How to root Minix NEO X8 and NEO X8-H Quad Core tv box?

[GeekBuying_Rep]

Minix Neo X8 and X8-H is the newest products from MINIX brand. Both of them use Amlogic quad core chip. Neo x8 features the amlogic s802, while the Neo X8h features the S802-H chip which support Dolby DTS hardware decoding.
Though the hardware have a little difference betwen NEO X8 and NEO X8H, however, the firmware root method should be the same.

There are two ways to get the root access:

Method 1:

1) Download this zip file and put it on a SDcard. DO NOT unzip it!

Zip File Download LInk

Note: It may work on the internal SDcard but I did not test it as you cant write to it from the PC as this ROM does not support Mass Storage.

2) Put the SDcard into the NEO X8/X8H SD slot.

3) Go into your APPs and run the update tool.

4) In the update tool click the “select” button. It should list the file NEO X8_root_update.zip. Click it.

5) Now press the update button.

6) The system should reboot into recovery and automatically install the zip.

However sometimes it reboots to the recovery menu! Not sure why.

If it does, then using the mouse, select “Apply updated from EXT”

Now select SDcard. You should see the NEO X8_root_update.zip file. Select it.

Recovery will then install the update. When done select reboot system from the menu.

Method 2:

1 Power on your Minx NEO X8/X8H tv box. and turn on the USB Debug choice under setting;

2 Use the usb cable to connect your neo x8/x8h tv box with your windows PC;

3 windows pc will detect to find a new device, and try to install the drivers, if you have problem to install the driver,please make sure to install the following tool in your pc:

http://www.moborobo.com/

4 Now we need to download the root tool, here is the download link:

http://www.mgyun.com/en/GetVRoot

install the “VROOT” and run it, it will detect the neo x8/x8h, and just click “get root” button. This tool will help you to gain the root.

5 After one restart of your neo x8/x8h, the vroot will inform you that you already get root access.


Enjoy!

Eric

Geekbuying

Source from: http://bit.ly/1hwouY4

[zektor]

Just awesome! Thank you for this. