CloudnetGo CR9 was the first Rockchip RK3188 mini PC I had ever seen reported, but since then others apparently based on the same board have started to show up including Tronsmart T428, Rikomagic MK802 IV, as well as Ugoos UG802B, UG007B and MK809 III. We’ll get a lot of choices, but most of time the firmware does not provide root access. I noticed AndroidPC.es published instructions to root those device in Spanish yesterday, but today, Geekbuying rooted the Ugoos devices with the same method used for RK3188 Tablets.
You have to follow those 5 simple steps:
- Make sure USB Debugging is enabled on your mini PC (Settings -> Developer Options)
- Connect your RK3188 mini PC to a Windows PC via the USB port.
- Your PC should detect a new device, and try to install the driver. You can download the driver at https://www.dropbox.com/s/uqisjj4hqftlaxa/GEEKBUYING_Rockchip_Batch_Tool_v1.6.rar (password: GEEKBUYING.COM)
- After having installed the driver, download RK3188_ROOT.rar (password: GEEKBUYING.COM), and extract the files. (Alternative link)
- Click “ TPSparkyRoot.bat” and follow the instructions. After 2 reboot, your device should be rooted.
Currently only resellers own RK3188 mini PCs as the firmware needs more work, and the devices should become available to the public later in April.
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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Please do NOT give platform-dependent instructions or at least try to get a wider range of platforms. There are OSs other than windows (Mac OS X, Linux and the likes) and people who use them instead of the OS from Redmond.
@Patola
I’m also using Linux on my desktop PC (Ubuntu), and I’d prefer a Linux method to root the device, but I do not know one, and the tools appear to be only available in Windows.
+1. Rooting is not for basic user. Advanced users can analyze the .bat file, but detail steps “how to root using adb and su”, imho, will be more useful. This is universal and cross-platform method.
@Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) lets stick to more funny thinks, rather than a small step
RK3188_Root.rar download results in this message:
Error (509)
This account’s public links are generating too much traffic and have been temporarily disabled!
Any mirrors?
@prismfire
I’ve added an alternative link in the post.
I’ve tried to install the driver with device manager, but it simply doesn’t work.
Do you have, something like and installer for the drivers?
@Mikael Danielsson
Have you downloaded GEEKBUYING_Rockchip_Batch_Tool_v1.6.rar ?
Then you just need to extract it, and when you connect the USB, Windows should detected your device. Do not let Windows install the drivers, but manually select the path to the drivers you downloaded.
I too cannot install the driver. I have manually tried to install the driver by going to devices, update driver for rk31sdk device and set the driver folder to the extracted batch tool folder. It simply says Windows cannot find the driver for your device. I have the MK809iii miniPC with the same rk3188 chip. Any help?@Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)
@emergent1
I’ve seen AndroidPC.es recently provided a new method: http://androidpc.es/blog/2013/05/23/root2-soc-rk3188/
It’s in Spanish, but it should still be easy to follow.
@Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) Thanks for the link, but that link suggests the same method for installing the drivers. Only the software used for the rooting process is different. So the problem remains unresolved. I’m using the microUSB port on the miniPC to connect to the computer and it detects the device as rk31sdk. Should I try using the USB port instead of the microUSB?
Error (509)
This account’s public links are generating too much traffic and have been temporarily disabled!
Can i use the batch tool from cloudnet website also?
And i have a problem when i use rk remote with android phone – when i use touch screen the device reboots every time. ther keys and rest is working. tested on tablet and smartphone
thasnks for help
@ede
I guess there’s only one “RK Batch Tool” tool, o you can download it anywhere. Maybe earlier versions don’t work with RK3188 though.
About th RK Remote: I’ve never tried it, but you may want to check for firmware updates for your device, I’ve read some other also have the same problem.
@Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)
sorry i could not find it 🙁 can you please help
@ede
`hi thanks
i download 1.7 from cloudnet webpage so i think this will work.
thanks for your help again
br
@emergent1
I have the same issue.. and i have the same device…. did you find any solution or any drivers which can be installed…. i tried so many times but same error…
To install the device drivers, you need to open the RKBatchTool application first, then you need to make sure you press the button on the side of the tronsmart as you connect the USB into the computer. Press and hold for 5 seconds, then release. The green button will then appear on the RKBatchTool application window automatically.
Follow the instruction in the Rockchip Drivers section here : http://www.flashmyandroid.com/forum/content.php?110-Rockchip-RK3066-RK3188-Tools-and-Stuff
it worked for me.
There’s another instruction on changing the Hardware ID of the device driver here (in the comments section at the bottom) :
http://blog.geekbuying.com/index.php/2013/04/28/how-to-root-tronsmart-t428/#.Udgko5wsYgM
to clarify
when my device is recognized as an abd android device the “ TPSparkyRoot.bat” file can be run.
based on the instruction collected here : http://blog.geekbuying.com/index.php/2013/04/28/how-to-root-tronsmart-t428/#.Udgko5wsYgM
when it is recognized as a rockchip usb device, the RKBatchTool can be run.
: http://www.flashmyandroid.com/forum/content.php?110-Rockchip-RK3066-RK3188-Tools-and-Stuff
Thanx dear Z….
