forum post, but if you read the [http://wiki.samygo.tv/index.php5/Hacking_TV_over_Hotel_mode_%28most_C_series_models%29 SamyGO wiki hotel hack], you will be complementing the information you need. 
Remember most of the information in that wiki page can not be used because the main file you need is not available anymore for safety reasons, but the most important part of the procedure you will have to do it using the [http://forum.samygo.tv/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1076 Hotel Hack manual method, referenced here before]. 
In a very intelligent way, the guy who explained the hotel hack, included into the script, a way to auto remove the hack two minutes after installed. 
It means it will be auto removed two minutes after you apply the hack. 
''Now you don't understand this, but please continue reading.'' 

* This is the script which contains this lines:
#!/bin/sh
sleep 120
echo killself >>/mtd_rwarea/cmd1
sh -x /dtv/usb/sda/run4.sh &
rm -rf /mtd_rwarea/usb_mount/usb_cmd
rm -rf /mtd_rwarea/usb_mount/usb_mount
rm -rf /mtd_rwarea/usb_mount/killself.sh

* Listen, '''do not remove this by the way'''.
If you want, increase that time. 
Instead 120 seconds, set that time for example at 3600 seconds. ('''One hour''') 
The goal of this is, during the first minutes, you will stablish contact with something completely new. The posiblities you break something are potentially high. If you changed the time to 3600, after one hour in the worst of cases your TV will to work as before. When you made all the modifications you want for your system, and everything is tested and working perfect, you can then remove that script, or upload the hack again without that lines in that file, as explained some posts later in that hotel hack topic.
 
After that hour your hack will be removed. '''But it will be easy to upload it again because you will have your USB stick''', with all the files needed prepared from the last time. So the only thing you need to do, if you want, is remove or comment the lines that makes the hack autoremove by itself and upload it again to the TV in the same way as you did before. 

Because this method consist of a modification in the moment of mounting the USB devices in the TV, one of the things that commonly happens is, '''you break this system and you can not mount any USB device anymore'''. 

== Is that a problem? ==
'''Sure it is'''.
* Your situation will be:
You can not mount your hard disks,
you miss the capability to reproduce films thru USB,
you've lost any capability to run any command from your hacked system,
you can not flash any firmware because you can't access to the USB,
you can not apply again the hack because you can not upload files to your TV
* so your TV lacks the choice to get information from the outside world, except from network port or serial comm. 

So if you're in this case, '''as I am today''', in the moment of writing this post, then you only got two options:
* first one, if you're lucky samsung releases a new firmware that replace the partitions stored on your TV, and luckly you check today and you can update your TV thru Online option, and you fix the problem. This is low probably if you've got your tv updated to the latest firmware, as usual for most users.
* You have to use the '''"Panic connection"'''. 

== Can this be fixed with the Factory Reset? ==
'''No'''. It's true there is an option in the Service Menu, where you can make a '''Factory Reset'''. That options clear information about your TV setup, but does not remove files, at least the files that resides in the partition, where the new hacked files where copied. 

== Could I use other methods to send serial commands without the use of Ex-Link adapter or cable? ==
I see, some Samsung TV models, can be managed thru network against the serial comms, and use the phone as a remote control. Could I send the needed commands to the serial port from here, or using the German Application ruSamsung TV?
I guess not. You have to enable the Serial Communication, and it looks it can not be done thru this communication. It is only able thru the Ex-Link connection or VGA Port connection.
 

== It could be possible to remove the hack from a Widget developed in the internet TV? ==
'''Well it could be'''. I tried, but it didn't work because my TV is in a firmware release that has fixed the choice to get access to files on the Samsung TV operation system disk located outside of the Widget user folder. If your firmware release is old and in your case the Internet TV hack is a good option, then if you make some mistake and you've lost the ssh connection, and you've lost USB capabilities, then you could develop an small Widget App, with 4 lines of code, that could remove the files you copied in the hack. I will try to talk about this later and developing a sample. But I guess it won't be very useful, because once Samsung release new updated firmwares, the users, usually update their systems. So internet hack today, we could say is deprecated. Unless you decide to downgrade your firmware to get access to this hack, and then upgrade. But many users confirm that this hack stop working when you upgrade. 
So at date of this post, the power is hotel hack for most users.
 
== SamyGO Extensions. What are they? ==
Well, once you've installed your hack, you will do some important things. A lot of users usually want to do the same, which is, get SSH access, get FTP access, share Samba drives, or share NFS drivers. SamyGO Extensions, is a pack of utilities, prepared in a folder structure, to be run, from the USB device when you plugged in to your TV.
 
Because the hack you've done in your TV, has the ability to run an script called run.sh in the root folder of your USB device, if you copy SamyGO extensions, in your USB device, and then you modifiy the file run.sh to call the SamyGO startup script, then your system will load all you needs when your USB device connects to your TV.
 
Some people, ( as me :) ) thought why not to copy SamyGO extensions in the own Samsung TV flash disk ( the own memory of the TV ) to be loaded in the same way, but without the need to read it from the USB disk. '''WRONG!'''. Probably, as everything, it could be done, but forget to do that, and you will be far from brick your TV.
 
I will try to post a second detailed part of this post, when my restore TV process begins, I hope next week. By the way I'm waiting for the RS232-TTL adapter.
 
I also will try to complete all of this information with the links to the forum posts and SamyGO wiki as it is referenced in some parts of this post.

This is the first document you have to read

2012-03-05T12:35:15Z

Latas: /* What is ExLink */

== '''This article is specially written for everyone who wants to hack their TV's.''' ==

Important things to take in care when you read this article. 
* ''Take in care the dates when the things are referenced''. 
The information changes and some of it written here today will become obsolet tomorrow. So let's begin.

== Before to begin ==

''What are TV's series?'' 
I'm not talking about small films of duration splited in several chapters. I'm talking about the serial identification code of each Samsung TV. 
Usually is composed by:
* a international region code, it could be UE (for Europe), US for United States,
* the TV size in inches, maybe 40, 46, 50, 55 and so on,
* a code for the Serie, which usually is A, B, C, D,
* and the code of your TV model inside that serie. 
For example: 
'''UE40C8000''' 
You will find a lot of references about series on the SamyGO wiki. Take this information in care, because depending on this you will have to take one action or other, and some information could be valid for you or not.
 

== Hack your TV can be a very easy procedure, or a very complicated procedure. What depends on? ==
Well, Samsung TV's, runs Linux based OS. So, this meas, as much knowledge you've got from Linux, more comfortable you feel when you proceed to hack your TV.
 
== Does this mean if I don't know Linux, I can not hack my TV? ==
No. Following the instructions you will be able to hack it, but you will have to take care about what are you doing. And this is the important part, if you don't have linux knowledge you won't know what are you doing, just simply following a script as a film.
 
So, first thing we should know, '''if you've got doubts, DO NOT FOLLOW! Take your time, read the documentation, and if you need further info, ask'''.
 
== What is the worst could happen? ==
You can brick your TV. 

== What means brick? ==
Basically you will have a TV with problems. Some part of its funcionality could be broken. 

== What functionalities of my TV are in risk if I decide to hack my TV? ==
''March, 3, 2012.'' 
There are several procedures to hack your TV defined in the SamyGO wiki. The concept of all of them is the same. Modify the internal system of your TV that mount your USB devices to do something more before to proceed to the mount step.
Depending on your Firmware installed on your TV, you will be able to use one hack way or both.
 
So this means, the most important part in risk when you decide to hack your TV, is the USB system of your TV.
 
You should take a look to the firmware version of your TV, that you can check in the menu option of update firmware of your TV. With that information you can check the table in the SamyGO wiki to know what kind of hack you could use.
 
== Is there an undo procedure if I break my TV? ==
Usually yes. But not as easy as undo. If you simply followed the hack steps, then there is an option to restore your TV. If you made a big disaster when you did login into the system, and you broke other things, then that will depend. I will explain later the "panic connection" to the TV.
 
== Internet TV Hack ==
This hack consist of the installation of a Smart TV app, that will do some operations to proceed with the hack. The exploit used in this type of hack was fixed by Samsung in new firmware releases, so if you've got your TV updated to the latest firmware available you won't be able to use this. Forget it.
 
== Hotel Hack ==
This hack consist of make an import of files from an USB memory stick in the Hotel mode of your TV.
 
== What is Hotel Mode? ==
Samsung TV's, some models, many of them, has an option, to make the TV works when they're installed in hotels. This makes the TV to work in an isolated environment, that protects some functions from the modifications hotel guests want to do. Because there are usually many rooms in a hotel, the service menu of Hotel option, has the choice to make a configuration, and export it to an USB stick, and also import it from a USB stick. The goal of this, is get an easy way to replicate information to a lot of TV's.
In your house, you won't use Hotel mode, but this feature, to export and import files, will be used, to inject some modificated files, to operate as we want to open a backdoor in the system, and then get access to it.
 
I'm not going to explain here, step by step, how to hack the TV by this way, but I will continue giving advices about the procedure.
 
== "Panic connection" to the TV ==
I decided to name this, the Panic Connection, because usually everyone proceeds to hack their tv's without take this in care. If something goes wrong, and you loose some TV features, you get panic. And you will try to look for how to connect to your TV to fix what you've done, and you will get more panic.
 
== So what to do to fix your panic? ==
It is '''ExLink'''. 

== What is ExLink ==
ExLink in some series ( '''Usually A, B''' ) consist of a cable ( [[Enable Serial Console on non CI+ Devices]] ), which has in one side a 3.5mm jack, like the audio ones, and on the other side an RS232 ( Serial ) DB9 connector. This cable will allow you to connect your PC computer to the TV, and enter in the Serial mode. It's the emergency door to your TV. To communicate with your TV using this port, you will have to use a Serial Communications Software, like Hyperterminal from Windows. Windows 7 removed Hyperterminal from the operating system, but you can download it from several websites. Just Google it. 
If you feel more comfortable from other tools or Operating Systems like Linux, use others.
If your TV is from this series, then you can buy the cable, or make your own one.
 
'''For C,D Series'''. There is no ExLink any more. I say this, because the serial communication exists, but the concept ExLink as cable not. So don't buy an ExLink cable for your C,D series, because you can not use it in this models. So the communication, we can say, is made with other methods, but the emergency door exists in this models aswell.
So, for C, D series, the serial connection is made thru the VGA port of your TV. The explanation about this is in the wiki, but I will give a recommendation from here. Many of us are not comfortables making electronic circuits, and this operation requires it. We don't need a cable, we need a converter. The signal we get from an VGA port adapter, is in TTL convention. It means the power intensity we've got in circuits like that is around 3.3V. On the contrary a serial port, works at 10V more or less. So before we could connect the VGA port from the TV to a serial port in a PC, we need to adapt the power of both communciatios. Then we need a converter. The converter is called RS232 to TTL converter.
 
[[File:rs232_to_ttl_big.jpg]]
[http://www.amazon.com/MAX232-RS232-Converter-Adapter-Board/dp/B00471S6MC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330856098&sr=8-1 You can find it a Amazon for example]. 
Take in care, this not a RS232 to USB converter. That's a second step. So the first we need is, convert the TTL signal, into a RS232 signal. Then we can convert that signal to USB. 
You can use a RS232 to USB converter. New models requires no drivers, and works even with Mac. 
[[File:rs232_to_usb.jpg]]
[http://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Adapter-Prolific-PL2303HX-Chipset/dp/B00425S1H8/ref=pd_bxgy_e_img_b You can see here in Amazon too].
 
If you prefer a simplest and chipest solution you can use an USB Converter that accepts RS232 TTL signal directly, so you don't need to the first step conversion.
Take a look [http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-to-RS232-TTL-PL2303-Chip-Module-Converter-Adapter-/280838366441?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item41634564e9 to this link].

== Ok and now what? ==
[[File:Jumper_wires.jpg]]
Well if you don't want to soldier anything you can use wires jumper to connect the converter and the TV. [http://www.amazon.com/Jumper-Wires-Premium-Male-Pack/dp/B004ZRO06Y/ref=sr_1_15?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1330856372&sr=1-15 I will try to use cables like this].
 
If you took a look to the converter, you see there are several pines in one side of the converter. You will provide power in two of those pines and you will have to connect the pines for RX, and TX as explained in the wiki. I don't want to put here all the information because probably in the wiki there will be information that you should read. This is one of the main problems, because I decided to write this. Because if you follow one post of this forum only you're missing important information from other place and viceversa. 
So you will need a power adapter that provides to you 5V. You can find one of this in a lot of phone power supplies, because usually they work at 5v. So you can probably get a USB cable that you don't need and cut on of the sides.With the help of a polymeter, you can identify which are the wires for +5V and -5V signals. Then you can use a jumper wire to connect to that wires and then finally plugin in the correct pin of the RS232 coverter. In that way you will be providing power to your converter. This will increase the power of the signal from 3.3V-5V to the 10V power needed. Using the same type of jumper wires you can connect the other pins as explained in the Wiki. 
Finally connect the RS232 DB9 connector, to the RS232 - USB adapter, and the USB adapter plugged in your USB port of your computer. Then you can run hyperterminal, and open a serial connection with your TV. The procedure from here is read the emergency steps you have to do thru this serial comms, in the forum post of hacking your TV using Hotel method.
 
'''Well, if you've read until here, you now got more knowledge than before, isn't it?''' 

== So, what we've learned? ==
* 1.- Hack is critical.
* 2.- Our TV can be broken.
* 3.- There is a method to make it alive again, but depends on the disaster you've done.
* 4.- Always we should get ready to stablish the "Panic Connection", which requires specific hardware. Ex-Link or RS232-TTL Converter.
 
And now, you can stop here, or continue. My Last Message, if you're not experienced user, prepare your Ex-Link or RS232-TTL Converter before continue. 
I consider myself an experienced user, and I've got my TV USB bricked :)
 

----

== Road to the Hack ==
Well, you're here :) 
It looks you're ready. 
There is no much to say here, but I will do several advices. 

''March, 03, 2012'' 
[http://wiki.samygo.tv/index.php5/Hacking_TV_over_Hotel_mode_%28most_C_series_models%29 The binary image file referenced in the SamyGo wiki, to hack using this method '''(Hotel Hack)''', have been removed because of the bricks produced with it]. 
So you have to use the [http://forum.samygo.tv/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1076 '''Hotel hack manual method''']. 
But don't go away so fast from this page. Please continue reading this document, and you can go to other page when you finish it. '''It is for your safe'''. 
To prepare the files you will need to upload to your TV, '''you will need Linux'''. 
All the steps referenced in that installation procedure are made '''within a Linux system'''. 
There are some steps not explained in that forum post, but if you read the [http://wiki.samygo.tv/index.php5/Hacking_TV_over_Hotel_mode_%28most_C_series_models%29 SamyGO wiki hotel hack], you will be complementing the information you need. 
Remember most of the information in that wiki page can not be used because the main file you need is not available anymore for safety reasons, but the most important part of the procedure you will have to do it using the [http://forum.samygo.tv/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1076 Hotel Hack manual method, referenced here before]. 
In a very intelligent way, the guy who explained the hotel hack, included into the script, a way to auto remove the hack two minutes after installed. 
It means it will be auto removed two minutes after you apply the hack. 
''Now you don't understand this, but please continue reading.'' 

* This is the script which contains this lines:
#!/bin/sh
sleep 120
echo killself >>/mtd_rwarea/cmd1
sh -x /dtv/usb/sda/run4.sh &
rm -rf /mtd_rwarea/usb_mount/usb_cmd
rm -rf /mtd_rwarea/usb_mount/usb_mount
rm -rf /mtd_rwarea/usb_mount/killself.sh

* Listen, '''do not remove this by the way'''.
If you want, increase that time. 
Instead 120 seconds, set that time for example at 3600 seconds. ('''One hour''') 
The goal of this is, during the first minutes, you will stablish contact with something completely new. The posiblities you break something are potentially high. If you changed the time to 3600, after one hour in the worst of cases your TV will to work as before. When you made all the modifications you want for your system, and everything is tested and working perfect, you can then remove that script, or upload the hack again without that lines in that file, as explained some posts later in that hotel hack topic.
 
After that hour your hack will be removed. '''But it will be easy to upload it again because you will have your USB stick''', with all the files needed prepared from the last time. So the only thing you need to do, if you want, is remove or comment the lines that makes the hack autoremove by itself and upload it again to the TV in the same way as you did before. 

Because this method consist of a modification in the moment of mounting the USB devices in the TV, one of the things that commonly happens is, '''you break this system and you can not mount any USB device anymore'''. 

== Is that a problem? ==
'''Sure it is'''.
* Your situation will be:
You can not mount your hard disks,
you miss the capability to reproduce films thru USB,
you've lost any capability to run any command from your hacked system,
you can not flash any firmware because you can't access to the USB,
you can not apply again the hack because you can not upload files to your TV
* so your TV lacks the choice to get information from the outside world, except from network port or serial comm. 

So if you're in this case, '''as I am today''', in the moment of writing this post, then you only got two options:
* first one, if you're lucky samsung releases a new firmware that replace the partitions stored on your TV, and luckly you check today and you can update your TV thru Online option, and you fix the problem. This is low probably if you've got your tv updated to the latest firmware, as usual for most users.
* You have to use the '''"Panic connection"'''. 

== Can this be fixed with the Factory Reset? ==
'''No'''. It's true there is an option in the Service Menu, where you can make a '''Factory Reset'''. That options clear information about your TV setup, but does not remove files, at least the files that resides in the partition, where the new hacked files where copied. 

== Could I use other methods to send serial commands without the use of Ex-Link adapter or cable? ==
I see, some Samsung TV models, can be managed thru network against the serial comms, and use the phone as a remote control. Could I send the needed commands to the serial port from here, or using the German Application ruSamsung TV?
I guess not. You have to enable the Serial Communication, and it looks it can not be done thru this communication. It is only able thru the Ex-Link connection or VGA Port connection.
 

