Block OTA updates without root - Fire General

Been using this for a while with older fires but just got a 10 HD with 5.3.1. Was poking around here seeing if a rooting method already exists and noticed a lot of people stuck on 5.3.1, another update looming and everyone saying you can't block updates without root, but there's actually a fairly easy way.
Head on over to OpenDNS.com
Sign up for a Home Free account (completely free)
Login and go to the dashboard and click the "Settings" tab
There will be an area to "add a network" or something similar
Type your WAN IP address here ( whatsmyip.com can help you find that)
Click "Add this network" or whatever it says on the button
Your address will be added to the network list
Click on the drop down menu next to "Settings for:" and select the network you just added
Using the “Manage individual domains” area at the bottom of the page, add the following four domains set to “Always block”:
amzdigital-a.akamaihd.net
amzdigitaldownloads.edgesuite.net
softwareupdates.amazon.com
updates.amazon.com
Now, to use this service, you have to change the DNS settings in your router at home. This step will vary from brand to brand so Google it.
The two DNS IP addresses you need should be listed at the bottom of your OpenDNS dashboard page. Currently, they are 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220
But they might have changed by the time you follow this. Simply add those DNS server IP addresses to your router, apply the changes and then check for a system update on your fire. It should say "Update check failed. " Voila!
.!!!!THINGS TO REMEMBER!!!!.
When using OpenDNS, you need to ensure you update the service if your home IP changes. They have utilities you can install on your PC to do this automatically. If your home IP changes and you don’t update OpenDNS, your Fire will be able to access updates.
If you take your Fire with you somewhere and connect to another network, your file will have access to updates.
There may be an app that lets you set DNS servers on the Fire itself or block domains, but since mine stays home, I've never looked into it.
Remember, not updating is half the battle.!

Thanks for sharing. Looks like you covered most of the caveats.
In the past Amazon has (on occasion) changed update server URLs. IP rotation is common and expected; no one should be using explicit addresses anyhow. I have not followed whether Amazon has stabilized source URLs responsible for OTA updates. Just noting some past behaviors that yielded nasty surprises.

Related

Decrease Connection Time for Mobile Data!

Have you ever noticed that it takes a month of Sundays for your Windows Mobile phone to... actually connect to the server and start downloading? Watch for it the next time you go to a website with your phone.
From my experiences with AT&T, it's because their DNS services suck giant... coconuts. They're overloaded, slow, and take forever to respond to a query. (For those that don't know, a DNS server is like a phone book, it converts domains (names) like www.google.com into IP addresses (phone numbers) like 74.125.67.100)
By changing the DNS servers for my MEdia Net connection, pages begin loading up to 30 seconds faster. It's not a speed boost speed wise, but it greatly shortens the time you're waiting for the page to pop up.
Directions for Windows Mobile 6.5:
1. Click "Start"
2. Click "Settings"
3. Click "Connections"
4. Open "Connections"
5. Choose "Manage Existing Connections"
6. Choose your connection (In my case, MEdia Net)
7. Click "Edit"
8. Hit "Next" twice until you get to a page asking for a User Name and Password. DON'T CHANGE THIS or you will lose your data connection! (view attachment)
9. Click the "Advanced" button. This opens up the TCP/IP settings. DON'T CHANGE THIS (view attachment)
10. Select the "Servers" tab. This is where you change your DNS server. Set to "Use Server-Assigned Addresses" to use your carrier's servers. (view attachment)
11. Select "Use Specific Server Addresses" and enter your DNS server addresses. I have personally had great luck with:
4.2.2.1
4.2.2.2
4.2.2.3
4.2.2.4
4.2.2.5
4.2.2.6
I personally use 4.2.2.2 because it's easier to remember. There are many other public DNS servers out there, just Google! (view attachment)
12. Hit "OK", and if the connection is open, you will get a dialog asking to save. Click "Yes" (view attachment)
13. TEST IT OUT!
-------------
I'm very interested in seeing how many other people report connection speed decreases by changing their DNS servers. This weekend, I was at a racetrack near Green Bay, Wisconsin and I couldn't connect to any websites at all. The connection kept timing out. I became curious, changed the DNS to 4.2.2.2 from default, and I had instant connections.
Well, I'm on tmobile Edge connection and everything is fine for me so i can't feel your pain. have you tried skyfire browser to browse or are you talking about downloading emails?

[Q] [B]Static IP for Tab/[B]

Can someone please post a step by step procedure for putting a static IP into
my Tab 500?
instructions for static IP relevant on my tab version, android 3.1 (4.010.11_COM_GEN2):
open up wifi networks and settings. Find your network you wish to connect to and long hold it. Select Modify Network. Select IP Settings drop down and change from DHCP to Static. Scroll down again and type in your own IP addressing schema for the IP address and Gateway. Don't forget to add a network prefix length, even if you simply type in the suggested 24. I recommend using your ISP's DNS servers unless you are trying to use DNS for filtering and protection (such as opendns).
bmathison said:
instructions for static IP relevant on my tab version, android 3.1 (4.010.11_COM_GEN2):
open up wifi networks and settings. Find your network you wish to connect to and long hold it. Select Modify Network. Select IP Settings drop down and change from DHCP to Static. Scroll down again and type in your own IP addressing schema for the IP address and Gateway. Don't forget to add a network prefix length, even if you simply type in the suggested 24. I recommend using your ISP's DNS servers unless you are trying to use DNS for filtering and protection (such as opendns).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for prompt reply. What does 'long hold" mean? My Tab does not ever get
an IP assigned to it by DHCP, so I want to try a static IP to get wi fi working.
I will try your procedure when I get home from work today and will post results.
You're welcome. By long hold, i simply mean to tap the setting and hold it for a moment rather than let go right away. I am sure there is an official term for that, it just escapes me at the moment.
bmathison said:
You're welcome. By long hold, i simply mean to tap the setting and hold it for a moment rather than let go right away. I am sure there is an official term for that, it just escapes me at the moment.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks again. I'll try a Factory Reset first. Then, if that doesn't work, I will try a static IP address.
Problem solved. Static IP not required.
I tried the Factory Reset from the settings menu. It took a few minutes to reset and reboot. A s soon as I went to the Wi-Fi settings, it found my router, got great signal strength, and was asked for my password. It then connected immediately.
I then went to settings, and looked for any updates. It found the latest update, so I downloaded and installed OS v3.1. It took about 1 hour to complete the download and installation. My tab works great now. I could not be more pleased with it.
Many thanks to all on this forum and elsewhere who contributed their suggestions and advice.

[Q] Has Anyone Got a DNS Service Working Yet?

