Need some pointers on CrystalBuntu on ATV1

You noted now being able to watch movies again in the same sentence as being able to copy files - are you copying media to the ATV Itself vs. setting up a source to acces media elsewhere on your home network? I don't copy anything to the ATV (or need to) so curious...

Ive not been able to access my local network shares through XBMC for ages - someone recommended actually entering the IP addresses of the shares rather than trying to browse to the locations but Ive not tried that yet ... Ive just been SFTP'ing files onto the internal 160GB drive (another reason being that the ATV is in a room with no network access so I have to take the ATV into another room just to do this). Im considering either extending my wifi with an airport express or using two of those powerline adaptor things that use your electrical sockets. Such a shame the ATV has no more wifi due to the crustal HD card!
I used to stream the files over the network but one of the XBMC updates (or perhaps OSX lion updates) seemed to have broken the link ??

have discovered that SMB filesharing is indeed broken between Lion and XBMC

Im now looking into giving this a go : AtvCloner XBMC Linux Image 26 (see Dynaflash Tech)

looks like it resolves a few issues Ive had ....

(2012-04-11 11:51)mullum Wrote:  have discovered that SMB filesharing is indeed broken between Lion and XBMC

That shouldn't affect the ATV running CyrstalBuntu - no more MAC OS there anymore - I wasn't having any SMB issues running it off the flash drive. Actually shouldn't affect the ATV running the native Mac OS since it's older I believe. I have had the occasional issue connecting to an SMB share but I just ended up adding a new "video source" (once) with my Home Server's static IP address - and have never looked back.

Just wish I could get CrystalBuntu working properly on the ATV - makes no sense to me that others have had no issues but my CPU utilization is maxed?

puulima, have you tried using another USB stick for the Crystalbuntu install ?
I am personally using a Lexar 8GB USB with no problems.

I initially ran out of space on the USB because the Crystalbuntu install only partitioned it as a 4GB drive.
I then burnt a Linux live CD via OSX's disk utlity using this image distribution:
http://partedmagic.com/doku.php?id=start

Booted that Linux CD up using the Alt key when booting on the Mac (default run from RAM settings).
Plugged in the USB, ran the Partition Editor Utility in Linux and repartitioned /dev/sdb3 (the largest one) to the maximum it allowed on the USB.
I now have 6.9GB space available for XBMC and its data.
No data was lost from the USB stick either during repartitioning :-)

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mullum, Download an App called SMBUp on you MAC to restore Lion SMB sharing functionality. Use default settings when installing, and disable SMB sharing in OSX System Preferences.

Seems odd to me that the CPU utilization would be high due to a USB stick issue? I can try another one and see if that makes a difference but I would expect issues booting if there was an issue with the USB drive - my issue seems to be what the ATV box is doing once the OS is loaded. I'll find another drive and try tomorrow...thanks for the reply.

(2012-04-02 04:49)puulima Wrote:  I've been running XBMC on a patched ATV 1 for at least 3 years now (integrated into the Apple Interface) as well as a few Acer Revo's. Recently have stumbled on some threads about replacing the Apple OS with Linux - and specifically CrystalBuntu - but I'm completely new to Linux and want to do some reading and ensure I understand what I'm doing - and that I choose the correct flavor etc. I've comfortable connecting to my ATV via a terminal connection.

Can someone point me towards some links that will help me with the following:
- benefits of replacing the Apple OS on the ATV 1 and/or the pros/cons of doing this
- I found this thread Replace Apple OS on ATV 1 and it notes I can test CyrstalBuntu by booting from the USB - but if I DO replace the Apple OS - can it be restored later? Fairly certain I could do a factory restore (can I?) but sounds like I'd have to do the patchstick route again to get back to whre I am now?
- With CrystalBuntu: assuming it has the drivers/support built on for my Broadcomm CrystalHD card (hence the name CrystalBuntu)?
- saw a post about a new CyrstalBuntu coming with PVR support - not sure I understand what version of XBMC that is - not Eden correct?
- anything else that would help me understand this process...(yeah, I know, vague question).

Thanks for any and all assistance and tips.

Hi puulima -

In reading this I am not sure that I ever saw a post where you said whether or not you installed a Crystal HD card? The only way that Crystalbuntu is going to really achieve all its glory is with that card installed. I have a few tutorials up at Quixventure.com that cover all of this if you want more background info:

http://quixventure.com/crystalbuntu-how-to/

Maybe not specifically noted - but implied. My understanding is that the Crystal HD card "enable" option only shows up if the hardware is detected - that option does show up and was enabled. Same as when I was running the ATV on the hacked ATV OS. Once I installed the card and downloaded/installed the drivers - that option showed up and HD video performance improved dramatically.

But it's far worse NOW running Crystal Buntu - than it was on the plain old ATV pre-Crystal HD card. That alone makes no sense. Never had CPU utilization at 100% or choppy playback of all video before.

Hmmm... I'd start over again... Make a new USB thumb-drive and just totally start over. Do you install Crystalbuntu to the HD or run off of the USB drive? Shouldn't make a difference, but I'd say go with the USB boot option and see what happens.

Also - The new Crystalbuntu is the PVR version, so perhaps you should use these commands to downgrade to regular Eden (I did this yesterday...)

http://forum.stmlabs.com/showthread.php?tid=8

Yeah, I think I'll pickup a new (larger) USB drive and try it all over...can't hurt.

I'm actually hoping to use the PVR features - one of the pluses in this version - just have to find time to read up on how to set that all up. I have an HDHomeRun tuner on my home network and it works great with XBMC going to "simple" route - but I'm using WMC on the main Living Room PC to record/pause live TV etc - and would prefer to do it all in XBMC if possible.

Don't think the PVR aspects would cause issues - or would they? Others are running it succesfully...hard to believe the hardware or flash drive could be an issue. I recall not being able to create the inital USB flash drive when I hacked XBMC into the ATV OS - but that was an overall failure up front - the USB drive just wouldn't work when creating - this CrystalBuntu bootable drive was a cinch to create. If it doesn't perform better this time - I'll try downgrading also.

Yes, running it off the USB drive to test. Can't afford to have the ATV out of service...I'd have a a lot of unhappy people here.

Thanks.