Maximus V4.0 Infectus 079 Key compatibility/incompatibility?

[Jeeppowr]

Where better to ask, huh? I'm sorry if this has already been asked, I've tried exhaustive searching here and elsewhere without finding this info.

Does anyone know if SOME the Infectus 079FK are incompatible with the Maximus FW Toolkit 4.0? I'm not getting any help yet from the Infectus support team. Specifically, there are a number of complaints circulating of inability to read/flash using Maximus FW toolkit.

Infectus claims 100% compatibility on 079FK Hitachi drives using the 079 Key chip and "the latest Maximus toolkit". Obviously, proper installation is a requirement, but I'm quite confident in my soldering. Even so, I've triple checked all soldering connections away from the solder point.

I am able to get Mode B with my NForce dual SLI SATA, verified by being able to access and play video in the 079FK drive. However, upon trying to read the firmware using Maximus 4, I receive the error "cannot read drive" in both RAW and Classic attempts. I've attempted different SATA cables to my PC, the short OEM XBOX360 cable does not yield ModeB.

I've found many people with these inexplicable complaints, even those who have successfully employed the 079 Key on different 079FK drives without difficulty, and suddenly can't get a different 079FK to work in Maximus.

Speculation is that this needs a new software revision, if that's likely, I'll just wait for it. If this SHOULD work, and it's a problem on Infectus' side, I want them to gimme my money back!

Please help me find what's going on. Thank you!

[babb_z]

Ive never done it that way before, but you can read and write the firmware by wiring directly to the flash and using an external +5v supply.

[Jeeppowr]

Ive never done it that way before, but you can read and write the firmware by wiring directly to the flash and using an external +5v supply.

Say again? this is referring to the 079FK right? Is there a post on this somewhere, I don't have an eeprom reader.

[saleem]

all you should have to do is:

desolder the tsop.

then read the fw with a programmer.

take the fw and open it with fw toolbox v4.then use the smart hack patcher,it will create an hacked.bin (whatever you want to call it) then write that to the chip then resolder it back on the pcb and thats that.

the smart hack patcher should create a 79 fw xtreme v1.6 (i think) cos its your own fw it shouldnt need encrypting,i suppose you could encrypt it.

i got all the tools,i am apt at desoldering the tsop,i am good with the programmer.i just have to get the knack of reprogramming,which i (think) i know (based on the fw tolbox method i described) then resolder the tsop back onto the pcb.

i would say that the hardest part is repadding the solder pads.i used a 20w soldering iron and it was bad news,i messed up a good couple of my own pcb's practicing.

now i got a 15w and even that seems too hot.so now all i tend to want to do is just go over the pads lightly and not reapply any solder.

when i get around to it i will just get a chip,programme it and use the soldering iron to resolder the tsop back on making sure it is straight.then check it by powering the drive and just ejecting the drive.it ejects then it is working.

thats the way to do it.

if i get the resoldering right which i think i know i can do.just a matter of getting round to it and seeing for myself then i will get around to doing 79 hacks with the programmer.

its just a mutha when legs are messy and bridged with epoxy resin and solder.takes a bit of cleaning with fibre glass pen.

this is where i come to a loss.i want to tell people i can desolder the tsop,reprogramme the chip and send it back to them so all they have to do is resolder the tsop back to the pcb.

i am gonna try fw toolbox v4 with a 47d board.i will try the smart hack patcher and see what happens and hack the drive and test it with eject.

just a matter of taking time to do it.
:)

[Jeeppowr]

Thanks Saleem, but I don't think that will work for those of us not willing to shell out the $$$ for a programmer. Additionally, this method won't allow for an update of to a new FW at a later time, if I understand it correctly.

Back on track:

INFECTUS 079 Key, is it utter garbage that inexplicably doesn't work on random drives? Or, is there a possible Maximus toolbox update that will fix this?

How is it possible to get Mode B, but not be able to read/flash the bios?

[Jeeppowr]

The Bumpity-bump game.

Howdy Ash : ) I feel like I know you between these different forums, and posts. Good day to you M8!

[Jeeppowr]

Makes me sad too. I think I'm justified in my frustration, but if they'd make an effort to let me know they were TRYING to get to the bottom of it, or even just refer us to a post where this issue was being updated, I'd be a lot less cheesed off.

I think I'm going to follow your lead and buy the Maximus chip. Oh well, it won't be the 1st time I've had buyers remorse, or had to buy an alternate product because the first one didn't work right. Believe it or not, this is why I'm back in college again to become an Engineer: I'm absolutely confident I can do better than most of the stuff I buy!

BTW, I really appreciate your posts and responses Ash, helps me know I'm not going crazy : )

[Jeeppowr]

Quick update, I got a response to my email to Infectus. They were away on a holiday weekend, so unable to respond earlier. They apologized for the difficulties, and offered a 20 euro credit on their website for my troubles. They don't yet know that's going on, or if this chip will be able to work with 100% compatibility, especially on the 0079FL drives which are hit and miss. Apparently SOME 079FK's (mine and others) are also troublesome. But at least they're trying.