But i already have installed drivers with “ZhuoDaShi-2.2.0-setup” with help from http://androidpc.es/blog/2013/05/23/root2-soc-rk3188/…. And later rooted the device with TPSparkyRoot.bat file…. Anyway thanx again for helping me….
But i still have an issue of less internal memory…. The only reason for rooting my device is that i want to increase internal storage which is only 100mb left.. and i cannot install even 1mb software… I will appreciate If you can help me in this regard
@Faisal Butt
You may want to checkout Finless ROM on freaktab.com. You can normally select different app partition sizes (e.g. 1GB, 2GB or 4GB) during installation. If you don’t want to flash a new ROM, you can also to to Settings->App, and select “Move to SD card”. This will move it to the “SD card” partition that’s actually inside the NAND flash.
Thans dear…. i have checked this website http://www.freaktab.com/showthread.php?4828-NEW-Tronsmart-MK908-Finless-ROM-1-4&highlight= im sure after downloading the rom there will be a metod how to flash the rom? i will try this and will let you know.. thanx….
@Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)
@Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)
And i believe this rom will work perfectly on MK908iii device?
@Faisal Butt
is MK908 iii the same as MK908? The best is to ask directly on freaktab.
@Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)
I think so………… But my device MK908iii is also quad core with Rockchip RK3188……. ok i will ask there also… Thnks
@Patola
Entitled much? If you need instructions for the platform that YOU chose, then perhaps YOU should find a way to get it done. Or just get access to the supported platform, as many of us windows luddites have done in the past for a wide range of linux only tools.
@Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)
Dear im really in a bad situation right now…. as we discussed in earlier post that i have successfully root my mk908iii and now searching for a custom rom… Before i flash any rom my device have stuck at a bootloader screen….
after rooting my device everything was seems ok.. but i dont know what happened today when i start my device, from the boot screen it’s not going ahead….. please help what should i do? After showing 4 penguins device stuck at R-BOX animation screen.. and thats it……
@Faisal Butt
Reflash the firmware. http://www.cnx-software.com/2013/04/27/how-to-flash-firmware-to-rockchip-rk3188-hdmi-tv-sticks/
@Faisal Butt
I have finally found a solution.
Follow instructions in the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYdMydq7css
You will have to install Android SDK.
@emergent1
Dear… i was about to ask you.. because i have seen that you were also looking for the same thing….
Right now im in the office once will go home and will let you know….
But i have root the device but now it is stuck at bootloader…let see your youtube link work for me or not?
imy rockchip isn’t connecting
I have the RK3188 k-r42 with Kitkat (4.4.2) and its not rooting with this method. I tried this like 5 times….any advice? My driver is fine BTW.
@ken Shaw
You firmware must be Kitkat, so that method probably does not work anymore.
You could try vroot (http://www.cnx-software.com/2014/08/11/how-to-root-rockchip-rk3288-devices/), or maybe better, EZ Root Tool -> http://www.freaktab.com/showthread.php?17382-NEW-gt-3288-EZ-Root-Tool. It’s for RK3288,
but it should probably work for RK3188 too.grazie sechonda vita per tablet
adesso ci provo con altro dispositivo MK809
@Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) I tried the EZ Root tool on a rk3188 mk809iv android mini pc running android 4.2.2 or 4.4.2 (kitkat) and it is stuck in reboot mode. What do i do now? either to bring it back to normal or have it rooted? I am on mac, i have parallels and windows xp virtual machine though. USB debugging was not checked when I ran the update. It is now in a loop at the smartbox screen, then the android robot with the chest opened, then smartbox screen, etc… Am I screwed or is there a way to fix… Read more »
@fullpampers
Try to reinstall the firmware for MK809 IV.
I think I’ll remove the “it should probably work in RK3188” in my comment above.
Dear cnx users, I have this mini PC – http://archive-lv.com/page/4001691/2014-05-16/http://www.digibox.lv/android-mini-pc-smart-tv-box/android-mini-pc-smart-tv-box-AD6350 And i am trying to connect 3g modem to it, but to do that i need to root it. None of android applications for rooting work. I tried this written method but i cant get PC to recognise it. I connect it with mini usb which is power supply as well and nothing shows up. Maybe i am doing something wrong ? Can someone tell how and where properly extract drivers, please ? Has anyone connected 3g modem to this kind of device ? Done it with PPP Widget 2… Read more »
@haswell
For the drivers go there: http://www.cnx-software.com/2013/11/08/simplified-method-to-install-rockchip-usb-drivers-in-windows-xp78/
If it does not work, please also read the comments there, people provide further work around.
Thanks will try this as soon as possible !
Hi all,
I have recently purchased MK809IV (RK3188), works great apart from not working with any VPN.
I have two options:
1. Find another ROM with TUN module included – but I can’t find specific sites where I can find one for this model
2. Root device and install TUN.ko manually – again, not sure which root guide to follow, as there isn’t one specific for my mk 809iv, and reading comments above it looks like it’s easy to brick a device.
Any suggestions on flashing or rooting?
Thanks
@LolekUK
Try to find a recent method. Old methods may not work, as the exploit may have been closed.
Alternatively, check on Freaktab for a custom ROM for MK809 IV, these should most probably rooted already, and VPN might be working out of the box too.