Geekbuying has released a new version of the firmware (1.65.4) for Zealz GK802 mini PC that fixes NTFS and Bluetooth issues, but you may instead want to use deadhp1 version which also provides root access, and fixes “this item is not compatible with your device” issue in Google Play.
There are 2 files available (Deaphp1):
- rooted_fixed_rt-M500a_v1.65.4_20130118a_updated.7z (link down) – Firmware Update 1.65.4 (127 MB)
- rooted_fixed_rt-M500a_v1.65.4_20130118a_updated_FULL_IMAGE.rar (link down) – The full SD card with 1.65.4 (747 MB)
Normally, you would just use the firmware update file that contains the system, boot, u-boot and recovery partition (in this release) by following those steps in a Linux or Windows PC [Update: this method does not appear to work for anybody, please scroll down to use dd / Win32DiskImager method]:
- Extract rooted_fixed_rt-M500a_v1.65.4_20130118a_updated.7z
- Copy the files to a microSD card
- Insert the microSD card into GK802 microSD slot.
- Insert the microUSB cable halfway in GK802 (Do not power on)
- Press the recovery button (located on the right side of the microUSB port, when the plastic part of the casing faces down) with a sharp object (I used a toothpick).
- Power the device, and keep pressing the recovery button 1 or 2 seconds, and connect it to the HDMI port of your TV
- Select “Update all images” with the mouse, wait for the firmware update to complete, and click on “Reboot system” to start your new firmware.
Initially, I used a keyboard for the firmware update, but it was not recognized, so I had to use a mouse. I’ve tried those instructions in HiAPad Hi802, and I could go through all the steps, but my device was still using the old firmware. I did not manage to go back to this menu, and try another option (e.g. “apply update from extsd”), so I went with Plan B: copying the full image to the internal SD card.
First, you’ll have to open the device to get the internal microSD card (That’s easy but you can still checkout Hi802 review for instructions), and insert it in your PC. Then it’s probably a good idea to backup the original microSD card:
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sudo dd if=/dev/sdc of=HI802_1.65.3.img bs=1M |
Finally unzip the image, and copy it to the microSD card:
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sudo dd if=rooted_fixed_rt-M500a_v1.65.4_20130118a_updated_FULL_IMAGE.dd of=/dev/sdc bs=1MB |
In a Windows PC, simply use Win32DiskImager instead.
This method worked with Hi802, and I can now install Apps from Google Play I wasn’t able to with the previous firmware (e.g. Antutu), and I could also verify that I have root access. Hi802 Antutu 3 score (9861) with this firmware is much better than the score I got (8516) when I reviewed Hi802 with the original firmware, mainly because of better CPU and RAM scores.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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I can see in the log that the performance of the cpu is dependent of the cooling solution.
If it get hot it automatically set down max freq.
@HSTe
Interesting… Hi802 does not get hot anymore. There must have been a problem with power management in the first firmware I used.
Does it include ‘xpad.ko’ or xpad game controller support in the kernel? That’s the most important to me.
The OpenGL ES 2.0 performance is still terrible.
Hopefully there will be som better driver for this later.
@Andrew
No it’s not enabled. Here’s the kernel config: http://pastebin.com/xhbfzBiV
Joystick support is not even enabled, since we have the kernel source it should not be difficult to add it.
@HSTe
After I’ve done a GPU comparison the other day (http://www.cnx-software.com/2013/01/19/gpus-comparison-arm-mali-vs-vivante-gcxxx-vs-powervr-sgx-vs-nvidia-geforce-ulp/), and GC2000 geometry rate seems to be about half the one of Mali-400MP4, so I’m not sure there is must more to get from the updated drivers.
I did try to play a 3D game for testing, i.e. Shadow Guns, but it does not respond to mouse clicks. So I tried some other games as well, and Subway Surfers has the same issue. So that’s a new problem. However, Angry Birds can be played.
Thanks for the post, I opened the sd card and installed a new 32gb sd card and installed the firmware successfully. Every works better than previous version and its rooted aswell. Only problem I have is its showing only 5gig free. Anyway to release the space ?
@Raj
I suppose the easiest way would be to resize the current 5GB partition with gparted in a PC (or Virtual Machine) running Linux.
Alternatively you can also use a live CD, or do something similar to what I’ve documented at http://www.cnx-software.com/2010/02/16/resizing-an-ntfs-partition-with-linux/
Edit: I think this link is better: http://www.techcredo.com/android/tutorial-how-to-partition-your-android%E2%80%99s-sd-card-for-a2sd-with-gparted-on-a-windows-pc-ext234
Hello Thanks for the Rom it sorted my Netflix Play Store Issue.
@Raj
how did you do this?! Who can I copy the android to a new sd card ?
Please help me!
@Norman
You just need to get a 32GB microSD card, follow the instructions above, run gparted in your PC to extend the partition (not sure which one though), open your Hi802/GK802 mini PC, remove the 8GB microSD and replace it with yours. Done. 🙂
@cnxsoft
I’m Not a techie. Could you please help me out. I tried updating the firmware with the link on Geekbuying. I do get the recovery mode, and once i select update all images, it does update all images. but then i select the option “reboot system now”, screen goes blank and there is no signal after that. I’ve tried doing this almost 10-15 times with no result.
Please help me. Am i missing some steps here?