Hello,
I'm trying to set up USAccess on my Nexus Player. As there are no existing guides, I've just been using standard Android guides. So far, I am unable to connect to the internet after changing my DNS settings. I've been searching endlessly and have only found questions regarding this topic before the Nexus Player was released.
I
I tested on my NP both by changing the DNS settings on the device and at the router level and did not have any luck connecting to Netflix on either. With the DNS set on the device, the internet connection wouldn't work on any app but when I changed it on the router, apps worked (Play store for example) but Netflix wouldn't connect.
I wonder if it is similar to the Chromecast where the DNS settings are hardcoded and you need to set up some modifications on your router (or have root access to make the necessary changes).
My suggestion would be to open a ticket with USAccess and they may be able to assist/verify that everything is configured correctly.
Setting DNS on my router works for me for accessing Australian content from the states. So this seems to be a netflix specific thing.
Sent from my Nexus 5
I'm in Canada and Netflix usa works fine for me (go to settings in Netflix and under member if it says US then it should be working) I use unblockus I have my dns settings changed on the router. Now just need a way for the nexus player to load the usa play store, this has always been tricky on Android. Worst case I will sideload Hulu for the time being.
I'm also up in Canada, and I was able to use unotelly's DNS to access Netflix US. I did notice that after changing the DNS settings on the player itself, I couldn't connect to anything until I changed the language setting in the settings app to us English (instead of Canadian), and although everything is connecting now, I've lost the recommendations bar (it just says recommendations are not available right now)
So far USAccess.ca is not working here either. Going to need to do more digging and see what the device is actually trying to do!
I am also up in Canada and I use AdFreeTime DNS service, however I cannot get Netflix to work. When I change the DNS addresses on my router to AdFreeTime, Netflix throws an -100 connection error, but everything else connects fine. I am re-routing google's dns services 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 to AdFreeTime DNS servers through iptables on my Asus router. Maybe that's an issue?
Can someone from Canada who has Netflix US working post exactly how they got Netflix to connect properly? Thank you.
I just got usaccess.ca working... It turns out I think my version of DD-WRT had some dnsmasq issues (even with strict-order enabled). I flashed a newer release of DD-WRT so i could get tcpdump working and when i finally went to capture the traffic, low and behold netflix was working with the US DNS servers set in dnsmasq. I could even watch US content
Now i just need to find that Hulu Plus .apk!!!
Elrondolio said:
I am also up in Canada and I use AdFreeTime DNS service, however I cannot get Netflix to work. When I change the DNS addresses on my router to AdFreeTime, Netflix throws an -100 connection error, but everything else connects fine. I am re-routing google's dns services 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 to AdFreeTime DNS servers through iptables on my Asus router. Maybe that's an issue?
Can someone from Canada who has Netflix US working post exactly how they got Netflix to connect properly? Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As a followup: I got Netflix US content working properly on the NP by setting my router to my US dsn services, but I had to disable routing the google dns servers to my AdFreeTime dns servers (which I was doing through an iptables script on my custom Asus AC68U router.) This kind of blows as routing google dns to US dns services such as AdFreeTime, Unblock US, etc was the only way to make the Chromecast work with US Netflix and other services from Canada.
There has to be a way to keep those pesky google dns services built in to Chromecast and the Nexus Player routed to unblocked US dns services without messing up Netflix on the NP.
Any ideas would be greatly welcomed.
The Nexus Player doesn't have hard coded DNS servers. I was able to change my WIFI connection from DNS to STATIC; enter in static, gateway, and DNS (USAccess) IPs and a day later, the settings took and my Netflix region change to US EN.
BlackVariant said:
Hello,
I'm trying to set up USAccess on my Nexus Player. As there are no existing guides, I've just been using standard Android guides. So far, I am unable to connect to the internet after changing my DNS settings. I've been searching endlessly and have only found questions regarding this topic before the Nexus Player was released.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 for this problem, I get the error -100, using USAccess. Have tried setting a static profile with USAccess DNS and with the IP's on my router. Works fine on my Amazon Fire TV but not the Nexus Player.
I had the same problem with usaccess, so I used the trial of unotelly to compare. unotelly works perfectly including displaying the US play store. Could be worth the extra expense, i have 7 days left to decide .
So following this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-player/general/how-to-change-dns-ip-t2953282
USAccess is still not working for you?
I'm using 107.20.195.51 not their new region switching DNS IP.
habskilla said:
So following this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-player/general/how-to-change-dns-ip-t2953282
USAccess is still not working for you?
I'm using 107.20.195.51 not their new region switching DNS IP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do all that and it says ip address not valid. Could you give a better description on what exactly ip addresses and gateways ishould use. Id really appreciate it
OathYvne said:
I do all that and it says ip address not valid. Could you give a better description on what exactly ip addresses and gateways ishould use. Id really appreciate it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Everyone has a different home network setup. So, I'll try to help you out.
Go to:
Settings
Network
Wi-Fi Connected
Pick your current Wi-Fi connection
Status info
Write down the IP address
e.g 192.168.2.23
When you go back to your Advanced settings, use the following:
IP address = IP address you wrote down from above (e.g. 192.168.2.23)
Gateway = You will have to figure out. It is usually the first three sets of numbers from your IP address and .1
So, from my example, Gateway = 192.168.2.1
Network prefix length = 24
DNS 1 = Enter in your DNS IP
DNS 2 = Use your secondary DNS IP
I use USAccess so my numbers are
Primary DNS: 107.20.195.51 Secondary DNS: 107.20.190.171
Hit next and you should see settings saved message.
habskilla said:
Everyone has a different home network setup. So, I'll try to help you out.
Go to:
Settings
Network
Wi-Fi Connected
Pick your current Wi-Fi connection
Status info
Write down the IP address
e.g 192.168.2.23
When you go back to your Advanced settings, use the following:
IP address = IP address you wrote down from above (e.g. 192.168.2.23)
Gateway = You will have to figure out. It is usually the first three sets of numbers from your IP address and .1
So, from my example, Gateway = 192.168.2.1
Network prefix length = 24
DNS 1 = Enter in your DNS IP
DNS 2 = Use your secondary DNS IP
I use USAccess so my numbers are
Primary DNS: 107.20.195.51 Secondary DNS: 107.20.190.171
Hit next and you should see settings saved message.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks alot man. Did you have to change your date and time to american? cause when i open netflix i get a -201 error and it says make sure your date and time are correct and youre connected to the internet. I changed it to american date and time but still has same error.
Never had that error.
habskilla said:
Everyone has a different home network setup. So, I'll try to help you out.
Go to:
Settings
Network
Wi-Fi Connected
Pick your current Wi-Fi connection
Status info
Write down the IP address
e.g 192.168.2.23
When you go back to your Advanced settings, use the following:
IP address = IP address you wrote down from above (e.g. 192.168.2.23)
Gateway = You will have to figure out. It is usually the first three sets of numbers from your IP address and .1
So, from my example, Gateway = 192.168.2.1
Network prefix length = 24
DNS 1 = Enter in your DNS IP
DNS 2 = Use your secondary DNS IP
I use USAccess so my numbers are
Primary DNS: 107.20.195.51 Secondary DNS: 107.20.190.171
Hit next and you should see settings saved message.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have done this, tried three different wifi networks, both with and without USAccess. I'm starting to think there is something with Netflix that it just won't work in Sweden.
Hasn't anyone who previously had the -100 error been able to resolve it?
Does anyone know what the netflix app is trying to do when we get the -100 error? I would like to find this out so I can tell my ISP about it as they offer their own DNS redirection service so we can get access to things like netflix in the USA.
I have 8.8.4.4 and 8.8.8.8 redirected to a fake IP so that those addresses timeout at the router, but netflix will still not load unless I put unotelly's DNS directly on the NP. My roku on the other hand works without putting unotelly's DNS settings.