== It could be possible to remove the hack from a Widget developed in the internet TV? ==
'''Well it could be'''. I tried, but it didn't work because my TV is in a firmware release that has fixed the choice to get access to files on the Samsung TV operation system disk located outside of the Widget user folder. If your firmware release is old and in your case the Internet TV hack is a good option, then if you make some mistake and you've lost the ssh connection, and you've lost USB capabilities, then you could develop an small Widget App, with 4 lines of code, that could remove the files you copied in the hack. I will try to talk about this later and developing a sample. But I guess it won't be very useful, because once Samsung release new updated firmwares, the users, usually update their systems. So internet hack today, we could say is deprecated. Unless you decide to downgrade your firmware to get access to this hack, and then upgrade. But many users confirm that this hack stop working when you upgrade. 
So at date of this post, the power is hotel hack for most users.
 
== SamyGO Extensions. What are they? ==
Well, once you've installed your hack, you will do some important things. A lot of users usually want to do the same, which is, get SSH access, get FTP access, share Samba drives, or share NFS drivers. SamyGO Extensions, is a pack of utilities, prepared in a folder structure, to be run, from the USB device when you plugged in to your TV.
 
Because the hack you've done in your TV, has the ability to run an script called run.sh in the root folder of your USB device, if you copy SamyGO extensions, in your USB device, and then you modifiy the file run.sh to call the SamyGO startup script, then your system will load all you needs when your USB device connects to your TV.
 
Some people, ( as me :) ) thought why not to copy SamyGO extensions in the own Samsung TV flash disk ( the own memory of the TV ) to be loaded in the same way, but without the need to read it from the USB disk. '''WRONG!'''. Probably, as everything, it could be done, but forget to do that, and you will be far from brick your TV.
 
I will try to post a second detailed part of this post, when my restore TV process begins, I hope next week. By the way I'm waiting for the RS232-TTL adapter.
 
I also will try to complete all of this information with the links to the forum posts and SamyGO wiki as it is referenced in some parts of this post.

This is the first document you have to read

2012-03-05T10:47:18Z

Latas: /* What is ExLink */

== '''This article is specially written for everyone who wants to hack their TV's.''' ==

Important things to take in care when you read this article. 
* ''Take in care the dates when the things are referenced''. 
The information changes and some of it written here today will become obsolet tomorrow. So let's begin.

== Before to begin ==

''What are TV's series?'' 
I'm not talking about small films of duration splited in several chapters. I'm talking about the serial identification code of each Samsung TV. 
Usually is composed by:
* a international region code, it could be UE (for Europe), US for United States,
* the TV size in inches, maybe 40, 46, 50, 55 and so on,
* a code for the Serie, which usually is A, B, C, D,
* and the code of your TV model inside that serie. 
For example: 
'''UE40C8000''' 
You will find a lot of references about series on the SamyGO wiki. Take this information in care, because depending on this you will have to take one action or other, and some information could be valid for you or not.
 

== Hack your TV can be a very easy procedure, or a very complicated procedure. What depends on? ==
Well, Samsung TV's, runs Linux based OS. So, this meas, as much knowledge you've got from Linux, more comfortable you feel when you proceed to hack your TV.
 
== Does this mean if I don't know Linux, I can not hack my TV? ==
No. Following the instructions you will be able to hack it, but you will have to take care about what are you doing. And this is the important part, if you don't have linux knowledge you won't know what are you doing, just simply following a script as a film.
 
So, first thing we should know, '''if you've got doubts, DO NOT FOLLOW! Take your time, read the documentation, and if you need further info, ask'''.
 
== What is the worst could happen? ==
You can brick your TV. 

== What means brick? ==
Basically you will have a TV with problems. Some part of its funcionality could be broken. 

== What functionalities of my TV are in risk if I decide to hack my TV? ==
''March, 3, 2012.'' 
There are several procedures to hack your TV defined in the SamyGO wiki. The concept of all of them is the same. Modify the internal system of your TV that mount your USB devices to do something more before to proceed to the mount step.
Depending on your Firmware installed on your TV, you will be able to use one hack way or both.
 
So this means, the most important part in risk when you decide to hack your TV, is the USB system of your TV.
 
You should take a look to the firmware version of your TV, that you can check in the menu option of update firmware of your TV. With that information you can check the table in the SamyGO wiki to know what kind of hack you could use.
 
== Is there an undo procedure if I break my TV? ==
Usually yes. But not as easy as undo. If you simply followed the hack steps, then there is an option to restore your TV. If you made a big disaster when you did login into the system, and you broke other things, then that will depend. I will explain later the "panic connection" to the TV.
 
== Internet TV Hack ==
This hack consist of the installation of a Smart TV app, that will do some operations to proceed with the hack. The exploit used in this type of hack was fixed by Samsung in new firmware releases, so if you've got your TV updated to the latest firmware available you won't be able to use this. Forget it.
 
== Hotel Hack ==
This hack consist of make an import of files from an USB memory stick in the Hotel mode of your TV.
 
== What is Hotel Mode? ==
Samsung TV's, some models, many of them, has an option, to make the TV works when they're installed in hotels. This makes the TV to work in an isolated environment, that protects some functions from the modifications hotel guests want to do. Because there are usually many rooms in a hotel, the service menu of Hotel option, has the choice to make a configuration, and export it to an USB stick, and also import it from a USB stick. The goal of this, is get an easy way to replicate information to a lot of TV's.
In your house, you won't use Hotel mode, but this feature, to export and import files, will be used, to inject some modificated files, to operate as we want to open a backdoor in the system, and then get access to it.
 
I'm not going to explain here, step by step, how to hack the TV by this way, but I will continue giving advices about the procedure.
 
== "Panic connection" to the TV ==
I decided to name this, the Panic Connection, because usually everyone proceeds to hack their tv's without take this in care. If something goes wrong, and you loose some TV features, you get panic. And you will try to look for how to connect to your TV to fix what you've done, and you will get more panic.
 
== So what to do to fix your panic? ==
It is '''ExLink'''. 

== What is ExLink ==
ExLink in some series ( '''Usually A, B''' ) consist of a cable ( [[Enable Serial Console on non CI+ Devices]] ), which has in one side a 3.5mm jack, like the audio ones, and on the other side an RS232 ( Serial ) DB9 connector. This cable will allow you to connect your PC computer to the TV, and enter in the Serial mode. It's the emergency door to your TV. To communicate with your TV using this port, you will have to use a Serial Communications Software, like Hyperterminal from Windows. Windows 7 removed Hyperterminal from the operating system, but you can download it from several websites. Just Google it. 
If you feel more comfortable from other tools or Operating Systems like Linux, use others.
If your TV is from this series, then you can buy the cable, or make your own one.
 
'''For C,D Series'''. There is no ExLink any more. I say this, because the serial communication exists, but the concept ExLink as cable not. So don't buy an ExLink cable for your C,D series, because you can not use it in this models. So the communication, we can say, is made with other methods, but the emergency door exists in this models aswell.
So, for C, D series, the serial connection is made thru the VGA port of your TV. The explanation about this is in the wiki, but I will give a recommendation from here. Many of us are not comfortables making electronic circuits, and this operation requires it. We don't need a cable, we need a converter. The signal we get from an VGA port adapter, is in TTL convention. It means the power intensity we've got in circuits like that is around 3.3V. On the contrary a serial port, works at 10V more or less. So before we could connect the VGA port from the TV to a serial port in a PC, we need to adapt the power of both communciatios. Then we need a converter. The converter is called RS232 to TTL converter.
 
[[File:rs232_to_ttl_big.jpg]]
[http://www.amazon.com/MAX232-RS232-Converter-Adapter-Board/dp/B00471S6MC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330856098&sr=8-1 You can find it a Amazon for example]. 
Take in care, this not a RS232 to USB converter. That's a second step. So the first we need is, convert the TTL signal, into a RS232 signal. Then we can convert that signal to USB. 
You can use a RS232 to USB converter. New models requires no drivers, and works even with Mac. 
[[File:rs232_to_usb.jpg]]
[http://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Adapter-Prolific-PL2303HX-Chipset/dp/B00425S1H8/ref=pd_bxgy_e_img_b You can see here in Amazon too].
 

== Ok and now what? ==
[[File:Jumper_wires.jpg]]
Well if you don't want to soldier anything you can use wires jumper to connect the converter and the TV. [http://www.amazon.com/Jumper-Wires-Premium-Male-Pack/dp/B004ZRO06Y/ref=sr_1_15?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1330856372&sr=1-15 I will try to use cables like this].
 
If you took a look to the converter, you see there are several pines in one side of the converter. You will provide power in two of those pines and you will have to connect the pines for RX, and TX as explained in the wiki. I don't want to put here all the information because probably in the wiki there will be information that you should read. This is one of the main problems, because I decided to write this. Because if you follow one post of this forum only you're missing important information from other place and viceversa. 
So you will need a power adapter that provides to you 5V. You can find one of this in a lot of phone power supplies, because usually they work at 5v. So you can probably get a USB cable that you don't need and cut on of the sides.With the help of a polymeter, you can identify which are the wires for +5V and -5V signals. Then you can use a jumper wire to connect to that wires and then finally plugin in the correct pin of the RS232 coverter. In that way you will be providing power to your converter. This will increase the power of the signal from 3.3V-5V to the 10V power needed. Using the same type of jumper wires you can connect the other pins as explained in the Wiki. 
Finally connect the RS232 DB9 connector, to the RS232 - USB adapter, and the USB adapter plugged in your USB port of your computer. Then you can run hyperterminal, and open a serial connection with your TV. The procedure from here is read the emergency steps you have to do thru this serial comms, in the forum post of hacking your TV using Hotel method.
 
'''Well, if you've read until here, you now got more knowledge than before, isn't it?''' 

== So, what we've learned? ==
* 1.- Hack is critical.
* 2.- Our TV can be broken.
* 3.- There is a method to make it alive again, but depends on the disaster you've done.
* 4.- Always we should get ready to stablish the "Panic Connection", which requires specific hardware. Ex-Link or RS232-TTL Converter.
 
And now, you can stop here, or continue. My Last Message, if you're not experienced user, prepare your Ex-Link or RS232-TTL Converter before continue. 
I consider myself an experienced user, and I've got my TV USB bricked :)
 

----

== Road to the Hack ==
Well, you're here :) 
It looks you're ready. 
There is no much to say here, but I will do several advices. 

''March, 03, 2012'' 
[http://wiki.samygo.tv/index.php5/Hacking_TV_over_Hotel_mode_%28most_C_series_models%29 The binary image file referenced in the SamyGo wiki, to hack using this method '''(Hotel Hack)''', have been removed because of the bricks produced with it]. 
So you have to use the [http://forum.samygo.tv/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1076 '''Hotel hack manual method''']. 
But don't go away so fast from this page. Please continue reading this document, and you can go to other page when you finish it. '''It is for your safe'''. 
To prepare the files you will need to upload to your TV, '''you will need Linux'''. 
All the steps referenced in that installation procedure are made '''within a Linux system'''. 
There are some steps not explained in that forum post, but if you read the [http://wiki.samygo.tv/index.php5/Hacking_TV_over_Hotel_mode_%28most_C_series_models%29 SamyGO wiki hotel hack], you will be complementing the information you need. 
Remember most of the information in that wiki page can not be used because the main file you need is not available anymore for safety reasons, but the most important part of the procedure you will have to do it using the [http://forum.samygo.tv/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1076 Hotel Hack manual method, referenced here before]. 
In a very intelligent way, the guy who explained the hotel hack, included into the script, a way to auto remove the hack two minutes after installed. 
It means it will be auto removed two minutes after you apply the hack. 
''Now you don't understand this, but please continue reading.'' 

* This is the script which contains this lines:
#!/bin/sh
sleep 120
echo killself >>/mtd_rwarea/cmd1
sh -x /dtv/usb/sda/run4.sh &
rm -rf /mtd_rwarea/usb_mount/usb_cmd
rm -rf /mtd_rwarea/usb_mount/usb_mount
rm -rf /mtd_rwarea/usb_mount/killself.sh

* Listen, '''do not remove this by the way'''.
If you want, increase that time. 
Instead 120 seconds, set that time for example at 3600 seconds. ('''One hour''') 
The goal of this is, during the first minutes, you will stablish contact with something completely new. The posiblities you break something are potentially high. If you changed the time to 3600, after one hour in the worst of cases your TV will to work as before. When you made all the modifications you want for your system, and everything is tested and working perfect, you can then remove that script, or upload the hack again without that lines in that file, as explained some posts later in that hotel hack topic.
 
After that hour your hack will be removed. '''But it will be easy to upload it again because you will have your USB stick''', with all the files needed prepared from the last time. So the only thing you need to do, if you want, is remove or comment the lines that makes the hack autoremove by itself and upload it again to the TV in the same way as you did before. 

Because this method consist of a modification in the moment of mounting the USB devices in the TV, one of the things that commonly happens is, '''you break this system and you can not mount any USB device anymore'''. 

== Is that a problem? ==
'''Sure it is'''.
* Your situation will be:
You can not mount your hard disks,
you miss the capability to reproduce films thru USB,
you've lost any capability to run any command from your hacked system,
you can not flash any firmware because you can't access to the USB,
you can not apply again the hack because you can not upload files to your TV
* so your TV lacks the choice to get information from the outside world, except from network port or serial comm. 

So if you're in this case, '''as I am today''', in the moment of writing this post, then you only got two options:
* first one, if you're lucky samsung releases a new firmware that replace the partitions stored on your TV, and luckly you check today and you can update your TV thru Online option, and you fix the problem. This is low probably if you've got your tv updated to the latest firmware, as usual for most users.
* You have to use the '''"Panic connection"'''. 

== Can this be fixed with the Factory Reset? ==
'''No'''. It's true there is an option in the Service Menu, where you can make a '''Factory Reset'''. That options clear information about your TV setup, but does not remove files, at least the files that resides in the partition, where the new hacked files where copied. 

== Could I use other methods to send serial commands without the use of Ex-Link adapter or cable? ==
I see, some Samsung TV models, can be managed thru network against the serial comms, and use the phone as a remote control. Could I send the needed commands to the serial port from here, or using the German Application ruSamsung TV?
I guess not. You have to enable the Serial Communication, and it looks it can not be done thru this communication. It is only able thru the Ex-Link connection or VGA Port connection.
 

== It could be possible to remove the hack from a Widget developed in the internet TV? ==
'''Well it could be'''. I tried, but it didn't work because my TV is in a firmware release that has fixed the choice to get access to files on the Samsung TV operation system disk located outside of the Widget user folder. If your firmware release is old and in your case the Internet TV hack is a good option, then if you make some mistake and you've lost the ssh connection, and you've lost USB capabilities, then you could develop an small Widget App, with 4 lines of code, that could remove the files you copied in the hack. I will try to talk about this later and developing a sample. But I guess it won't be very useful, because once Samsung release new updated firmwares, the users, usually update their systems. So internet hack today, we could say is deprecated. Unless you decide to downgrade your firmware to get access to this hack, and then upgrade. But many users confirm that this hack stop working when you upgrade. 
So at date of this post, the power is hotel hack for most users.
 
== SamyGO Extensions. What are they? ==
Well, once you've installed your hack, you will do some important things. A lot of users usually want to do the same, which is, get SSH access, get FTP access, share Samba drives, or share NFS drivers. SamyGO Extensions, is a pack of utilities, prepared in a folder structure, to be run, from the USB device when you plugged in to your TV.
 
Because the hack you've done in your TV, has the ability to run an script called run.sh in the root folder of your USB device, if you copy SamyGO extensions, in your USB device, and then you modifiy the file run.sh to call the SamyGO startup script, then your system will load all you needs when your USB device connects to your TV.
 
Some people, ( as me :) ) thought why not to copy SamyGO extensions in the own Samsung TV flash disk ( the own memory of the TV ) to be loaded in the same way, but without the need to read it from the USB disk. '''WRONG!'''. Probably, as everything, it could be done, but forget to do that, and you will be far from brick your TV.
 
I will try to post a second detailed part of this post, when my restore TV process begins, I hope next week. By the way I'm waiting for the RS232-TTL adapter.
 
I also will try to complete all of this information with the links to the forum posts and SamyGO wiki as it is referenced in some parts of this post.

This is the first document you have to read

2012-03-05T10:41:22Z

Latas: /* This article is specially written for everyone who wants to hack their TV's. */

== '''This article is specially written for everyone who wants to hack their TV's.''' ==

Important things to take in care when you read this article. 
* ''Take in care the dates when the things are referenced''. 
The information changes and some of it written here today will become obsolet tomorrow. So let's begin.

== Before to begin ==

''What are TV's series?'' 
I'm not talking about small films of duration splited in several chapters. I'm talking about the serial identification code of each Samsung TV. 
Usually is composed by:
* a international region code, it could be UE (for Europe), US for United States,
* the TV size in inches, maybe 40, 46, 50, 55 and so on,
* a code for the Serie, which usually is A, B, C, D,
* and the code of your TV model inside that serie. 
For example: 
'''UE40C8000''' 
You will find a lot of references about series on the SamyGO wiki. Take this information in care, because depending on this you will have to take one action or other, and some information could be valid for you or not.
 

== Hack your TV can be a very easy procedure, or a very complicated procedure. What depends on? ==
Well, Samsung TV's, runs Linux based OS. So, this meas, as much knowledge you've got from Linux, more comfortable you feel when you proceed to hack your TV.
 
== Does this mean if I don't know Linux, I can not hack my TV? ==
No. Following the instructions you will be able to hack it, but you will have to take care about what are you doing. And this is the important part, if you don't have linux knowledge you won't know what are you doing, just simply following a script as a film.
 
