Topfield CRC-1410 Lost recordings

[FireBird]

I think one has to first run a Telnet server as a TAP, which seems to be impossible here.

Yepp, that's correct.

[DeltaMikeCharlie]

I suppose if he opens the box and runs FTTools, I can copy the files on my own.

TFtool is a program that only runs on MS Windows.
The HDD needs to be removed from the PVR and installed into the Windows PC chassis (or external caddy).
When TFtool is run, it will be able to access the PVR's HDD and attempt repair/data recovery.

[DeltaMikeCharlie]

1) The drive uses a Linux format called JFS.
2) MS Windows can not read the drive. This is normal, not a problem.
3) DO NOT FORMAT the drive just because MS Windows can't read it.
4) If they are using a MS Windows PC, they can try a tool like TFtool or 'System Rescue CD' to read the data from the PVR drive and save it to another drive.

Just to be sure (although I don't wish to complicate things more), since you say "if they are using MS Windows PC..."
Is there another kind that is also possible or better?

Maybe they could be using an Apple Mac. Mac OS X is based on a Unix kernel but, as far as I know, can not read JFS drives either.
To clarify, TFtool needs MS Windows to work.

[DeltaMikeCharlie]

I suppose if he opens the box

From the photograph of the packaging that we found, the PVR seems to have a removable HDD slot at the back. If this is true, then 'opening the box' will be unnecessary. There should be a few screws on the back that will release the HDD.

Unfortunately, the manual that we found online makes no mention of this feature. If there is no removable HDD tray at the back, then the box will have to be opened. Like all appliances, there is deadly voltage inside the box and all electrical safety precautions should be taken before proceeding.

[Anie]

@keith_leitch
I totally get your question about if this is all worth it. I hope it is because I've already taken so much of your time (all of you), so I feel I shouldn't quit now. I know you wouldn't have needed to spend as many days pondering about it, but I feel good about trying and learning something new even if I can't get the files back. So, there's that. Sorry for being sentimental and deep about it .

Apologies, I didn't realize I needed to answer about the HDD size. The space reserved for recording is 463.7 GB and luckily I already have an empty external hard drive of size 500 GB.

@ DeltaMikeCharlie
Thanks for making me take a better look at the back of the Toppy, and you must be right.
Here's a picture of it: https://imgur.com/a/BBmaYIv
It says 2.5 inch SATA HDD, so I guess that's good news. Only one screw to undo.

Now, does it have to be a caddy or chassis? I linked this image of a cable on the oztoppy forum:
https://imgur.com/a/3UY31vY
I don't have that yet but an electronics store said it's a substitute. But if you say it's not, I believe you and find a caddy instead.

[DeltaMikeCharlie]

Now, does it have to be a caddy or chassis? I linked this image of a cable on the oztoppy forum:
https://imgur.com/a/3UY31vY
I don't have that yet but an electronics store said it's a substitute. But if you say it's not, I believe you and find a caddy instead.

I have never used a cable exactly like this. However, I entered the terms '2.5 SATA to USB' into a search engine and found many cables that look quite similar to the one in your photograph. They also seem relatively inexpensive, so the financial risk is low should this not be the correct device.

You have mentioned previously that you have a laptop (not a desktop) computer:

• Is this laptop running Windows?
• If so, what version of Windows?
• How many free USB ports does it have?
• What style(s) of USB port does it have? (USB-A/USB-C, etc.)
• How much free space do you have on your laptop HDD?

If you have a limited number of USB ports on your laptop, perhaps you will need to copy the recordings a few at a time to the local HDD before swapping the PVR drive for an external USB drive and then copying again. You could also consider purchasing a cheap USB hub if you do not already have one.

If you have 2 free USB ports, then you should be able to use TFTool to copy directly from the PVR drive to the external USB drive.

