[Guide] Back Row on Intel Mac, The complete Install Procedure [Archive]

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Former Bender

03-29-2007, 01:21 AM

Important : you must make a Backup of your files, before starting this howto. You are held responsible of any damage, loss of your files.
This howto is for experimentation purpose only and i won't give any copyrighted of illegal files. So please don't ask for, thanks.

You must prepare/have a partition ready on your harddisk with an OS X installed.

(The OS X version must be a 10.4.8 minimum to make sure it will work,
as the AppleTV OS is a Mix of 10.4.7 and 10.4.8 )

----------------------

You must Boot from another OS X volume, as it will be easier to replace the system files.
(drag and drop without annoying permissions requesters).

When restarted, right-clik on the icon of the OS X partition you want to install Back Row in and check the "Ignore ownership on this volume" mark.

- Get the patched Finder binary file (6.6MB).

- Get the original Finder.app from the AppleTV OS:

OSBoot/System/Library/CoreServices/Finder.app

Rename Finder.app to Front Row.app
Right-click on it and go inside its Package.
Open Contents/MacOS/ and replace the Finder file by the patched one and then rename it Front Row.

Open Contents/info.plist and replace <string>Finder</string> by <string>Front Row</string>

When you are done, put this Front Row.app in /System/Library/CoreServices/ inside the OS X partition you want to run Back Row.
(you can rename the original Front Row.app or overwrite it (It's not compatible with the new one and cant be run at the same time or you'll get system hangs).

Get these files from the AppleTV OS:

OSBoot/System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/BackRow.framework
OSBoot/System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/iPhotoAccess.framework

Put them in /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/ of the OS X partition you want to run Back Row.

--------------===CHOOSING BACK ROW MEDIA FOLDER LOCATION===----------------------

I have finally managed to find a hack to let you choose where you want your Media folder to be.

Open Disk utility and select the partition where Back Row is installed and click the Info button.

Copy its Universal Unique Identifier number.

Start Hex edit or 0xED. (make sure it is set in Overwrite mode)

Open BackRow Framework Binary located here :

/System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/BackRow.Framework/Versions/A/BackRow

From the offset F2B14 to F2B37, replace this:

48465300-0000-11AA-AA11-00306543ECAC (the numbers are maybe different, it's not important)
to
Your-Partition-Universal-Unique-Identifier

Now from the offset F2B80 to F2BA3, replace this:

5265636F-7665-11AA-AA11-00306543ECAC (the numbers are maybe different, it's not important)
to
Your-Partition-Universal-Unique-Identifier

Now, go to the offset E03D4 and replace the two disk0s4 strings by the disk and partition number you want the Back Row's Media folder to be created.

Check in Disk Utility (info button) the partition number you want the Media folder to be created.

The Media partition must be HFS Extended.
You can choose any external harddisk you want.
The Media folder will be created at the root of the selected partition.

IMPORTANT
Don't move it inside folder's tree and use Alias, because at the next start, Back Row will not find it and will automatically create a new one.
If you choose an external Harddisk, you must make sure that it is mounted on your computer before starting Back Row. Otherwise, Back Row will not find its Media Folder and will create a new one on the first partition of the first internal disk of your computer.
The UUID is unique for every single partition. You will have to make this again, if you plan to move your system to another disk/partition.

You can now save the modification in the hex editor and continue.

---------------------------------<< EDIT >>-----------------------------
Grabberslasher on InsanelyMac has released a sample code to create a Front Row appliance
that add a Quit menu to Back Row.

You can follow the procedure here >> http://forum.insanelymac.com/index.php?showtopic=46967, and try to compile it yourself.

MACDAD82 has compiled one version and added a very nice Quit Template.

So we don't need the QuitFrontRowUB.app anymore.
Goodbye Mighty Mouse on my Macbook Pro :D

Download the Quit.frappliance here >> http://www.mediafire.com/?biznvlmt5di

Then, unzip it and copy Quit.frappliance inside the plugin folder located here :

/System/Library/CoreServices/Front Row.app/Contents/PlugIns/

IF you are not using English as default language you must go inside Quit.Frappliance/Contents/Resources/ and duplicate the English.lproj.
Then you just rename it as your OS X language.
If you are not sure about the name just compare the Resources folder with an Apple iApp. (e.g. Safari)

You can also change the CFBundleName = "Quit" in your_language.lprog/InfoPlist.strings to fit your language.

