Thursday, April 12, 2012

Part 1 - How to get the most out of the Hama Internet TV Box - Rooting


I've got my hands on yet another Android toy some weeks ago and it's a Hama Internet TV Box which runs Android 2.2 and connects to your TV with HDMI. I won't go into details on what it can do because this article is supposed to help you root it. So let's get started.

It's Android 2.2 (Froyo) which means z4root should be able to do the work for us. However as it turns out it only works halfway. The reason for this is that all Android devices I've worked with so far have had a single partition for /system. With this little fellow this is not the case and /system/app is using a separate partition. When trying to root the device, z4root will remount /system to read-write in order to write superuser.apk to /system/app. This will fail as /system/app is a different partition and still mounted as read-only.

This means z4root actually installs the su binary with the right permissions and we just miss the Superuser app that controls who are allowed to use the su binary.

So basically, to root the device all you need to do is run z4root and then install superuser.apk manually. Or install superuser.apk first and then run z4root. The order does not matter.

You probably want to upgrade your firmware to the latest version before you do this because upgrading your firmware will cancel all this out.

I'm currently using this firmware on my box: 54801_FW_U110781_1203281.zip

Step by step instructions

  1. Download superuser.apk that I've extracted from z4root.1.3.0.apk and save it to your SD-card.
  2. Download z4root.1.3.0.apk and save it to your SD-card.
  3. Put the SD-card into your Hama Internet TV Box
  4. Install superuser.apk and z4root.1.3.0.apk.
  5. Make sure "USB debugging" is enabled under Settings->Applications-Development
  6. Run z4root and select permanent root.
  7. Wait for z4root to do it's stuff and reboot
  8. Enjoy your rooted device.

In the next part I will show you how to install Google Play (formerly known as Market).

Disclaimer: This operation will most likely void your warranty and is done completely at your own risk.
    Upplagd av kl.
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    8 comments:

    1. Unknown09 June, 2013 07:53

      I can't install any application. Could you tell me how to proceed?

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. apedroid13 June, 2013 21:45

        Sorry, I have not used my Hama Internet TV device for quite some time. However to install an apk manually you'll need to use a file manager or some apk installer. I'm pretty sure there was one or the other included in the Hama firmware (or perhaps even both).

        Delete
    2. Anonymous26 February, 2014 07:56

      This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

      ReplyDelete
    3. Kristi Ricci22 March, 2014 19:42

      I love this post post and have to completely explain about tv and internet installation. I agree with your techniques and ways. Thank you assistant about it.

      ReplyDelete
    4. Anonymous01 May, 2014 08:33

      Thanks for sharing this entertainment post! Internet TV Box. Internet TV Box.

      ReplyDelete
    5. Unknown03 June, 2017 20:00

      Great post! Really insightful. I have not monetized by blog in any way, I didn’t even know where to begin. but you’ve given some helpful tips.


      Virtual Edge

      ReplyDelete
    6. Alex Kevin27 July, 2018 13:34

      Seems like good but I get spectrum internet and they are also providing me satisfying services.

      ReplyDelete
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      ReplyDelete

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