So, first thing we should know, '''if you've got doubts, DO NOT FOLLOW! Take your time, read the documentation, and if you need further info, ask'''.
 
== What is the worst could happen? ==
You can brick your TV. 

== What means brick? ==
Basically you will have a TV with problems. Some part of its funcionality could be broken. 

== What functionalities of my TV are in risk if I decide to hack my TV? ==
''March, 3, 2012.'' 
There are several procedures to hack your TV defined in the SamyGO wiki. The concept of all of them is the same. Modify the internal system of your TV that mount your USB devices to do something more before to proceed to the mount step.
Depending on your Firmware installed on your TV, you will be able to use one hack way or both.
 
So this means, the most important part in risk when you decide to hack your TV, is the USB system of your TV.
 
You should take a look to the firmware version of your TV, that you can check in the menu option of update firmware of your TV. With that information you can check the table in the SamyGO wiki to know what kind of hack you could use.
 
== Is there an undo procedure if I break my TV? ==
Usually yes. But not as easy as undo. If you simply followed the hack steps, then there is an option to restore your TV. If you made a big disaster when you did login into the system, and you broke other things, then that will depend. I will explain later the "panic connection" to the TV.
 
== Internet TV Hack ==
This hack consist of the installation of a Smart TV app, that will do some operations to proceed with the hack. The exploit used in this type of hack was fixed by Samsung in new firmware releases, so if you've got your TV updated to the latest firmware available you won't be able to use this. Forget it.
 
== Hotel Hack ==
This hack consist of make an import of files from an USB memory stick in the Hotel mode of your TV.
 
== What is Hotel Mode? ==
Samsung TV's, some models, many of them, has an option, to make the TV works when they're installed in hotels. This makes the TV to work in an isolated environment, that protects some functions from the modifications hotel guests want to do. Because there are usually many rooms in a hotel, the service menu of Hotel option, has the choice to make a configuration, and export it to an USB stick, and also import it from a USB stick. The goal of this, is get an easy way to replicate information to a lot of TV's.
In your house, you won't use Hotel mode, but this feature, to export and import files, will be used, to inject some modificated files, to operate as we want to open a backdoor in the system, and then get access to it.
 
I'm not going to explain here, step by step, how to hack the TV by this way, but I will continue giving advices about the procedure.
 
== "Panic connection" to the TV ==
I decided to name this, the Panic Connection, because usually everyone proceeds to hack their tv's without take this in care. If something goes wrong, and you loose some TV features, you get panic. And you will try to look for how to connect to your TV to fix what you've done, and you will get more panic.
 
== So what to do to fix your panic? ==
It is '''ExLink'''. 

== What is ExLink ==
ExLink in some series ( '''Usually A, B''' ) consist of a cable, which has in one side a 3.5mm jack, like the audio ones, and on the other side an RS232 ( Serial ) DB9 connector. This cable will allow you to connect your PC computer to the TV, and enter in the Serial mode. It's the emergency door to your TV. To communicate with your TV using this port, you will have to use a Serial Communications Software, like Hyperterminal from Windows. Windows 7 removed Hyperterminal from the operating system, but you can download it from several websites. Just Google it. 
If you feel more comfortable from other tools or Operating Systems like Linux, use others.
If your TV is from this series, then you can buy the cable, or make your own one.
 
'''For C,D Series'''. There is no ExLink any more. I say this, because the serial communication exists, but the concept ExLink as cable not. So don't buy an ExLink cable for your C,D series, because you can not use it in this models. So the communication, we can say, is made with other methods, but the emergency door exists in this models aswell.
So, for C, D series, the serial connection is made thru the VGA port of your TV. The explanation about this is in the wiki, but I will give a recommendation from here. Many of us are not comfortables making electronic circuits, and this operation requires it. We don't need a cable, we need a converter. The signal we get from an VGA port adapter, is in TTL convention. It means the power intensity we've got in circuits like that is around 3.3V. On the contrary a serial port, works at 10V more or less. So before we could connect the VGA port from the TV to a serial port in a PC, we need to adapt the power of both communciatios. Then we need a converter. The converter is called RS232 to TTL converter.
 
[[File:rs232_to_ttl_big.jpg]]
[http://www.amazon.com/MAX232-RS232-Converter-Adapter-Board/dp/B00471S6MC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330856098&sr=8-1 You can find it a Amazon for example]. 
Take in care, this not a RS232 to USB converter. That's a second step. So the first we need is, convert the TTL signal, into a RS232 signal. Then we can convert that signal to USB. 
You can use a RS232 to USB converter. New models requires no drivers, and works even with Mac. 
[[File:rs232_to_usb.jpg]]
[http://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Adapter-Prolific-PL2303HX-Chipset/dp/B00425S1H8/ref=pd_bxgy_e_img_b You can see here in Amazon too].
 

== Ok and now what? ==
[[File:Jumper_wires.jpg]]
Well if you don't want to soldier anything you can use wires jumper to connect the converter and the TV. [http://www.amazon.com/Jumper-Wires-Premium-Male-Pack/dp/B004ZRO06Y/ref=sr_1_15?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1330856372&sr=1-15 I will try to use cables like this].
 
If you took a look to the converter, you see there are several pines in one side of the converter. You will provide power in two of those pines and you will have to connect the pines for RX, and TX as explained in the wiki. I don't want to put here all the information because probably in the wiki there will be information that you should read. This is one of the main problems, because I decided to write this. Because if you follow one post of this forum only you're missing important information from other place and viceversa. 
So you will need a power adapter that provides to you 5V. You can find one of this in a lot of phone power supplies, because usually they work at 5v. So you can probably get a USB cable that you don't need and cut on of the sides.With the help of a polymeter, you can identify which are the wires for +5V and -5V signals. Then you can use a jumper wire to connect to that wires and then finally plugin in the correct pin of the RS232 coverter. In that way you will be providing power to your converter. This will increase the power of the signal from 3.3V-5V to the 10V power needed. Using the same type of jumper wires you can connect the other pins as explained in the Wiki. 
Finally connect the RS232 DB9 connector, to the RS232 - USB adapter, and the USB adapter plugged in your USB port of your computer. Then you can run hyperterminal, and open a serial connection with your TV. The procedure from here is read the emergency steps you have to do thru this serial comms, in the forum post of hacking your TV using Hotel method.
 
'''Well, if you've read until here, you now got more knowledge than before, isn't it?''' 

== So, what we've learned? ==
* 1.- Hack is critical.
* 2.- Our TV can be broken.
* 3.- There is a method to make it alive again, but depends on the disaster you've done.
* 4.- Always we should get ready to stablish the "Panic Connection", which requires specific hardware. Ex-Link or RS232-TTL Converter.
 
And now, you can stop here, or continue. My Last Message, if you're not experienced user, prepare your Ex-Link or RS232-TTL Converter before continue. 
I consider myself an experienced user, and I've got my TV USB bricked :)
 

----

== Road to the Hack ==
Well, you're here :) 
It looks you're ready. 
There is no much to say here, but I will do several advices. 

''March, 03, 2012'' 
[http://wiki.samygo.tv/index.php5/Hacking_TV_over_Hotel_mode_%28most_C_series_models%29 The binary image file referenced in the SamyGo wiki, to hack using this method '''(Hotel Hack)''', have been removed because of the bricks produced with it]. 
So you have to use the [http://forum.samygo.tv/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1076 '''Hotel hack manual method''']. 
But don't go away so fast from this page. Please continue reading this document, and you can go to other page when you finish it. '''It is for your safe'''. 
To prepare the files you will need to upload to your TV, '''you will need Linux'''. 
All the steps referenced in that installation procedure are made '''within a Linux system'''. 
There are some steps not explained in that forum post, but if you read the [http://wiki.samygo.tv/index.php5/Hacking_TV_over_Hotel_mode_%28most_C_series_models%29 SamyGO wiki hotel hack], you will be complementing the information you need. 
Remember most of the information in that wiki page can not be used because the main file you need is not available anymore for safety reasons, but the most important part of the procedure you will have to do it using the [http://forum.samygo.tv/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1076 Hotel Hack manual method, referenced here before]. 
In a very intelligent way, the guy who explained the hotel hack, included into the script, a way to auto remove the hack two minutes after installed. 
It means it will be auto removed two minutes after you apply the hack. 
''Now you don't understand this, but please continue reading.'' 

* This is the script which contains this lines:
#!/bin/sh
sleep 120
echo killself >>/mtd_rwarea/cmd1
sh -x /dtv/usb/sda/run4.sh &
rm -rf /mtd_rwarea/usb_mount/usb_cmd
rm -rf /mtd_rwarea/usb_mount/usb_mount
rm -rf /mtd_rwarea/usb_mount/killself.sh

* Listen, '''do not remove this by the way'''.
If you want, increase that time. 
Instead 120 seconds, set that time for example at 3600 seconds. ('''One hour''') 
The goal of this is, during the first minutes, you will stablish contact with something completely new. The posiblities you break something are potentially high. If you changed the time to 3600, after one hour in the worst of cases your TV will to work as before. When you made all the modifications you want for your system, and everything is tested and working perfect, you can then remove that script, or upload the hack again without that lines in that file, as explained some posts later in that hotel hack topic.
 
After that hour your hack will be removed. '''But it will be easy to upload it again because you will have your USB stick''', with all the files needed prepared from the last time. So the only thing you need to do, if you want, is remove or comment the lines that makes the hack autoremove by itself and upload it again to the TV in the same way as you did before. 

Because this method consist of a modification in the moment of mounting the USB devices in the TV, one of the things that commonly happens is, '''you break this system and you can not mount any USB device anymore'''. 

== Is that a problem? ==
'''Sure it is'''.
* Your situation will be:
You can not mount your hard disks,
you miss the capability to reproduce films thru USB,
you've lost any capability to run any command from your hacked system,
you can not flash any firmware because you can't access to the USB,
you can not apply again the hack because you can not upload files to your TV
* so your TV lacks the choice to get information from the outside world, except from network port or serial comm. 

So if you're in this case, '''as I am today''', in the moment of writing this post, then you only got two options:
* first one, if you're lucky samsung releases a new firmware that replace the partitions stored on your TV, and luckly you check today and you can update your TV thru Online option, and you fix the problem. This is low probably if you've got your tv updated to the latest firmware, as usual for most users.
* You have to use the '''"Panic connection"'''. 

== Can this be fixed with the Factory Reset? ==
'''No'''. It's true there is an option in the Service Menu, where you can make a '''Factory Reset'''. That options clear information about your TV setup, but does not remove files, at least the files that resides in the partition, where the new hacked files where copied. 

== Could I use other methods to send serial commands without the use of Ex-Link adapter or cable? ==
I see, some Samsung TV models, can be managed thru network against the serial comms, and use the phone as a remote control. Could I send the needed commands to the serial port from here, or using the German Application ruSamsung TV?
I guess not. You have to enable the Serial Communication, and it looks it can not be done thru this communication. It is only able thru the Ex-Link connection or VGA Port connection.
 

== It could be possible to remove the hack from a Widget developed in the internet TV? ==
'''Well it could be'''. I tried, but it didn't work because my TV is in a firmware release that has fixed the choice to get access to files on the Samsung TV operation system disk located outside of the Widget user folder. If your firmware release is old and in your case the Internet TV hack is a good option, then if you make some mistake and you've lost the ssh connection, and you've lost USB capabilities, then you could develop an small Widget App, with 4 lines of code, that could remove the files you copied in the hack. I will try to talk about this later and developing a sample. But I guess it won't be very useful, because once Samsung release new updated firmwares, the users, usually update their systems. So internet hack today, we could say is deprecated. Unless you decide to downgrade your firmware to get access to this hack, and then upgrade. But many users confirm that this hack stop working when you upgrade. 
So at date of this post, the power is hotel hack for most users.
 
== SamyGO Extensions. What are they? ==
Well, once you've installed your hack, you will do some important things. A lot of users usually want to do the same, which is, get SSH access, get FTP access, share Samba drives, or share NFS drivers. SamyGO Extensions, is a pack of utilities, prepared in a folder structure, to be run, from the USB device when you plugged in to your TV.
 
Because the hack you've done in your TV, has the ability to run an script called run.sh in the root folder of your USB device, if you copy SamyGO extensions, in your USB device, and then you modifiy the file run.sh to call the SamyGO startup script, then your system will load all you needs when your USB device connects to your TV.
 
Some people, ( as me :) ) thought why not to copy SamyGO extensions in the own Samsung TV flash disk ( the own memory of the TV ) to be loaded in the same way, but without the need to read it from the USB disk. '''WRONG!'''. Probably, as everything, it could be done, but forget to do that, and you will be far from brick your TV.
 
I will try to post a second detailed part of this post, when my restore TV process begins, I hope next week. By the way I'm waiting for the RS232-TTL adapter.
 
I also will try to complete all of this information with the links to the forum posts and SamyGO wiki as it is referenced in some parts of this post.

This is the first document you have to read

2012-03-05T10:40:49Z

Latas: /* This article is specially written for everyone who wants to hack their TV's. */

== '''This article is specially written for everyone who wants to hack their TV's.''' ==

Important things to take in care when you read this article. 
* ''Take in care the dates when the things are referenced''. 
The information changes and some of it written here today will became obsolet tomorrow. So let's begin.

== Before to begin ==

''What are TV's series?'' 
I'm not talking about small films of duration splited in several chapters. I'm talking about the serial identification code of each Samsung TV. 
Usually is composed by:
* a international region code, it could be UE (for Europe), US for United States,
* the TV size in inches, maybe 40, 46, 50, 55 and so on,
* a code for the Serie, which usually is A, B, C, D,
* and the code of your TV model inside that serie. 
For example: 
'''UE40C8000''' 
You will find a lot of references about series on the SamyGO wiki. Take this information in care, because depending on this you will have to take one action or other, and some information could be valid for you or not.
 

== Hack your TV can be a very easy procedure, or a very complicated procedure. What depends on? ==
Well, Samsung TV's, runs Linux based OS. So, this meas, as much knowledge you've got from Linux, more comfortable you feel when you proceed to hack your TV.
 
== Does this mean if I don't know Linux, I can not hack my TV? ==
No. Following the instructions you will be able to hack it, but you will have to take care about what are you doing. And this is the important part, if you don't have linux knowledge you won't know what are you doing, just simply following a script as a film.
 
So, first thing we should know, '''if you've got doubts, DO NOT FOLLOW! Take your time, read the documentation, and if you need further info, ask'''.
 
== What is the worst could happen? ==
You can brick your TV. 

== What means brick? ==
Basically you will have a TV with problems. Some part of its funcionality could be broken. 

== What functionalities of my TV are in risk if I decide to hack my TV? ==
''March, 3, 2012.'' 
There are several procedures to hack your TV defined in the SamyGO wiki. The concept of all of them is the same. Modify the internal system of your TV that mount your USB devices to do something more before to proceed to the mount step.
Depending on your Firmware installed on your TV, you will be able to use one hack way or both.
 
So this means, the most important part in risk when you decide to hack your TV, is the USB system of your TV.
 
You should take a look to the firmware version of your TV, that you can check in the menu option of update firmware of your TV. With that information you can check the table in the SamyGO wiki to know what kind of hack you could use.
 
== Is there an undo procedure if I break my TV? ==
Usually yes. But not as easy as undo. If you simply followed the hack steps, then there is an option to restore your TV. If you made a big disaster when you did login into the system, and you broke other things, then that will depend. I will explain later the "panic connection" to the TV.
 
== Internet TV Hack ==
This hack consist of the installation of a Smart TV app, that will do some operations to proceed with the hack. The exploit used in this type of hack was fixed by Samsung in new firmware releases, so if you've got your TV updated to the latest firmware available you won't be able to use this. Forget it.
 
== Hotel Hack ==
This hack consist of make an import of files from an USB memory stick in the Hotel mode of your TV.
 
== What is Hotel Mode? ==
Samsung TV's, some models, many of them, has an option, to make the TV works when they're installed in hotels. This makes the TV to work in an isolated environment, that protects some functions from the modifications hotel guests want to do. Because there are usually many rooms in a hotel, the service menu of Hotel option, has the choice to make a configuration, and export it to an USB stick, and also import it from a USB stick. The goal of this, is get an easy way to replicate information to a lot of TV's.
In your house, you won't use Hotel mode, but this feature, to export and import files, will be used, to inject some modificated files, to operate as we want to open a backdoor in the system, and then get access to it.
 
I'm not going to explain here, step by step, how to hack the TV by this way, but I will continue giving advices about the procedure.
 
== "Panic connection" to the TV ==
I decided to name this, the Panic Connection, because usually everyone proceeds to hack their tv's without take this in care. If something goes wrong, and you loose some TV features, you get panic. And you will try to look for how to connect to your TV to fix what you've done, and you will get more panic.
 
== So what to do to fix your panic? ==
It is '''ExLink'''. 

== What is ExLink ==
ExLink in some series ( '''Usually A, B''' ) consist of a cable, which has in one side a 3.5mm jack, like the audio ones, and on the other side an RS232 ( Serial ) DB9 connector. This cable will allow you to connect your PC computer to the TV, and enter in the Serial mode. It's the emergency door to your TV. To communicate with your TV using this port, you will have to use a Serial Communications Software, like Hyperterminal from Windows. Windows 7 removed Hyperterminal from the operating system, but you can download it from several websites. Just Google it. 
If you feel more comfortable from other tools or Operating Systems like Linux, use others.
If your TV is from this series, then you can buy the cable, or make your own one.
 