Then you just rename English to your OS X native language.

http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/2392/picture14kd8.png

Click the link below, if you want to see how it looks like animated.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RkocYDc0qY

Now, right-clik on the icon of the OS X volume you have installed Back Row in and uncheck the "Ignore ownership on this volume".

Run Disk utility and repair the Disk permissions of this OS X partition.

You can now restart on this Partition.

Press the Menu Button on your Apple Remote and enjoy !

-------------------------------------------------

----------------UPDATE ----------------------

Activating the Apple+Tab command to switch to other applications when Back Row is launched.

Greetings to MACDAD82 for this wonderful hack !

Don't Forget to Backup the file you gonna modify

- Open hex edit or 0xED. (make sure it is set in Overwrite mode)

- Load the Front Row binary file inside /System/Library/CoreServices/Front Row.app/Contents/MacOS/
(i assume that you have done the hackint0sh's Howto before, otherwise the name of the file, Front Row in our case, will be another like Finder or AppleTV according to the name you gave it.)

- Search for this Offset > 45DDFA

http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/6051/frbeforerr6.png

check the image to make sure you are at the right place

replace the string BRFullscreenRenderer to BRWindowRenderer....

When you have done it:

http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/52/fraftersh8.png

check the image to compare if you've made it right.

Save and start Front Row (Apple+Esc on your keyboard or Apple remote menu button).

Now if you want to switch to another app you can press Apple+Tab keys and you'll have full support of the mouse and the Keyboard.

Dual Display (extended desktop) will let you see and control other apps, but you must move the launched apps in the second screen before launching Front Row.

--------------------
If you don't use the Dual display >>
Before starting Back Row, you must set your screen resolution to 640x480 or 800x600 and then start it, it will start and change the screen resolution to 1280x800 (or something like that) but will remain in 640x480 or 800x600 so you will be able to see the finder behind and select itunes.
--------------------

And you will be able to access your local itunes and let Back Row play its shared files... !

EDIT >> turn off all the AppleTV Syncing in iTunes, just use the standard iTunes sharing and you can directly access all your iTunes library locally by using the Sources menu in Back Row and select the iTunes sharing (not Sync).
With this tip, you will never get duplicates files.

---------MENU ORDER-----------

If you want to change the ordering of the menu you can modify info.plist of every frappliances.

System/Library/CoreServices/Front Row.app/Contents/Plugins/*.frappliance/Contents/info.plist

Front Row.app can be different in case you have used another tutorial to install Back Row.
(e.g the name can be Finder.app or AppleTV.app)

Open the info.plist and change the value

<key>FRAppliancePreferedOrderValue</key>
<real>1</real>

1 = first on top
2 = second
3 ...
...

--------- PLAYING FLV, AVI, FLASH GAMES IN BACK ROW--------------

Great news everyone !

With the Amazing talent of EricIII from awkwardtv.org,

Back Row can play all many different kind of files by using the ATVfiles.frappliance >> http://wiki.awkwardtv.org/wiki/ATVFiles
This plugin gives you access to your files in /Users/frontrow/Movies/

If this path does not exist, you can create a frontrow folder in /Users/
then create a Movies folder inside and put the files there.

We just have to find a way to activate mouse and Keyboard support in Back Row for the flash games. (work in progress...)

If you want to see by yourself, just put a .swf flash game or any other kind of video file that can be opened with Quicktime in the above mentioned path. (You can install the codec pack "perian" to let Back Row play Divx, Xvid, FLV (flash video), etc...) >> www.perian.org

hackand

03-29-2007, 01:36 AM

Niiice. Thank you! Now we just need to figure out how to make it read the media already on your Mac, and we'll have ourselves a new Front Row :)

tty7

03-29-2007, 02:08 AM

Really great :) Need to check this!

macuser_42

03-29-2007, 03:25 PM

thanks,
im still looking for the password for AppleTVHacks.rar
can u help me ? :confused:

DsurioN

03-29-2007, 06:10 PM

Use a different mirror...

Oh by the way, someone over at InsanelyMac has posted an app like this that will not only quit appleTV, but also set your resolution back as well. You can try out my tutorial here : http://forum.insanelymac.com/index.php?showtopic=46680. It does not require a clean install!

alltherightpills

03-29-2007, 10:34 PM

Former Bender

03-29-2007, 11:44 PM

got this working, looks great! but backrow disables bluetooth, so my wireless mighty mouse is no good for getting out of AppleTV and back into normal OSX. anyone have an idea for enabling bluetooth within the AppleTV side?

Can you check in your console /Applications/Utilities/Console.app > System.log...etc
Do you get any message related to "blued" ?

