Shouldn't prior results be lost from memory? How could they still be in memory if the power to the board was drained? Even grounding it out for 5 mins it still showed .013 volts--I couldn't get it to go below .00. I hesitate to set the date forward to test it with the key and strips that I do have. Confused a little here----
@Ferdyboy1957 - when in doubt, completely remove the miniature battery and drain the board again, direct short across positive and negative. When you put it back together and power it up for the first time, hold in the power button for 5 seconds to trigger a screen test. When you let go of the button it should default to first time setup again. If not, then hold the power button in again. Then confirm your factory default date settings are back again. Memory should be cleared also.
@the1observant -OK, did as you said, but still can't get the board completely drained and old results are still there---but the screen did work completely, top to bottom. I did try setting the date forward to 2012 and did get the expired code key message (the key I have expires at the end of Nov. 2011) so I set the date back to 2010 and it worked again (turns out mine only scrolls back to 2010 too, not 2009). I guess I'll just have to wait till Dec. 1st to see if the hack worked, right?
@Ferdyboy1957 - You just tested the main hack part and discovered it worked. The only odd thing is your history didn't clear. That's not a problem though since the history will eventually get overwritten when the memory wraps. Just remember the calendar is still counting and you must still roll back the date before the expiration date arrives. Unless you want to play with it and see what happens, in which case it will lock out the code key and you'll have to take it apart again to reset.
@the1observant -Excellent! Now the only thing that I don't understand is if I do allow the date to "catch up" to the code key causing it to show expired, why do you have to take it apart again to reset it? What is there to reset and how do I do it? Shorting it out and draining it again or what? Confused about that part----
@Ferdyboy1957 - because if you wait too long to set the date back, it will lock out the code key again. Then, yes, you will have to take it apart again and repeat the reset (drain the board). I've thought about installing my own reset button just in case it happens to me again, but then I decided to just set the date back to the beginning every month. See, that's all that micro battery was for... to keep you from doing this reset.
Never mind, I got it working! Turned out that I didn't have the board fully seated in the metal clips. A couple of questions, though. The lowest date available is 2010. Is this a hackable meter (see prior post w/ser.#)? I don't have any expired code keys or strips to test it!! So I don't know if the hack works yet or not. Oddly when scrolling forward (right) through test results, it only shows my latest tests and avgs. But, when scrolling back (left), it shows all previous tests? cont-
Well, I did the hack on my meter (Serial # 52521XXXXXXXX) and there's a problem. The unit powers on and shows the time and date (which I CAN change back to 2009), but nothing appears on the screen below that top line. No error codes, no 3 dashes asking for code key, NOTHING. Any ideas? Corrupted the screen somehow? Do you know the highest serial numbers that the hack will work?
@carmandb1 - Yeah, those strips cost too much to throw away. Also, just FYI, it helps to vacuum-seal the unused vials in a food saver bag. I only use about 3 or 4 strips per week, so any extra vials I acquire get sealed up until I'm ready to use them. They're not as air-tight as people seem to think.
@the1observant Well, I did the hack on my meter (Serial # 52521XXXXXXXX) and there's a problem. The unit powers on and shows the time and date (which I CAN change back to 2009), but nothing appears on the screen below that top line. No error codes, no 3 dashes asking for code key, NOTHING. Any ideas? Corrupted the screen somehow? Do you know the highest serial numbers that the hack will work?
Thanks for the tip. However, when cutting tab the battery came off too. Do I need to find a way to reattach battery? Any recommendation on how to reattach?
@Rick7012 - If the battery came off, don't worry about it. The whole purpose of the project is to disable this hidden power supply. Also, I hope you have an older Aviva. Some people have trouble getting the newer Aviva's to wipe out the flag memory. Good Luck.
