Apple TV 2.1 Patchstick ssh only

This is a working patchstick to enable sshd on Apple TV with software version 2.1 It is a ssh only hack, no other software is installed on the Apple TV. Instructions: 1. Open a terminal window (Applications --> Utilities --> Terminal) 2. cd to the directory where ATVpatchstick2.1.img.bz2 is downloaded 3. issue the command bzip2 -d ATVpatchstick2.1.img.bz2 4. insert USB stick (minimum 1GB) 5. find the device name for the USB stick with command diskutil list 6. issue the command dd if=ATVpatchstick2.1.img of=/dev/diskX bs=1048576 (where x is the number found in step 5 7. Eject the USB stick through finder 8. insert USB stick in your Apple TV 9. reboot your Apple TV 10. Wait until the message appears on your TV that patching is done and you can reboot the Apple TV. 11. ssh is now enabled, ssh [email protected] /* */ I made this torrent because I did not want to use the "commercial" ATV4windows patchstick, it installs way to much crap imho, I only want NitoTV installed. Also because I read a lot of other users had trouble putting together the patchstick because they did not have the Tiger install CD/DVD. Tested and working with ATV 2.0 updated to 2.1 Have fun with your ATV. Some notes: - 1GB stick wasn't really needed, 128MB would have been enough, but 1GB was what I had lying around, so the dd image was taken off that - The first time ssh login seems to hang, after trying a couple of times you will be able to log in, I'm not sure why this is, maybe sshd keys are generated or something. - As it says on your TV when the stick boots, it is safe to ignore the "listening" errors.

udp://tracker.openbittorrent.com:80
udp://open.demonii.com:1337
udp://tracker.coppersurfer.tk:6969
udp://exodus.desync.com:6969

gooliath (2008-09-15)

is this the real deal?? the otherone here on the bay bricks your apple tv

void6666 (2008-09-15)

As I am the uploader, it is pretty obvious that I would say it is the real deal.
But it really is... :-)
This image is taken off a patchstick made according to the procedure on awkwardtv

void6666 (2008-09-15)

Oh, once you've dd'ed the image you can check the mounted patchstick.
In installer.d directory there is a script called ssh.
In that file you can see which files are copied.
Nothing other than a couple of cp and chmod commands being done.

Dragehest (2008-09-16)

can anyone else confirm this is a working patch?

lancealtar (2008-09-23)

I can confirm this works.

shaktijim (2008-09-25)

getting the following error, any ideas how to fix?
:/Volumes/files/Azureus Downloads/patch jimkelley$ dd if=ATVpatchstick2.1.img of=/dev/disk4 bs=1048576
dd: /dev/disk4: Resource busy

piksel (2008-09-26)

@shaktijim - you may need to unmount (not eject) the drive. Try this command:
diskutil unmountDisk /dev/diskX
(where x is the number found in step 5)
The other thing the Instructions doesn't mention is the ssh password is "frontrow"
@void6666 - Works great though! Thanks so much :)

Synor (2008-09-30)

works!

goluram (2008-10-19)

Will this work with Apple TV with software version 2.2?

goluram (2008-10-19)

Just tried this on ATv 2.2. Works like a charm. Thanks Void

eetfunk (2008-10-24)

How long is the dd command supposed to take? It's been 20 minutes and still not done. Seems weird considering the speed of usb sticks...

eetfunk (2008-10-24)

nevermind, it finished seconds after posting my comment!
worked fine on 2.2 for me too!

blamm (2008-11-22)

This worked great. Keep away from the others, almost bricked my ATV with patchstick 2.4.
This one works. But you need at big usb pen. First I used a 1 GB, it was to small and didnt work. It booted but did nothing. I then tried a 2 GB, it worked great.
This guide worked for me:

Perhaps the atv-usb-creator:

Works now. This should do almost everything on its own.
I really prefer XBMC on the Apple TV, its awesome!
Im thinking about getting a mac mini too, the extra power could be handy.

erikkri (2008-12-10)

Has anyone tested this on 2.3 yet?

sled666 (2009-01-09)

you can resize the second hfs+ partition (using parted on linux worked for me) making the image fit on a smaller thumb drive...
worked for me! thanks for posting patchstick for 2.1!