ulTRAX'S ARCHIVE

NEWSGROUP POSTS



HOW IS MINIBROWSER ACCESS CONTROLED?

Created: 7-7-01. Page design and Entire Site ulTRAX@webtv.net.
NOTE: These discussions may contain inaccurate information and uninformed speculation.


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How is MiniBrowser Access Controlled? Group: alt.discuss.clubs.public.webtv.technical.ultrax Date: Wed, Nov 1, 2000 From: ulTRAX@webtv.net I can not believe that our access to the MiniBrowser is completely at the discretion of WNI. Right now they control access by making us go though the MiniBrowser PW page... (page code below) what we get after using the Jenny page. Either we click on the button or enter a valid PW... and send off our "request" to WNI. Depending on our Box and build... we may get the "must Upgrade" notice... or we get right into the MB. But it seems we're already in it.. If you use Jenny and then 411, the Tech Info shows were in 2.0. We're just stuck in the MB request form and can't get to our main user page. It seems obvious that the servers send back some command that allows MB access. What might that be? A client command? Something along the lines of client:gotoBootROM? goto2.0?

<html> <head> <display switchtowebmode nooptions nostatus skipback clearback> <title>Welcome</title> </head> <body bgcolor="#191919" text="#42CC55" link="36d5ff" fontsize="large" hspace=0 vspace=0> <table cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0> <tr><td width=104 height=74 valign=middle align=center bgcolor="3B3A4D"> <img src="wtv-flashrom:/ROMCache/WebTVLogoJewel.gif" width=86 height=64> <td width=20 valign=top align=left bgcolor="3B3A4D"> <img src="wtv-flashrom:/ROMCache/Spacer.gif" width=1 height=1> <td colspan=10 width=436 valign=middle align=left bgcolor="3B3A4D"> <font color="D6DFD0" size="+2"><blackface><shadow> <img src="wtv-flashrom:/ROMCache/Spacer.gif" width=1 height=4> <br> Ready to update </shadow> </Blackface> </font> <tr> <td colspan=12 width=100% height=10 valign=top align=left> <img src="wtv-flashrom:/ROMCache/S40H1.gif" width=560 height=6> <tr> <td width=104 height=10 valign=top align=left> <td width=20 valign=top align=left> <td width=67 valign=top align=left> <td width=20 valign=top align=left> <td width=67 valign=top align=left> <td width=20 valign=top align=left> <td width=67 valign=top align=left> <td width=20 valign=top align=left> <td width=67 valign=top align=left> <td width=20 valign=top align=left> <td width=68 valign=top align=left> <td width=20 valign=top align=left> <tr> <td colspan=11 width=540 height=258 valign=top align=left> <table cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0> <tr> <td colspan=2 width=124 valign=top align=left> <td colspan=2 width=416 valign=top align=left> <font size=+1> If you have a special code for the update, type the code here. Otherwise, leave the <b>code</B> line blank and choose <b>Continue</B>. <p> <form action="wtv-flashrom:/mini-browser-passwd" enctype="x-www-form-encoded" method="POST"> Code: <input name="password" id="password" bgcolor=#444444 text=#ffdd33 cursor=#cc9933 value="" type="password" size="16" maxlength="16"> </form> <tr><td height=150> <tr><td colspan=2> <td colspan=99 abswidth=436 absheight=2 bgcolor=2B2B2B> <img src="wtv-flashrom:/ROMCache/Spacer.gif" width=1 height=1> <tr><td absheight=1> <tr><td colspan=2> <td colspan=99 abswidth=436 absheight=2 bgcolor=0D0D0D> <img src="wtv-flashrom:/ROMCache/Spacer.gif" width=1 height=1> <tr><td height=7> <tr> <td width=104 valign=middle align=center> <td width=20 valign=middle align=center> <td colspan=9 width=416 valign=top align=left> <table cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0> <tr> <td width=306 valign=top align=right><td width=20> <td width=112 valign=top align=right> <form action="wtv-flashrom:/ask-for-upgrade"> <FONT COLOR="#E7CE4A" SIZE=-1><input type="Submit" value="Continue" BORDERIMAGE="file://ROM/Borders/ButtonBorder2.bif" usestyle selected></font> <input type="Hidden" name="version" value=""> </form> </table> </BODY> </html> Re: How is MiniBrowser Access Controlled? Group: alt.discuss.clubs.public.webtv.technical.ultrax Date: Wed, Nov 1, 2000 From: ulTRAX@webtv.net Some minor difference in the MiniBrowser Request page. The second version has a box and bryant group