ATMEGA32 GrOOve AVR

[rbt]

Great product with the possibility of programming custom hex-files.
Still I would like some more info or a website from the seller. Something like a few premade hex-files for the unknowing public. And some build guidelines to increase development of hex's for this board.

I don't want to come off as too negative, but 30$ for a semi-homemade chip with shrink tubing as package. Still the package is quite small and handy for use with the PS3. Atmel USBKEY2 goes for much less in bulk but then again most people dont need a development board. The size of the memory is too small for loading custom fw, but I guess this would be a hit with users looking for a good replacement for the sold out units. Even more if there was a website with some getting started help (hint hint).

As already written there ARE premade signed drivers for programming with Flip software, so the option to startup windows in development mode is a lesser option for me. If you know a bit about windows drivers you could even sign your own driver and install your own root key.

[random-PSG]

I can not wait to get my hands on one of those thanks for finding them

[moname-PSG]

sweet! and its cheap too! Almost as cheap as teensy. Would be a good alternative to teensy as I got an email from them yesterday saying that teensy++ is delayed til January. :/

[danny123]

This device looks pretty good and I might buy one since you said they are made in Canada so fast shipping and are on ebay. I always prefer buying on ebay rather than other sites because it is a little safer. It is nice that it is blank that way ebay or sony can't shut them down for picary and other things. This one definatly sounds like a good one.

[apple23-PSG]

Hmm just wondering,does this have enough memory to support Asbestos and future payloads?

[anomaly-PSG]

Hmm just wondering,does this have enough memory to support Asbestos and future payloads?

I wondered the same thing. Apparently Asbestos needs 64kb. I might have imagined it but I think I recall reading on a fork/patch of asbestos which worked in less space.

[jenovaclone99]

PS GROOVE has enabled many people all over the world jailbreak their PS3s, one of the main problems people had with PS3s in the first place making it more worthwile for buying a PS3. Thanks, PSGROOVE, keep up the good work!

[SweeeeeetAs]

Hey guys,

I stumbled upon this chip on eBay which is fully compatible and programmable with ATMEL Flip. The chip is made in Canada and each one is fully tested.

As an alternative to buying a pre-made JailBreak key, this chip offers the following:

ATmega32U2:

32KB self-programming Flash Program Memory,
1024-byte SRAM,
1024-byte EEPROM.
USB 2.0 Full Speed Device.
DebugWire interface for on-chip-debug.
Up to 16 MIPS throughput at 16 MHz. 2.7 - 5.5 Volt operation.

The chip is shipped blank and will default to DFU mode to allow programming as soon as it arrives.

I should have my two review units on Monday/Tuesday and will do a complete video review for them. I will most likely be selling or giving away a chip for a contest. If PSGroove approves of course.



Stay tuned for an update. Great alternative to Teensy/Teensy ++ boards as they are all on back order.

Link: http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...m=160490075651

Review: No video review, but here is my first impressions review!

Groove AVR ATMEGA32U Review

Surfing around on the Internet late at night, reading numerous posts of people flashing Teensy/Teensy++ boards, Ipods, Android devices and so on, I was looking for an alternative. Since Teensy boards were sold out and on back order due to high demand and my room mates Ipod was not compatible I decided to look more into what hardware was being used. Especially in the Teensy board since they were so cheap.

After a few minutes of searching for ATMEGA32U boards, I stumbled upon a small, made in North America device that had what I was looking for. It seemed brand new on the market since the eBay posting said that they had not sold more than two thus far. I promptly put in my offer and within minutes I had two Groove AVR board USB boards on the way.

Shipping was fast. Packaged well. Out of the box they do not look spectacular, however, the build quality is excellent. Perfect solder joints, they feel solid and not flimsy and they’re even shielded with heat shrink to prevent contact with other metals and damage to the board.

As described in the ad, both boards I ordered were blank and in DFU mode (programming mode) when I plugged them in. Not knowing or ever using a board like this (although I have a lot of computer experience) a driver was required. A little background on this, the drivers that ship with Atmel Flip 3.4.2 are unsigned drivers. You can try and use them, but in my case I was using Windows 7 x64 and Windows said no to unsigned drivers, later to figure out they were 32-bit only. I then put Windows 7 in TEST MODE to see if I could bypass it, yet this did not help. A quick search on the Internet will find you signed drivers. I spoke to the seller and he pointed me in the right spot. Customer service for the win!

After the driver was loaded, it was time to pick my payload and flash it. The payload I used is: Hermes_4b_Payload_with_PSN_and_350_Spoof for AVR (avrkey.hex). It flashed fine within seconds. I plugged the Groove AVR into my FAT 60GB PS3 running 3.41 Firmware, hard turned it off, turned on the power, power button then eject. PS3 booted up, jail broken at last.

I grabbed my BlackBerry Smartphone and loaded Gaia Manager on it. Installed and ready to go.

To put the chip back into DFU Mode you simply short the two O’s / solder joints on the end while the USB stick is plugged in. It works totally fine. I did it a few times to test. Working great. As a cheap alternative, this is an awesome deal. It works as described and the customer support is fantastic.


As a contest, whoever replies to this thread with a CONSTRUCTIVE reply over the next 4 days will be added to a random draw. The winner will win a Groove AVR. I will ship for free.

Quite handy that this chip comes in DFU mode by default!! Can be hit and miss getting some of the chips into DFU mode (from what I have read). Although I'm a bit apprehensive in putting it back into DFU mode. I feel this DIY solution is so much better and cheaper than the retail ready to go usb solutions. Im glad you got yours going, and after looking at teensy I think this one is as good if not better! Plus teensy2++ is out of stock.. Thanks for the constructuve review and the tip on putting it back on DFU mode. Do you know if they ship worldwide?

[sayaman22]

This is a great addition to the ever expanding list of devices that can jailbreak a ps3. I was able to jailbreak mine for a total of two days until my iphone died.

[Cata1yst]

Awesome! Using my TI-89 is starting to get tiresome...PICK ME! (raises hand)