I've got it working on a Macbook Pro with a bluetooth Mighty Mouse without any problem.

You must also check in /Applications/Utilities/Activity Monitor.app
Is the blued loaded ?

arthuar16

03-30-2007, 12:05 AM

someone posted a torrent called appleTV.dmg on demo..no one knows something about it??
coz i got the finder patched But I miss da finder.app necessaried for back row...so...I'm asking
thanks.

mackincrack

03-30-2007, 07:07 AM

Is there anyway to just install the Apple TV OS Image to a HD, and put it in a hackintosh.

Or what is the procedure to install this on a Hackintosh (Beige Box)

DsurioN

03-30-2007, 05:45 PM

- Search for this Offset > 45DDFA

and replace the string BRFullscreenRenderer to BRWindowRenderer

and add 4 pairs of 00 (zero) at the end of BRWindowRenderer

In ASCII, it should look like this BRWindowRenderer....
in HEX, it should look like this 425246756C6C73637265656E52656E646572657200000000

Do we use doubles, floats, strings, 16 bit unsigned???? Whenever I try this Front Row does not launch anymore at all. Also, the HEX value you gave is how the original looks like (BRFullScreenRenderer)... After I make the modifications, the offset 45DDFA referes to the "W" in BRWindowRenderer instead of the "B"

danclements

03-30-2007, 06:10 PM

Same here...

kidjay

03-30-2007, 06:56 PM

could we get some verbose instructions on how to get the command+tab working? i tried the hex editing and it just didn't work. little more info is needed, but thank you so much.

SubZer0

03-30-2007, 07:09 PM

I managed to get the command+tab thing working.

here is how i did it:

1. Go to Offset "45DDFA" (Command+j in HexEdit)

2. replace the string BRFullscreenRenderer to BRWindowRenderer.... (add 4 "." at the end of BRWindowRenderer)

In ASCII, it should look like this BRWindowRenderer.... and then additional .... (8 dots in total after the BRWindowRenderer)

Thats it.

thanks for the original post.

kidjay

03-30-2007, 07:17 PM

got it! make sure its not 2Eing when you put the 4 extra .'s in. just 00000000

i also got it to work beautifully on my macbook by changing the resolution to 1152x720, then launching the appletv app, then i had juuust enouth real estate to input the code to itunes. my media streams fine and its all good. :)

thanks

DsurioN

03-30-2007, 07:45 PM

Great! Finally I have Front Row 2.0! There are just 2 things that bother me:

1) Apple TV cannot stream photos - (why didn't they include this feature?) and syncing from the same computer doesn't work.

2) whenever i want to start appleTV now I have to switch my resolution manually to 1280 x 800 or else it will appear too big for the screen. Can we hack the default resolution with a hex editor in the same way? There must be a way to specify the window size for the BRWindowRenderer... Also, to setup appleTV in itunes, you have to set the resolution really low so that appleTV only takes up part of the screen and then you can move the itunes window around behind it.

But other than that streaming music, videos and everything else works perfectly!

EDIT: Wow, I didn't even choose to sync music with my appleTV setup, but all of a sudden all my music is appearing inside the main appleTV menu without having to go to sources and then selecting my itunes library! I checked the size of /Media on my hard drive and the music was definitely not copied over as this folder is only 50 mb. We're making serious progress!

mam693

03-30-2007, 08:56 PM

I was not able to get it working... the app wont start anymore. I have it called AppleTV.app and everything is renamed correctly. Without editing the binary it starts fine, but when I do edit it, it will not start. What am I doing wrong?

DsurioN

03-30-2007, 09:04 PM

the original instructions are a bit misleading but make sure you are doing these 2 things:

1) there have to be 8 periods after BRWindowRenderer (add 4 to the existing 4)

2) make sure that the periods you add are not 2E in the hex view on the left. if they are, go into the hex view and replace them with 0's.

amok20

03-30-2007, 09:07 PM

Thanks, that helped me a lot! :)

mam693

03-30-2007, 09:08 PM

ElBob

03-30-2007, 09:08 PM

Edit: Nevermind. the MD5 of the file should be 7d691ff6327ea74819dfe812df4fa351 if you got it right.

DsurioN

03-30-2007, 09:13 PM

I MD5'd the "Front Row" file in /Contents/MacOS/ :

MD5 (Front Row) = 7d691ff6327ea74819dfe812df4fa351

mathdude1284

03-30-2007, 09:18 PM

I'm on a hacky. Used the installer.