DNS SETTINGS ANDROID 10 TV BOX

Hi I was hoping if someone could help me out regarding DNS SETTINGS please in an android 10 tv box.
I read and was told to always use STATIC instead of DHCP for IPTV.
So I always go into IP. STATIC and change the DNS settings there to Cloudflare settings as I would not want to use Google DNS.
I have done that in every box and it saves successfully but this time in android 10 tv box I noticed that it says saved successfully but if you back out and go back in it is not saved and shows original DNS of Google.
My home router is saved to Cloudflare and I also notice on the box their is a root switch to toogle on and off and it is set to off not sure this has anything to do with the settings not being saved.
Almost forgot when I first connected to the WIFI network it said unknown SSID but I entered it manually in STBEMU.
Any help or clarification wouldf be appreciated.
Thank you

DNS SETTINGS ON ANDROID 10 TV BOX

Hi I was hoping if someone could help me out regarding DNS SETTINGS please in an android 10 tv box.
I read and was told to always use STATIC instead of DHCP for IPTV.
So I always go into IP. STATIC and change the DNS settings there to Cloudflare settings as I would not want to use Google DNS.
I have done that in every box and it saves successfully but this time in android 10 tv box I noticed that it says saved successfully but if you back out and go back in it is not saved and shows original DNS of Google.
My home router is saved to Cloudflare and I also notice on the box their is a root switch to toogle on and off and it is set to off not sure this has anything to do with the settings not being saved.
Almost forgot when I first connected to the WIFI network it said unknown SSID but I entered it manually in STBEMU.
Any help or clarification would be appreciated.
Thank you

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