'''For C,D Series'''. There is no ExLink any more. I say this, because the serial communication exists, but the concept ExLink as cable not. So don't buy an ExLink cable for your C,D series, because you can not use it in this models. So the communication, we can say, is made with other methods, but the emergency door exists in this models aswell.
So, for C, D series, the serial connection is made thru the VGA port of your TV. The explanation about this is in the wiki, but I will give a recommendation from here. Many of us are not comfortables making electronic circuits, and this operation requires it. We don't need a cable, we need a converter. The signal we get from an VGA port adapter, is in TTL convention. It means the power intensity we've got in circuits like that is around 3.3V. On the contrary a serial port, works at 10V more or less. So before we could connect the VGA port from the TV to a serial port in a PC, we need to adapt the power of both communciatios. Then we need a converter. The converter is called RS232 to TTL converter.
 
[[File:rs232_to_ttl_big.jpg]]
[http://www.amazon.com/MAX232-RS232-Converter-Adapter-Board/dp/B00471S6MC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330856098&sr=8-1 You can find it a Amazon for example]. 
Take in care, this not a RS232 to USB converter. That's a second step. So the first we need is, convert the TTL signal, into a RS232 signal. Then we can convert that signal to USB. 
You can use a RS232 to USB converter. New models requires no drivers, and works even with Mac. 
[[File:rs232_to_usb.jpg]]
[http://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Adapter-Prolific-PL2303HX-Chipset/dp/B00425S1H8/ref=pd_bxgy_e_img_b You can see here in Amazon too].
 

== Ok and now what? ==
[[File:Jumper_wires.jpg]]
Well if you don't want to soldier anything you can use wires jumper to connect the converter and the TV. [http://www.amazon.com/Jumper-Wires-Premium-Male-Pack/dp/B004ZRO06Y/ref=sr_1_15?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1330856372&sr=1-15 I will try to use cables like this].
 
If you took a look to the converter, you see there are several pines in one side of the converter. You will provide power in two of those pines and you will have to connect the pines for RX, and TX as explained in the wiki. I don't want to put here all the information because probably in the wiki there will be information that you should read. This is one of the main problems, because I decided to write this. Because if you follow one post of this forum only you're missing important information from other place and viceversa. 
So you will need a power adapter that provides to you 5V. You can find one of this in a lot of phone power supplies, because usually they work at 5v. So you can probably get a USB cable that you don't need and cut on of the sides.With the help of a polymeter, you can identify which are the wires for +5V and -5V signals. Then you can use a jumper wire to connect to that wires and then finally plugin in the correct pin of the RS232 coverter. In that way you will be providing power to your converter. This will increase the power of the signal from 3.3V-5V to the 10V power needed. Using the same type of jumper wires you can connect the other pins as explained in the Wiki. 
Finally connect the RS232 DB9 connector, to the RS232 - USB adapter, and the USB adapter plugged in your USB port of your computer. Then you can run hyperterminal, and open a serial connection with your TV. The procedure from here is read the emergency steps you have to do thru this serial comms, in the forum post of hacking your TV using Hotel method.
 
'''Well, if you've read until here, you now got more knowledge than before, isn't it?''' 

== So, what we've learned? ==
* 1.- Hack is critical.
* 2.- Our TV can be broken.
* 3.- There is a method to make it alive again, but depends on the disaster you've done.
* 4.- Always we should get ready to stablish the "Panic Connection", which requires specific hardware. Ex-Link or RS232-TTL Converter.
 
And now, you can stop here, or continue. My Last Message, if you're not experienced user, prepare your Ex-Link or RS232-TTL Converter before continue. 
I consider myself an experienced user, and I've got my TV USB bricked :)
 

----

== Road to the Hack ==
Well, you're here :) 
It looks you're ready. 
There is no much to say here, but I will do several advices. 

''March, 03, 2012'' 
[http://wiki.samygo.tv/index.php5/Hacking_TV_over_Hotel_mode_%28most_C_series_models%29 The binary image file referenced in the SamyGo wiki, to hack using this method '''(Hotel Hack)''', have been removed because of the bricks produced with it]. 
So you have to use the [http://forum.samygo.tv/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1076 '''Hotel hack manual method''']. 
But don't go away so fast from this page. Please continue reading this document, and you can go to other page when you finish it. '''It is for your safe'''. 
To prepare the files you will need to upload to your TV, '''you will need Linux'''. 
All the steps referenced in that installation procedure are made '''within a Linux system'''. 
There are some steps not explained in that forum post, but if you read the [http://wiki.samygo.tv/index.php5/Hacking_TV_over_Hotel_mode_%28most_C_series_models%29 SamyGO wiki hotel hack], you will be complementing the information you need. 
Remember most of the information in that wiki page can not be used because the main file you need is not available anymore for safety reasons, but the most important part of the procedure you will have to do it using the [http://forum.samygo.tv/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1076 Hotel Hack manual method, referenced here before]. 
In a very intelligent way, the guy who explained the hotel hack, included into the script, a way to auto remove the hack two minutes after installed. 
It means it will be auto removed two minutes after you apply the hack. 
''Now you don't understand this, but please continue reading.'' 

* This is the script which contains this lines:
#!/bin/sh
sleep 120
echo killself >>/mtd_rwarea/cmd1
sh -x /dtv/usb/sda/run4.sh &
rm -rf /mtd_rwarea/usb_mount/usb_cmd
rm -rf /mtd_rwarea/usb_mount/usb_mount
rm -rf /mtd_rwarea/usb_mount/killself.sh

* Listen, '''do not remove this by the way'''.
If you want, increase that time. 
Instead 120 seconds, set that time for example at 3600 seconds. ('''One hour''') 
The goal of this is, during the first minutes, you will stablish contact with something completely new. The posiblities you break something are potentially high. If you changed the time to 3600, after one hour in the worst of cases your TV will to work as before. When you made all the modifications you want for your system, and everything is tested and working perfect, you can then remove that script, or upload the hack again without that lines in that file, as explained some posts later in that hotel hack topic.
 
After that hour your hack will be removed. '''But it will be easy to upload it again because you will have your USB stick''', with all the files needed prepared from the last time. So the only thing you need to do, if you want, is remove or comment the lines that makes the hack autoremove by itself and upload it again to the TV in the same way as you did before. 

Because this method consist of a modification in the moment of mounting the USB devices in the TV, one of the things that commonly happens is, '''you break this system and you can not mount any USB device anymore'''. 

== Is that a problem? ==
'''Sure it is'''.
* Your situation will be:
You can not mount your hard disks,
you miss the capability to reproduce films thru USB,
you've lost any capability to run any command from your hacked system,
you can not flash any firmware because you can't access to the USB,
you can not apply again the hack because you can not upload files to your TV
* so your TV lacks the choice to get information from the outside world, except from network port or serial comm. 

So if you're in this case, '''as I am today''', in the moment of writing this post, then you only got two options:
* first one, if you're lucky samsung releases a new firmware that replace the partitions stored on your TV, and luckly you check today and you can update your TV thru Online option, and you fix the problem. This is low probably if you've got your tv updated to the latest firmware, as usual for most users.
* You have to use the '''"Panic connection"'''. 

== Can this be fixed with the Factory Reset? ==
'''No'''. It's true there is an option in the Service Menu, where you can make a '''Factory Reset'''. That options clear information about your TV setup, but does not remove files, at least the files that resides in the partition, where the new hacked files where copied. 

== Could I use other methods to send serial commands without the use of Ex-Link adapter or cable? ==
I see, some Samsung TV models, can be managed thru network against the serial comms, and use the phone as a remote control. Could I send the needed commands to the serial port from here, or using the German Application ruSamsung TV?
I guess not. You have to enable the Serial Communication, and it looks it can not be done thru this communication. It is only able thru the Ex-Link connection or VGA Port connection.
 

== It could be possible to remove the hack from a Widget developed in the internet TV? ==
'''Well it could be'''. I tried, but it didn't work because my TV is in a firmware release that has fixed the choice to get access to files on the Samsung TV operation system disk located outside of the Widget user folder. If your firmware release is old and in your case the Internet TV hack is a good option, then if you make some mistake and you've lost the ssh connection, and you've lost USB capabilities, then you could develop an small Widget App, with 4 lines of code, that could remove the files you copied in the hack. I will try to talk about this later and developing a sample. But I guess it won't be very useful, because once Samsung release new updated firmwares, the users, usually update their systems. So internet hack today, we could say is deprecated. Unless you decide to downgrade your firmware to get access to this hack, and then upgrade. But many users confirm that this hack stop working when you upgrade. 
So at date of this post, the power is hotel hack for most users.
 
== SamyGO Extensions. What are they? ==
Well, once you've installed your hack, you will do some important things. A lot of users usually want to do the same, which is, get SSH access, get FTP access, share Samba drives, or share NFS drivers. SamyGO Extensions, is a pack of utilities, prepared in a folder structure, to be run, from the USB device when you plugged in to your TV.
 
Because the hack you've done in your TV, has the ability to run an script called run.sh in the root folder of your USB device, if you copy SamyGO extensions, in your USB device, and then you modifiy the file run.sh to call the SamyGO startup script, then your system will load all you needs when your USB device connects to your TV.
 
Some people, ( as me :) ) thought why not to copy SamyGO extensions in the own Samsung TV flash disk ( the own memory of the TV ) to be loaded in the same way, but without the need to read it from the USB disk. '''WRONG!'''. Probably, as everything, it could be done, but forget to do that, and you will be far from brick your TV.
 
I will try to post a second detailed part of this post, when my restore TV process begins, I hope next week. By the way I'm waiting for the RS232-TTL adapter.
 
I also will try to complete all of this information with the links to the forum posts and SamyGO wiki as it is referenced in some parts of this post.

This is the first document you have to read

2012-03-05T10:39:52Z

Latas: /* This article is specially design to everyone who wants to hack their TV's. */

== '''This article is specially written for everyone who wants to hack their TV's.''' ==

Important things to take in care when you read this article. 
* ''Take in care the dates when the things are referenced''. 
The information changes and some here written today became obsolet tomorrow. So let's begin.

== Before to begin ==

''What are TV's series?'' 
I'm not talking about small films of duration splited in several chapters. I'm talking about the serial identification code of each Samsung TV. 
Usually is composed by:
* a international region code, it could be UE (for Europe), US for United States,
* the TV size in inches, maybe 40, 46, 50, 55 and so on,
* a code for the Serie, which usually is A, B, C, D,
* and the code of your TV model inside that serie. 
For example: 
'''UE40C8000''' 
You will find a lot of references about series on the SamyGO wiki. Take this information in care, because depending on this you will have to take one action or other, and some information could be valid for you or not.
 

== Hack your TV can be a very easy procedure, or a very complicated procedure. What depends on? ==
Well, Samsung TV's, runs Linux based OS. So, this meas, as much knowledge you've got from Linux, more comfortable you feel when you proceed to hack your TV.
 
== Does this mean if I don't know Linux, I can not hack my TV? ==
No. Following the instructions you will be able to hack it, but you will have to take care about what are you doing. And this is the important part, if you don't have linux knowledge you won't know what are you doing, just simply following a script as a film.
 
So, first thing we should know, '''if you've got doubts, DO NOT FOLLOW! Take your time, read the documentation, and if you need further info, ask'''.
 
== What is the worst could happen? ==
You can brick your TV. 

== What means brick? ==
Basically you will have a TV with problems. Some part of its funcionality could be broken. 

== What functionalities of my TV are in risk if I decide to hack my TV? ==
''March, 3, 2012.'' 
There are several procedures to hack your TV defined in the SamyGO wiki. The concept of all of them is the same. Modify the internal system of your TV that mount your USB devices to do something more before to proceed to the mount step.
Depending on your Firmware installed on your TV, you will be able to use one hack way or both.
 
So this means, the most important part in risk when you decide to hack your TV, is the USB system of your TV.
 
You should take a look to the firmware version of your TV, that you can check in the menu option of update firmware of your TV. With that information you can check the table in the SamyGO wiki to know what kind of hack you could use.
 
== Is there an undo procedure if I break my TV? ==
Usually yes. But not as easy as undo. If you simply followed the hack steps, then there is an option to restore your TV. If you made a big disaster when you did login into the system, and you broke other things, then that will depend. I will explain later the "panic connection" to the TV.
 
== Internet TV Hack ==
This hack consist of the installation of a Smart TV app, that will do some operations to proceed with the hack. The exploit used in this type of hack was fixed by Samsung in new firmware releases, so if you've got your TV updated to the latest firmware available you won't be able to use this. Forget it.
 
== Hotel Hack ==
This hack consist of make an import of files from an USB memory stick in the Hotel mode of your TV.
 
== What is Hotel Mode? ==
Samsung TV's, some models, many of them, has an option, to make the TV works when they're installed in hotels. This makes the TV to work in an isolated environment, that protects some functions from the modifications hotel guests want to do. Because there are usually many rooms in a hotel, the service menu of Hotel option, has the choice to make a configuration, and export it to an USB stick, and also import it from a USB stick. The goal of this, is get an easy way to replicate information to a lot of TV's.
In your house, you won't use Hotel mode, but this feature, to export and import files, will be used, to inject some modificated files, to operate as we want to open a backdoor in the system, and then get access to it.
 
I'm not going to explain here, step by step, how to hack the TV by this way, but I will continue giving advices about the procedure.
 
== "Panic connection" to the TV ==
I decided to name this, the Panic Connection, because usually everyone proceeds to hack their tv's without take this in care. If something goes wrong, and you loose some TV features, you get panic. And you will try to look for how to connect to your TV to fix what you've done, and you will get more panic.
 
== So what to do to fix your panic? ==
It is '''ExLink'''. 

== What is ExLink ==
ExLink in some series ( '''Usually A, B''' ) consist of a cable, which has in one side a 3.5mm jack, like the audio ones, and on the other side an RS232 ( Serial ) DB9 connector. This cable will allow you to connect your PC computer to the TV, and enter in the Serial mode. It's the emergency door to your TV. To communicate with your TV using this port, you will have to use a Serial Communications Software, like Hyperterminal from Windows. Windows 7 removed Hyperterminal from the operating system, but you can download it from several websites. Just Google it. 
If you feel more comfortable from other tools or Operating Systems like Linux, use others.
If your TV is from this series, then you can buy the cable, or make your own one.
 
'''For C,D Series'''. There is no ExLink any more. I say this, because the serial communication exists, but the concept ExLink as cable not. So don't buy an ExLink cable for your C,D series, because you can not use it in this models. So the communication, we can say, is made with other methods, but the emergency door exists in this models aswell.
So, for C, D series, the serial connection is made thru the VGA port of your TV. The explanation about this is in the wiki, but I will give a recommendation from here. Many of us are not comfortables making electronic circuits, and this operation requires it. We don't need a cable, we need a converter. The signal we get from an VGA port adapter, is in TTL convention. It means the power intensity we've got in circuits like that is around 3.3V. On the contrary a serial port, works at 10V more or less. So before we could connect the VGA port from the TV to a serial port in a PC, we need to adapt the power of both communciatios. Then we need a converter. The converter is called RS232 to TTL converter.
 
[[File:rs232_to_ttl_big.jpg]]
[http://www.amazon.com/MAX232-RS232-Converter-Adapter-Board/dp/B00471S6MC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330856098&sr=8-1 You can find it a Amazon for example]. 
Take in care, this not a RS232 to USB converter. That's a second step. So the first we need is, convert the TTL signal, into a RS232 signal. Then we can convert that signal to USB. 
You can use a RS232 to USB converter. New models requires no drivers, and works even with Mac. 
[[File:rs232_to_usb.jpg]]
[http://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Adapter-Prolific-PL2303HX-Chipset/dp/B00425S1H8/ref=pd_bxgy_e_img_b You can see here in Amazon too].
 

== Ok and now what? ==
[[File:Jumper_wires.jpg]]
Well if you don't want to soldier anything you can use wires jumper to connect the converter and the TV. [http://www.amazon.com/Jumper-Wires-Premium-Male-Pack/dp/B004ZRO06Y/ref=sr_1_15?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1330856372&sr=1-15 I will try to use cables like this].
 
If you took a look to the converter, you see there are several pines in one side of the converter. You will provide power in two of those pines and you will have to connect the pines for RX, and TX as explained in the wiki. I don't want to put here all the information because probably in the wiki there will be information that you should read. This is one of the main problems, because I decided to write this. Because if you follow one post of this forum only you're missing important information from other place and viceversa. 
So you will need a power adapter that provides to you 5V. You can find one of this in a lot of phone power supplies, because usually they work at 5v. So you can probably get a USB cable that you don't need and cut on of the sides.With the help of a polymeter, you can identify which are the wires for +5V and -5V signals. Then you can use a jumper wire to connect to that wires and then finally plugin in the correct pin of the RS232 coverter. In that way you will be providing power to your converter. This will increase the power of the signal from 3.3V-5V to the 10V power needed. Using the same type of jumper wires you can connect the other pins as explained in the Wiki. 
Finally connect the RS232 DB9 connector, to the RS232 - USB adapter, and the USB adapter plugged in your USB port of your computer. Then you can run hyperterminal, and open a serial connection with your TV. The procedure from here is read the emergency steps you have to do thru this serial comms, in the forum post of hacking your TV using Hotel method.
 
'''Well, if you've read until here, you now got more knowledge than before, isn't it?''' 

== So, what we've learned? ==
* 1.- Hack is critical.
* 2.- Our TV can be broken.
* 3.- There is a method to make it alive again, but depends on the disaster you've done.
* 4.- Always we should get ready to stablish the "Panic Connection", which requires specific hardware. Ex-Link or RS232-TTL Converter.
 
And now, you can stop here, or continue. My Last Message, if you're not experienced user, prepare your Ex-Link or RS232-TTL Converter before continue. 
I consider myself an experienced user, and I've got my TV USB bricked :)
 

----

== Road to the Hack ==
Well, you're here :) 
It looks you're ready. 
There is no much to say here, but I will do several advices. 