Im stuck here after launching:

Mar 30 18:11:56 tiger-computer FrontRow[366]: ******** Application Startup ********
Mar 30 18:11:56 tiger-computer FrontRow[366]: No matching IR micro server found.
Mar 30 18:11:56 tiger-computer FrontRow[366]: VERS: failed to get ImageVersion for display
Mar 30 18:11:56 tiger-computer FrontRow[366]: VERS: failed to get BootImageVersion for display
Mar 30 18:11:56 tiger-computer FrontRow[366]: *** OS 8L2127, IR F.F.F, EFI (null), SI F.F.F/F.F.F, Software 175 ***
Mar 30 18:11:57 tiger-computer /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/BackRow.framework/Resources/SettingsHelper: Failed to setuid
Mar 30 18:11:57 tiger-computer FrontRow[366]: Settings helper failed: status 100
Mar 30 18:11:57 tiger-computer /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/BackRow.framework/Resources/SettingsHelper: Failed to setuid
Mar 30 18:11:57 tiger-computer FrontRow[366]: Settings helper failed: status 100
Mar 30 18:11:57 tiger-computer FrontRow[366]: UPD: clearing update files in /Users/frontrow/Updates
Mar 30 18:11:58 tiger-computer FrontRow[366]: Display is online, update profile and check configuration
Mar 30 18:11:58 tiger-computer FrontRow[366]: BRDisplayManager: Current HDMI display resolution not configured use suggested safe mode 1280x960p - 60Hz
Mar 30 18:11:58 tiger-computer FrontRow[366]: VERS: failed to get ImageValid for display
Mar 30 18:11:59 tiger-computer FrontRow[366]: AP: failed to find any interfaces (null): -4
Mar 30 18:11:59 tiger-computer FrontRow[366]: AP: failed to open connection to check for power: -4
Mar 30 18:11:59 tiger-computer FrontRow[366]: Message Handler Installation Failed: service port is NULL\n
Mar 30 18:12:23 tiger-computer FrontRow[366]: <BRMediaHost: 0x1377900> named [TV] state set to Unavailable
Mar 30 18:12:23 tiger-computer FrontRow[366]: <BRMediaHost: 0x1377900> named [TV] received event Media provider added
Mar 30 18:12:23 tiger-computer FrontRow[366]: Could not locate media location! Using /dev/disk0s4
Mar 30 18:12:23 tiger-computer FrontRow[366]: <BRMediaHost: 0x1377900> named [TV] state set to Available

Anybody know what to do?

amok20

03-30-2007, 09:28 PM

Does AppleTV still lacks grouping of compilations? hate that on front row 1.0...

ssbands04

03-30-2007, 09:52 PM

okay i did this little edit and got the command tab to work, but my apps don't pop open at all........i click on them, but i don't actually see them......is this supposed to happen?

i'm using a macbook.......do i have to change the resolution of AppleTV to leave some empty space?

ssbands04

03-30-2007, 10:21 PM

okay....new finding......i installed the hack to allow the apple tab command to work, but now, when i go to try and execute the Close Apple TV.app it won't work....i don't know what happened.......

when i go to hit the side keys that had previously allowed me to just execute the app. the mouse cursor shows up on the screen, locking me into ATV

ElBob

03-30-2007, 10:27 PM

arthuar16

03-30-2007, 11:37 PM

I've followed the procedure , but when push command+esc nothing happens...!!
I must activate Front Row (back row) in a different way?

DsurioN

03-31-2007, 02:29 AM

If nothing happens, that means the hack was done incorrectly and the file is corrupt. As for the close app not working, you need to click inside the appleTV window again so the cursor dissapears (this gives appleTV the focus again). Then the app should work

pheus

03-31-2007, 11:06 AM

everything is good !!! the macbook with a asecond screen one time for synchonizing itunes and the local appletv...
The quit menu is so good now!

On the mini just need to start is system on the macbook for dual screen (first sync itunes) and reboot, start itunes and clic on the remote... wouaaahhh the 32" plugged on the mini is now the appletivi !!

think different...

clueo8

03-31-2007, 03:22 PM

I noticed that there is 2 Front Row processes that run when you open up back row... there is one that looks like its doing something (when I close that, its the actual aTV app) and theres another Front Row process that will never go away! I think that messes up my computer after I open it once during that session... I have to either log out or restart to get it back to normal... I notice that after I opened aTV once... I can no longer go into Prefs > Display to change my resolution... (maybe it has something to do with the Close Apple TV App I used to exit?) Also, when I try to log out... it doesn't do anything... I go to Apple > Log out and then it does nothing... but in my activity monitor, I see a loginwindow hung, and i force quit that and it logs me out... anyone else notice you can't change your resolution after opening it once?