data. The first version does not. Maybe the first version is from the Viewer. <form action="wtv-flashrom:/ask-for-upgrade"> <FONT COLOR="#E7CE4A" SIZE=-1><input type="Submit" value="Continue" BORDERIMAGE="file://ROM/Borders/ButtonBorder2.bif" usestyle selected></font> <input type="Hidden" name="version" value=""> </form> </table> </BODY> </html> <form action="wtv-flashrom:/ask-for-upgrade"> <FONT COLOR="#E7CE4A" SIZE=-1><input type="Submit" value="Continue" BORDERIMAGE="file://ROM/Borders/ButtonBorder2.bif" usestyle selected></font> <input type="Hidden" name="version" value="philips-webtv2-000/brynt3"> </form> </table> </body> </html> Re: How is MiniBrowser Access Controlled? Group: alt.discuss.clubs.public.webtv.technical.ultrax Date: Wed, Nov 1, 2000 From: I-MiniMe-I@webtv.net (MB) OK, this may not have to do with accessing the mb, but it has something to do with it. I decided to (once again) call wni and ask about the mb. After about 15 minutes, some one gave me this explanation: "Ok, you know how when your on a computer playing solitaire in a different window?" "yes" "Well, that is what the mini-browser is. Just a separate window." "Uhh...no" And then she hung up on me. WNI sure is incompetent... Re: How is MiniBrowser Access Controlled? Group: alt.discuss.clubs.public.webtv.technical.ultrax Date: Wed, Nov 1, 2000 From: Flash@webtv.net I am puzzled by your question. You have been told the why and where's of the mini-browser, yet you look for something more. If you must know, it is the Secret3VILC0rp3r Mini-Browser task force that lets you in. The control the I.R.S. too. Isn't that right Krishna? Re: How is MiniBrowser {Flash@webtv.net} Group: alt.discuss.clubs.public.webtv.technical.ultrax Date: Wed, Nov 1, 2000 From: H3LT3RSK3LT3R@webtv.net Flash: I am puzzled by your question. You have been told the why and where's of the mini-browser, yet you look for something more. First of all, if it was a corpie who told him the why and where's, well frankly, you guys are friggin idiots when it comes to tech matters. Second, the "something else" ulTRAX "yet... looks for" is an instantaneous way in, which of course exists you fool. Believe me, ulTRAX knows more as he poses the question than you do. Flash: If you must know, it is the Secret3VILC0rp3R Mini-Browser task force that lets you in. The control the I.R.S. too. Isn't that right Krishna? When your co-workers kind of chuckle in an uncomfortabe way when you make a joke, that's what is know as a _mercy laugh_. The uncomfortable feeling _you_ get afterword is known as _flop sweat_ (also see "douche chills"). Boy, you and demo-mike must have a hoot by the water cooler, you wild and crazy guys!!! Re: How is MiniBrowser Access {ulTRAX} Group: alt.discuss.clubs.public.webtv.technical.ultrax Date: Wed, Nov 1, 2000 From: H3LT3RSK3LT3R@webtv.net I am 1,000% sure there is an instantaneous way into the mini browser, we just don't know it yet. When I first found the "mini-browser-request" url, I nearly jumped up and down because both I and Grim were at that time searching for a "demo" type embed or some other way of flicking the switch. Turned out to merely be the jenny url (first found with box type attributes ie "request/webtv3-000/brynt"). Then I used Matts old save wtv page to favs trick, and put a page called "Mini Browser" in Grim and my flash favs, and excitedly emailed him to check it out, thinking it was the key (I still have it saved in my own favs LOL). Nothing again-- turns out that while in the m-b, the title of file://rom/htmls/Connecting.html is "Mini Browser". You can view this page in your Recent panel while in the m-b by: 1. Go to secretphone.html 2. Select "choose an access number" 3. Press "Connect" You'll see the connecting page-- then hit home or favs or mail etc. Then press Recents and it will be in your panel with the Mini Browser title. Since when I got back to 2.2.7 or whatever the thumbnal .gif in may favs had that dark, antique m-b look to it, I thought it would take me back, but it doesn't. But I _still_ believe that all users are a second or two away from m-b surfing-- WITHOUT the password. Re: How is MiniBrowser: corpie explanation Group: alt.discuss.clubs.public.webtv.technical.ultrax Date: Wed, Nov 1, 2000 From: ulTRAX@webtv.net Finally: Here's the official explanation of the MB by our favorite @corpie. He just doesn't say how to get to it. LOL
