Nspire CX "bricked" in Press-to-Test

[zomg]

Hello, first time posting here.

I was installing CAS on a CX (2nd time trying, 1st was successful) using nLoader for OS 4.5 following [url]viewtopic.php?f=57&t=21094&hilit=nloader[/url]. I tried to take a shortcut by sending all the files at the beginning, but when I opened BtMg (step C2), the calculator showed "refreshing" and immediately crashed. When it restarted, it was in test mode.

I tried sending Press-to-Test folder with empty tns file but has no effect. It clears the documents but no reboot and still in test mode. I tried complete format with re-installing the OS (older and current) and also tried to exit test mode with another calculator. Now the calculator is still in test mode, but there is no blinking light. I don't remember if there was light when it crashed for the first time. Attempting to re-enter test mode will try to "Reset Press-to-Test" and do nothing. I can re-install ndless while in test mode, but the calculator will crash if I open any of these files: nsPartManagic, BtMg, nsNandMg. I CAN open nMaker.

Current status:
Hardware revision P-1113I
OS 4.5
Correctly repartitioned as the instruction says
No diagnostic menu ( ) available

Googling for an hour didn't find anything even similar to my issue, and I hope someone here could help me. Much thanks in advance

[critor]

Hi.

Strange.

Try to install Ndless 4.5. Yes, it should work in test mode.

Then try to run nsPartManagic and BtMg, and take a picture of their home screens.

Thanks.

[zomg]

Thank you for the response.

After successfully installing Ndless, opening nsPartManagic or BtMg both causes calculator to crash (and Ndless is uninstalled)
Here is a (poor quality) video of my doing the steps: https://streamable.com/4iumz

[critor]

Hm.

What about nsNandMgr then ?

[zomg]

Also crashes the same way. I'm wondering if it's because of the press-to-test mode, but I can't verify this since I cannot get it out of test mode...

[critor]

You may be stuck in press-to-test because of a corrupted partition table.
And BtMg/nsNandMgr/nsPartManagic may also be crashing because of a corrupted partition table.

The good news is you have Ndless, so it should be possible to check and fix the partition table.

I'll need a dump of your Manuf partition. Try polydumper, hopefully it won't crash.

[zomg]

Polydumper seems to work alright. At least it didn't crash.

Pressing any key after this screen returned to the documents list (exiting press-to-test still does not work)

EDIT: Whoops, should've refreshed the documents menu. I see the img file now.

manuf.img.tns

[critor]

Thanks.

Factory partition table offsets are :

Code: Select all

Manuf   0
Boot2   02
BootD   2C
Diags   32
FileS   40

https://hackspire.org/index.php/NAND_Memory_Layout

Your partition table is :

Code: Select all

Manuf   0
Boot2   02
BootD   26
Diags   28
FileS   40

But there's nothing wrong with it, it shouldn't make Ndless programs crash by itself.
There must be something else...

[critor]

I tried sending Press-to-Test folder with empty tns file but has no effect. It clears the documents but no reboot

You probably did it wrong then, it's very tricky.

1) Create a folder on the computer called Press-to-Test (name of the folder should be exactly as written).
2) In that folder, create/save an empty TI-Nspire document called Exit Test Mode.tns (name of file should be exactly as written). This file is the only file that should be in that folder.
3) Drag and drop the Press-to-Test folder to the root of the TI-Nspire filesystem (not in a subfolder).

It should at least reboot.

[zomg]

I got this calculator out of test mode just before attempting to install CAS so I'm certain I'm sending the right files. Also, connecting with another calculator and exiting test mode doesn't work either.

I get the clock cursor showing, but then nothing happens, only the documents getting cleared (both ndless and the Press-to-Test folder)