Former Bender

03-31-2007, 03:32 PM

prasys

03-31-2007, 06:31 PM

Ah...Speaking of this...has anyone tried the floating installer found on Oink

joe75

03-31-2007, 07:15 PM

if you're talking about diabolik1605 "AppleTV FrontRow Replacement Installer", it works good ;)

SubZer0

03-31-2007, 09:47 PM

i saw somewhere that people managed to get the volume working with the remote.
anyone know anything on that ?

ssbands04

03-31-2007, 10:08 PM

okay, i can use the backrow install with the quit.frappliance

but it doesn't change back my resolution and on my macbook pro's native resolution, it is cut off on the sides

DsurioN

03-31-2007, 10:29 PM

Yes with the apple + tab trick you now have to manually set the resolution for appleTV before you run it (1280 x 800 for me). I prefer the close apple tv.app found at http://forum.insanelymac.com/index.php?showtopic=46680 because it automatically sets the resolution back. After I got my music to stream successfully, I switched back to the FullscreenRenderer so that I don't have to set the resolution every time.

arthuar16

04-01-2007, 12:05 AM

I got it working now , but my keyboard isn't works with the menu..any help??
The command+tab works and I can switch app , my mousepiter is visible on the screen, but noway for running the menu , it remains fixxed on "Movies"....??!!

Former Bender

04-01-2007, 12:09 AM

There is actually no keyboard/mouse support inside Back Row.

Work in progress... ;)

arthuar16

04-01-2007, 12:13 AM

Xian...thanks for your awesome job!!!
REally , it is totally a huge big fun game , thanks guy lke you and others!YES!

matthewrotherham

04-01-2007, 05:23 AM

Former Bender

04-01-2007, 06:55 AM

i have the quit option (yay)
i have just HEXORED the command line and when in ATV it does work(command tab makes the mini menu apear) but when i select an app the aplication does not show infront of apple tv

i cannot see the other application but the mouse pointer acts as if it is there!

HELP

Before starting Back Row, you must set your screen resolution to 640x480 or 800x600 and then start it, it will start and change the screen resolution to 1280x800 (or something like that) but will remain in 640x480 or 800x600 so you will be able to see the finder behind and select itunes. ;)

Don't forget to switch back to your native resolution when you quit.

melllvar

04-01-2007, 04:23 PM

same problem here.. i changed resolution before starting frontrow but still same issue. FrontRow just changes resolution to 800x600 too - so no windowed mode

Former Bender

04-01-2007, 04:32 PM

same problem here.. i changed resolution before starting frontrow but still same issue. FrontRow just changes resolution to 800x600 too - so no windowed mode

Can you tell me what is your native resolution and what is your computer (mac or hackintosh ?)

Check this image, you will see what i'm talking about.

http://img459.imageshack.us/img459/1746/picture16wo8.png

melllvar

04-01-2007, 08:13 PM

I created a new User Account, now it works.. Thanks anyways

waiting10

04-01-2007, 09:18 PM

I did all the guides in this Thread. It works perfect on my macbook.

Weird thing is no intro video. Anyway except Intro Video, It works perpect.

MTiN

04-02-2007, 03:54 AM

is there any chance that this tutorial works on a normal pc ? (non-mac)

Former Bender

04-02-2007, 04:34 AM

You can, but it would be useless because of lack or Apple remote support.

Back Row will start, but without control, you'll get stuck.

skythefly13

04-02-2007, 04:35 AM

"Now, go to the offset E03D4 and replace the 2 disk0s4 strings by the disk and partition number you want the Back Row's Media folder to be created."

I'm getting confused about this!

How do I replace it with "disk0s2" and my partition number, 2????
EDIT: NEVERMIND!!!!!!

diabolik

04-02-2007, 04:39 AM

you have to open the BackRow binary in hex edit and then edit that.

search disk0s4 in the ascii then change the 4 to whatever slice your media disk is...

ie: disk0s2 or disk0s3

skythefly13

04-02-2007, 04:42 AM

How do I get past the very first screen (the one with the security code on it) with just a mouse? Everything else is working, please help! I have an apple remote, but not with me. Is that the only method that will get me past that screen? Thanks:eek:

skythefly13

04-02-2007, 04:59 AM

Deleted due to stupidity

hippy dave

04-02-2007, 04:26 PM

this might be a silly question, but... what are the benefits of this frontrow 2.0 over the old version? cheers ;)

bri3d

04-03-2007, 06:10 AM

I'm getting

/SourceCache/Riptide/Riptide-175/BackRow/Utilities/BRXHardwareUtility.m:145: failed assertion `NO'
Abort trap

MD5sum of my BackRow checks out with the working patched one according to IRC folks.
MD5(Front Row)= 32d31dfb8e1a96a1cd9666bd715be8fb
(no other patches i.e. window type patch applied).