"The Mini Browser is essentially a backup client. In MB , you are running on the boot rom. The Boot rom holds a client , forever frozen in time. The new client is not built on top of the boot rom, but in place of the boot rom. When you have a properly functioning client, the boot rom isn't even used. It serves 2 purposes for general audiences: 1)A Backup client in case the Current Client is trashed. It is used a survival means until a good client can be downloaded. 2)a manufacturing test client. Since the habits of the boot rom are highly known, it makes an ideal candidate for board-level test. It also makes possible the loading of the newer clients onto the board after assembly.
Re: How is MiniBrowser: corpie explanation Group: alt.discuss.clubs.public.webtv.technical.ultrax Date: Wed, Nov 1, 2000 From: wobhoodtochrizo@webtv.net (Jasmat) ulTRAX's corpie friend wrote: "The Mini Browser is essentially a backup client. In MB , you are running on the boot rom. The Boot rom holds a client , forever frozen in time. The new client is not built ontop of the boot rom, but in place of the boot rom. When you have a properly functioning client, the boot rom isn't even used. It serves 2 purposes for general audiences:" Now that has to be the best, most logical explanation of mini-browser/BootROM I have heard. It better be correct if it came from a corpie, lol. We are shown our BootROM version on our TechInfo but the client version displayed is always the one we are currently running, except when the Jenny code is used. When that code is used the client is suddenly the BootROM, so the Jenny code is still the "on switch", right? 1)A Backup client in case the Current Client is trashed. It is used a survival means until a good client can be downloaded. So does this mean a box with a "trashed" current client will automatically run on the BootROM client? Or would the Jenny code first have to be entered? It probably would be running on BootROM if no current client is running. Has anyone here had a "trashed" client and use the mini-browser asa temporary backup client? Just in case I guess. Why didn't they tell me to use this when I was on a retail build? lol. I'm thinking Jenny's use is... "2)a manufacturing test client. Since the habits of the boot rom are highly known, it makes an ideal candidate for board-level test. It also makes possible the loading of the newer clients onto the board after assembly." So this must be what the Jenny code is for. A password may be entered for testing...so the mini-browser in this case is in manufacturng testing... it all makes simple sense but their explanation clarifies a whole lot. Re: How is MiniBrowser: corpie explanation {Jas} Group: alt.discuss.clubs.public.webtv.technical.ultrax Date: Thu, Nov 2, 2000 From: R34M@webtv.net Has anyone here had a "trashed" client and use the mini-browser asa temporary backup client? Sure have, and I bet you have too. Every time I download an incorrect build (often) and get to the next page which has the "use WebTV now" button, I auto power on with the m-b and the upgrade connecting page (the code behind that button has attributes like: poweroff &auto-poweron &bootback &mini-browser etc). Also, we have to sit in the m-b while the old client is dumped from flash memory and the new one is plugged in. I believe that at this point we have THREE clients on our box, ex: 2.0 (boot) 2.2 (old) 2.5 (new). Immediately befiore "Preparing upgrade for Use", the old client is dumped. If the new client is innapropriate, the box says F#&% you, get a _real_ client. and goes STRAIGHT into m-b for dialup and upgrade. Worse case scenario is you have to wait 1/2 an hour for my hard drive to be wiped ("eternally" blinking light syndrome) to get to the m-b. Re: How is MiniBrowser: corpie explanation {Jas} Group: alt.discuss.clubs.public.webtv.technical.ultrax Date: Thu, Nov 2, 2000 From: flashrom-@webtv.net (flashrom-@doorway.webtv.net) Yeah i did that afew time also , a key word of advice Do Not Connect to Webtv using the ""action trick after you do it , you box will save the shit to the HD and it wont even get the eternally blinking light syndrome I have a plus2 thats been fryed that way