Can't get my pvII to boot from a usb

[odeon]

So I want to factory reset my pvII and have formatted a usb in linux using NTFS

Disk /dev/sde: 3.75 GiB, 4026531840 bytes, 7864320 sectors
Disk model: UDisk           
Units: sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disklabel type: dos
Disk identifier: 0xc10a0d8c

Device     Boot Start     End Sectors  Size Id Type
/dev/sde1        2048 7864319 7862272  3.7G  7 HPFS/NTFS/exFAT

I put the  latest firmware into the root of the usb

upgrade-2.1.3-stable.2022101708401.bin

and the vanilla config.txt into the root of the usb

# This file automatically configures the WiFi Pineapple.
# To enroll your WiFi Pineapple automatically, edit the below variables.
# Save as config.txt on the root of an ext4/exFAT/FAT/NTFS USB flash drive.
# Connect to the WiFi Pineapple USB host port before applying power for the
# first time. During firmware installation, the LED will flash Red/Blue.
# DO NOT DISCONNECT POWER DURING FIRMWARE INSTALLATION!
# For more information, visit https://docs.hak5.org
#
# General System Configuration
#
ROOT_PASSWORD="hak5pineapple"
HOSTNAME="pineapple"
TIMEZONE="utc"
#
# Wireless AP Configuration
#
MANAGEMENT_SSID="Pineapple_Management"
MANAGEMENT_PSK="AGoodWPA-PSKPassphrase"
MANAGEMENT_HIDDEN=1
MANAGEMENT_DISABELD=0
OPEN_SSID="Open"
OPEN_HIDDEN=0
COUNTRY_CODE=US
#
# Filters Configuration
#
CLIENT_FILTER="ALLOW"
SSID_FILTER="ALLOW"
#
# Hak5 Cloud C2 Configuration
#
ENABLE_C2=1
#
# Software License Agreement:
# https://hak5.org/pages/software-license-agreement
#
ACCEPT_LICENSE=TRUE

I follow the instructions on https://docs.hak5.org/wifi-pineapple/setup/setup-by-usb-disk  and put the USB into the usbA slot then powered on the pvII but it ignores the USB drive. It just flashes blue for about 30 seconds then solid blue. At no point does it flash red/blue.  

what am I doing wrong please?

 

 

Edited November 28 by odeon
forgot that I added the firmware

[DramaKing]

D

21 minutes ago, odeon said:

So I want to factory reset my pvII and have formatted a usb in linux using NTFS

Disk /dev/sde: 3.75 GiB, 4026531840 bytes, 7864320 sectors
Disk model: UDisk           
Units: sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disklabel type: dos
Disk identifier: 0xc10a0d8c

Device     Boot Start     End Sectors  Size Id Type
/dev/sde1        2048 7864319 7862272  3.7G  7 HPFS/NTFS/exFAT

I put the  latest firmware into the root of the usb

upgrade-2.1.3-stable.2022101708401.bin

and the vanilla config.txt into the root of the usb

# This file automatically configures the WiFi Pineapple.
# To enroll your WiFi Pineapple automatically, edit the below variables.
# Save as config.txt on the root of an ext4/exFAT/FAT/NTFS USB flash drive.
# Connect to the WiFi Pineapple USB host port before applying power for the
# first time. During firmware installation, the LED will flash Red/Blue.
# DO NOT DISCONNECT POWER DURING FIRMWARE INSTALLATION!
# For more information, visit https://docs.hak5.org
#
# General System Configuration
#
ROOT_PASSWORD="hak5pineapple"
HOSTNAME="pineapple"
TIMEZONE="utc"
#
# Wireless AP Configuration
#
MANAGEMENT_SSID="Pineapple_Management"
MANAGEMENT_PSK="AGoodWPA-PSKPassphrase"
MANAGEMENT_HIDDEN=1
MANAGEMENT_DISABELD=0
OPEN_SSID="Open"
OPEN_HIDDEN=0
COUNTRY_CODE=US
#
# Filters Configuration
#
CLIENT_FILTER="ALLOW"
SSID_FILTER="ALLOW"
#
# Hak5 Cloud C2 Configuration
#
ENABLE_C2=1
#
# Software License Agreement:
# https://hak5.org/pages/software-license-agreement
#
ACCEPT_LICENSE=TRUE

I follow the instructions on https://docs.hak5.org/wifi-pineapple/setup/setup-by-usb-disk  and put the USB into the usbA slot then powered on the pvII but it ignores the USB drive. It just flashes blue for about 30 seconds then solid blue. At no point does it flash red/blue.  

what am I doing wrong please?

 

 

Do you mean the MK VII? Are you trying to factory reset it or provision a new unit? I'm getting mixed signals. You can only go through the first-time setup once. If you plug a USB drive into a Pineapple that has already been setup, there won't be factory firmware that will know to look for and flash firmware from USB. Used to be a manual process, too. I think the USB method was pretty tricky to get working, in fact.

