FAQ

FAQ

Do I need SSH working to use it?

No. SSH Doctor runs as root through the Homebrew Channel, not over SSH, so it works when SSH is completely broken. All you need is the remote.

Which TVs does it work on?

Any rooted LG webOS TV with the Homebrew Channel showing "Root status: ok". It's plain ES5 JavaScript and busybox sh, so it's built to run on old webOS versions as well as new ones. TV reports tell everyone which models have been tried.

What's the default login?

User root, password alpine, port 22, set up by the Homebrew Channel.

Why did alpine stop working after I added a key?

The Homebrew Channel turns password login off once /home/root/.ssh/authorized_keys has a key in it, at the next restart. That's meant to make the TV safer, but it catches a lot of people out. SSH Doctor warns before anything that would turn passwords off, and Go back to password login undoes it. A password you set yourself in SSH settings keeps working alongside keys.

Is Dropbear the SSH server it fixes?

Yes, the Homebrew Channel's dropbear, the one nearly every rooted TV uses. Entware's OpenSSH or dropbear, Developer Mode's server on port 9922, and anything else are detected and listed under SSH servers on this TV, but never changed.

Can I change dropbear's settings myself?

dropbear has no settings file, so there's nothing to edit. Its options are given when it starts. That's what SSH settings does for you, and keeps after every restart.

Does it change system files?

No. It never writes to system partitions or the Homebrew Channel's own files. Root's password goes through a bind-mounted copy of /etc/shadow, the way the Homebrew Channel already does it for alpine. See Security and what it changes.

Is my password sent to the TV?

No, only a SHA-512 crypt hash of it. The hash is made on the TV screen or in your phone's browser before anything is sent, and only the hash is stored.

Is the pairing page safe on my network?

It only runs while its screen is open, needs the code shown on the TV, closes after 5 minutes or one key, and adds nothing until you press OK on the remote. It's plain HTTP on your home network, which is why it only ever takes public keys and password hashes, never anything secret.

Should I turn telnet off?

Once SSH works, yes, it's safer: telnet lets anyone on your network in as root with no password. SSH Doctor can still fix SSH from the TV if it breaks later.

Should I forward port 22 on my router?

Please don't. Bots try passwords on every open port 22 all day. If you must reach the TV from outside, use a VPN to your home network instead. Login history warns when failed tries come from outside your network.

Will a firmware update undo it?

A firmware update can remove root, and with it the Homebrew Channel. Once you root again and reinstall the Homebrew Channel, SSH Doctor's settings in /var/lib/webosbrew are usually still there, and the app can put them back.

How do I uninstall it cleanly?

SSH settings, then Reset to Homebrew Channel defaults, then uninstall the app. See Install.

Can I help translate it?

Yes. It speaks English, Russian and Spanish. See Development.