''March, 03, 2012'' 
[http://wiki.samygo.tv/index.php5/Hacking_TV_over_Hotel_mode_%28most_C_series_models%29 The binary image file referenced in the SamyGo wiki, to hack using this method '''(Hotel Hack)''', have been removed because of the bricks produced with it]. 
So you have to use the [http://forum.samygo.tv/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1076 '''Hotel hack manual method''']. 
But don't go away so fast from this page. Please continue reading this document, and you can go to other page when you finish it. '''It is for your safe'''. 
To prepare the files you will need to upload to your TV, '''you will need Linux'''. 
All the steps referenced in that installation procedure are made '''within a Linux system'''. 
There are some steps not explained in that forum post, but if you read the [http://wiki.samygo.tv/index.php5/Hacking_TV_over_Hotel_mode_%28most_C_series_models%29 SamyGO wiki hotel hack], you will be complementing the information you need. 
Remember most of the information in that wiki page can not be used because the main file you need is not available anymore for safety reasons, but the most important part of the procedure you will have to do it using the [http://forum.samygo.tv/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1076 Hotel Hack manual method, referenced here before]. 
In a very intelligent way, the guy who explained the hotel hack, included into the script, a way to auto remove the hack two minutes after installed. 
It means it will be auto removed two minutes after you apply the hack. 
''Now you don't understand this, but please continue reading.'' 

* This is the script which contains this lines:
#!/bin/sh
sleep 120
echo killself >>/mtd_rwarea/cmd1
sh -x /dtv/usb/sda/run4.sh &
rm -rf /mtd_rwarea/usb_mount/usb_cmd
rm -rf /mtd_rwarea/usb_mount/usb_mount
rm -rf /mtd_rwarea/usb_mount/killself.sh

* Listen, '''do not remove this by the way'''.
If you want, increase that time. 
Instead 120 seconds, set that time for example at 3600 seconds. ('''One hour''') 
The goal of this is, during the first minutes, you will stablish contact with something completely new. The posiblities you break something are potentially high. If you changed the time to 3600, after one hour in the worst of cases your TV will to work as before. When you made all the modifications you want for your system, and everything is tested and working perfect, you can then remove that script, or upload the hack again without that lines in that file, as explained some posts later in that hotel hack topic.
 
After that hour your hack will be removed. '''But it will be easy to upload it again because you will have your USB stick''', with all the files needed prepared from the last time. So the only thing you need to do, if you want, is remove or comment the lines that makes the hack autoremove by itself and upload it again to the TV in the same way as you did before. 

Because this method consist of a modification in the moment of mounting the USB devices in the TV, one of the things that commonly happens is, '''you break this system and you can not mount any USB device anymore'''. 

== Is that a problem? ==
'''Sure it is'''.
* Your situation will be:
You can not mount your hard disks,
you miss the capability to reproduce films thru USB,
you've lost any capability to run any command from your hacked system,
you can not flash any firmware because you can't access to the USB,
you can not apply again the hack because you can not upload files to your TV
* so your TV lacks the choice to get information from the outside world, except from network port or serial comm. 

So if you're in this case, '''as I am today''', in the moment of writing this post, then you only got two options:
* first one, if you're lucky samsung releases a new firmware that replace the partitions stored on your TV, and luckly you check today and you can update your TV thru Online option, and you fix the problem. This is low probably if you've got your tv updated to the latest firmware, as usual for most users.
* You have to use the '''"Panic connection"'''. 

== Can this be fixed with the Factory Reset? ==
'''No'''. It's true there is an option in the Service Menu, where you can make a '''Factory Reset'''. That options clear information about your TV setup, but does not remove files, at least the files that resides in the partition, where the new hacked files where copied. 

== Could I use other methods to send serial commands without the use of Ex-Link adapter or cable? ==
I see, some Samsung TV models, can be managed thru network against the serial comms, and use the phone as a remote control. Could I send the needed commands to the serial port from here, or using the German Application ruSamsung TV?
I guess not. You have to enable the Serial Communication, and it looks it can not be done thru this communication. It is only able thru the Ex-Link connection or VGA Port connection.
 

== It could be possible to remove the hack from a Widget developed in the internet TV? ==
'''Well it could be'''. I tried, but it didn't work because my TV is in a firmware release that has fixed the choice to get access to files on the Samsung TV operation system disk located outside of the Widget user folder. If your firmware release is old and in your case the Internet TV hack is a good option, then if you make some mistake and you've lost the ssh connection, and you've lost USB capabilities, then you could develop an small Widget App, with 4 lines of code, that could remove the files you copied in the hack. I will try to talk about this later and developing a sample. But I guess it won't be very useful, because once Samsung release new updated firmwares, the users, usually update their systems. So internet hack today, we could say is deprecated. Unless you decide to downgrade your firmware to get access to this hack, and then upgrade. But many users confirm that this hack stop working when you upgrade. 
So at date of this post, the power is hotel hack for most users.
 
== SamyGO Extensions. What are they? ==
Well, once you've installed your hack, you will do some important things. A lot of users usually want to do the same, which is, get SSH access, get FTP access, share Samba drives, or share NFS drivers. SamyGO Extensions, is a pack of utilities, prepared in a folder structure, to be run, from the USB device when you plugged in to your TV.
 
Because the hack you've done in your TV, has the ability to run an script called run.sh in the root folder of your USB device, if you copy SamyGO extensions, in your USB device, and then you modifiy the file run.sh to call the SamyGO startup script, then your system will load all you needs when your USB device connects to your TV.
 
Some people, ( as me :) ) thought why not to copy SamyGO extensions in the own Samsung TV flash disk ( the own memory of the TV ) to be loaded in the same way, but without the need to read it from the USB disk. '''WRONG!'''. Probably, as everything, it could be done, but forget to do that, and you will be far from brick your TV.
 
I will try to post a second detailed part of this post, when my restore TV process begins, I hope next week. By the way I'm waiting for the RS232-TTL adapter.
 
I also will try to complete all of this information with the links to the forum posts and SamyGO wiki as it is referenced in some parts of this post.

Main Page

2012-03-05T10:35:40Z

Latas: /* Useful WIKI articles */

== Welcome to SamyGO Wiki ==

{|border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
!width="480"|[[File:Logo.png]]
!align="left" valign="top"|<center>

'''<big>WARNING</big>: DO NOT UPDATE THE SAMSUNG LATEST FIRMWARE UPGRADES or YOU CAN NOT USE OUR HACKS AND CAN NOT REVERT FIRMWARE BACK EASILY!'''
</center>

----
 
<strike>SourceForge doesn't allow users to write on wiki. We needed to assign writing permission by hand.</strike>


'''We are on our new host from now. Unfortunately you needed to [[replace your password]].'''


 

Place note for editing permissions by hand on request from forum ([https://forum.samygo.tv/ucp.php?i=pm&mode=compose&u=68 Erdem_ua] or [https://forum.samygo.tv/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=791 juuso]). Write short: why do you want edit wiki.

|}
== Compatibility Overview ==
See the [[Compatibility]] page to see which TV models should work.

 
== Safety Measures (which you shouldn't start without) ==
#Have a working [[Enable Serial Console on non CI+ Devices|Ex-Link cable]] at hand.
#Ensure the backup ''exe.img'' ( stored on ''/dev/tbml10'' ) is in good condition ( and ideally not altered ).
#Ensure your RS232 Setting in the Service-Menu is set to "debug" and that the Watchdog option in the service-menu is turned off (''Control'' -> ''SubOption'').
#Know that your TV will reset RS232 jack back to UART mode after new firmware installation or reverting back to old version.

 
== Useful WIKI articles ==
<big>Do you want to hack your TV? </big>
* [[This is the first document you have to read]]
*[[Is my TV supported?]]
*[[Do the SamyGO tools void my warranty?]]
*'''[[SamyGO for DUMMIES]]'''
*[[The A Series Wiki]]
*[[The B Series Wiki]]
*[[The C Series Wiki]]
*[[The D Series Wiki]]
*[[Using NoN-Samsung USB WiFi dongles with TV]]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SamyGO Wikipedia article] - ''spread the word''
*[[SamyGO on WEB]] - Articles about SamyGO
*[[Calibration]] - How to calibrate your TV.

 
=== General Information ===
*[[Samsung TV Skype Cameras]]
*[[Samsung 3D Glasses]]
*[[Card Sharing between TVs]]
*[[Frequently Asked Questions]]
*[[Service Manuals]]
*[[Service Menu]]
*[[Engineering Codes]]
*[[Media Play and DLNA]]
*[[Samsung channel list format]]
*[[MessageBoxService request format]]
*[[RFS file system support for linux]]
*[[Donation List of SamyGO Project]]
*[[Acronyms & Abbreviations]]

 

== SamyGO DIY Hardwares ==
*[[SamyGO Brightness Sensor]]
*[[Enable Serial Console on non CI+ Devices |Ex-Link Cable for B-Series]]
*[[Ex-Link Cable for C/D Series]]
*[[UnBricking TV by EEPROM Reset]]

 

== Interesting Reference Material ==
*[http://www.samsung.com/global/business/semiconductor/products/flash/downloads/applicationnote/rfs_v12_application_note.pdf Introduction to SAMSUNG's Linux Flash File System - RFS]
*[http://www.samsung.com/global/business/semiconductor/products/fusionmemory/downloads/RFS_130_Porting_Guide.pdf Linux RFS ( Robust FAT File System ) Porting Guide]
The file-system used in the the recent Samsung TVs is "RFS". Its proprietary nature and consequently so the absence of an according Linux RFS-Module in the standard Linux distributions makes it currently impossible to modify files by simply mounting the respective image as "RW", modifying it and saving the respective image again. This is the reason why currently all changes are done via patching of the image-binaries.
[http://forum.samygo.tv/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1399 But the hope never dies].
*[http://www.samsung.com/global/business/semiconductor/products/flash/downloads/LinuStoreII_GPL%20Compliance_10.pdf License info about XRS and TinyXSR in Linux kernel and u-boot]
*[http://opensource.samsung.com Samsung's source codes] or [http://www.samsung.com/global/opensource/ old source code site]
All the source code Samsung is legally obliged to post can be found here.
*[http://forums.cnet.com/samsung-forum Official Samsung Forums]
Should be able to find useful info somewhere.

 
== Disclaimer ==
Neither this WIKI/Forum nor the author(s) of articles and information provided accept any responsibility for damage that may be caused by use of the information provided. You do everything at your own risk. Be aware that "hacking" activities may void your warranty!
<center>
<big>'''[[Crew List]]'''</big>
 & [[Rest In Peace]]
</center>

This is the first document you have to read

2012-03-05T10:29:26Z

Latas: /* Ok and now what? */

== '''This article is specially design to everyone who wants to hack their TV's.''' ==

Important things to take in care when you read this article. 
* ''Take in care the dates when the things are referenced''. 
The information changes and some here written today became obsolet tomorrow. So let's begin.

== Before to begin ==

''What are TV's series?'' 
I'm not talking about small films of duration splited in several chapters. I'm talking about the serial identification code of each Samsung TV. 
Usually is composed by:
* a international region code, it could be UE (for Europe), US for United States,
* the TV size in inches, maybe 40, 46, 50, 55 and so on,
* a code for the Serie, which usually is A, B, C, D,
* and the code of your TV model inside that serie. 
For example: 
'''UE40C8000''' 
You will find a lot of references about series on the SamyGO wiki. Take this information in care, because depending on this you will have to take one action or other, and some information could be valid for you or not.
 

== Hack your TV can be a very easy procedure, or a very complicated procedure. What depends on? ==
Well, Samsung TV's, runs Linux based OS. So, this meas, as much knowledge you've got from Linux, more comfortable you feel when you proceed to hack your TV.
 
== Does this mean if I don't know Linux, I can not hack my TV? ==
No. Following the instructions you will be able to hack it, but you will have to take care about what are you doing. And this is the important part, if you don't have linux knowledge you won't know what are you doing, just simply following a script as a film.
 
So, first thing we should know, '''if you've got doubts, DO NOT FOLLOW! Take your time, read the documentation, and if you need further info, ask'''.
 
== What is the worst could happen? ==
You can brick your TV. 

== What means brick? ==
Basically you will have a TV with problems. Some part of its funcionality could be broken. 

== What functionalities of my TV are in risk if I decide to hack my TV? ==
''March, 3, 2012.'' 
There are several procedures to hack your TV defined in the SamyGO wiki. The concept of all of them is the same. Modify the internal system of your TV that mount your USB devices to do something more before to proceed to the mount step.
Depending on your Firmware installed on your TV, you will be able to use one hack way or both.
 
So this means, the most important part in risk when you decide to hack your TV, is the USB system of your TV.
 
You should take a look to the firmware version of your TV, that you can check in the menu option of update firmware of your TV. With that information you can check the table in the SamyGO wiki to know what kind of hack you could use.
 
== Is there an undo procedure if I break my TV? ==
Usually yes. But not as easy as undo. If you simply followed the hack steps, then there is an option to restore your TV. If you made a big disaster when you did login into the system, and you broke other things, then that will depend. I will explain later the "panic connection" to the TV.
 
== Internet TV Hack ==
This hack consist of the installation of a Smart TV app, that will do some operations to proceed with the hack. The exploit used in this type of hack was fixed by Samsung in new firmware releases, so if you've got your TV updated to the latest firmware available you won't be able to use this. Forget it.
 
== Hotel Hack ==
This hack consist of make an import of files from an USB memory stick in the Hotel mode of your TV.
 
== What is Hotel Mode? ==
Samsung TV's, some models, many of them, has an option, to make the TV works when they're installed in hotels. This makes the TV to work in an isolated environment, that protects some functions from the modifications hotel guests want to do. Because there are usually many rooms in a hotel, the service menu of Hotel option, has the choice to make a configuration, and export it to an USB stick, and also import it from a USB stick. The goal of this, is get an easy way to replicate information to a lot of TV's.
In your house, you won't use Hotel mode, but this feature, to export and import files, will be used, to inject some modificated files, to operate as we want to open a backdoor in the system, and then get access to it.
 
I'm not going to explain here, step by step, how to hack the TV by this way, but I will continue giving advices about the procedure.
 
== "Panic connection" to the TV ==
I decided to name this, the Panic Connection, because usually everyone proceeds to hack their tv's without take this in care. If something goes wrong, and you loose some TV features, you get panic. And you will try to look for how to connect to your TV to fix what you've done, and you will get more panic.
 
== So what to do to fix your panic? ==
It is '''ExLink'''. 

== What is ExLink ==
ExLink in some series ( '''Usually A, B''' ) consist of a cable, which has in one side a 3.5mm jack, like the audio ones, and on the other side an RS232 ( Serial ) DB9 connector. This cable will allow you to connect your PC computer to the TV, and enter in the Serial mode. It's the emergency door to your TV. To communicate with your TV using this port, you will have to use a Serial Communications Software, like Hyperterminal from Windows. Windows 7 removed Hyperterminal from the operating system, but you can download it from several websites. Just Google it. 
If you feel more comfortable from other tools or Operating Systems like Linux, use others.
If your TV is from this series, then you can buy the cable, or make your own one.
 
'''For C,D Series'''. There is no ExLink any more. I say this, because the serial communication exists, but the concept ExLink as cable not. So don't buy an ExLink cable for your C,D series, because you can not use it in this models. So the communication, we can say, is made with other methods, but the emergency door exists in this models aswell.
So, for C, D series, the serial connection is made thru the VGA port of your TV. The explanation about this is in the wiki, but I will give a recommendation from here. Many of us are not comfortables making electronic circuits, and this operation requires it. We don't need a cable, we need a converter. The signal we get from an VGA port adapter, is in TTL convention. It means the power intensity we've got in circuits like that is around 3.3V. On the contrary a serial port, works at 10V more or less. So before we could connect the VGA port from the TV to a serial port in a PC, we need to adapt the power of both communciatios. Then we need a converter. The converter is called RS232 to TTL converter.
 
[[File:rs232_to_ttl_big.jpg]]
[http://www.amazon.com/MAX232-RS232-Converter-Adapter-Board/dp/B00471S6MC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330856098&sr=8-1 You can find it a Amazon for example]. 
Take in care, this not a RS232 to USB converter. That's a second step. So the first we need is, convert the TTL signal, into a RS232 signal. Then we can convert that signal to USB. 
You can use a RS232 to USB converter. New models requires no drivers, and works even with Mac. 
[[File:rs232_to_usb.jpg]]
[http://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Adapter-Prolific-PL2303HX-Chipset/dp/B00425S1H8/ref=pd_bxgy_e_img_b You can see here in Amazon too].
 

== Ok and now what? ==
[[File:Jumper_wires.jpg]]
Well if you don't want to soldier anything you can use wires jumper to connect the converter and the TV. [http://www.amazon.com/Jumper-Wires-Premium-Male-Pack/dp/B004ZRO06Y/ref=sr_1_15?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1330856372&sr=1-15 I will try to use cables like this].
 
If you took a look to the converter, you see there are several pines in one side of the converter. You will provide power in two of those pines and you will have to connect the pines for RX, and TX as explained in the wiki. I don't want to put here all the information because probably in the wiki there will be information that you should read. This is one of the main problems, because I decided to write this. Because if you follow one post of this forum only you're missing important information from other place and viceversa. 
So you will need a power adapter that provides to you 5V. You can find one of this in a lot of phone power supplies, because usually they work at 5v. So you can probably get a USB cable that you don't need and cut on of the sides.With the help of a polymeter, you can identify which are the wires for +5V and -5V signals. Then you can use a jumper wire to connect to that wires and then finally plugin in the correct pin of the RS232 coverter. In that way you will be providing power to your converter. This will increase the power of the signal from 3.3V-5V to the 10V power needed. Using the same type of jumper wires you can connect the other pins as explained in the Wiki. 
Finally connect the RS232 DB9 connector, to the RS232 - USB adapter, and the USB adapter plugged in your USB port of your computer. Then you can run hyperterminal, and open a serial connection with your TV. The procedure from here is read the emergency steps you have to do thru this serial comms, in the forum post of hacking your TV using Hotel method.
 
