DM500-s troubles: network/pin/password/serial port

My DM500-s started having issues after a power outage - it's continually dropping network packets.

I went out and found two used DM500-s, and now have other issues with these:

1. don't know the PIN - so I can't change the settings
2. telnet/ftp/ssh password seems to have been changed so I can't get access that way.
3. dreamup doesn't see the box at power up.
4. attempts to use the serial console have been frustrating:
   - at 115200, 8,N,1, with no flow control or with Xon/Xoff
   - I only get jibberish at the console at power up
   - I read a post somewhere that said to repeatedly press the X key at startup in the console, then enter:
   Code:

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   "console=null root=/dev/mtdblock5 rootfstype=squashfs ro console=ttyS0,115200 single"

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   . That actually turned the display into something readable until it gets to the point where busybox starts, then I get jibberish again and cannot proceed.

As such I now have two more dreambox paperweights. Anyone have any further ideas? I'd prefer to not JTAG, but can if I must....

dm's are old better off to use one of these for what you are using the dm for

Code:

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https://shop.tbsdtv.com/tbs3102-5-crystal-phoenix-or-smartmouse-card-reader-p-179.html

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I considered that, I can run rqcs on a PC, but I would still need to feed the card the EMM/ECM for updates....none of my FTA boxes (dreamlink/jynxbox) send them....I presume I would need a DVB-S2 PC card and use rqcamd as well?