This happens both in freshly installed .4.9 and in my AppleTV OS installation as documented here. (http://www.hackint0sh.org/forum/showpost.php?p=4026&postcount=5) (happens without the BackRow media path patch also; that's not it.)

Googling the error comes up with some pastebins of it (appearantly someone else out there is wondering!) and a thread in Korean that doesn't appear to have an answer.

Hardware is a Core1Duo MacBook; so it's not an AMD issue.

I'm stumped.

UPDATE : XianLi fixed it. The "media patch" from his post solves this error.

Cyman

04-06-2007, 03:51 PM

Is there a way I can edit the Quit.frappliance entry, because it doesn't show up as Quit in the Apple TV menu, but CFBundleName unlike in the screenshot in the first post of this thread.

Former Bender

04-06-2007, 05:06 PM

Is there a way I can edit the Quit.frappliance entry, because it doesn't show up as Quit in the Apple TV menu, but CFBundleName unlike in the screenshot in the first post of this thread.

This happens because your OS X language is not english.

You must go inside Quit.Frappliance/Contents/Resources/ and duplicate the English.lproj.

Then you just rename English to your OS X native language.

If you want to know how to write the name, you can go inside an apple app (e.g. safari) and in its Resources folder you'll find a lproj folder corresponding to your OS X language.

You can personalize the Quit Menu name by changing the CFBundle Name in the Yourlanguage.lproj/InfoPlist.strings

CFBundleName = "Quit"; << change Quit to anything you want ;)

;)

waiting10

04-07-2007, 10:38 AM

Hi.

My macbook works perpect with out intro video. I try to find a intro video on Backrow. But I can't.

Even my hackintosh shows the intro video, but no control. Anyone can solve this intro video on real mac?.

I don't wanna miss Cool startup video.....

fissm

04-08-2007, 06:39 PM

yeah, another n00b... i know

I installed mac 0S X onto a GUID USB harddrive. Installed the 10.4.8 combo patch. Updated everything except 10.4.9.

I replaced the finder binary (within the ATV finder.app) with the patched one. Renamed it to Front Row.app and changed the info.plist, moved and replaced to the CoreServices directory and added the 2 frameworks from the ATV.

I edited the BackRow framework binary as per instructions and changed the UUI as well as changing the 2 /disk strings.

All of this as done on my normal MacBook Pro OSX with Ignore Ownership options selected on the USB. After all of this I repaired the disk permissions, unticked the ignore ownership and restarted.

I started into my USB succesfully, but when I select the 'menu' button on the remote, NO :mad: Front Row or BackRow. The same goes for Command-ESC. Nothing. I been stressing for hours now, and I just can't figure it out. Please help!!! :confused:

tomhalv

04-08-2007, 07:52 PM

I had the exact same problem until I went back and reset the permissions on the patched Finder binary. I thought it all would work as I followed the directions exactly except that file didn't look like an executable anymore after copying it over into the Front Row.app package. Then when I tried the Terminal commands to reset the permissions (see http://www.appletvhacks.net/category/hardware/ for details), this worked perfectly...

fissm

04-09-2007, 09:59 AM

thanks heaps tomhalv!

one thing though. I have very little terminal expierince, as I am a 5 month old mac user and have been coming from the Windows world recently. DOS is very different to terminal, so could you be so kind, as to give me n00b instructions, on how to do the Terminal thing. I found the Appletvhacks.net guide a little confusing!

side note: after doing this whole hack, and using 0xED for the first time, I can really appreciate all the hard work everyone does!

tomhalv

04-09-2007, 04:35 PM

OK, fissm, here it is... I hope I can be clear enough since I'm very close to a n00b myself (I also have an MBP and have done this for both an external FW drive and, now, for the MBP itself to stream without syncing so I don't duplicate my iTunes library).

I assume you are running your MBP and your USB drive is mounted. For this example, let's call your new USB OSX install volume "FreshOSX". Just replace the name with yours in the Terminal commands. Let's also assume that you have already copied the patched Finder binary into the Front Row.app and renamed it to "Front Row" with no extension. Now you just need to reset the permissions so that the file will be able to be executable, not just read-write as a document.

