HOW TO: Ditch 1.1.0.19036 and go back to 1.0.4.17248 without update checks

[CaptainRewind]

If you use domain name blocking you will have problems installing apps.

Without keyword filtering, it's a toss-up between whether you want to get update prompts or apps. Also, the exact URL will change with each version so it won't last.

Is DD-WRT supported for your router model? Check their router database:

http://www.dd-wrt.com/site/support/router-database

(If you REALLY want the exact URL, enable DEBUG remote syslogs and pull it from the logs... that's how I got all the information I posted in my initial post. Keep in mind that it will change with the next release.)

[CaptainRewind]

Without keyword filtering, it's a toss-up between whether you want to get update prompts or apps. Also, the exact URL will change with each version so it won't last.

Another option that I had originally entertained would require ability to script against your router (meaning DD-WRT, Tomato, or maybe you could get creative with uPnP):
-Setup syslog listener on a Linux or Windows server on your LAN
-Run a test and pull back the first log message Boxee Box posts on boot
-When that log is seen on the server, have a script that would change settings on your router to block those hosts, and then revert them back 2 minutes later

Obviously this would require custom scripting. If you have Bash, Python, or VBScript experience this is possible, but I deemed it excessively time-consuming. I think it would be a better use of your time to just flash DD-WRT onto your router.

[vtxrider]

I plan on trying the new update but have downloaded to current firmware as well as saved your instructions just in case things don't work out. I have a D-link DIR 655 so can do both IP & Keyword blocking. Thanks a lot for the info OP

[mindslap]

I'm simply blocking:
*app.boxee.tv/chkupd/dlink.dsm380*
(URL wildcard blocking in my firewall/router..)

If it tries to hit the update router dutifully reports back:
Requested page cannot be found. Please contact firewall administrator.

And nope..I dont use consumer level router/firewalls.

(Ya..its a x-post from another thread..)

[macado]

For those of you who don't have routers that has filtering, you can sign up for a free opendns account.

1. Sign up for a free OpenDNS account @ http://www.opendns.com/

2. Set your router's DNS servers to:
208.67.222.222
208.67.220.220

3. On the OpenDNS site, set it up to block the following domains
dl.boxee.tv
app.boxee.tv
This will take a couple minutes to take effect.

4. Restore and update the firmware per instructions in the previous post.

5. When you get to the boxee login screen, you can remove the the domains from the OpenDNS settings. This will take a few minutes to take effect. Go make some popcorn.

6. When your popcorn is done, log in and enjoy a video or two.

[johnsona0]

How will this prevent the update from downloading the next time you boot up?

[macado]

How will this prevent the update from downloading the next time you boot up?

You can block/unblock as needed. Can be annoying if you reboot your box a lot, but I rarely do.

[aaronwt]

Doesn't it ask you if you want to install update? I know with the most recent version it automtaically downloaded it but then it prompted me whether I wanted to install it or not.

[Elev8]

Brilliant.
This definitely needs to be sticky-ified.
(In fact, Boxee should issue an official backout mechanism with every new release IMO).
Thanks to everyone involved.
Back to the rounded-off progress bars I go

[penllawen]

None of the solutions in this thread worked for me. My router (Apple Airport) doesn't support any sort of blacklisting, and I use unblock-us for my DNS to access Netflix etc from here in the UK (so I can't use OpenDNS).

In the end, I installed FreeProxy on my Windows Home Server (an HP MediaSmart), and configured the Boxee to use it for all HTTP traffic. I then added a URL blacklist into the FreeProxy config for the address:

http://app.boxee.tv/chkupd

(Note that if you block the entire app.boxee.tv domain, you will block all app downloads as well as firmware updates. Blocking just the /chkupd/ URL is therefore preferable.)

Just another option for those who are stuck. If you don't have a Windows machine on your network but you do have a *nix one, TinyProxy might work for you.