'''Well, if you've read until here, you now got more knowledge than before, isn't it?''' 

== So, what we've learned? ==
* 1.- Hack is critical.
* 2.- Our TV can be broken.
* 3.- There is a method to make it alive again, but depends on the disaster you've done.
* 4.- Always we should get ready to stablish the "Panic Connection", which requires specific hardware. Ex-Link or RS232-TTL Converter.
 
And now, you can stop here, or continue. My Last Message, if you're not experienced user, prepare your Ex-Link or RS232-TTL Converter before continue. 
I consider myself an experienced user, and I've got my TV USB bricked :)
 

----

== Road to the Hack ==
Well, you're here :) 
It looks you're ready. 
There is no much to say here, but I will do several advices. 

''March, 03, 2012'' 
[http://wiki.samygo.tv/index.php5/Hacking_TV_over_Hotel_mode_%28most_C_series_models%29 The binary image file referenced in the SamyGo wiki, to hack using this method '''(Hotel Hack)''', have been removed because of the bricks produced with it]. 
So you have to use the [http://forum.samygo.tv/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1076 '''Hotel hack manual method''']. 
But don't go away so fast from this page. Please continue reading this document, and you can go to other page when you finish it. '''It is for your safe'''. 
To prepare the files you will need to upload to your TV, '''you will need Linux'''. 
All the steps referenced in that installation procedure are made '''within a Linux system'''. 
There are some steps not explained in that forum post, but if you read the [http://wiki.samygo.tv/index.php5/Hacking_TV_over_Hotel_mode_%28most_C_series_models%29 SamyGO wiki hotel hack], you will be complementing the information you need. 
Remember most of the information in that wiki page can not be used because the main file you need is not available anymore for safety reasons, but the most important part of the procedure you will have to do it using the [http://forum.samygo.tv/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1076 Hotel Hack manual method, referenced here before]. 
In a very intelligent way, the guy who explained the hotel hack, included into the script, a way to auto remove the hack two minutes after installed. 
It means it will be auto removed two minutes after you apply the hack. 
''Now you don't understand this, but please continue reading.'' 

* This is the script which contains this lines:
#!/bin/sh
sleep 120
echo killself >>/mtd_rwarea/cmd1
sh -x /dtv/usb/sda/run4.sh &
rm -rf /mtd_rwarea/usb_mount/usb_cmd
rm -rf /mtd_rwarea/usb_mount/usb_mount
rm -rf /mtd_rwarea/usb_mount/killself.sh

* Listen, '''do not remove this by the way'''.
If you want, increase that time. 
Instead 120 seconds, set that time for example at 3600 seconds. ('''One hour''') 
The goal of this is, during the first minutes, you will stablish contact with something completely new. The posiblities you break something are potentially high. If you changed the time to 3600, after one hour in the worst of cases your TV will to work as before. When you made all the modifications you want for your system, and everything is tested and working perfect, you can then remove that script, or upload the hack again without that lines in that file, as explained some posts later in that hotel hack topic.
 
After that hour your hack will be removed. '''But it will be easy to upload it again because you will have your USB stick''', with all the files needed prepared from the last time. So the only thing you need to do, if you want, is remove or comment the lines that makes the hack autoremove by itself and upload it again to the TV in the same way as you did before. 

Because this method consist of a modification in the moment of mounting the USB devices in the TV, one of the things that commonly happens is, '''you break this system and you can not mount any USB device anymore'''. 

== Is that a problem? ==
'''Sure it is'''.
* Your situation will be:
You can not mount your hard disks,
you miss the capability to reproduce films thru USB,
you've lost any capability to run any command from your hacked system,
you can not flash any firmware because you can't access to the USB,
you can not apply again the hack because you can not upload files to your TV
* so your TV lacks the choice to get information from the outside world, except from network port or serial comm. 

So if you're in this case, '''as I am today''', in the moment of writing this post, then you only got two options:
* first one, if you're lucky samsung releases a new firmware that replace the partitions stored on your TV, and luckly you check today and you can update your TV thru Online option, and you fix the problem. This is low probably if you've got your tv updated to the latest firmware, as usual for most users.
* You have to use the '''"Panic connection"'''. 

== Can this be fixed with the Factory Reset? ==
'''No'''. It's true there is an option in the Service Menu, where you can make a '''Factory Reset'''. That options clear information about your TV setup, but does not remove files, at least the files that resides in the partition, where the new hacked files where copied. 

== Could I use other methods to send serial commands without the use of Ex-Link adapter or cable? ==
I see, some Samsung TV models, can be managed thru network against the serial comms, and use the phone as a remote control. Could I send the needed commands to the serial port from here, or using the German Application ruSamsung TV?
I guess not. You have to enable the Serial Communication, and it looks it can not be done thru this communication. It is only able thru the Ex-Link connection or VGA Port connection.
 

== It could be possible to remove the hack from a Widget developed in the internet TV? ==
'''Well it could be'''. I tried, but it didn't work because my TV is in a firmware release that has fixed the choice to get access to files on the Samsung TV operation system disk located outside of the Widget user folder. If your firmware release is old and in your case the Internet TV hack is a good option, then if you make some mistake and you've lost the ssh connection, and you've lost USB capabilities, then you could develop an small Widget App, with 4 lines of code, that could remove the files you copied in the hack. I will try to talk about this later and developing a sample. But I guess it won't be very useful, because once Samsung release new updated firmwares, the users, usually update their systems. So internet hack today, we could say is deprecated. Unless you decide to downgrade your firmware to get access to this hack, and then upgrade. But many users confirm that this hack stop working when you upgrade. 
So at date of this post, the power is hotel hack for most users.
 
== SamyGO Extensions. What are they? ==
Well, once you've installed your hack, you will do some important things. A lot of users usually want to do the same, which is, get SSH access, get FTP access, share Samba drives, or share NFS drivers. SamyGO Extensions, is a pack of utilities, prepared in a folder structure, to be run, from the USB device when you plugged in to your TV.
 
Because the hack you've done in your TV, has the ability to run an script called run.sh in the root folder of your USB device, if you copy SamyGO extensions, in your USB device, and then you modifiy the file run.sh to call the SamyGO startup script, then your system will load all you needs when your USB device connects to your TV.
 
Some people, ( as me :) ) thought why not to copy SamyGO extensions in the own Samsung TV flash disk ( the own memory of the TV ) to be loaded in the same way, but without the need to read it from the USB disk. '''WRONG!'''. Probably, as everything, it could be done, but forget to do that, and you will be far from brick your TV.
 
I will try to post a second detailed part of this post, when my restore TV process begins, I hope next week. By the way I'm waiting for the RS232-TTL adapter.
 
I also will try to complete all of this information with the links to the forum posts and SamyGO wiki as it is referenced in some parts of this post.

File:Jumper wires.jpg

2012-03-05T10:29:00Z

Latas:

This is the first document you have to read

2012-03-05T10:26:49Z

Latas: /* What is ExLink */

== '''This article is specially design to everyone who wants to hack their TV's.''' ==

Important things to take in care when you read this article. 
* ''Take in care the dates when the things are referenced''. 
The information changes and some here written today became obsolet tomorrow. So let's begin.

== Before to begin ==

''What are TV's series?'' 
I'm not talking about small films of duration splited in several chapters. I'm talking about the serial identification code of each Samsung TV. 
Usually is composed by:
* a international region code, it could be UE (for Europe), US for United States,
* the TV size in inches, maybe 40, 46, 50, 55 and so on,
* a code for the Serie, which usually is A, B, C, D,
* and the code of your TV model inside that serie. 
For example: 
'''UE40C8000''' 
You will find a lot of references about series on the SamyGO wiki. Take this information in care, because depending on this you will have to take one action or other, and some information could be valid for you or not.
 

== Hack your TV can be a very easy procedure, or a very complicated procedure. What depends on? ==
Well, Samsung TV's, runs Linux based OS. So, this meas, as much knowledge you've got from Linux, more comfortable you feel when you proceed to hack your TV.
 
== Does this mean if I don't know Linux, I can not hack my TV? ==
No. Following the instructions you will be able to hack it, but you will have to take care about what are you doing. And this is the important part, if you don't have linux knowledge you won't know what are you doing, just simply following a script as a film.
 
So, first thing we should know, '''if you've got doubts, DO NOT FOLLOW! Take your time, read the documentation, and if you need further info, ask'''.
 
== What is the worst could happen? ==
You can brick your TV. 

== What means brick? ==
Basically you will have a TV with problems. Some part of its funcionality could be broken. 

== What functionalities of my TV are in risk if I decide to hack my TV? ==
''March, 3, 2012.'' 
There are several procedures to hack your TV defined in the SamyGO wiki. The concept of all of them is the same. Modify the internal system of your TV that mount your USB devices to do something more before to proceed to the mount step.
Depending on your Firmware installed on your TV, you will be able to use one hack way or both.
 
So this means, the most important part in risk when you decide to hack your TV, is the USB system of your TV.
 
You should take a look to the firmware version of your TV, that you can check in the menu option of update firmware of your TV. With that information you can check the table in the SamyGO wiki to know what kind of hack you could use.
 
== Is there an undo procedure if I break my TV? ==
Usually yes. But not as easy as undo. If you simply followed the hack steps, then there is an option to restore your TV. If you made a big disaster when you did login into the system, and you broke other things, then that will depend. I will explain later the "panic connection" to the TV.
 
== Internet TV Hack ==
This hack consist of the installation of a Smart TV app, that will do some operations to proceed with the hack. The exploit used in this type of hack was fixed by Samsung in new firmware releases, so if you've got your TV updated to the latest firmware available you won't be able to use this. Forget it.
 
== Hotel Hack ==
This hack consist of make an import of files from an USB memory stick in the Hotel mode of your TV.
 
== What is Hotel Mode? ==
Samsung TV's, some models, many of them, has an option, to make the TV works when they're installed in hotels. This makes the TV to work in an isolated environment, that protects some functions from the modifications hotel guests want to do. Because there are usually many rooms in a hotel, the service menu of Hotel option, has the choice to make a configuration, and export it to an USB stick, and also import it from a USB stick. The goal of this, is get an easy way to replicate information to a lot of TV's.
In your house, you won't use Hotel mode, but this feature, to export and import files, will be used, to inject some modificated files, to operate as we want to open a backdoor in the system, and then get access to it.
 
I'm not going to explain here, step by step, how to hack the TV by this way, but I will continue giving advices about the procedure.
 
== "Panic connection" to the TV ==
I decided to name this, the Panic Connection, because usually everyone proceeds to hack their tv's without take this in care. If something goes wrong, and you loose some TV features, you get panic. And you will try to look for how to connect to your TV to fix what you've done, and you will get more panic.
 
== So what to do to fix your panic? ==
It is '''ExLink'''. 

== What is ExLink ==
ExLink in some series ( '''Usually A, B''' ) consist of a cable, which has in one side a 3.5mm jack, like the audio ones, and on the other side an RS232 ( Serial ) DB9 connector. This cable will allow you to connect your PC computer to the TV, and enter in the Serial mode. It's the emergency door to your TV. To communicate with your TV using this port, you will have to use a Serial Communications Software, like Hyperterminal from Windows. Windows 7 removed Hyperterminal from the operating system, but you can download it from several websites. Just Google it. 
If you feel more comfortable from other tools or Operating Systems like Linux, use others.
If your TV is from this series, then you can buy the cable, or make your own one.
 
'''For C,D Series'''. There is no ExLink any more. I say this, because the serial communication exists, but the concept ExLink as cable not. So don't buy an ExLink cable for your C,D series, because you can not use it in this models. So the communication, we can say, is made with other methods, but the emergency door exists in this models aswell.
So, for C, D series, the serial connection is made thru the VGA port of your TV. The explanation about this is in the wiki, but I will give a recommendation from here. Many of us are not comfortables making electronic circuits, and this operation requires it. We don't need a cable, we need a converter. The signal we get from an VGA port adapter, is in TTL convention. It means the power intensity we've got in circuits like that is around 3.3V. On the contrary a serial port, works at 10V more or less. So before we could connect the VGA port from the TV to a serial port in a PC, we need to adapt the power of both communciatios. Then we need a converter. The converter is called RS232 to TTL converter.
 
[[File:rs232_to_ttl_big.jpg]]
[http://www.amazon.com/MAX232-RS232-Converter-Adapter-Board/dp/B00471S6MC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330856098&sr=8-1 You can find it a Amazon for example]. 
Take in care, this not a RS232 to USB converter. That's a second step. So the first we need is, convert the TTL signal, into a RS232 signal. Then we can convert that signal to USB. 
You can use a RS232 to USB converter. New models requires no drivers, and works even with Mac. 
[[File:rs232_to_usb.jpg]]
[http://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Adapter-Prolific-PL2303HX-Chipset/dp/B00425S1H8/ref=pd_bxgy_e_img_b You can see here in Amazon too].
 

== Ok and now what? ==
Well if you don't want to soldier anything you can use wires jumper to connect the converter and the TV. [http://www.amazon.com/Jumper-Wires-Premium-Male-Pack/dp/B004ZRO06Y/ref=sr_1_15?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1330856372&sr=1-15 I will try to use cables like this].
 
If you took a look to the converter, you see there are several pines in one side of the converter. You will provide power in two of those pines and you will have to connect the pines for RX, and TX as explained in the wiki. I don't want to put here all the information because probably in the wiki there will be information that you should read. This is one of the main problems, because I decided to write this. Because if you follow one post of this forum only you're missing important information from other place and viceversa. 
So you will need a power adapter that provides to you 5V. You can find one of this in a lot of phone power supplies, because usually they work at 5v. So you can probably get a USB cable that you don't need and cut on of the sides.With the help of a polymeter, you can identify which are the wires for +5V and -5V signals. Then you can use a jumper wire to connect to that wires and then finally plugin in the correct pin of the RS232 coverter. In that way you will be providing power to your converter. This will increase the power of the signal from 3.3V-5V to the 10V power needed. Using the same type of jumper wires you can connect the other pins as explained in the Wiki. 
Finally connect the RS232 DB9 connector, to the RS232 - USB adapter, and the USB adapter plugged in your USB port of your computer. Then you can run hyperterminal, and open a serial connection with your TV. The procedure from here is read the emergency steps you have to do thru this serial comms, in the forum post of hacking your TV using Hotel method.
 
'''Well, if you've read until here, you now got more knowledge than before, isn't it?''' 

== So, what we've learned? ==
* 1.- Hack is critical.
* 2.- Our TV can be broken.
* 3.- There is a method to make it alive again, but depends on the disaster you've done.
* 4.- Always we should get ready to stablish the "Panic Connection", which requires specific hardware. Ex-Link or RS232-TTL Converter.
 
And now, you can stop here, or continue. My Last Message, if you're not experienced user, prepare your Ex-Link or RS232-TTL Converter before continue. 
I consider myself an experienced user, and I've got my TV USB bricked :)
 

----

== Road to the Hack ==
Well, you're here :) 
It looks you're ready. 
There is no much to say here, but I will do several advices. 

''March, 03, 2012'' 
[http://wiki.samygo.tv/index.php5/Hacking_TV_over_Hotel_mode_%28most_C_series_models%29 The binary image file referenced in the SamyGo wiki, to hack using this method '''(Hotel Hack)''', have been removed because of the bricks produced with it]. 
So you have to use the [http://forum.samygo.tv/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1076 '''Hotel hack manual method''']. 
But don't go away so fast from this page. Please continue reading this document, and you can go to other page when you finish it. '''It is for your safe'''. 
To prepare the files you will need to upload to your TV, '''you will need Linux'''. 
All the steps referenced in that installation procedure are made '''within a Linux system'''. 
There are some steps not explained in that forum post, but if you read the [http://wiki.samygo.tv/index.php5/Hacking_TV_over_Hotel_mode_%28most_C_series_models%29 SamyGO wiki hotel hack], you will be complementing the information you need. 
Remember most of the information in that wiki page can not be used because the main file you need is not available anymore for safety reasons, but the most important part of the procedure you will have to do it using the [http://forum.samygo.tv/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1076 Hotel Hack manual method, referenced here before]. 
In a very intelligent way, the guy who explained the hotel hack, included into the script, a way to auto remove the hack two minutes after installed. 
It means it will be auto removed two minutes after you apply the hack. 
''Now you don't understand this, but please continue reading.'' 

* This is the script which contains this lines:
#!/bin/sh
sleep 120
echo killself >>/mtd_rwarea/cmd1
sh -x /dtv/usb/sda/run4.sh &
rm -rf /mtd_rwarea/usb_mount/usb_cmd
rm -rf /mtd_rwarea/usb_mount/usb_mount
rm -rf /mtd_rwarea/usb_mount/killself.sh

* Listen, '''do not remove this by the way'''.
If you want, increase that time. 
Instead 120 seconds, set that time for example at 3600 seconds. ('''One hour''') 
The goal of this is, during the first minutes, you will stablish contact with something completely new. The posiblities you break something are potentially high. If you changed the time to 3600, after one hour in the worst of cases your TV will to work as before. When you made all the modifications you want for your system, and everything is tested and working perfect, you can then remove that script, or upload the hack again without that lines in that file, as explained some posts later in that hotel hack topic.
 
After that hour your hack will be removed. '''But it will be easy to upload it again because you will have your USB stick''', with all the files needed prepared from the last time. So the only thing you need to do, if you want, is remove or comment the lines that makes the hack autoremove by itself and upload it again to the TV in the same way as you did before. 

