How to fill in the first two boxes in Ptool

O

Ozpeter

Well-known member
There are three possible scenarios for completing these two boxes. Identify below the scenario that applies to you, then complete the boxes as suggested.

=============================================

Scenario A :

IF

- you have NOT used Ptool before and you have therefore NEVER used the first box to increment the version number on previous occasions,

and so

- you have not ticked the second box to activate the version compare patch on previous occasions,

then

- tick the first box and enter the version increment value in the value entry box in the lower part of the Ptool interface. (This number will normally be "1").

also

- tick the second box to disable version comparison in future occasions.

==========================================

Scenario B :

IF

- you HAVE used Ptool before and you have used the first box to increment the version number on previous occasions,

and

- you have NOT ticked the second box to activate the version compare patch on previous occasions,

then

- tick the first box and enter the version increment value in the value entry box in the lower part of the Ptool interface. (This number will normally be the value you entered the last time you patched the firmware, plus one).

also

- tick the second box to disable version comparison in future occasions.

=========================================

SCENARIO C :

IF

- you have used Ptool before, and last time you used it you ticked the second box to disable version comparison on future occasions (never mind what you put in the first box last time)

then

- do not tick the first box because versions will not be checked

and

- tick the second box so that versions will not be checked next time either.
 
Ozpeter said:
SCENARIO C :

IF

- you have used Ptool before, and last time you used it you ticked the second box to disable version comparison on future occasions (never mind what you put in the first box last time)

then

- do not tick the first box because versions will not be checked

and

- tick the second box so that versions will not be checked next time either.
Click to expand...
Actually, you still need to check the first box (Version Change). But you no longer need to worry about incrementing the version value. If first box is not checked camera will offer to version up, but as soon as you select "Yes" a screen changes to "Please power down the camera". After turning it back on the GH1__133.bin file's size on the card is 0 bytes. You can not delete or overwrite it either. Have to reformat the card and repeat the process correctly.
 
Something not working here!

Something not working here!

With new version change ptool iterations, not able to upload new bins;

what I have tried;

just ticking version compare, no go
ticking version compare and version increment, left at No1 in box, no go.

Next test,

version increment, no number change leave at 1.
version compare, no tick

Anybody actually adding new f/w with new version compare tool and what has worked for you?
 
Have gone back to version change, plus next increment and version compare tick box, in case I want to go back to an earlier version, loads OK.
 
I'm having the same problem. Just bought a new GH1 (Australian PAL) today with 1.3 Firmware on it.

Using ptools 3.40d and GH1__132.bin

Ticked version increment. Entered 1 (is this correct?)

Ticked version compare.

Saved as GH1__133.bin and copy to camera formatted SD card.

Full battery...press play...message "No Valid Picture to Play". I've tried this with two different brands of good quality cards.

I've done many previous firmware upgrades with Canon, Nikon etc...

I'd be grateful for any advice. Am I doing something wrong...or have Panasonic started doing something devious?
 
Last edited:
Interesting, another GH1 upgrade problem with pre-loaded v1.3. In your opinion, was the camera "brand new" as in ("looks like it came straight from the factory") or could it possibly have seen however minor use prior to your purchase? Also, there are two diagnostics tools we have ATM:
1) If you are comfortable with instructions outlined under "Temporary Service Menu" here
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showpost.php?p=2044384&postcount=2, please enter the mode, get to "Camera Info" screen take a photo and post here.
2) With another camera make a video showing all steps you are taking to do the upgrade to rule out user error. Please post on Youtube or vimeo.

Also, try to increase version increment to a higher value, say '50'. Another gotcha I experienced myself is firmware file corruption when copying firmware file to camera with it attached to computer with a USB cable. Use a card reader for this task and make sure to properly "eject the card" prior to physical removal.
 
The camera was brand new from the shop...looked like the box had never been opened.

I suspect Panasonic have been quietly watching and have acted...
 
HDVdiver said:
The camera was brand new from the shop...looked like the box had never been opened.
Click to expand...
I don't know if you've ever worked in retail environment -- you'll be surprised what can be done ...
I suspect Panasonic have been quietly watching and have acted...
Click to expand...
Ok, let's focus on establishing some facts first. Could you please try one of suggestions I posted.
 
Actually, you still need to check the first box (Version Change). But you no longer need to worry about incrementing the version value. If first box is not checked camera will offer to version up, but as soon as you select "Yes" a screen changes to "Please power down the camera". After turning it back on the GH1__133.bin file's size on the card is 0 bytes. You can not delete or overwrite it either. Have to reformat the card and repeat the process correctly.
Click to expand...
Never seen that here with version change unchecked.
 
Ozpeter said:
Never seen that here with version change unchecked.
Click to expand...

Me neither, i have never ticked version change ever, even when first installing the FW. The unhacked camera was v1.2, so i downloaded Panasonic's FW v1.32, loaded that in to PTools, applies the patches with only VERSION COMPARE selected and hacked the GH1 to GH13.

