Well, as we get ready to go to press the next ECM arrives. I didn't have any new devices to review this month but was planing to cover net accelerators. Net accelerators allow you to view pages of the internet faster, but with the ECM I'm submitting the following from the NET about what is happening. One warning especially with the arrival of this ECM, DO NOT send money to anyone for products that have not been reviewed and tested by reliable sources unless you are willing to never see your money again. Most people mean well and might think they are on the verge of a break and request funding or supplies to continue the research and development, but may never get a product to market and your money will be gone.
Now to the information from the NET by way of the site at http.//www.angelfire.com/ca/dsscards/. This site also gets the Site of the Month Award.
On March 27, a little before noon EST, DTV send out 5 new update codes, making a total of 23 updates on the H since it went into use. The first of the update codes prevented them from sending remaining update codes globally, so they are doing it in groups of 256 at a time, but ECM is DEFINITELY still in progress, so your card can still get hit. DTV has to go though over 4 million serial numbers to update all cards, this will last a few days. Hardware hacks like the BOSS, Blackjack, DATS, RedBarron, Combo, and CardCondom are not blocking all the update packets, so once update codes sneak pass your blocker, your H will no longer work with your wedge card. If the clock on your DSS is way off, it's a sign that your card is going down, pull it out. If you are getting the "please insert valid access card" message, try hard booting, if you still get that message, your H plastic got 99d. If your plastics just show the 3 preview channels, you card is still OK, you can use it to get legitimate subscription from DTV or save it for use with another hack.
While this might be the second half of the ECM from January, there's no telling if there might be a 3rd part to this, so use your own judgment when using your working test card or rushing to buy what is still running. I have heard from several groups that a fix for their cards is already available, but haven't seen it yet, so I won't mention any details until I can confirm it with my own eyes. Here are some confirmations at press time: Activator - lost the activated channels, card return to original or subscription state, not 99d Activator Plus - still working T3 -still working Blazers 1, 2, 3 still working East 3Ms got 99d West 3Ms got 99d H in BOSS/Blackjack/DATS/RedBarron got updated, so it no longer work with ATMEL codes, but plastics did not get 99d 99King's Card Condom did not block the update codes, 3Ms and activated plastics in condom stop working COMBO cards are down, H did not get.99d DDT IIIs and older DDTs that had been upgraded with the conversion chip did not block the update codes, so they are down, plastic did not get 99d SAP lost DTV channels, but still working with USSB and PPV Freewares like CBA, DSSBUST, and CL5000 are losing some DTV channels, but are not 99d 4M is still working
There are a few reports of completely legit subscriptions going down . Rehitting from DTV didn't fix the cards. If you are one of those legit customers. don't let DTV get away with it. they will tell you to call your DSS manufacturer, but you can demand a new card from them, just be persistent.
If your test card is still working, now is a good time to pull it out until you hear from your dealer. As always, please check with your own dealer to get the latest instructions on what to do, I am not an expert in any of these matters, Ijust report what I can confirm.
Hamvention Reminder Remember Dayton Starts May 15, 1998. The SWN and DB1 radio show crew will be arriving May 13 for our first radio broadcast. Also check the special pages on our site during the show for pictures uploaded each day from the show. Until next month, keep testing.