@Tushar
Do like me, use “Plan B”
Hi! I was able to upgrade my GK802 easily with these instructions, but I’m still not able to download Netflix from Play Store as it’s says that device is not supported. Any ideas?
@Timo
You probably used the official update.
In order to have a fully working playstore you should apply my update.
I’ve added many files to the /system/etc/permissions/ directory to allow the GK802 to support many more apps.
I’ve also rooted the image.
@deadhp1
I got it working now. Thanks a lot!!!
Firmware update link for gk802 seems broken..also what is the difference between the two upgrades? The second is much much bigger. Thanks
@Phil
The first file just contains the files to be updated.
The second file contains the full SD card image, so you’ll lose all your apps and current settings after the upgrade.
With the first image, I did not work for me but maybe it’s because I’m using Hi802, I don’t know.
The second image worked.
I cannot get the firmware to update. Used a formatted fat 32 micro sd card 16 gb class 10 with unzipped firmware update, it tells me that it is unmountable in the recovery and every line says failed when select update all images. Tried the full image on the same blank card and it works but super slow and the play store doesn’t let me use. Am I doing something wrong here? Do i really need a 32 gb card for plan 2? shouldn’t a 16 gb card suffice? really frustrated any help is greatly appreciated.
@Jer
A 8GB microSD works fine, so anything bigger should work as well.
I got it to work, but can’t run xaf custom xbmc. Is there another stripped down xbmc that works with the full dd image? Can this stick run openelec?
I am trying to install the full image. So, I formatted the 32MB SD card to FAT32 copied the image using “unetbootin-windows-583” after that replaced the internal SD in my gk802 with this SD and connected it to the power – the device didn’t boot.
When I try to format it to ext4, windows cannot open it and ask me to format it, so i cannot copy the image without formatting it to FAT32 or NTFS but then the device cannot boot.
What am I doing wrong?
Thank you.
@LevTov
I assume you meant to write 32 GB instead of 32 MB. You don’t need to format it at all. Back in the times when I still used Windows, Win32DiskImager was the tool of choice to flash firmware.
@cnxsoft
Hello cnxsoft,
Yes, I meant 32 GB :). I am gonna try Win32DiskImager. Thanks a lot!
@cnxsoft I know there’s more work on the Ubuntu side – but for this Android image, how hard do you think it is just to compile and install a new kernel module (hid-quanta)? I would like to stick this HDMI stick in a large 22″ touchscreen and make it a large tablet!
I’m new at Android but would love your opinion on whether it’s possible, I never heard what the last opinion was on whether the last RichTechie “source release” was sufficient to do this.
@Hroth
I can’t see why building a kernel module would be a problem, it should just work fine. As long as hid-quanta is part of the kernel (3.0.xx) that should be very easy, but if it is not then you may have to do some back porting.
@cnxsoft
Thanks for the prompt reply! I’ll do that – the place to start is http://source.android.com/source/initializing.html, correct? I haven’t worked with Android before but it didn’t seem like the stick’s image included any dev tools. Sorry if that’s a dumb question.
@Hroth
Yes, you need to setup your system to build Android starting at this page.
I’ve build Android for i.MX6 dongle before: http://www.cnx-software.com/2013/02/06/u-boot-linux-kernel-and-android-patches-for-freescale-i-mx6-hdmi-tv-dongles/
This does not match exactly GK802, but it should hopefully be good enough to just build a module.
@cnxsoft – Exactly what I needed – thanks!
Thanks! Great site and firmware works great 😀
Trying to do this on Windows, I have a 32gb SD, I downloaded Win32DiskImager, but I’m getting an I/O error when I try to write the full file to my SD. Does it have anything to do with it being a .dd file extension? Thanks.
I tried copying the unzipped update file to my 32gb SD, inserted it, tried ‘update all image files’ in recovery, but I get the messages ‘md5 file error 1’ and ‘check boot.img file error’, any ideas?
@Austin
For I/O error, it’s possible your SD card some physical errors, not sure how to fix that. Have you already tried several times?
The first method (update via recovery mode) does not seem to work for anybody… I’ll update the post.
good,
I got this ROM for i.MX6Q processors (GK802/Hi802), I wonder if anyone can release it and share it. since I have not succeeded.
Buenas,
he conseguido esta ROM, para procesadores i.MX6Q (GK802/Hi802), quisiera saber si alguien puede liberarla y compartirla. ya que yo no lo he conseguido.
link/enlace:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/yb86cn0nwa11srl/android_jb4.2.2_1.0.0-ga_image_6qsabreauto.tar.gz
@trapiches
Based on its name, this file is Android 4.2.2 for the SABRE reference platform for automotive. This won’t run at all on GK802/Hi802 without massive modifications. It may be possible, but for good reasons, the community seems to be focused on Linux, and not care that much about Android on the GK802/Hi802.
I can only see somewhat active development for Android 4.2.2 on the Wandboard community, but it’s also another hardware.
@cnxsoft
What are those good reasons? with the public kernel+bootloader I expected a cyanogenmod already made and no one seems to be interested in Android with this board, why?
@Iker Echaniz
RK3188 is just much better for Android. Faster CPU, faster GPU, and low cost.
At the time, GK802 also only supported Android 4.0. I think now Android 4.2.2 SDK is available, but RK3188 HDMI sticks have taken over.
Are there any updates for modern android or Linux? it looks like this tv stick everyone forgot = (