The problem is all the latecomers are caught up in the hype and only reading the first few pages of How to Use PTools and following early proceedures. Not entirely their fault as the threads are huge and can be confusing, but you should make a point of allowing yourself 1 week to become educated and aquainted with the Hack and then and only then proceed to hack your GH1 and accept the risks.
 
Ozpeter said:
Never seen that here with version change unchecked.
Click to expand...
What I wrote there is wrong. I will leave that post untouched and this one should serve to correct "the record." The problem I think I've had there was related to transferring firmware file to camera connected to computer via USB cable. Somehow firmware files get corrupted when using this method. When firmware is transferred via card reader instead there is no such problem. With that said, I believe what you said in the original post is correct.
 
Just to clarify/add to what i said above (post11) i save a hacked 1.32.bin file name every time i update a version, but i save it to a different folder than the original Panasonic FW so it won't overwrite it. I delete it from that folder after i have copied it to the SD card root directory ready for next time.

Obviously with version compare checked, the camera reads 0.0.

This way i never have any increments.

R
 
I think that in scenario A can be two cases (correct me if I'm wrong):

Scenario A (1):

IF

- you have NOT used Ptool before and you have therefore NEVER used the first box to increment the version number on previous occasions,

and so

- you have not ticked the second box to activate the version compare patch on previous occasions, and the original firmware installed in your camera is an OLDER version to firmware that you are going to patch,

then

- DON'T tick the first box,

also

- tick the second box to disable version comparison in future occasions.

==========================================
Scenario A (2):

IF

- you have NOT used Ptool before and you have therefore NEVER used the first box to increment the version number on previous occasions,

and so

- you have not ticked the second box to activate the version compare patch on previous occasions, and the original firmware installed in your camera is an EQUAL or NEWER version to firmware that you are going to patch,

then

- tick the first box and enter the version increment value in the value entry box in the lower part of the Ptool interface. (This number will normally be "1").

also

- tick the second box to disable version comparison in future occasions.

==========================================
 
rambooc1 said:
Me neither, i have never ticked version change ever, even when first installing the FW. The unhacked camera was v1.2, so i downloaded Panasonic's FW v1.32, loaded that in to PTools, applies the patches with only VERSION COMPARE selected and hacked the GH1 to GH13.

Question for you? You say "applies the patches with only VERSION COMPARE selected" do you mean select "Prevent version compare"? As I understand it, if you want Version Compare, you do not select the box. I only checked the second box from day one. Never the first.

Sorry for asking for more clarification, I am a QA geek and just want to make sure I do not brick my camera.

Read up on this for about 2 weeks before going for it. Loving it and I will donate to the cause.



Thanks
Click to expand...
 
Slackblade said:
Question for you? You say "applies the patches with only VERSION COMPARE selected" do you mean select "Prevent version compare"? As I understand it, if you want Version Compare, you do not select the box. I only checked the second box from day one. Never the first.


Thanks
Click to expand...

Yes i have only ever checked Prevent Version Compare. GH1__1.32.bin then uploaded and shows as 0.0 in version menu of camera.
 
HDVdiver said:
The camera was brand new from the shop...looked like the box had never been opened.

I suspect Panasonic have been quietly watching and have acted...
Click to expand...

Let me know if what Svecher suggested to do in order to pull up the actual full firmware number worked... I have a Japanese GF1 that the store had to order earlier this week for me, I can't get the hack nor am I able to use the directions to get into Temp Service mode to check the firmware number.
 
Repp said:
Let me know if what Svecher suggested to do in order to pull up the actual full firmware number worked... I have a Japanese GF1 that the store had to order earlier this week for me, I can't get the hack nor am I able to use the directions to get into Temp Service mode to check the firmware number.
Click to expand...


Sorry...I've already got rid of the camera and got another GH1 with ver 1.2 on its way from the US.

I don't have the time to muck around with stuff that doesn't work the way I expected. I'm quite convinced that the latest GH1's and GF1's with factory loaded firmware have been hack-proofed by Panasonic.

I hope I'm proven wrong but so far I haven't seen anyone mention they've successfully applied the hack to such a camera.
 
Yeah, I know what you mean. I live in Japan though... and the price difference is about $160 less than it would cost if I ordered it online (oddly, the lenses are more expensive here though). Guess I'll just deal with learning the menu (thankfully I found the .pdf for the manual) and not having 1080 video.

If it becomes a big issue for me, I'll wait till the GF2 comes out state side and order it online.
 
Went through the same problems as a couple guys here. I double clicked the highlighted blue part area under the two boxes and checked a box i liked. 24p native. Otherwise it's still the same old version.

Getting some read errors on Patriot LX series class 10. So i know i did something right. Will have to try another class 10 card.

Can I check all those boxes @ one time?
Or do i have to do one @ a time?

Can i go as far as GH__1.331### etc < 1.40



Oh yeah. I can't forget to donate to GH13 for his generosity. THANKS.
 
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