Hacking TX Dongle longetivity?

[viper3344]

Hey all!

Wondering how long we expect the TX dongles to last? Will the caps eventually just go bad?

Instead of buying 2 (one as a backup) is there another dongle that will do the same thing? As far as I understand, the info on the dongle is not what you purchase the license for, its the license that is contained with boot.dat?

Any info appreciated!

 

[Switchtime]

Mine lasted about 5-6 boots, then the caps were broken. It took about 2 months till I got a replacement from the reseller...
The license is tied to your dongle, you can use only different dongles from other manufactures when you buy the lisence only

 

[viper3344]

Ahh crap... What happens from time to time for me is it just wont charge from the USB-C. So what I have to do is plug it into the computer USB port to charge it until the light turns on (about 2 seconds) then it boots perfectly fine.
My light will NEVER come on when plugged into the switch, only when using the micro USB cable.

Hopefully it will someday last until a cold boot method.

 

[DocAmes1980]

I have a pro but I usually just use my phone to push a payload.

 

[viper3344]

I have a pro but I usually just use my phone to push a payload.

Yeah thats another options I guess. So to use a generic dongle, I just need to buy the license right?

 

[stewacide]

I'm sure they saved a whole 50 cents using caps instead of a battery

 

[DocAmes1980]

Yeah thats another options I guess. So to use a generic dongle, I just need to buy the license right?

If you don't already have a license then yes. Buy a license and then you can use anything that is capable of pushing a payload.

 

[Deleted User]

Mine lasted about 5-6 boots, then the caps were broken. It took about 2 months till I got a replacement from the reseller...
The license is tied to your dongle, you can use only different dongles from other manufactures when you buy the lisence only

The license comes with your dongle but it creates a file on the SD card. After you activate your license you can boot with different methods.

 

[JoeBloggs777]

I'm sure they saved a whole 50 cents using caps instead of a battery

if it had a battery some people would still have problems with that not charging.

also

https://dashcameras.net/battery-vs-capacitor/

 

[viper3344]

The license comes with your dongle but it creates a file on the SD card. After you activate your license you can boot with different methods.

Ok so its not tied to the dongle at all? I can use a different dongle? Thats where I was confused. The first reply here says that its tied to the dongle

Thanks!

 

[Tomobobo]

I think the dongle has a licence on it, but if you activate that licence, it's linked to the console it was activated on and kinda "burned" or used up in that process. You can use other payload inject methods, the sx os licence on that console will be valid.

 

[Deleted User]

Ok so its not tied to the dongle at all? I can use a different dongle? Thats where I was confused. The first reply here says that its tied to the dongle

Thanks!

Yes, the license comes with the dongle and once you activate it in the console it's tied to the console. You can use another dongle to boot the os provided you have the license files on the sd card. e.g. If you use the SX Pro in Console B after activating the license in Console A, you will need another license for Console B.

 

[MachRc]

mine got super hot and blew out few weeks ago. So it lasted maybe 3 months.

I never charged it and used the switches USB-C port to "charge it" when injecting

Now I just use android phone or tablet with OTC cable.



tempted to buy that cheap dongle xkit on the front page for 10 bucks

 

[Aerogems]

As far as the dongle goes... Yes, eventually the capacitors will go bad, but it should take years, maybe even decades. The same fate awaits all the capacitors in your Switch; entropy impacts everything. As far as the SX OS license goes, TX is very clear that the SX OS license is tied to your CONSOLE, not the dongle. You can use someone else's dongle, buy a second one for yourself... whatever. As long as the license file is on the SD card and is for that specific console, you're fine.

 

[mranonymous]

Hey all!

Wondering how long we expect the TX dongles to last? Will the caps eventually just go bad?

Instead of buying 2 (one as a backup) is there another dongle that will do the same thing? As far as I understand, the info on the dongle is not what you purchase the license for, its the license that is contained with boot.dat?

Any info appreciated!

I got a dud, as my SX Pro dongle only lasted around 3 uses before it gave up on me. It sucks, but I just use TegraRCM via my PC to inject the payload so I didn’t bother trying to return it for a replacement dongle.

I’m not really sure about the percentage of duds, but I’ve seen quite a few people on this board whose dongles have worked great for a long time, and a decent amount of people who got duds like mine. Hope this helps!

 

[Wurstmann]

Do people keep them in for minutes or what? You're supposed to have it in for mere seconds, until the SXOS screen flashes. The caps are fully loaded after five seconds.

 

[MachRc]

when TX first showed videos of it working, we all feverishly watched it and them explaining how quickly it was done. I had never had to charge it personally. Plus who care if its stuck in past boot, im sure thats a given when creating this thing.

I love my SX Pro purchase, I would defend them to the hills

But the loader did break

Buuuuuut TX made it so convenient (took time to look into community development and use open source to better their product) to have setup android loader,
I still have ways to get my fix until the loader situation is sorted.

its too bad I was one of the early adopters from switch.sx
that site looks closed now.


BTW

2 of my friends have gotten their SX pros, they had hard time signing up(registering their SX OS) off the switch internet connection like I did.
They sent their load.dat something file to modchipcentral I believe and was sent back the same file with activation.

and their stickers were sent on the side not stickered to the dongle itself.

 

[Albytrozz]

I don't know about TX, but my dongle lasts a looonnnggggggg time

 

[DaveLister]

I got a dud, as my SX Pro dongle only lasted around 3 uses before it gave up on me. It sucks, but I just use TegraRCM via my PC to inject the payload so I didn’t bother trying to return it for a replacement dongle.

Get it replaced sell the dongle with un registered license. Free beer .

 

[Kazesama]

Some ppl leave their dongle charging for way too long (hours) or overcharging it with a higher amperage/voltage charger (5V+), which is bad... plug into your PC/Laptop usb for 10 seconds and will have enough charge for at least 5 boots...

According to a post on TX Forum, the caps are : KAMCAP 2.7V 0.35F Farad Super Capacitor


Per the article below:

Operating a capacitor near its voltage limit can result in reduced capacitance though, and charging it past its limit may destroy it violently.

https://electronics.stackexchange.c...a-capacitor-with-a-lower-voltage-power-source