I just keep resetting my date back to 01/01/2011 every month, and keep using the same code key from the box of strips I bought earlier this year. Every time I buy a an expired box of strips, I continue to use the same code key. I never use any code key from inside the box of expired strips or new un-expired strips. Works like a charm and you don't have to mess with taking the unit apart
@trinivek - That's probably what I'll do for now on myself (date wise). I'm assuming this is also resetting the hidden counter somehow too? It happened to me once, and 2 months before the unit date hit the vial's expiration date. I was letting the date run it's course. - About using the same code key over and over... aren't you concerned about the accuracy? The key also contains the PH variables to adjust the correct reading for the batch of strips. The same lot would be okay though.
upd: Sometimes the meter will disable the code key automatically 225 + days after the last reset. I'm not sure, but I think there is ANOTHER counter in it's software somewhere that does this on purpose to make you think there is something wrong with the meter. Don't let it fool you. Simply reset the meter again. It's going to bark out random error codes on the next boot. Keep turning it off and on until you see E-10 on the display. (continued next post)
upd cont.: After seeing E-10, set your date to the lowest setting you can get to. Turn off. Insert expired code key. Turn on. Run a control test on both levels. If ok, then you're good to go again. Sneaky bastards can kiss my ass!!!
Update: This is an example... If the date on your meter only goes as low as 2010, then you still can't use a code key from 2009. I don't see why anybody would do that anyway, but just saying. After all, it is 2011 now... LOL.
@TexasMarko - haven't bumped into that problem before, so you must have an updated chip in it. Not sure if there's anything else you could do about that. Just try setting it to the very earliest date in 2011 (like 1-1-2011, or whatever date you can get to). If that doesn't help, then you could try using a newer code key that hasn't expired yet with test strips that have expired. Only problem with that is the High and Low test values of the expired ones need to be close to the new ones....
@TexasMarko - other than mixing a new key with old strips within a reasonable matching High and Low test range (which I don't recommend doing)... it sounds like you're screwed.
@the1observant: wow, that was a fast reply! Nice to talk to you. My serial number starts with 52514, and after removing the tiny battery and shorting it's contacts on the board until it showed 0.00 millivolts (after shorting, of course). I even tested the short using the micro-amp scale on my digital VOM. Totally dead. Then put it back together and inserted the button cell (without code key). I didn't change any time values, just went to the year. It was set at 2011, and going "left" just chang
If you have one of the affected units, DON'T send it in for replacement, because the real reason for this recall is to get rid of the meters that can be "hacked" to ignore "expired" test strips, which of course the company doesn't want you to do. They will almost give these units away free to make their big money on selling test strips.
The only way to defeat this new method of preventing expired strips is to back-date the month value before it goes from 12
This hack works well if you have an older meter with a serial number BEFORE 52510xxxxxx, however, in newer meters, they save the most recent date, time, and past test results in NVRAM (non-volatile RAM), which DOES NOT get erased by performing this hack, regardless of how long you short the circuit after removing the battery.
The company has issued a recall for the meters that can be hacked (see other videos for recall info).
If you have one of the affected units, DON'T send it in for replac
@TexasMarko - uhhh, sorry, but yes this Hack still works. Another user who has a meter newer than mine, which the default date is for 2011 (this year), used this hack to fix this same issue. After reseting the circuit, and powering the unit back up WITHOUT the code key in it, just roll back the default date 1 year before the expiration date. Also my meter was manufactured in 2009 and it's serial number is 53530xxxxxx, which is AFTER what you stated. The other user would be way MORE after that.
gracias amigo muy bien yo lo he hecho y functiona ...GRACIAS !
comange1407 4 days ago
@comange1407 You are welcome. Glad I could help. - Usted es bienvenido. Me alegro de que podía ayudar. [that's a google translation]
the1observant 4 days ago
omg, it worked !! I took the battery out from the cap. and it worked.
m00x 1 month ago
@m00x Yaaay! You figured it out. See, you can do anything if you set your mind to it. Have a good one.
the1observant 1 month ago
Thank you...thank you! Just did mine and it works like a charm.
jel6692 2 months ago
@jel6692 - Excellent! - but don't forget to run a full control test on those expired strips to make sure they're still in a good testing range.
the1observant 2 months ago
Shouldn't prior results be lost from memory? How could they still be in memory if the power to the board was drained? Even grounding it out for 5 mins it still showed .013 volts--I couldn't get it to go below .00. I hesitate to set the date forward to test it with the key and strips that I do have. Confused a little here----
Ferdyboy1957 3 months ago
@Ferdyboy1957 - when in doubt, completely remove the miniature battery and drain the board again, direct short across positive and negative. When you put it back together and power it up for the first time, hold in the power button for 5 seconds to trigger a screen test. When you let go of the button it should default to first time setup again. If not, then hold the power button in again. Then confirm your factory default date settings are back again. Memory should be cleared also.
the1observant 3 months ago
@the1observant -OK, did as you said, but still can't get the board completely drained and old results are still there---but the screen did work completely, top to bottom. I did try setting the date forward to 2012 and did get the expired code key message (the key I have expires at the end of Nov. 2011) so I set the date back to 2010 and it worked again (turns out mine only scrolls back to 2010 too, not 2009). I guess I'll just have to wait till Dec. 1st to see if the hack worked, right?
