I am having the exact same issue. I went through all the jailbreak steps three times and iTunes extracts software then goes to a step that says "Verifying Apple TV restore with Apple...." and after this I get an error message that says "The Apple TV could not be restored. This device isn't eligible for the requested build." Any suggestions? I really want to purchase this program, but am not about to do so if I cant even get the preinstall steps to work. Thanks
Please read the forum.
The instructions only apply if you saved your SHSH blobs for atv 4.0 which, as you have failed to have any success, you evidently did not.
The only other solution is to do a tethered jailbreak of 4.1 or 4.1.1, but if you failed in the above, it is likely that you will find the tethered jailbreak too complicated.
I have purchased your Apple TV 2 black software but have exactly the same issue. The last reply was not very helpful, inferring someone is probably too incompetent to manage this, does not help solve the problem. I have followed your pre install instructions to the letter. If there should have been a pre pre-install note how would a customer know that? Please can I have a solution to this problem if you have one.
I am having same problem too. Where can I find instructions to save SHSH blobs for atv 4.0?
I don’t think I was clear enough before (and btw, I don’t work for or represent Firecore in any way).
You have bought a beta product which will not be suitable for newbies until the DevTeam (not Firecore - see http://blog.iPhone-dev.org ) has released an easy-to-use jailbreak of iOS 4.2.1 for use by newbies.
In the meantime, the beta of aTV Flash (black) is only for people who knew that they should save their SHSH blobs (which you probably will not understand either) or who are skilled enough hackers to perform a tethered jailbreak themselves.
Firecore have kindly developed excellent software for use on jailbroken devices. They are not responsible for jailbreaking and any problems you may be experiencing. You are.
If jailbreaking is currently too difficult for you, then please wait until a method is kindly provided by DevTeam that non-technical people can perform.
Until then, please stop complaining.
If you really want to follow your current line of thinking, why not go into your local Apple Store and ask them to help you?
You are too late. Apple stopped signing iOS 4.1 (AppleTV 4.0) blobs just after iOS 4.2.1 was released.
So, unless you already saved the blobs before then, you cannot jailbreak.
The only jailbreak open to you is 4.2.1 tethered using Pwnagetool 4.1.2
But, as you don’t know how to save blobs, I would steer clear of that method if I were you, as it will end in tears.
To get you started for future, Google " Tiny Umbrella" and research what all this jailbreak and blob stuff is about.
I have this same problem. Things were rolling along until the part that said " Verifying Apple TV restore with Apple" and it had a error message. obviously Apple is on to this. Any ideas? I just spent for this program and so far no go............ I want this to work
Hello matt k.3314 !!!!!
Read what damianl are writing in the post before - and you might understand that you have to wait for a proper jailbreak
http://support.firecore.com/entries/359097-saving-shsh-blobs
Help us?
Anyway is curious that people pay for a software and then they cannot use it...
...meanwhile Fire Core want that we pay for a software when nobody have in mind when it could be used...because we have newbbie. Bah! Then Fire Core should say "GO OUT NEWBBIE. THIS SOFTWARE IS NOT FOR YOU!"
... :(
I know you are frustrated and annoyed.
Truthfully, you are really annoyed with yourself for not doing enough research into what aTV Flash requires before you paid for it.
A bit like buying a Mercedes and then realising that you don't know how to drive.
I bought the software and knew what I was buying. I have jailbroken my AppleTV and aTV Flash works really well on it.
Just be patient and wait another few days until Dev Team release an easy jailbreak.
Please don't blame Firecore, it's not their fault.
Removed this comment myself. Unnecessary rant.
[quote="damianl.210286"] You are too late. Apple stopped signing iOS 4.1 (AppleTV 4.0) blobs just after iOS 4.2.1 was released. So, unless you already saved the blobs before then, you cannot jailbreak. [/quote]
I just purchased a new ATV2. Are you saying there's something I should have done literally before turning it on for the first time?
Or are you suggesting that I (and other users) should have somehow in the past (before purchasing it) done something?
I think the assumption is that a fresh out of the box unit that hasn't been updated to the latest version should be able to run the jailbreak. If that's wrong, telling people they should have already saved the blobs before Apple released 4.2.1. is a bit redunadant if they didn't even own the device then...
"aTV Flash (black) is a user-friendly software package that supercharges your new black AppleTV, unleashing a plethora of new functionality. Don’t worry about the technical details – aTV Flash (black) is simple to use and safe for your AppleTV. Installation is a snap and doesn’t require any physical changes to the AppleTV."
No offense to anyone, but where in the above does it specify to save your SHSH BLOB? Before anyone assumes the other of being an idiot or whatever, how about giving a bit more of an explanation other than "Installation is a snap blah blah" No where do I read if you have a newer aTV 2G you must wait for an easier method of install etc? I understand beta is beta but still, people are PAYING for this to work period.