You also asked previously about how long the copying process would take. This will depend on not only the number and size of the files that you need to save, but also the speed of the USB devices involved. Depending on the age of your laptop, you may be restricted to USB 2.0. If it is newer, you may have USB 3.0 or even USB-C. Once you have successfully copied a few files, you will be able to use the length of time that they took to estimate the overall time.

[Anie]

Is this laptop running Windows?
- Yes

If so, what version of Windows?
- Not sure where I can find that info, but I believe it's the newest there is at the moment

How many free USB ports does it have?
What style(s) of USB port does it have? (USB-A/USB-C, etc.)
- One of each left (if I understand correctly). I will buy an USB hub. I've been meaning to do that anyway.

How much free space do you have on your laptop HDD?
- The total is 57 GT but only 20 GT left, which honestly I don't get because I removed almost all my files (there's 800 Mt worth of pictures anymore). I don't know what's taking space. I could do database compression, though, if it makes a significance difference.

Thank you again.

[IanL-S(2)]

@ DeltaMikeCharlie
Thanks for making me take a better look at the back of the Toppy, and you must be right.
Here's a picture of it: https://imgur.com/a/BBmaYIv

@Annie, looks very much like the TRF-2200. As I said on the oztoppy froum, I suspect it may run Android rather than Linux - the firmware is twice the size of that for TMS Toppy which maxes out at 12Mb.

Ian

[Alter Sack]

the firmware is twice the size of that for TMS Toppy which maxes out at 12Mb.

The firmware of the CRC-1410 seems to be close to 10MB.

[Anie]

@ DeltaMikeCharlie
Thanks for making me take a better look at the back of the Toppy, and you must be right.
Here's a picture of it: https://imgur.com/a/BBmaYIv

@Annie, looks very much like the TRF-2200. As I said on the oztoppy froum, I suspect it may run Android rather than Linux - the firmware is twice the size of that for TMS Toppy which maxes out at 12Mb.

Ian

Does that (Android, not Linux) make a difference when using FTTools? Anything special I need to take into account?

I won't have time to do anything about it before Tuesday or Wednesday, but I'll check here later to see if you (or someone else) happens to reply.

[DeltaMikeCharlie]

IanL-S / Anie
The manual that was found online specifically mentions JFS and does not mention 'Android' or other keywords like 'Apps', 'Play Store', etc. I think that this is a strong indication that the PVR is Linux-based and that TFtool is the most appropriate solution at the moment.

[Anie]

I was here a long time ago, in January 2022, asking for help, but then other things happened in life and I had to put aside my Topfield problems. I feel a little embarrassed to post again but I would be grateful if someone still had time to answer a few more questions. 

(I just posted this same thing to the oztoppy forum, see here: https://oztoppy.forumchitchat.com/post/ ... 0?trail=60 )

Mostly I would like to know if the TFTool is still available and if not, is there a substitute for it? 

This direct link (that was given to me here earlier) does not work anymore:
http://www.kluesener99.de/tftool/de/impressum.html

And it seems that the whole website of 'www.kluesener99.de' is unsafe to use (though I guess I could try it with my old laptop).


I found this page:
Topfield Tools for Windows 2007-07-11
https://www.download.fi/jarjestelma/eri ... indows.cfm

It's in Finnish, but the translation goes: 
The Topfield Tools for Windows package includes USB drivers, as well as programs such as Altair, which allow you to transfer files, TAPs, as well as recordings between your computer and the Topfield set-top box.
The package also includes tools for updating Topfield's firmware and software for editing channel lists. The software package works with both TF5000 and TF6000 series set-top boxes (i.e. Topfield TF5100PVRt and TF5100PVRc set-top boxes), regardless of whether the set-top box is intended for cable, terrestrial or satellite households.

I've been told that Altair is too outdated, but according to the description this tool has other programs as well, though maybe they are also outdated since it's from the year 2007. 

Thank you to anyone who is willing to help! I would still like to try to save even some of the recordings I have on my old Topfield.