iPhone and iPad iOS 4.2 Jailbreak Procedures

Apple will be releasing the official iOS 4.2 to the public on November 7th. However, iOS 4.2 Gold Master (for developers) was released November 1st. This means you are able to Jailbreak both your iPhone 4 and iPad 3G Wireless even if it is at version 3.2.2! You do not need your UDID to execute the installation, but you cannot jailbreak either device using iTunes 10... You need to install iTunes 10.1 beta to accomplish this. Please be advised that we take no responsibility for damaging your device following any of the directions below, nor do we condone jailbreaking, we simply offer this as we used it for a test bed to deploy a proprietary app for a client that required it. Also you may be better served waiting for the actual release from Apple and you can easily update both iTunes and iOS in one shot, followed by the jailbreak.

Without further ado, here's our process:

Prepared device by downloading and installing OpenSSH from Cydia / Downloaded and installed WinSCP (sftp client) on Host Windows machine. Made note of IP for device given by internal NAT Router (in our case - 192.168.10.96 - yours would be different). Opened SSH Session using default user root/alpine to device and navigated to folder /private/var/mobile/Documents/Installous/Downloads. Here are where the downloaded IPA files for apps exist. Transfered *.ipa files to local Windows machine backup folder. Turned off automatic sync for iTunes and disconnected device. This concludes the prep work!

Downloaded iTunes Beta v10.1_beta_2 and redsn0w 0.9.6 beta 2.0. Then followed the instructions...

1. Downloaded iOS 4.2 and iOS 4.1.

2. Updated the iOS 4.2 firmware. This will be done using the IPSW file downloaded using the Beta 2 of the iTunes 10.1.

3. Invoked Redsn0w 0.9.6b2 and selected iOS 4.1 IPSW to start the jailbreak.

4. Installed Cydia and then hit Next, making sure iOS device was powered off and plugged to local machine via USB. Held the Power Button and the Home button for a while after which released the Power button only. Held the Home button until the installation procedure began.

5. Redsn0w then took control and continued with jailbreaking device automatically. Device restarted automatically to finalize the jailbreak.

All told, there was an immediate indication of failure from the Cydia loader package, and for good reason... Cydia does not have their new release ready yet for iOS 4.2. The public will not have to wait long, as a sneak screenshot was released that indicated Saurik and team were hard at work to complete the newer, improved version. This sat fine with us, as the devices operate on the iOS 4.2 platform and are only temporarily degraded sans Cydia.

Please note that Apple's final release may or may not have changes from the GM and patches could be applied which render the entire beta deployment useless, causing regression of the work. We shall see on November 7th (on or about!)

Dell Driver Install Order

How many times have you been under the gun to get a laptop or desktop rebuilt for a client, or are doing it yourself, and you just can't remember the order in which to install drivers? Well, here's the reference for Dell machines as of 6/2010. This is for informational purposes only and does not provide any links to software or drivers.

The following list is an overview of the correct order to install drivers on Dell desktops and portables. After reinstalling Microsoft® Windows®, follow the order listed when reinstalling drivers. It is recommended that you print this list for reference when installing drivers.

Note: Some devices may not function properly if the drivers are installed out of order.

1.  Desktop System Software (DSS) or Notebook System Software (NSS) - A vital utility that provides critical updates and patches for the operating system. If you are reinstalling Windows or updating all drivers, it is important that this software be installed first. This is located under the System Utilities Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.

 

Note : NSS and DSS may not be available for all desktop and notebook products.

2.  Chipset - Helps Windows control system board components and controllers. This is located under the Chipset Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.

3.  Video Adapter - Enhances video performance. This is located under the Video Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.

4.  Network Interface Card (NIC) - Enhances the network controller for Internet or network access. This is located under the Network Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.

5.  Laptops Only: Dell Quickset or Dell Control Point Manager (DCP) - Controls power management, ambient light sensor, wireless profiles, and security features on laptops. This is located under the Applications on the Drivers and Downloads page.

6.  Audio Adapter - Enables and enhances the audio controller. This is located under the Audio Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.

7.  Modem - Allows dial-up capability. This is located under the Communication Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.

8.  Wireless Network Card - Enables and enhances the wireless network controller. This is located under the Network Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.

9.  Touchpad, Pointer, Trackstick, Mice, and Keyboards - Enhances the pointing device features. This is located under the Input Device Drivers Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.

10.  Other Devices

Intel vProTM  or AMTTM  - Enhances system manageability. This is located under the Chipset Category on on the Drivers and Downloads page. Bluetooth ®  Module located under the Network Category on the Drivers and Downloads page. Dell Wireless Mobile Broadband Cards located under the Communication Category on the Drivers and Downloads page. PCMCIA/Smartcard controller located under the Security Category on the Drivers and Downloads page. Touch Screen Digitizer Enables touch screen mouse control available on select Dell laptops. This is located under the Input Category on the Drivers and Downloads page. The preceding excerpt is taken directly from the Dell Support Website, and it is intended as a shortcut for Technical Support Personnel and non-commercial individuals rebuilding or reinstalling Dell Notebooks and Desktops. We know how many times we've asked the same question, so here it is - copyright 2010 Dell

Google Voice goes public with FREE OPEN INVITATION

 A little over a year ago, Google released an early preview of Google Voice, a web-based platform for managing communications. This product introduced one number to ring all your phones (landline, mobile, VOIP, fax, pager), voicemail that works like email with transcribed copies of incoming voicemails sent to your phone..., free calls and text messages to the U.S. and Canada, low-priced international calls and more—the only catch was you had to request and receive an invite to try it out. I was lucky enough to be in that first wave of testing. Today, after lots of testing and tweaking, Google Voice has been opened to
the public, no invitation required.

Over the past year, Google introduced a mobile web app, an integrated  voicemail player in Gmail, the ability to use Google Voice with your existing number and more. Over a million people are now actively using Google Voice, and many of the features released over the past year (like SMS to email and the Chrome extension) came as a result of user suggestions.

If you haven’t yet tried Google Voice, you really should. Weigh it against what you currently pay out your nose for, and see for yourself how convenient consolidating your phone lines can be.

(portions excerpted from Google, with edits)