Automatic OS Upgrade?
 

My just bought iLiad comes with version 2.9.1. Recently I asked iRex for the Shell Acces stuff and they've replied that this is now available by connecting to iDS. The question is: when my iLiad will connect to iDS it will find out there is a new OS version (2.9.5). Will it proceed to download and upgrade automatically or an option to not update will be given?
Further, the Shell execution thing must be installed every time you upgrade the OS version?

Thanks in advance,
JAMM

From what ive seen, once you connect to the iDS, everything is on the server gets transferred and installed on your iLiad. The only exception was 2.9.1 (i think), where there it asks wheter to delete everything from the memory in order to continue installation. It seems that the shell execution hack is now standard issue with the new OS versions.

Thanks, man. I finally dared to connect to iDS and, in spite of all my fears, the upgrading process went fine. As described in the Release Notes, you are asked to back up your data before proceeding, but not option is given to download or not the upgrade. Fortunately, I say, my one week old iLiad didn't become a 600 € brick.

I'm sure you must have heard a lot of 'bricking stories' on this forum. It happens, but it is not so common as you might have thought from this forum. Even I once had a hiccup during an upgrade, but everything went fine after a reboot.

I asked in the iRex forums and they told me that about 1% of users who upgraded to 2.9.5 experienced the problem. I decided I could live with those odds, especially as I hadn't installed anything extra yet and made sure to fully charge the battery and have the iLiad plugged in before I started the update. I admit to feeling a bit nervous anyway, but everything went fine.

They also said this was an unusually difficult upgrade because of changes they'd made to the kernel. I know enough about how kernel patches can go bad after 11 years at Sun to have some sympathy, both for iRex and for those customers who did get bitten on this one. Speedy flight to all iLiads who needed to make the round trip! Hopefully we won't have much of this in the future.

Personally I have zero sympathy for iRex on this one. They should have had a re-flash scheme to recover customer units in the field before they ever shipped the first iLiad from the factory. The fact that 2.9.5 was supposed to enable in field re-flash and installing it caused several units to need re-flashing is terribly ironic don't you think?

In America we'd call this a class action law suit waiting to happen.

If iRex ever gets content delivery via iDS working maybe they'll get a clue and have a pop up to ask permission to install upgrades. I know I'd hate to start downloading content whilst on the bus and have the silly thing force an upgrade on me! :angry:

@scotty1024: I fully agree with you. The decision to install such a thing like an version upgrade (possibly not desired/not mandatory) must be left to the owner of the device. Also, if iRex expects the community be actively involved in the enhancing and debugging, a do-it-yourself re-flash solution is a prioritary item to get released just right now.

As there is nothing else on the iDS now but the OS upgrades, it would be kinda redundant to put a warning dialog box.

If they (ever) use the iDS for more than one piece of content/software, there will be a way to choose what you want to install.....it only makes sense.

In my case my aim in connecting to iDS was just get the Shell Access installed. Having my iLiad updated to version 2.9.1, a forced upgrading to the bricking prone 2.9.5 (agree, the chance of a bad outcome is really very low, but it's there anyway) was just a disuasory factor to get connected. At the moment, until the promised unbricking thing isn't out, downloading and setting up the 2.9.5 OS upgrade should be optional.
I know there are many horror tales about Apple's iPod+iTune firmware/software updates rendering dead devices too, but they, at least, let you the choice to proceed at your own risk.

Yes, there is a SLIGHT bricking factor. But, you have to realize that the bricking would be by THEIR own doing, so they are obligated to fix it free of charge(that includes round trip shipping).

A little risk didnt hurt anybody (maybe only their iLiads ;) )

Sense?!!? This is I R E X!!! :D

God it's good to have you back Scotty... You say it before I do :-D

http://i3.tinypic.com/6fr3brp.png







Sorry, couldn't resist. :D

There seems to be a real Anti iRex movement in these forums.

I emphathyse with you scotty, with the incredible amount of bad luck you had with this company/product.

But you have to realise that if they pulled off this major project (ie iLiad), i'm quite sure that they can put a simple dialog box in their installation routine.

The reason why my opinion of iRex is so high, is because the unit replacement (darkening of the screen) went smoothly.
Hopfully, the new unit(hasnt arrived yet) wont be DOA, or I'll have to join your ranks (of unsatified customers) scotty :D

He wasn't saying they were incapable of doing it. He was making the point that because they can doesn't follow that they will...1