Because this method consist of a modification in the moment of mounting the USB devices in the TV, one of the things that commonly happens is, '''you break this system and you can not mount any USB device anymore'''. 

== Is that a problem? ==
'''Sure it is'''.
* Your situation will be:
You can not mount your hard disks,
you miss the capability to reproduce films thru USB,
you've lost any capability to run any command from your hacked system,
you can not flash any firmware because you can't access to the USB,
you can not apply again the hack because you can not upload files to your TV
* so your TV lacks the choice to get information from the outside world, except from network port or serial comm. 

So if you're in this case, '''as I am today''', in the moment of writing this post, then you only got two options:
* first one, if you're lucky samsung releases a new firmware that replace the partitions stored on your TV, and luckly you check today and you can update your TV thru Online option, and you fix the problem. This is low probably if you've got your tv updated to the latest firmware, as usual for most users.
* You have to use the '''"Panic connection"'''. 

== Can this be fixed with the Factory Reset? ==
'''No'''. It's true there is an option in the Service Menu, where you can make a '''Factory Reset'''. That options clear information about your TV setup, but does not remove files, at least the files that resides in the partition, where the new hacked files where copied. 

== Could I use other methods to send serial commands without the use of Ex-Link adapter or cable? ==
I see, some Samsung TV models, can be managed thru network against the serial comms, and use the phone as a remote control. Could I send the needed commands to the serial port from here, or using the German Application ruSamsung TV?
I guess not. You have to enable the Serial Communication, and it looks it can not be done thru this communication. It is only able thru the Ex-Link connection or VGA Port connection.
 

== It could be possible to remove the hack from a Widget developed in the internet TV? ==
'''Well it could be'''. I tried, but it didn't work because my TV is in a firmware release that has fixed the choice to get access to files on the Samsung TV operation system disk located outside of the Widget user folder. If your firmware release is old and in your case the Internet TV hack is a good option, then if you make some mistake and you've lost the ssh connection, and you've lost USB capabilities, then you could develop an small Widget App, with 4 lines of code, that could remove the files you copied in the hack. I will try to talk about this later and developing a sample. But I guess it won't be very useful, because once Samsung release new updated firmwares, the users, usually update their systems. So internet hack today, we could say is deprecated. Unless you decide to downgrade your firmware to get access to this hack, and then upgrade. But many users confirm that this hack stop working when you upgrade. 
So at date of this post, the power is hotel hack for most users.
 
== SamyGO Extensions. What are they? ==
Well, once you've installed your hack, you will do some important things. A lot of users usually want to do the same, which is, get SSH access, get FTP access, share Samba drives, or share NFS drivers. SamyGO Extensions, is a pack of utilities, prepared in a folder structure, to be run, from the USB device when you plugged in to your TV.
 
Because the hack you've done in your TV, has the ability to run an script called run.sh in the root folder of your USB device, if you copy SamyGO extensions, in your USB device, and then you modifiy the file run.sh to call the SamyGO startup script, then your system will load all you needs when your USB device connects to your TV.
 
Some people, ( as me :) ) thought why not to copy SamyGO extensions in the own Samsung TV flash disk ( the own memory of the TV ) to be loaded in the same way, but without the need to read it from the USB disk. '''WRONG!'''. Probably, as everything, it could be done, but forget to do that, and you will be far from brick your TV.
 
I will try to post a second detailed part of this post, when my restore TV process begins, I hope next week. By the way I'm waiting for the RS232-TTL adapter.
 
I also will try to complete all of this information with the links to the forum posts and SamyGO wiki as it is referenced in some parts of this post.

File:Rs232 to usb.jpg

2012-03-05T10:26:20Z

Latas:

File:Rs232 to ttl big.jpg

2012-03-05T10:21:22Z

Latas:

File:Rs232 to ttl.jpg

2012-03-05T10:20:44Z

Latas:

This is the first document you have to read

2012-03-05T10:17:32Z

Latas: /* I see, some Samsung TV models, can be managed thru network agains the serial comms, and use the phone as a remote control. Could I send the needed commands to the serial port from here, or using the German Application ruSamsung TV? */

== '''This article is specially design to everyone who wants to hack their TV's.''' ==

Important things to take in care when you read this article. 
* ''Take in care the dates when the things are referenced''. 
The information changes and some here written today became obsolet tomorrow. So let's begin.

== Before to begin ==

''What are TV's series?'' 
I'm not talking about small films of duration splited in several chapters. I'm talking about the serial identification code of each Samsung TV. 
Usually is composed by:
* a international region code, it could be UE (for Europe), US for United States,
* the TV size in inches, maybe 40, 46, 50, 55 and so on,
* a code for the Serie, which usually is A, B, C, D,
* and the code of your TV model inside that serie. 
For example: 
'''UE40C8000''' 
You will find a lot of references about series on the SamyGO wiki. Take this information in care, because depending on this you will have to take one action or other, and some information could be valid for you or not.
 

== Hack your TV can be a very easy procedure, or a very complicated procedure. What depends on? ==
Well, Samsung TV's, runs Linux based OS. So, this meas, as much knowledge you've got from Linux, more comfortable you feel when you proceed to hack your TV.
 
== Does this mean if I don't know Linux, I can not hack my TV? ==
No. Following the instructions you will be able to hack it, but you will have to take care about what are you doing. And this is the important part, if you don't have linux knowledge you won't know what are you doing, just simply following a script as a film.
 
So, first thing we should know, '''if you've got doubts, DO NOT FOLLOW! Take your time, read the documentation, and if you need further info, ask'''.
 
== What is the worst could happen? ==
You can brick your TV. 

== What means brick? ==
Basically you will have a TV with problems. Some part of its funcionality could be broken. 

== What functionalities of my TV are in risk if I decide to hack my TV? ==
''March, 3, 2012.'' 
There are several procedures to hack your TV defined in the SamyGO wiki. The concept of all of them is the same. Modify the internal system of your TV that mount your USB devices to do something more before to proceed to the mount step.
Depending on your Firmware installed on your TV, you will be able to use one hack way or both.
 
So this means, the most important part in risk when you decide to hack your TV, is the USB system of your TV.
 
You should take a look to the firmware version of your TV, that you can check in the menu option of update firmware of your TV. With that information you can check the table in the SamyGO wiki to know what kind of hack you could use.
 
== Is there an undo procedure if I break my TV? ==
Usually yes. But not as easy as undo. If you simply followed the hack steps, then there is an option to restore your TV. If you made a big disaster when you did login into the system, and you broke other things, then that will depend. I will explain later the "panic connection" to the TV.
 
== Internet TV Hack ==
This hack consist of the installation of a Smart TV app, that will do some operations to proceed with the hack. The exploit used in this type of hack was fixed by Samsung in new firmware releases, so if you've got your TV updated to the latest firmware available you won't be able to use this. Forget it.
 
== Hotel Hack ==
This hack consist of make an import of files from an USB memory stick in the Hotel mode of your TV.
 
== What is Hotel Mode? ==
Samsung TV's, some models, many of them, has an option, to make the TV works when they're installed in hotels. This makes the TV to work in an isolated environment, that protects some functions from the modifications hotel guests want to do. Because there are usually many rooms in a hotel, the service menu of Hotel option, has the choice to make a configuration, and export it to an USB stick, and also import it from a USB stick. The goal of this, is get an easy way to replicate information to a lot of TV's.
In your house, you won't use Hotel mode, but this feature, to export and import files, will be used, to inject some modificated files, to operate as we want to open a backdoor in the system, and then get access to it.
 
I'm not going to explain here, step by step, how to hack the TV by this way, but I will continue giving advices about the procedure.
 
== "Panic connection" to the TV ==
I decided to name this, the Panic Connection, because usually everyone proceeds to hack their tv's without take this in care. If something goes wrong, and you loose some TV features, you get panic. And you will try to look for how to connect to your TV to fix what you've done, and you will get more panic.
 
== So what to do to fix your panic? ==
It is '''ExLink'''. 

== What is ExLink ==
ExLink in some series ( '''Usually A, B''' ) consist of a cable, which has in one side a 3.5mm jack, like the audio ones, and on the other side an RS232 ( Serial ) DB9 connector. This cable will allow you to connect your PC computer to the TV, and enter in the Serial mode. It's the emergency door to your TV. To communicate with your TV using this port, you will have to use a Serial Communications Software, like Hyperterminal from Windows. Windows 7 removed Hyperterminal from the operating system, but you can download it from several websites. Just Google it. 
If you feel more comfortable from other tools or Operating Systems like Linux, use others.
If your TV is from this series, then you can buy the cable, or make your own one.
 
'''For C,D Series'''. There is no ExLink any more. I say this, because the serial communication exists, but the concept ExLink as cable not. So don't buy an ExLink cable for your C,D series, because you can not use it in this models. So the communication, we can say, is made with other methods, but the emergency door exists in this models aswell.
So, for C, D series, the serial connection is made thru the VGA port of your TV. The explanation about this is in the wiki, but I will give a recommendation from here. Many of us are not comfortables making electronic circuits, and this operation requires it. We don't need a cable, we need a converter. The signal we get from an VGA port adapter, is in TTL convention. It means the power intensity we've got in circuits like that is around 3.3V. On the contrary a serial port, works at 10V more or less. So before we could connect the VGA port from the TV to a serial port in a PC, we need to adapt the power of both communciatios. Then we need a converter. The converter is called RS232 to TTL converter.
 
[http://www.amazon.com/MAX232-RS232-Converter-Adapter-Board/dp/B00471S6MC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330856098&sr=8-1 You can find it a Amazon for example]. 
Take in care, this not a RS232 to USB converter. That's a second step. So the first we need is, convert the TTL signal, into a RS232 signal. Then we can convert that signal to USB. 
You can use a RS232 to USB converter. New models requires no drivers, and works even with Mac. 
[http://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Adapter-Prolific-PL2303HX-Chipset/dp/B00425S1H8/ref=pd_bxgy_e_img_b You can see here in Amazon too].
 
== Ok and now what? ==
Well if you don't want to soldier anything you can use wires jumper to connect the converter and the TV. [http://www.amazon.com/Jumper-Wires-Premium-Male-Pack/dp/B004ZRO06Y/ref=sr_1_15?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1330856372&sr=1-15 I will try to use cables like this].
 
If you took a look to the converter, you see there are several pines in one side of the converter. You will provide power in two of those pines and you will have to connect the pines for RX, and TX as explained in the wiki. I don't want to put here all the information because probably in the wiki there will be information that you should read. This is one of the main problems, because I decided to write this. Because if you follow one post of this forum only you're missing important information from other place and viceversa. 
So you will need a power adapter that provides to you 5V. You can find one of this in a lot of phone power supplies, because usually they work at 5v. So you can probably get a USB cable that you don't need and cut on of the sides.With the help of a polymeter, you can identify which are the wires for +5V and -5V signals. Then you can use a jumper wire to connect to that wires and then finally plugin in the correct pin of the RS232 coverter. In that way you will be providing power to your converter. This will increase the power of the signal from 3.3V-5V to the 10V power needed. Using the same type of jumper wires you can connect the other pins as explained in the Wiki. 
Finally connect the RS232 DB9 connector, to the RS232 - USB adapter, and the USB adapter plugged in your USB port of your computer. Then you can run hyperterminal, and open a serial connection with your TV. The procedure from here is read the emergency steps you have to do thru this serial comms, in the forum post of hacking your TV using Hotel method.
 
'''Well, if you've read until here, you now got more knowledge than before, isn't it?''' 

== So, what we've learned? ==
* 1.- Hack is critical.
* 2.- Our TV can be broken.
* 3.- There is a method to make it alive again, but depends on the disaster you've done.
* 4.- Always we should get ready to stablish the "Panic Connection", which requires specific hardware. Ex-Link or RS232-TTL Converter.
 
And now, you can stop here, or continue. My Last Message, if you're not experienced user, prepare your Ex-Link or RS232-TTL Converter before continue. 
I consider myself an experienced user, and I've got my TV USB bricked :)
 

----

== Road to the Hack ==
Well, you're here :) 
It looks you're ready. 
There is no much to say here, but I will do several advices. 

''March, 03, 2012'' 
[http://wiki.samygo.tv/index.php5/Hacking_TV_over_Hotel_mode_%28most_C_series_models%29 The binary image file referenced in the SamyGo wiki, to hack using this method '''(Hotel Hack)''', have been removed because of the bricks produced with it]. 
So you have to use the [http://forum.samygo.tv/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1076 '''Hotel hack manual method''']. 
But don't go away so fast from this page. Please continue reading this document, and you can go to other page when you finish it. '''It is for your safe'''. 
To prepare the files you will need to upload to your TV, '''you will need Linux'''. 
All the steps referenced in that installation procedure are made '''within a Linux system'''. 
There are some steps not explained in that forum post, but if you read the [http://wiki.samygo.tv/index.php5/Hacking_TV_over_Hotel_mode_%28most_C_series_models%29 SamyGO wiki hotel hack], you will be complementing the information you need. 
Remember most of the information in that wiki page can not be used because the main file you need is not available anymore for safety reasons, but the most important part of the procedure you will have to do it using the [http://forum.samygo.tv/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1076 Hotel Hack manual method, referenced here before]. 
In a very intelligent way, the guy who explained the hotel hack, included into the script, a way to auto remove the hack two minutes after installed. 
It means it will be auto removed two minutes after you apply the hack. 
''Now you don't understand this, but please continue reading.'' 

* This is the script which contains this lines:
#!/bin/sh
sleep 120
echo killself >>/mtd_rwarea/cmd1
sh -x /dtv/usb/sda/run4.sh &
rm -rf /mtd_rwarea/usb_mount/usb_cmd
rm -rf /mtd_rwarea/usb_mount/usb_mount
rm -rf /mtd_rwarea/usb_mount/killself.sh

* Listen, '''do not remove this by the way'''.
If you want, increase that time. 
Instead 120 seconds, set that time for example at 3600 seconds. ('''One hour''') 
The goal of this is, during the first minutes, you will stablish contact with something completely new. The posiblities you break something are potentially high. If you changed the time to 3600, after one hour in the worst of cases your TV will to work as before. When you made all the modifications you want for your system, and everything is tested and working perfect, you can then remove that script, or upload the hack again without that lines in that file, as explained some posts later in that hotel hack topic.
 
After that hour your hack will be removed. '''But it will be easy to upload it again because you will have your USB stick''', with all the files needed prepared from the last time. So the only thing you need to do, if you want, is remove or comment the lines that makes the hack autoremove by itself and upload it again to the TV in the same way as you did before. 

Because this method consist of a modification in the moment of mounting the USB devices in the TV, one of the things that commonly happens is, '''you break this system and you can not mount any USB device anymore'''. 

== Is that a problem? ==
'''Sure it is'''.
* Your situation will be:
You can not mount your hard disks,
you miss the capability to reproduce films thru USB,
you've lost any capability to run any command from your hacked system,
you can not flash any firmware because you can't access to the USB,
you can not apply again the hack because you can not upload files to your TV
* so your TV lacks the choice to get information from the outside world, except from network port or serial comm. 

So if you're in this case, '''as I am today''', in the moment of writing this post, then you only got two options:
* first one, if you're lucky samsung releases a new firmware that replace the partitions stored on your TV, and luckly you check today and you can update your TV thru Online option, and you fix the problem. This is low probably if you've got your tv updated to the latest firmware, as usual for most users.
* You have to use the '''"Panic connection"'''. 

== Can this be fixed with the Factory Reset? ==
'''No'''. It's true there is an option in the Service Menu, where you can make a '''Factory Reset'''. That options clear information about your TV setup, but does not remove files, at least the files that resides in the partition, where the new hacked files where copied. 

== Could I use other methods to send serial commands without the use of Ex-Link adapter or cable? ==
I see, some Samsung TV models, can be managed thru network against the serial comms, and use the phone as a remote control. Could I send the needed commands to the serial port from here, or using the German Application ruSamsung TV?
I guess not. You have to enable the Serial Communication, and it looks it can not be done thru this communication. It is only able thru the Ex-Link connection or VGA Port connection.
 

== It could be possible to remove the hack from a Widget developed in the internet TV? ==
'''Well it could be'''. I tried, but it didn't work because my TV is in a firmware release that has fixed the choice to get access to files on the Samsung TV operation system disk located outside of the Widget user folder. If your firmware release is old and in your case the Internet TV hack is a good option, then if you make some mistake and you've lost the ssh connection, and you've lost USB capabilities, then you could develop an small Widget App, with 4 lines of code, that could remove the files you copied in the hack. I will try to talk about this later and developing a sample. But I guess it won't be very useful, because once Samsung release new updated firmwares, the users, usually update their systems. So internet hack today, we could say is deprecated. Unless you decide to downgrade your firmware to get access to this hack, and then upgrade. But many users confirm that this hack stop working when you upgrade. 
So at date of this post, the power is hotel hack for most users.
 
== SamyGO Extensions. What are they? ==
Well, once you've installed your hack, you will do some important things. A lot of users usually want to do the same, which is, get SSH access, get FTP access, share Samba drives, or share NFS drivers. SamyGO Extensions, is a pack of utilities, prepared in a folder structure, to be run, from the USB device when you plugged in to your TV.
 
Because the hack you've done in your TV, has the ability to run an script called run.sh in the root folder of your USB device, if you copy SamyGO extensions, in your USB device, and then you modifiy the file run.sh to call the SamyGO startup script, then your system will load all you needs when your USB device connects to your TV.
 
Some people, ( as me :) ) thought why not to copy SamyGO extensions in the own Samsung TV flash disk ( the own memory of the TV ) to be loaded in the same way, but without the need to read it from the USB disk. '''WRONG!'''. Probably, as everything, it could be done, but forget to do that, and you will be far from brick your TV.
 
