These are instructions on how to install Boxee and XBMC onto your Apple TV using Windows.
Step One
Download the atvusb-creator to your Desktop from here. Select the latest version of the atvusb-creator interim solution with SSH/XBMC/Boxee installers for XP/Vista platforms.
Step Two
Double click the downloaded file on your desktop (atv-win-1.0.b11.zip) to open it.
Then drag the atv-win-1.0.b11 folder to the desktop.
If asked whether you would like to copy a file without encryption select the Do this for all current items box and then click the Yes button.
If notified that there is already a folder with the same name as the file you specified select the Do this for all current items box and click the Skip button.
Step Three
Press the Windows key + R to bring up the run dialog. Type in cmd and click the OK button.
Step Four
Type cd Desktopatv-win-1.0.b11 to navigate to the folder you extracted to the desktop. If you used a different version of the atvusb-creator then replace the atv-win-1.0.b11 folder name with the folder you dragged to your desktop.
Step Five
Type mk-atv-xbmc-ssh.bat into the command prompt and press Enter.
The ATVUSB-Creator script will then connect to the Internet, download the latest firmware, and create a patchstick image.
Step Six
Double click the folder you dragged to the desktop (atv-win-1.0.b11).
Right click the USB Image Tool.exe and click Properties... from the popup menu.
Click to select the Compatibility tab, check the Run this program as an administrator box, then click the OK button.
Step Seven
Connect a USB Stick to the computer then double click to launch the USB Image Tool.exe
Select Device Mode from the dropdown at the top left of the program window.
Select your USB Stick from the list of devices along the left of the program window.
Click the Restore button.
Select the atv-xbmc-ssh.img from the folder you extracted to your desktop (atv-win-1.0.b11).
When asked to confirm the image restore click the Yes button.
You will now be shown the progress of the restore.
Step Eight
Once the patchstick has been created successfully remove the patchstick from your computer. Turn off your AppleTV by unplugging it then connect the patchstick to the back of the AppleTV. Plug the AppleTV back in to start the patching process.
Step Nine
You will notice the ATV USB Creator icon appear on your TV instead of the Apple logo.
The screen will then go black and some Terminal commands will execute for a few minutes. Once they have completed you will be informed that you can now unplug your AppleTV to reboot it. Make sure you remove the patchstick from the back of the AppleTV before you plug it back in.
Step Ten
When your AppleTV reboots you will have a new menu item called XBMC/Boxee.
Select Update from the submenu.
Then select to download the latest version of Boxee from the Updater.
You will be informed of the download and update status.
When complete you can press Menu to return to the Update menu.
Next select to download the latest version of Launcher from the Updater.
Once the download completes it will install then reboot your Apple TV.
Step Eleven
Once your AppleTV reboots you will be presented with a new menu item called Launcher. Select Boxee from the Launcher submenu to start the application.
NOTE***: Currently the latest version of ATVUSB-Creator for Windows downloads the 2.3 AppleTV software. If you can't wait for them to update it to 2.3.1 you can use this script. Download it and place it into the folder on your desktop (atv-win-1.0.b11).
Step One
Download the atvusb-creator to your Desktop from here. Select the latest version of the atvusb-creator interim solution with SSH/XBMC/Boxee installers for XP/Vista platforms.
Step Two
Double click the downloaded file on your desktop (atv-win-1.0.b11.zip) to open it.
Then drag the atv-win-1.0.b11 folder to the desktop.
If asked whether you would like to copy a file without encryption select the Do this for all current items box and then click the Yes button.
If notified that there is already a folder with the same name as the file you specified select the Do this for all current items box and click the Skip button.
Step Three
Press the Windows key + R to bring up the run dialog. Type in cmd and click the OK button.
Step Four
Type cd Desktopatv-win-1.0.b11 to navigate to the folder you extracted to the desktop. If you used a different version of the atvusb-creator then replace the atv-win-1.0.b11 folder name with the folder you dragged to your desktop.
Step Five
Type mk-atv-xbmc-ssh.bat into the command prompt and press Enter.
The ATVUSB-Creator script will then connect to the Internet, download the latest firmware, and create a patchstick image.
Step Six
Double click the folder you dragged to the desktop (atv-win-1.0.b11).
Right click the USB Image Tool.exe and click Properties... from the popup menu.
Click to select the Compatibility tab, check the Run this program as an administrator box, then click the OK button.
Step Seven
Connect a USB Stick to the computer then double click to launch the USB Image Tool.exe
Select Device Mode from the dropdown at the top left of the program window.
Select your USB Stick from the list of devices along the left of the program window.
Click the Restore button.
Select the atv-xbmc-ssh.img from the folder you extracted to your desktop (atv-win-1.0.b11).
When asked to confirm the image restore click the Yes button.
You will now be shown the progress of the restore.
Step Eight
Once the patchstick has been created successfully remove the patchstick from your computer. Turn off your AppleTV by unplugging it then connect the patchstick to the back of the AppleTV. Plug the AppleTV back in to start the patching process.
Step Nine
You will notice the ATV USB Creator icon appear on your TV instead of the Apple logo.
The screen will then go black and some Terminal commands will execute for a few minutes. Once they have completed you will be informed that you can now unplug your AppleTV to reboot it. Make sure you remove the patchstick from the back of the AppleTV before you plug it back in.
Step Ten
When your AppleTV reboots you will have a new menu item called XBMC/Boxee.
Select Update from the submenu.
Then select to download the latest version of Boxee from the Updater.
You will be informed of the download and update status.
When complete you can press Menu to return to the Update menu.
Next select to download the latest version of Launcher from the Updater.
Once the download completes it will install then reboot your Apple TV.
Step Eleven
Once your AppleTV reboots you will be presented with a new menu item called Launcher. Select Boxee from the Launcher submenu to start the application.
NOTE***: Currently the latest version of ATVUSB-Creator for Windows downloads the 2.3 AppleTV software. If you can't wait for them to update it to 2.3.1 you can use this script. Download it and place it into the folder on your desktop (atv-win-1.0.b11).