[cp2007]

great ash i know you spent hours trying to get it to work with the infectus chip

[Jeeppowr]

YeHAW!!! I ordered one, so my solution is just a matter of days away. I hope...

Now WTF can I do with this Piece of **** Infectus 079 key that cost me $30 to get here...

[cp2007]

destroy it for all the pain it has caused you lol

[Jeeppowr]

Hmm, that actually sounds like a worthwhile idea : )

Now how? I think I should pull it's legs out with pliers, saw at it with a butterknife, dip it in salt-water and energize the solution, hook it up to a defibrillator to bring it back (and shock it some more), have a dog eat it, pick it out of the sh*t and wash it off, jump on it, through it off the roof, hit it with a hammer, saw at it some more, then finally melt it with a torch in an enclosed location, and incinerate the smoke left behind until it's reduced to little more than carbon and the evil silicone from whence it was once derived...

[cp2007]

damm right it must really have pissed you off

[Jeeppowr]

Well, the upside is I greatly improved the accuracy of my soldering. I spent so much time figuring that I did it wrong... Then to find out the chips don't work as advertised (100% compatibility on 0079FK's my arse!). So yes, quite a bit of frustration. But as soon as I buy a propane torch, I will be avenged!

[AcCeSsDeNiEd]

Ok I got one of these sometime back.
And just yesterday when I tried to use it to unbrick a 47 Hitachi, oh well it doesn't seem to work. OS does not detect the drive.

I noticed that on the infectus site, they said they have an updated version.
They call it v1.2. They claim that it supports the 49FL and "all Hitachi drives".

They also welcome customers to sent in their chips to be flashed to v1.2 for 0.50 euros.

http://www.infectus.biz/news.php?news=2007-09-28%2012.09.13
http://www.infectus.biz/news.php?news=2007-09-05%2011.37.38

But since they seem to be using some direct Italian->English translator, I only really understand half of the stuff on their site.

So should I just instead get the chillifix or sent them my infectus 79 for updating to v1.2?
Anyone here managed to unbrick a 47 with the infectus 79?

[AcCeSsDeNiEd]

God damn aholes. They come up with a half working solution and now they want me to buy the v1.2.



From: "INFO - INFECTUS.BIZ" <info@infectus.biz>
To: "'
Subject: R: Infectus 079key update to v1.2
Date: Mon, 12 Nov 2007 23:08:50 +0100
X-Mailer: Microsoft Office Outlook 12.0
Thread-Index: Acgk2fUuJ43Eek6NRmGJJVjtDHJFjQAnpXTg
X-MIME-Autoconverted: from quoted-printable to 8bit by *** id


Tooo late sorry...


You need to order the new one online on www.hardstore.com


BYE



I've just ordered me a chillifix.
Should have done that from the start!

[Jeeppowr]

Don't know about the chillifix, but for my needs, the Maximus worked first time. I still have that 1.0 infectus junk lying around on the off chance that my brother will want to flash his, and his drive might magically be the right one.

After my experience, laboring over my install, trying to think of any possible way I could have done it wrong, ripping it apart, and trying it again, only to find out it was a shoddy (apparently pre-released) design, and being stuck with a chip that didn't work for me... I'd probably go with anything else, for fear of what was overlooked before they release V1.3 It's really unfortunate, because even if the Infectus setup is now top-notch, I'd shy away from buying another.

If my brother's XB360 doesn't have the pot-of-gold drive, I'm going to go to Staples, and force the Infectus chip into their biggest, badass paper shredder.

Maybe I'll take a video, and post it here : )

PS: Congrats to the Maximus team for testing their product more thoroughly. I'm even more grateful for their professionalism in making a quality part, than I am disappointed in Infectus. Hip-Hip... to Maximus : )

PPS: Woo-haa-haa, my thread will never die!

[AcCeSsDeNiEd]

I'm getting the chillifix to unbrick some hitachis.
The maximus can't be used to unbrick right?
Not sure for the 79s though.

It looks like I'm gonna end up buying a Maximus passkey soon too.

Partly my fault for being stingy and buying a 2-in-1 chip instead of a Chillifix+Maximus combo.

Btw you still got that crap chip with you?
I thought you were gonna mutilate it? :)

[Jeeppowr]

I haven't mutilated it yet. I figured since it's worthless to me, my bro might want it for free. I don't think he's going to mod his though, seems big into the whole x-live thing. Me? I just play games.

So, after months of starving the Infectus chip, I will continue to keep it isolated in solitary confinement until I can devise a torture fitting enough. Maybe I can get Triumph the comic dog give it a review: "Infectus chip work great, for me to poop on!"