Ferdyboy1957 3 months ago
@Ferdyboy1957 - You just tested the main hack part and discovered it worked. The only odd thing is your history didn't clear. That's not a problem though since the history will eventually get overwritten when the memory wraps. Just remember the calendar is still counting and you must still roll back the date before the expiration date arrives. Unless you want to play with it and see what happens, in which case it will lock out the code key and you'll have to take it apart again to reset.
the1observant 3 months ago
@the1observant -Excellent! Now the only thing that I don't understand is if I do allow the date to "catch up" to the code key causing it to show expired, why do you have to take it apart again to reset it? What is there to reset and how do I do it? Shorting it out and draining it again or what? Confused about that part----
Ferdyboy1957 3 months ago
@Ferdyboy1957 - because if you wait too long to set the date back, it will lock out the code key again. Then, yes, you will have to take it apart again and repeat the reset (drain the board). I've thought about installing my own reset button just in case it happens to me again, but then I decided to just set the date back to the beginning every month. See, that's all that micro battery was for... to keep you from doing this reset.
the1observant 3 months ago
@the1observant Ahhh Ha---OK, I'll remember that, thanks!
Ferdyboy1957 3 months ago
@the1observant --can't you just set the date back to make it work again if the date "catches up" to the code key?
Ferdyboy1957 3 months ago
@Ferdyboy1957 - if you catch it in time you can do that (set date back), but if you wait 1 day too long it will lock out the code key again.
the1observant 3 months ago
Never mind, I got it working! Turned out that I didn't have the board fully seated in the metal clips. A couple of questions, though. The lowest date available is 2010. Is this a hackable meter (see prior post w/ser.#)? I don't have any expired code keys or strips to test it!! So I don't know if the hack works yet or not. Oddly when scrolling forward (right) through test results, it only shows my latest tests and avgs. But, when scrolling back (left), it shows all previous tests? cont-
Ferdyboy1957 3 months ago
@Ferdyboy1957 - Can't really go by the Serial #, but I can tell you my meter is newer than yours. Mine only scrolls back as far as 2010.
the1observant 3 months ago
Well, I did the hack on my meter (Serial # 52521XXXXXXXX) and there's a problem. The unit powers on and shows the time and date (which I CAN change back to 2009), but nothing appears on the screen below that top line. No error codes, no 3 dashes asking for code key, NOTHING. Any ideas? Corrupted the screen somehow? Do you know the highest serial numbers that the hack will work?
Ferdyboy1957 3 months ago
Thank-you so much for this video! Otherwise I would have thrown away around 80 test strips.
carmandb1 4 months ago
@carmandb1 - Yeah, those strips cost too much to throw away. Also, just FYI, it helps to vacuum-seal the unused vials in a food saver bag. I only use about 3 or 4 strips per week, so any extra vials I acquire get sealed up until I'm ready to use them. They're not as air-tight as people seem to think.
the1observant 3 months ago
@the1observant Well, I did the hack on my meter (Serial # 52521XXXXXXXX) and there's a problem. The unit powers on and shows the time and date (which I CAN change back to 2009), but nothing appears on the screen below that top line. No error codes, no 3 dashes asking for code key, NOTHING. Any ideas? Corrupted the screen somehow? Do you know the highest serial numbers that the hack will work?
Ferdyboy1957 3 months ago
Thanks for the tip. However, when cutting tab the battery came off too. Do I need to find a way to reattach battery? Any recommendation on how to reattach?
Rick7012 5 months ago
@Rick7012 - If the battery came off, don't worry about it. The whole purpose of the project is to disable this hidden power supply. Also, I hope you have an older Aviva. Some people have trouble getting the newer Aviva's to wipe out the flag memory. Good Luck.
the1observant 5 months ago
@Rick7012 - A quick follow-up, the modification worked great and I am getting good readings. Thanks for the tip!