You can get the Terminal up from the Utilities folder inside your Applications folder. When you see the prompt come up, type the following:

cd /Volumes/FreshOSX/System/Library/CoreServices/Front\ Row.app/Contents/MacOS/

sudo chown root:wheel Front\ Row

sudo chmod 755 Front\ Row

exit

After you enter the sudo command, Terminal will prompt you for your administrative password since you are entering a "Super User" command. Just be careful... If you examine the Front Row binary after you're done with this using "Get Info" from your Finder, you should see the file called an executable now. BTW, the back slashes are needed to tell the Terminal that the next character typed is really a space within the filename...

Good luck!

fissm

04-10-2007, 05:58 PM

ok, still not working,

I did as per instructions, and now the patched Front Row is a UNIX exec. I restarted from my normal OSX and unticked the ignore ownership option, repaired the disk permmisions, and restarted. When I click or hold the menu button, nothing happens. When I double click the Front Row.app, nothing happens. And then when I double click on the Front Row binary, terminal comes up and I get this:

/System/Library/CoreServices/Front\ Row.app/Contents/MacOS/Front\ Row; exit
dyld: bad external relocation length
Trace/BPT trap
logout
[Process completed]

please help!

tomhalv

04-10-2007, 07:40 PM

I wish I could and maybe someone else will be able to... I have found that for some reason it takes a couple of tries holding down the menu button before it starts to work. This is usually the first time after rebooting. After that, subsequent launches with the menu button bring it right up. Well, actually what happens is the screen changes resolution to 1280x800 and then it goes blank and starts Front Row in fullscreen.

I am very much a n00b myself so I wish I could help in some way beyond what I've tried here.... Sorry.

jdn3

04-11-2007, 01:10 PM

I've installed it and done the hexedit for command tab, but I still cannot get itunes to show in front of ATV even after selecting iTunes from command tab. any suggestions?

jdn3

04-11-2007, 01:41 PM

Ive tried 640x480 and 800x600 resolutions before starting ATV, and neither works. I also tried creating a new user account as someone else had mentioned, which also doesnt work. Im using the s video out of the mac mini, could this be causing the problem?

tomhalv

04-11-2007, 02:39 PM

I had the same problem, but if all you're interested in doing is getting into iTunes to input the ATV 5-digit key to allow streaming or syncing, you can start at 640x480, move iTunes off to the lower right so you can see it when you start Front Row and the resolution changes to 1280x800 automatically. Then I was able to get to the point where I was choosing a new iTunes library, command-Tab over to iTunes, input the numbers, and then command-Tab back to Front Row. Once I had done this and the streaming was functioning properly, I just exited out of Front Row (assume you have added the Exit.frappliance), reset the screen resolution to my normal (1440x900 for the MBP), and continued on. There was no reason to use the command-Tab function anymore as far as I was concerned. I got what I wanted... internal streaming.

zerobit

04-11-2007, 04:38 PM

Hello, i did all these on my mac mini, and:

1) i can not activate backrow with my remote. i have to run the backrow.app. is this normal?

2) using the remote drives my system too. eg when i want to move up on the menu, it will also increase system volume, etc.

Deviant0ne

04-11-2007, 05:49 PM

Hello.

I was able to get aTV working well on my MB, but I would like to have it on my hacky. I did the guide just like I did on my MB, but every time I try and launch aTV (Front Row), the screen turns black like the app is going to launch, then quickly throws me back to my regular desktop in a different resolution than what I started with. Anyone encountered this problem?

I have an AMD box w/ SSe3 and an ATi card with QE/CI. Thanks is advance for any help.

jdn3

04-11-2007, 09:03 PM

jdn3

04-11-2007, 09:12 PM

no luck...atv will still fill the screen entirely and i cant see itunes, even ig i click and hold on itunes, it wont show in front, i can drag it and it will move, but not in front of atv. the only thing i want to do is input the code so i can stream internally...

tomhalv

04-11-2007, 10:44 PM

You only have to input the code one time... I only have mine setup for streaming since i don't want to duplicate all of the music by syncing. You mentioned before you were using S-video out of the MacMini... maybe this is the problem if you can't get enough screen resolution to see the iTunes window behind the Front Row screen. BTW, the Front Row screen always stays on top but I'm able to command-Tab over to the iTunes window on the right side and then input the code with the keyboard. Do you have another monitor with better resolution to use?

jdn3

04-12-2007, 01:16 AM

nope, just my laptop and then the tv. I suppose ill try to figure something out, thanks.