[odeon]

hi there thank you for taking an interest. It's an old pineapple VII which I want to factory reset using the usb I prepared. 

I am following https://docs.hak5.org/wifi-pineapple/setup/setup-by-usb-disk

 

  My read of the documentation is that all I have to do is format the USB to NTFS, put on the firmware I downloaded to the root directory of the USB. Then add the vanilla config.txt file. Remove the pineapple VII from power and put in the usb drive to the UsbA port on the pineapple VII. Then plug the power back on. The pvII should flash blue a few times then pick up the firmware and flash red/blue showing it's updating. At the end it should be hard blue and then I can go ahead and configure it as normal. It is NOT picking up the USB drive.

 

Edited November 28 by odeon

[dark_pyrro]

Not that it really should matter, but if you are using a Linux box to format the USB drive, why not use ext4 instead of NTFS, it should be more "native" to the Pineapple

[odeon]

nope, did as you suggested. Formatted using EXT4 linux mint nemo 6.0.2 put on config.txt and upgrade-2.1.3-stable.2022101708401.bin   put in usbA slot on pvII plugged in power blue flashing then solid blue.  thanks for the suggestion.

I should mention that this pvII isn't scanning any more. I want to factory reset as I want to get to the bottom of that.

[dark_pyrro]

I can't recreate that scenario. It works for me, i.e. setting up a Mark VII using USB.

What isn't really clear to me is if you do the factory reset procedure first or not (since I understand that this isn't the first time you unbox your Pineapple). Just inserting the USB storage device containing the 2.1.3 firmware (and the config.txt) won't factory reset a 2.1.3 Pineapple (or any version at all). You need to do the factory reset procedure first to get it to the stager/recovery firmware level (as if it was "out of the box"/in a factory state). Then power off the Pineapple without doing anything in the setup web UI. Inserting the USB storage device, and power on the Pineapple. This should set it up according to what's specified in the config.txt file as well as upgrading the firmware to 2.1.3 (assuming that it's the 2.1.3 firmware bin file that is available on the USB storage device).

[odeon]

thank you for trying to recreate it dark_pyrro.  Most appreciated.  Can I ask a few questions.

1. how do you do a factory reset?
2. are you using linux and if so how do you format the usb cli or nemo (or other).
3. what file system are you using I am using EXT4
4. do you make your USB bootable or is it just a straight forward format.

thank you again for taking the time.

 

 

 

[Irukandji]

1 hour ago, odeon said:

how do you do a factory reset?

Right Here. https://docs.hak5.org/wifi-pineapple/faq/factory-reset-and-recovery

And the rest of them are accessible with the hamburger menu on the top left.

[dark_pyrro]

1 hour ago, odeon said:

• how do you do a factory reset?
• are you using linux and if so how do you format the usb cli or nemo (or other).
• what file system are you using I am using EXT4
• do you make your USB bootable or is it just a straight forward format.

 

This is the process I'm using

 

Things needed:

• MicroSD card (the size I used when writing this was 128MB, yes MB!)
• MicroSD card reader (USB Type A male)
• Pineapple Mark VII (obviously...)

 

To do:

• Create an ext4 partition on the MicroSD card using Gparted (also created a new partition table)
• Create a config.txt file with relevant content
• Make sure it's ASCII > run: file config.txt   result > config.txt: ASCII text (might perhaps be good to check that line endings are LF and not CR/LF if creating the file in Windows, or CR if using Mac)
• Copy the config.txt and upgrade-2.1.3-stable.2022101708401.bin files to the root of the MicroSD card (the bin file could be some other version, pick the newest available)
• Safely eject the MicroSD card
• Do the official documented factory reset procedure to bring the Mark VII to a "factory"/out-of-the-box state
• Power the Mark VII off as soon as the setup web UI is showing, i.e. not doing *anything* regarding setup, just bringing it up on the stager/recovery firmware
• Insert the MicroSD card reader, with the prepared MicroSD card, into the Type A USB port of the Mark VII
• Power up the Mark VII
• Let the Mark VII boot, it will eventually start blink the "police pattern" (blue/red)
• When the setup is finished, log in to the Pineapple web UI and verify that everything looks as it was intended in the config.txt file (firmware version upgrade included)

[odeon]

that's not working for me

1 hour ago, Irukandji said:

Right Here. https://docs.hak5.org/wifi-pineapple/faq/factory-reset-and-recovery

And the rest of them are accessible with the hamburger menu on the top left.

I did all of that several times before I posted but no luck. Thanks for posting though all suggestions welcome.

[dark_pyrro]

If it doesn't work, then you're doing something wrong since the method(s) presented obviously works. Alternatively, there's something wrong with the Pineapple itself.