You are correct. The description is completely misleading for new purchasers of APPLETV G2 and for the purchase of the aTV Flash (black). Unfortunately the alternative choice or selection in this small market of appletv geeks and hackers, does not exists. This is a buyer strongly beware situation. Check with the support contact for this product, and might get a refund.
Then again. This is a PRE-ORDER for something that does not exist yet. And a side benefit is you get the beta version.
[quote="tadb.6174"]
"aTV Flash (black) is a user-friendly software package that supercharges your new black AppleTV, unleashing a plethora of new functionality. Don’t worry about the technical details – aTV Flash (black) is simple to use and safe for your AppleTV. Installation is a snap and doesn’t require any physical changes to the AppleTV."
No offense to anyone, but where in the above does it specify to save your SHSH BLOB? Before anyone assumes the other of being an idiot or whatever, how about giving a bit more of an explanation other than "Installation is a snap blah blah" No where do I read if you have a newer aTV 2G you must wait for an easier method of install etc? I understand beta is beta but still, people are PAYING for this to work period.
[/quote]
Unfortunately this has been a learning curve for everyone.
The 2nd generation aTV is fundamentally different and behaves more like the iPhone than the 1st gen aTV. Below is a brief description that will hopefully give a clearer understanding of the issues faced both by the end user and ATV FLASH.
aTV2 uses the following software packages:
IOS 4.1 (8M89) software version 4.0 - no longer signed by Apple
IOS 4.2 (8C150) software version 4.1 - still signed by Apple
IOS 4.2.1 (8C154) software version 4.1.1 - Latest version
Basdically what happens when you install/upgrade the software with Apple, it reads your aTV2 ECID, this is a chip ID, unique to every aTV2 out there. This ID is sent to apple, which then returns the SHSH hash (for lack of a better description) to allow the upgraded software to be installed.
In order to prevent jailbreaking, as soon as new software is released, Apple refuses to sign the old software and without this signature it simply cannot be installed.
In order to bypass this, a tool (Tiny Umbrella) is used to read the aTV2 ECID and the current SHSH hashes stored on it. It then saves them in the /.shsh directory on the mac, or under <userprofile>/shsh on windows. In addition, it sends then to Sauric's Server (The developer of Cydia) where they are stored for future use.
Therefore it is advisable to download Tiny Umbrella and save your hashes before upgrading ANY software on the aTV2, simple because it gives you the option to downgrade if necessary at some point in the future.
Downgrading/Jailbreaking
As mentioned earlier, once Apple releases new software, Apple refuses to sign the old software and without this signature it simply cannot be installed. If you saved the SHSH hashes, then, when installing jailbroken software or simply downgrading, iTunes is redirected to Sauric's server, or to your locally saved SHSH hashes depending on how your hosts file is configured:
e.g.
127.0.0.1 gs.apple.com - looks locally on your pc for the SHSH hashes
74.208.10.249 gs.apple.com - looks to Saurics server for the SHSH hashes
Typically, Tiny Umbrella will redirect you to Sauric's server, read the stored SHSH hash and allow the older software/jailbroken software to be installed.
The above information is just to allow you to actually load the software, in addition to the above, you still have to have the jailbroken software itself. Unless ATV FLASH goes this route and packages everything in one bundle, then they are completely at the mercy of external developers who may or may not decide to hack the aTV2 firmware.
(As you can see, ATV FLASH would have to read your ECID, save your SHSH hashes and patch the software in addition to installing ATV FLASH itself, this would be a major under taking, the majority of which would be re-inventing the wheel)
Currently only IOS 4.1 (8M89) software version 4.0 is jailbroken, so if you did not save the SHSH hash for this, which over 90% of the people did not, then there is no current way to jailbreak the current aTV2 and the new ATV FLASH is currently un-usable.
There is a tethered jailbreak for IOS 4.2.1 (8C154) software version 4.1.1, developed by Nito, which will work, but has to be continually re-tethered after each power cycle of the aTV2.
So until such time as the iPhone development team come out with a jailbreak for IOS 4.2.1 (8C154) software version 4.1.1, it is the responsibility of the end user to ensure they save their unique SHSH hashes, while the responsibility of ATV FLASH is to provide a seamless product with the same functionality of the old ATV FLASH.
I hope this gives everyone a clearer understanding of the complexities involved.
Thanks so much Rhodess. I received an aTV for Christmas and it had the 4.0 software on it. Your post helped me understand exactly what the problem was. I appreciate you taking the time to spell all that out.
Josh
Rhodess you are terrific. The way you explained it, in detail, is much appreciated. Your posting should be PINNED to the top of the BETA discussion forum.