jettster's playground

iPhone 3Gs Upgrade to Firmware 3.1.2 Using Pwnage Tool

By admin on Nov. 3, 2009.

I finally got myself some free time to upgrade my iPhone 3Gs from v.3.0 to v.3.1.2. I ran into a couple kinks which needed to be ironed out. Here’s the run down of instructions (Mac-only):

Download the latest version of PwnageTool (I use version 3.1.4) from: iPhone Dev Team and install it.

Download iPhone firmware file (.ipsw) for your phone model from: http://www.felixbruns.de/iPod/firmware/

Follow the How-To instructions from: http://www.iphonedownloadblog.com/2009/10/13/jailbreak-iphone-3g-3gs-3-1-2-pwnagetool/

Now, let’s talk about how to fix the problems I ran into after following these instructions. No, there’s nothing wrong with the how-to above. The tutorial is great.

Problem #1: No carrier detected. Lost carrier signal after I reboot from the upgrade.

Solution: Install “Ultrasn0w” from Cydia and reboot.

Problem #2: No carrier logo after rebooting after installing ultrasn0w.

Solutions: Download carrier bundle files from the link below and unzip them. ** This only applies to phone carriers in Thailand. You’ll have to search for .ipcc files for your carrier if you’re not in Thailand.

http://www.smart-mobile.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=88&t=166978

Then fire up iTunes. Plug in your iPhone and follow this instructions: http://www.ihackintosh.com/2009/06/how-to-enable-carrier-bundle-support-in-itunes-82-in-mac-windows/

Ubuntu Jaunty (9.04) doesn’t detect parallel port printer.

By admin on Jun. 28, 2009.

This one I tear my hairs out for almost a week. I switch our office computers to Ubuntu Jaunty (9.04). Yes, say goodbye to Micro$oft and expensive software. We have a parallel port impact printer that needs to be setup — an Epson LQ-2080i. When I plugged in the printer and fire up Administration –> Printing page. Nada! The printer is not detected. The parallel port isn’t even shown there. Here’s how to make it work:

• Edit /etc/modules and add parport_pc line to it then save the file.
• Reboot
• Open up Administration –> Printing
• You should see “LPT #1″ listed
• For Epson LQ-2080i, I select “24-Pin” driver for Epson. The other drivers don’t work for me.
• In printer properties, set resolution setting to “300 x 180″ dpi.

Note: If you added LPT #1 printer and deleted it. The port might not show up in Printing setup page the next time you open it up. Reboot your machine and it should show up again.

Done!

Happy Printing.

Trouble booting Ubuntu CD on Asus Maximus II Formula

By admin on Sep. 19, 2008.

So, I built a new system this past weekend. Pretty kickass box:

MB: Asus Maximus II Formula

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz (Overclocked to 3.2GHz)

RAM: Geil 4GB Dual-Channel Set

Video: Radeon HD4870

CPU Fan: Zalman 9700NT

So, I was hoping to play Assassin’s Creed on this box right after I setup a dual-boot Windows XP/Ubuntu. Well, with my luck, trouble seeks me (or I unintensionally seek trouble). I can’t boot from Ubuntu Hardy Heron (8.04) Install/Live CD for the live of me. For everyone who has the same Mobo and want to enjoy Ubuntu, do this:

• Boot from Ubuntu CD
• When you get to the main menu before boot, press “F6″
• Then select “no acpi”, make sure there’s a check mark in front of it.
• You should be able to continue Live/Install CD boot process now

Enjoy the smoothest Linux distro ever!

P.S. my overclocked (2.4GHz to 3.2GHz) box has been running smoothly under Ubuntu Hardy (8.04.1) with CPU temperature stable at 49C-55C under room temp (no A/C, which is pretty hot in Bangkok) during idle and light operation. Thanks to Zalman’s CPU Fan.   I highly recommend it.

-jett

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** Update 22 September 2008

After I installed Windows XP, I did install Ubuntu Hardy Heron with grub on a separate partition. After Ubuntu installation, I can’t boot up with Windows XP anymore. I keep getting a BSOD with 0×0000007B error which could potentially be hardware problem or incompatibility. I booted off of many boot CD like EBCD, UBCD, Insert, Active@ Boot Disk, etc…. Active@ Boot Disk seems to find problem with MFT and filesystem. It reported that the fix was successful. But i still get the same BSOD after reboot. I’ll update again once I have time to play with this box. For now, I’ll have to stick with the gameless Ubuntu distro.

Microsoft Office Mac 2008 + Thai Fonts Problem

By admin on Jul. 8, 2008.

For people who have trouble getting Thai fonts to work under MS Office 2008 for Mac, here is a workaround. After a lot of attempts to mess with /Library/Fonts, it proves to be useless. MS Office still doesn’t recognize any Thai fonts I placed in /Library/Fonts. I decided to remove Office Mac 2008 and reinstall Office Mac 2004 which I knew for sure to work with Thai fonts. Then install Office Mac 2008 again without removing 2004 version. I opened up Office 2008 and Thai input and display starts to work magically (via the help of older version of MS Office).

>> WTF! M$ <<