MX-760HD Hack Firmware Header

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It has been realised that firmware is often released for the MX-780HD before it is released for the MX-760HD.
From this perspective, certain owners feel that it is in their interest to 'convert' their 760 to a 780.
This article is going to demonstrate how the 780 firmware header information can be edited in order to allow it to run on a 760, which would effectively force the Mvix Player to authenticate 780 Firmware as being valid and allow 780 firmware to be installed.

Contents

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Disclaimer Warning

Firstly a gentle word of warning - hacking the MX-780HD firmware to allow it to run on a MX-760HD is not in any way endorsed by Mvix, Unicorn, any Mvix retailer, or even MvixCommunity for that matter - you stand to lose your warranty!
Worse still, if you do not follow the firmware installation procedure or install a corrupt firmware file, then you risk bricking your unit.
Familiarise yourself thoroughly with the debrick procedure before you decide to follow this course of action - if it appears too much for you to manage then don't do it! Read this entire article through and understand the contents before you begin.

It would be a good idea to familiarise yourself with this article on the firmware naming standards before you begin.

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Concept

The Mvix Player uses a header detail in the firmware file to validate and determine whether it is the correct firmware version for that specific unit. This header detail for a 780 file reads "MX780 1.0", whereas that for the 760 reads "MVIX 1.0".
The relatively simple procedure of changing this header information will allow the firmware file to execute based on the existing firmware installed.
DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS WITH A TEXT EDITOR SUCH AS NOTEPAD!

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Requirements

  • A hexadecimal editor - for this demonstration we'll use the free Hex Editor XVI32 by Christian Maas.
    • Note - Any hex editor will do - a simple text editor will not!
  • A mid to high level of PC skill and knowledge
  • A certain amount of nerve and determination
  • About 10 minutes of your time
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Installation

Simply download the software using the link provided above and extract the contents of this compressed file to your desired location. Done!

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Procedure

  • Run the executable "XVI32.exe";
  • Click File > Open, navigate to a MX-780HD firmware file and click Open;
  • The Hex code of the firmware file will appear in the window on the left, with the ASCII/ANSI equivalent in the window on the right;
  • We are only interested in the first 8 characters of code which we are going to change;
  • It would be a good idea at this point to save your new firmware file under a new name to prevent overwriting it by mistake. Use the naming convention: 760-2.x.x so that you will recognise it as a firmware file for a MX-760HD.
  • Edit the Hex as per the following table:
Hex Address: 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Original Hex String: 4D 58 37 38 30 20 31 2E 30
Text: M X 7 8 0 [SPACE] 1 . 0
Change to Hex String: 4D 56 49 58 20 31 2E 30 00
Text: M V I X [SPACE] 1 . 0 [BLANK]
  • DO NOT CHANGE ANYTHING ELSE!
  • Check your changes;
  • Check again;
  • Save;
  • Done - you are ready to install your hacked 780 firmware on your 760;
  • Transfer your new firmware file onto your 760's internal HDD, or save it to a USB flash drive and plug it into the USB host;
  • Follow the standard installation procedure using your saved file.

That's it, easy-peasy...

Keep in mind that after having installed 780 firmware on a 760, you have for all intents and purposes changed your unit into a 780, as far as firmware verification goes - only 780 firmware will be validated unless you hack the header info of a 760-1.x.x file (change header from 'MVIX 1.0' to read "MX780 1.0").


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Other Links of Interest


Go back to MX-760HD Main Page

Retrieved from "http://mvixcommunity.com/wiki/MX-760HD_Hack_Firmware_Header"
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