I will try to post a second detailed part of this post, when my restore TV process begins, I hope next week. By the way I'm waiting for the RS232-TTL adapter.
 
I also will try to complete all of this information with the links to the forum posts and SamyGO wiki as it is referenced in some parts of this post.

This is the first document you have to read

2012-03-05T10:15:20Z

Latas: Created page with "== '''This article is specially design to everyone who wants to hack their TV's.''' == Important things to take in care when you read this article. * ''Take in care the dat..."

== '''This article is specially design to everyone who wants to hack their TV's.''' ==

Important things to take in care when you read this article. 
* ''Take in care the dates when the things are referenced''. 
The information changes and some here written today became obsolet tomorrow. So let's begin.

== Before to begin ==

''What are TV's series?'' 
I'm not talking about small films of duration splited in several chapters. I'm talking about the serial identification code of each Samsung TV. 
Usually is composed by:
* a international region code, it could be UE (for Europe), US for United States,
* the TV size in inches, maybe 40, 46, 50, 55 and so on,
* a code for the Serie, which usually is A, B, C, D,
* and the code of your TV model inside that serie. 
For example: 
'''UE40C8000''' 
You will find a lot of references about series on the SamyGO wiki. Take this information in care, because depending on this you will have to take one action or other, and some information could be valid for you or not.
 

== Hack your TV can be a very easy procedure, or a very complicated procedure. What depends on? ==
Well, Samsung TV's, runs Linux based OS. So, this meas, as much knowledge you've got from Linux, more comfortable you feel when you proceed to hack your TV.
 
== Does this mean if I don't know Linux, I can not hack my TV? ==
No. Following the instructions you will be able to hack it, but you will have to take care about what are you doing. And this is the important part, if you don't have linux knowledge you won't know what are you doing, just simply following a script as a film.
 
So, first thing we should know, '''if you've got doubts, DO NOT FOLLOW! Take your time, read the documentation, and if you need further info, ask'''.
 
== What is the worst could happen? ==
You can brick your TV. 

== What means brick? ==
Basically you will have a TV with problems. Some part of its funcionality could be broken. 

== What functionalities of my TV are in risk if I decide to hack my TV? ==
''March, 3, 2012.'' 
There are several procedures to hack your TV defined in the SamyGO wiki. The concept of all of them is the same. Modify the internal system of your TV that mount your USB devices to do something more before to proceed to the mount step.
Depending on your Firmware installed on your TV, you will be able to use one hack way or both.
 
So this means, the most important part in risk when you decide to hack your TV, is the USB system of your TV.
 
You should take a look to the firmware version of your TV, that you can check in the menu option of update firmware of your TV. With that information you can check the table in the SamyGO wiki to know what kind of hack you could use.
 
== Is there an undo procedure if I break my TV? ==
Usually yes. But not as easy as undo. If you simply followed the hack steps, then there is an option to restore your TV. If you made a big disaster when you did login into the system, and you broke other things, then that will depend. I will explain later the "panic connection" to the TV.
 
== Internet TV Hack ==
This hack consist of the installation of a Smart TV app, that will do some operations to proceed with the hack. The exploit used in this type of hack was fixed by Samsung in new firmware releases, so if you've got your TV updated to the latest firmware available you won't be able to use this. Forget it.
 
== Hotel Hack ==
This hack consist of make an import of files from an USB memory stick in the Hotel mode of your TV.
 
== What is Hotel Mode? ==
Samsung TV's, some models, many of them, has an option, to make the TV works when they're installed in hotels. This makes the TV to work in an isolated environment, that protects some functions from the modifications hotel guests want to do. Because there are usually many rooms in a hotel, the service menu of Hotel option, has the choice to make a configuration, and export it to an USB stick, and also import it from a USB stick. The goal of this, is get an easy way to replicate information to a lot of TV's.
In your house, you won't use Hotel mode, but this feature, to export and import files, will be used, to inject some modificated files, to operate as we want to open a backdoor in the system, and then get access to it.
 
I'm not going to explain here, step by step, how to hack the TV by this way, but I will continue giving advices about the procedure.
 
== "Panic connection" to the TV ==
I decided to name this, the Panic Connection, because usually everyone proceeds to hack their tv's without take this in care. If something goes wrong, and you loose some TV features, you get panic. And you will try to look for how to connect to your TV to fix what you've done, and you will get more panic.
 
== So what to do to fix your panic? ==
It is '''ExLink'''. 

== What is ExLink ==
ExLink in some series ( '''Usually A, B''' ) consist of a cable, which has in one side a 3.5mm jack, like the audio ones, and on the other side an RS232 ( Serial ) DB9 connector. This cable will allow you to connect your PC computer to the TV, and enter in the Serial mode. It's the emergency door to your TV. To communicate with your TV using this port, you will have to use a Serial Communications Software, like Hyperterminal from Windows. Windows 7 removed Hyperterminal from the operating system, but you can download it from several websites. Just Google it. 
If you feel more comfortable from other tools or Operating Systems like Linux, use others.
If your TV is from this series, then you can buy the cable, or make your own one.
 
'''For C,D Series'''. There is no ExLink any more. I say this, because the serial communication exists, but the concept ExLink as cable not. So don't buy an ExLink cable for your C,D series, because you can not use it in this models. So the communication, we can say, is made with other methods, but the emergency door exists in this models aswell.
So, for C, D series, the serial connection is made thru the VGA port of your TV. The explanation about this is in the wiki, but I will give a recommendation from here. Many of us are not comfortables making electronic circuits, and this operation requires it. We don't need a cable, we need a converter. The signal we get from an VGA port adapter, is in TTL convention. It means the power intensity we've got in circuits like that is around 3.3V. On the contrary a serial port, works at 10V more or less. So before we could connect the VGA port from the TV to a serial port in a PC, we need to adapt the power of both communciatios. Then we need a converter. The converter is called RS232 to TTL converter.
 
[http://www.amazon.com/MAX232-RS232-Converter-Adapter-Board/dp/B00471S6MC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330856098&sr=8-1 You can find it a Amazon for example]. 
Take in care, this not a RS232 to USB converter. That's a second step. So the first we need is, convert the TTL signal, into a RS232 signal. Then we can convert that signal to USB. 
You can use a RS232 to USB converter. New models requires no drivers, and works even with Mac. 
[http://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Adapter-Prolific-PL2303HX-Chipset/dp/B00425S1H8/ref=pd_bxgy_e_img_b You can see here in Amazon too].
 
== Ok and now what? ==
Well if you don't want to soldier anything you can use wires jumper to connect the converter and the TV. [http://www.amazon.com/Jumper-Wires-Premium-Male-Pack/dp/B004ZRO06Y/ref=sr_1_15?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1330856372&sr=1-15 I will try to use cables like this].
 
If you took a look to the converter, you see there are several pines in one side of the converter. You will provide power in two of those pines and you will have to connect the pines for RX, and TX as explained in the wiki. I don't want to put here all the information because probably in the wiki there will be information that you should read. This is one of the main problems, because I decided to write this. Because if you follow one post of this forum only you're missing important information from other place and viceversa. 
So you will need a power adapter that provides to you 5V. You can find one of this in a lot of phone power supplies, because usually they work at 5v. So you can probably get a USB cable that you don't need and cut on of the sides.With the help of a polymeter, you can identify which are the wires for +5V and -5V signals. Then you can use a jumper wire to connect to that wires and then finally plugin in the correct pin of the RS232 coverter. In that way you will be providing power to your converter. This will increase the power of the signal from 3.3V-5V to the 10V power needed. Using the same type of jumper wires you can connect the other pins as explained in the Wiki. 
Finally connect the RS232 DB9 connector, to the RS232 - USB adapter, and the USB adapter plugged in your USB port of your computer. Then you can run hyperterminal, and open a serial connection with your TV. The procedure from here is read the emergency steps you have to do thru this serial comms, in the forum post of hacking your TV using Hotel method.
 
'''Well, if you've read until here, you now got more knowledge than before, isn't it?''' 

== So, what we've learned? ==
* 1.- Hack is critical.
* 2.- Our TV can be broken.
* 3.- There is a method to make it alive again, but depends on the disaster you've done.
* 4.- Always we should get ready to stablish the "Panic Connection", which requires specific hardware. Ex-Link or RS232-TTL Converter.
 
And now, you can stop here, or continue. My Last Message, if you're not experienced user, prepare your Ex-Link or RS232-TTL Converter before continue. 
I consider myself an experienced user, and I've got my TV USB bricked :)
 

----

== Road to the Hack ==
Well, you're here :) 
It looks you're ready. 
There is no much to say here, but I will do several advices. 

''March, 03, 2012'' 
[http://wiki.samygo.tv/index.php5/Hacking_TV_over_Hotel_mode_%28most_C_series_models%29 The binary image file referenced in the SamyGo wiki, to hack using this method '''(Hotel Hack)''', have been removed because of the bricks produced with it]. 
So you have to use the [http://forum.samygo.tv/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1076 '''Hotel hack manual method''']. 
But don't go away so fast from this page. Please continue reading this document, and you can go to other page when you finish it. '''It is for your safe'''. 
To prepare the files you will need to upload to your TV, '''you will need Linux'''. 
All the steps referenced in that installation procedure are made '''within a Linux system'''. 
There are some steps not explained in that forum post, but if you read the [http://wiki.samygo.tv/index.php5/Hacking_TV_over_Hotel_mode_%28most_C_series_models%29 SamyGO wiki hotel hack], you will be complementing the information you need. 
Remember most of the information in that wiki page can not be used because the main file you need is not available anymore for safety reasons, but the most important part of the procedure you will have to do it using the [http://forum.samygo.tv/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1076 Hotel Hack manual method, referenced here before]. 
In a very intelligent way, the guy who explained the hotel hack, included into the script, a way to auto remove the hack two minutes after installed. 
It means it will be auto removed two minutes after you apply the hack. 
''Now you don't understand this, but please continue reading.'' 

* This is the script which contains this lines:
#!/bin/sh
sleep 120
echo killself >>/mtd_rwarea/cmd1
sh -x /dtv/usb/sda/run4.sh &
rm -rf /mtd_rwarea/usb_mount/usb_cmd
rm -rf /mtd_rwarea/usb_mount/usb_mount
rm -rf /mtd_rwarea/usb_mount/killself.sh

* Listen, '''do not remove this by the way'''.
If you want, increase that time. 
Instead 120 seconds, set that time for example at 3600 seconds. ('''One hour''') 
The goal of this is, during the first minutes, you will stablish contact with something completely new. The posiblities you break something are potentially high. If you changed the time to 3600, after one hour in the worst of cases your TV will to work as before. When you made all the modifications you want for your system, and everything is tested and working perfect, you can then remove that script, or upload the hack again without that lines in that file, as explained some posts later in that hotel hack topic.
 
After that hour your hack will be removed. '''But it will be easy to upload it again because you will have your USB stick''', with all the files needed prepared from the last time. So the only thing you need to do, if you want, is remove or comment the lines that makes the hack autoremove by itself and upload it again to the TV in the same way as you did before. 

Because this method consist of a modification in the moment of mounting the USB devices in the TV, one of the things that commonly happens is, '''you break this system and you can not mount any USB device anymore'''. 

== Is that a problem? ==
'''Sure it is'''.
* Your situation will be:
You can not mount your hard disks,
you miss the capability to reproduce films thru USB,
you've lost any capability to run any command from your hacked system,
you can not flash any firmware because you can't access to the USB,
you can not apply again the hack because you can not upload files to your TV
* so your TV lacks the choice to get information from the outside world, except from network port or serial comm. 

So if you're in this case, '''as I am today''', in the moment of writing this post, then you only got two options:
* first one, if you're lucky samsung releases a new firmware that replace the partitions stored on your TV, and luckly you check today and you can update your TV thru Online option, and you fix the problem. This is low probably if you've got your tv updated to the latest firmware, as usual for most users.
* You have to use the '''"Panic connection"'''. 

== Can this be fixed with the Factory Reset? ==
'''No'''. It's true there is an option in the Service Menu, where you can make a '''Factory Reset'''. That options clear information about your TV setup, but does not remove files, at least the files that resides in the partition, where the new hacked files where copied. 

== I see, some Samsung TV models, can be managed thru network agains the serial comms, and use the phone as a remote control. Could I send the needed commands to the serial port from here, or using the German Application ruSamsung TV? ==
I guess not. You have to enable the Serial Communication, and it looks it can not be done thru this communication. It is only able thru the Ex-Link connection or VGA Port connection.
 
== It could be possible to remove the hack from a Widget developed in the internet TV? ==
'''Well it could be'''. I tried, but it didn't work because my TV is in a firmware release that has fixed the choice to get access to files on the Samsung TV operation system disk located outside of the Widget user folder. If your firmware release is old and in your case the Internet TV hack is a good option, then if you make some mistake and you've lost the ssh connection, and you've lost USB capabilities, then you could develop an small Widget App, with 4 lines of code, that could remove the files you copied in the hack. I will try to talk about this later and developing a sample. But I guess it won't be very useful, because once Samsung release new updated firmwares, the users, usually update their systems. So internet hack today, we could say is deprecated. Unless you decide to downgrade your firmware to get access to this hack, and then upgrade. But many users confirm that this hack stop working when you upgrade. 
So at date of this post, the power is hotel hack for most users.
 
== SamyGO Extensions. What are they? ==
Well, once you've installed your hack, you will do some important things. A lot of users usually want to do the same, which is, get SSH access, get FTP access, share Samba drives, or share NFS drivers. SamyGO Extensions, is a pack of utilities, prepared in a folder structure, to be run, from the USB device when you plugged in to your TV.
 
Because the hack you've done in your TV, has the ability to run an script called run.sh in the root folder of your USB device, if you copy SamyGO extensions, in your USB device, and then you modifiy the file run.sh to call the SamyGO startup script, then your system will load all you needs when your USB device connects to your TV.
 
Some people, ( as me :) ) thought why not to copy SamyGO extensions in the own Samsung TV flash disk ( the own memory of the TV ) to be loaded in the same way, but without the need to read it from the USB disk. '''WRONG!'''. Probably, as everything, it could be done, but forget to do that, and you will be far from brick your TV.
 
I will try to post a second detailed part of this post, when my restore TV process begins, I hope next week. By the way I'm waiting for the RS232-TTL adapter.
 
I also will try to complete all of this information with the links to the forum posts and SamyGO wiki as it is referenced in some parts of this post.

The C Series Wiki

2012-03-05T07:28:11Z

Latas: /* SamyGO C Series Wiki Page Main */

[[File:c_wiki.png|140px|right]]
== SamyGO C Series Wiki Page Main ==
Do you want to hack your TV?
* <big>[[This is the first document you have to read]]</big>.
 
On this page, you will find hacks related for only C series TVs.
* <big>[[Compatibility Table for C series TVs]]</big>
* '''[[BEFORE YOU START: Safety measures for C series TVs]]'''
* [[For what we need all these C-Series Hacks%3F]] See here the different method of hack for the C series TVs

 

== Hacking/rooting ==
* '''Internet@TV'''
** [[Hacking C-Series TV with Internet@TV only]] (may not work with a firmware newer than 3005.1)
** [[How to get root access on a C series TV]]
** For [[PSxxC7000]] only
* '''Hack over Hotel Mode'''
** Universal USB disk to hack C series TV, see [[Hacking TV over Hotel mode (most C series models)]] DO NOT USE FOR NOW
** [[Hack over Hotel Mode without USB disk (most C series models)]]
** USB disk to hack C series T-VALDEUC-3009.2, see [[Hacking TV over Hotel mode (C650 T-VALDEUC-3009.2)]] (This may also work on other models than C650, such as C8700)
* After rooting
** You may consider to install [[SamyGO Extensions Pack]]

 
== ServiceMenu tricks ==
* '''[[Service Mode for C-Series]]'''
* [[Enabling the PVR for C-Series]]
* [[Enabling Video playback on C350]], DLNA and Network support for C350/C450
* [[How to change your Internet@TV region]]
* [[How to enable MHP for C-Series]] (available only in Italy)
* [[How to enable Internet@tv in UC6000 T-valdeuc Tvs]]

== Software Applications ==
* [[How to install custom widgets to TV]]
* '''[[Samsung Apps widgets list]]'''
* '''[[Applications list for C seres TVs|Applications list for C series TVs]]'''
* '''[[Desktop applications list]]'''
* '''[[Android applications list]]'''
* '''[[iOS applications list]]'''
* [[PVR Recording over NFS for C-Series]] - Samygo-All-Extensions
* [[How to connect C series to NFS under WIN7 using Hanewin NFS Server]]

 
== Software Tools ==
* [[Setting up a cross-compilation toolchain]]

 
== Hardware ==
* [[Ex-Link Cable for C-Series]]
* [[Using NoN-Samsung USB WiFi dongles with TV]]
* [[Fix low speed USB devices (keyboard, mouse, ...) on C-Series Trident]]
* [[UnBricking TV by EEPROM Reset]]

 

== Service manuals ==
* [http://download.samygo.tv/C%20Series/Service%20manuals/samsung_la-32_37_40_46_55-c630-c650_%5BET%5D.pdf C630-C650]
* [http://multiupload.com/AT13MZ0083 For Chassis: N96A Model:UE**C600*R*,UE*C650*U*, UE**C6700US (model C6000,C6500,C6600,C6700)]

 
== Other ==
* [[How to downgrade T-VALDEUC firmware]]
* [[How to format /mtd_rwarea/ to reset USB hack]]
* [[How to identify CPU type]]
* [http://tobias.schroepf.de/doku/doku.php?id=garage:samsung_tv_hacking External page dealing with the C series] TODO: The contents from this page should be copied to this Wiki.