[odeon]

1 hour ago, dark_pyrro said:

If it doesn't work, then you're doing something wrong since the method(s) presented obviously works. Alternatively, there's something wrong with the Pineapple itself.

I think it's the pineapple as it's not been scanning for a while hence the hardware reset. Thanks for all your efforts. I'll take this apart over the weekend and have some fun. test out the parts and reuse them. have a excellent one.

[dark_pyrro]

if it's the recovery process specifically that doesn't work, then make sure you press the hardware button hard enough to get it into recovery mode (red LED)

[odeon]

3 minutes ago, dark_pyrro said:

if it's the recovery process specifically that doesn't work, then make sure you press the hardware button hard enough to get it into recovery mode (red LED)

Yep, done it several times. Even got a thin wooden stick to make it easier ( HAK5 consider a button not the flipper???) nothing works.

[odeon]

2 hours ago, dark_pyrro said:

 

This is the process I'm using

 

Things needed:

• MicroSD card (the size I used when writing this was 128MB, yes MB!)
• MicroSD card reader (USB Type A male)
• Pineapple Mark VII (obviously...)

 

To do:

• Create an ext4 partition on the MicroSD card using Gparted (also created a new partition table)
• Create a config.txt file with relevant content
• Make sure it's ASCII > run: file config.txt   result > config.txt: ASCII text (might perhaps be good to check that line endings are LF and not CR/LF if creating the file in Windows, or CR if using Mac)
• Copy the config.txt and upgrade-2.1.3-stable.2022101708401.bin files to the root of the MicroSD card (the bin file could be some other version, pick the newest available)
• Safely eject the MicroSD card
• Do the official documented factory reset procedure to bring the Mark VII to a "factory"/out-of-the-box state
• Power the Mark VII off as soon as the setup web UI is showing, i.e. not doing *anything* regarding setup, just bringing it up on the stager/recovery firmware
• Insert the MicroSD card reader, with the prepared MicroSD card, into the Type A USB port of the Mark VII
• Power up the Mark VII
• Let the Mark VII boot, it will eventually start blink the "police pattern" (blue/red)
• When the setup is finished, log in to the Pineapple web UI and verify that everything looks as it was intended in the config.txt file (firmware version upgrade included)

WOW! now that is a reply for the ages. Really helped me a lot. Didn't think to use a microsd card and the checks you mentioned regarding config.txt are something I didn't consider. I'll give it another go when I get the microSD card reader. I think I've got a 256gb microcard in my jetson nano.

the stumbling block right now is the factory reset. It's not working. I've tried about 20 times making sure I do it properly. This pvII is a replacement and it stopped scanning about two weeks ago.  I know that hak5 have problems BUT when the replacement for a defective unit fails then it's not great.   Thank you so much for taking the time to try to help and provide so many avenues that I can try to fix this. Failing all I'll just open it up and salvage components for other uses. Thanks again

[dark_pyrro]

Just need to clarify that using a MicroSD card isn't mandatory at all and won't really change anything when it comes to succeeding in setting up the Pineapple using USB storage. It was just what I had within reach when I wrote the post.

Even though the Pineapple can't scan properly, you can perhaps reach the web UI anyway. If that's the case, you can try to push the button when the Pineapple is fully booted. Just to check if the button is OK on the hardware level. If you push the button when the Pineapple is up and running (assuming you haven't changed the default button script), the Pineapple should reboot. If it's not rebooting, then the button might be broken.

[odeon]

8 minutes ago, dark_pyrro said:

Just need to clarify that using a MicroSD card isn't mandatory at all and won't really change anything when it comes to succeeding in setting up the Pineapple using USB storage. It was just what I had within reach when I wrote the post.

Even though the Pineapple can't scan properly, you can perhaps reach the web UI anyway. If that's the case, you can try to push the button when the Pineapple is fully booted. Just to check if the button is OK on the hardware level. If you push the button when the Pineapple is up and running (assuming you haven't changed the default button script), the Pineapple should reboot. If it's not rebooting, then the button might be broken.

AGAIN, thank you for going the extra mile. I'm prepared to try anything to get this solved as it's the 2nd pineapple vII that's failed on me in this manner.  I'll try the web UI ( I think it was working before but not scanning). If it's a broken button I'll take it apart and see what I can do manually. Thanks again for the help.

[odeon]

Still trying.  Nothing seems to work. If I leave it just boot it goes to blue but doesn't scan at all. The power is good ( got a grok usb power monitor). It was a replacement for another one that failed. Like the last time it worked for a while then just stopped scanning. I didn't change anything, just unboxed it and plugged it in to power. Configured it via wifi.  The power supply is conditioned and the wall bug is of good quality. I have had NO luck with the pineapple vII.