Rick7012 5 months ago
I just keep resetting my date back to 01/01/2011 every month, and keep using the same code key from the box of strips I bought earlier this year. Every time I buy a an expired box of strips, I continue to use the same code key. I never use any code key from inside the box of expired strips or new un-expired strips. Works like a charm and you don't have to mess with taking the unit apart
trinivek 6 months ago
@trinivek - That's probably what I'll do for now on myself (date wise). I'm assuming this is also resetting the hidden counter somehow too? It happened to me once, and 2 months before the unit date hit the vial's expiration date. I was letting the date run it's course. - About using the same code key over and over... aren't you concerned about the accuracy? The key also contains the PH variables to adjust the correct reading for the batch of strips. The same lot would be okay though.
the1observant 6 months ago
upd: Sometimes the meter will disable the code key automatically 225 + days after the last reset. I'm not sure, but I think there is ANOTHER counter in it's software somewhere that does this on purpose to make you think there is something wrong with the meter. Don't let it fool you. Simply reset the meter again. It's going to bark out random error codes on the next boot. Keep turning it off and on until you see E-10 on the display. (continued next post)
the1observant 7 months ago
upd cont.: After seeing E-10, set your date to the lowest setting you can get to. Turn off. Insert expired code key. Turn on. Run a control test on both levels. If ok, then you're good to go again. Sneaky bastards can kiss my ass!!!
the1observant 7 months ago
Update: This is an example... If the date on your meter only goes as low as 2010, then you still can't use a code key from 2009. I don't see why anybody would do that anyway, but just saying. After all, it is 2011 now... LOL.
the1observant 7 months ago
... just changed the year from 2011 to 2031, not to 2010 as I expected. Any help would be appreciated here!
TexasMarko 11 months ago
@TexasMarko - haven't bumped into that problem before, so you must have an updated chip in it. Not sure if there's anything else you could do about that. Just try setting it to the very earliest date in 2011 (like 1-1-2011, or whatever date you can get to). If that doesn't help, then you could try using a newer code key that hasn't expired yet with test strips that have expired. Only problem with that is the High and Low test values of the expired ones need to be close to the new ones....
the1observant 11 months ago
@TexasMarko - other than mixing a new key with old strips within a reasonable matching High and Low test range (which I don't recommend doing)... it sounds like you're screwed.
the1observant 11 months ago
... Just changed the year to 2031, not 2010 as expected. Any help would be appreciated!
TexasMarko 11 months ago
@the1observant: wow, that was a fast reply! Nice to talk to you. My serial number starts with 52514, and after removing the tiny battery and shorting it's contacts on the board until it showed 0.00 millivolts (after shorting, of course). I even tested the short using the micro-amp scale on my digital VOM. Totally dead. Then put it back together and inserted the button cell (without code key). I didn't change any time values, just went to the year. It was set at 2011, and going "left" just chang
TexasMarko 11 months ago
Make sure you watch part 2 for updated detail about the date change.
the1observant 11 months ago
Continued from prior post...
...
If you have one of the affected units, DON'T send it in for replacement, because the real reason for this recall is to get rid of the meters that can be "hacked" to ignore "expired" test strips, which of course the company doesn't want you to do. They will almost give these units away free to make their big money on selling test strips.
The only way to defeat this new method of preventing expired strips is to back-date the month value before it goes from 12
TexasMarko 11 months ago
This hack works well if you have an older meter with a serial number BEFORE 52510xxxxxx, however, in newer meters, they save the most recent date, time, and past test results in NVRAM (non-volatile RAM), which DOES NOT get erased by performing this hack, regardless of how long you short the circuit after removing the battery.
The company has issued a recall for the meters that can be hacked (see other videos for recall info).
If you have one of the affected units, DON'T send it in for replac
TexasMarko 11 months ago
@TexasMarko - uhhh, sorry, but yes this Hack still works. Another user who has a meter newer than mine, which the default date is for 2011 (this year), used this hack to fix this same issue. After reseting the circuit, and powering the unit back up WITHOUT the code key in it, just roll back the default date 1 year before the expiration date. Also my meter was manufactured in 2009 and it's serial number is 53530xxxxxx, which is AFTER what you stated. The other user would be way MORE after that.
the1observant 11 months ago
Very good information!
TexasMarko 11 months ago