Deviant0ne

04-12-2007, 05:38 AM

Ok, so I made a little head-way. After reinstalling from scratch, I am able to see the into aTV movie, but then the app crashes. It looks like I'm not the only one with this problem; I've tried installing the IR emulator which is posted in this forum, but nothing has worked so far. Any suggestions on how to fix this? Thanks in advance.

EDIT: Nevermind, I got it working. Thanks anyway.

Deviant0ne

04-14-2007, 04:03 AM

Just wondering if anyone else has the same issue...

I was able to get aTV working, and I can control it with the IRKeyboardEmu.kext, but the app doesn't always launch. Sometimes I have to launch it 5 or 6 times before it actually starts working. Most of the time, I will just get the intro movie, then the app crashes and I have to relaunch. Any ideas on how to fix this? Thanks in advance for any advice...

Also, I've applied the Media folder hack, but I've noticed my HD changes from disk0s1 to disk1s1 from time to time, anyone know what the deal is with that? Again, thanks in advance...

kent79

04-19-2007, 07:11 PM

My OSX has been updated to 10.4.9. Is it work to install Apple TV, thanks

hdfdisk

04-29-2007, 01:56 PM

Hello?
Anybody can tell me how to use the local media by iTunes Shared?
I have already enable the iTunes Shared Library(Without Password), but AppleTV can't found any library at all.
what should I do

melchior

08-18-2007, 06:53 PM

now, I know this is kind of a dead thread but it's pissing me off and i hope someone can shed some light.

I've been messing around with various hack of backrow on my hackintosh connected to the tv. some methods are better than others, but seems neither here nor there because using IRKeyboardEmu 0.3 I cannot navigate the menus of backrow. simply no response from keyboard in backrow.

i have tried ps2 and usb keyboards. no luck.

can anyone save my day?

thanks

omikronz

08-23-2007, 02:21 AM

Has anyone that had the issue of back row crashing after intro video figured out what was wrong?

Former Bender

08-23-2007, 08:28 PM

The Backrow's crashing right after the intro video happens because it can't find the Media partition/folder.

You guys have to do the "CHOOSING BACK ROW MEDIA FOLDER LOCATION" hack explained in this thread's howto (page 1). :)

arthuar16

08-26-2007, 10:57 PM

I guy, I remembere how to get it run on a tiger, but on leo (9A466) there any way to get the media folder without a real aTV, seen it is just included on default the FR I mean??
thanks as well.

DocTauri

09-12-2007, 03:12 PM

So has anyone ever gotten the 1.1 software working on a Mini (or non ATV)?

Thanks,
Doc

dothan

02-15-2008, 09:02 AM

Can we have some confirmation if it either installs or not on expat Apple TV's (outside of the States)

Thanks!

flip

03-09-2008, 08:45 PM

Hello erybdy and thanks for all to XianLi.
I´ve read your thread (rather complicated for me). But i will give it a try. Suggestion to make it more handy for normal user with only one macbook:
Make it possible to install the apple tv os on external usb hdd, so that you could choose with an efi-bootloader either to boot normal os x for working or apple tv. Also enabel external monitor when minidvi is plugged in. That would be so cool. thanks

jp273a

04-14-2008, 01:58 PM

Does anyone have a copy of the patched finder file for ATV 1.1 or can anyone give me instructions on how to patch it myself? I already have the AppleTV so don't need any additional files. I have searched and searched the net but can't find any info. Thanks.

clint999

05-02-2008, 10:02 AM

Can you check in your console /Applications/Utilities/Console.app > System.log...etc
Do you get any message related to "blued" ?

I've got it working on a Macbook Pro with a bluetooth Mighty Mouse without any problem.

You must also check in /Applications/Utilities/Activity Monitor.app
Is the blued loaded ?

mitchellmoxo

05-29-2008, 01:03 PM

Hello,

i dont mean to be rude or anything but is back row the Software that is run on the apple tv?

Mitch

Former Bender

05-29-2008, 03:32 PM

BackRow is for AppleTV what FrontRow is for Mac.

Yanni

09-27-2008, 12:58 AM

Yep, indeed. back row is for ATV. as i read.

i have Macbook pro, running Leopard and playing around with Front Row i am trying to have the interface menu of Front Row appear like it is in Apple TV.
i do not have apple TV (quite frankly, for paying videos or any sorts of media, you have iTune or Front Row).

any idea on how can i change Front Row's interface to appear as the AppleTV menu does.

Thank You,

Yanni

Chasez

10-05-2008, 11:07 PM

Coolie very co0l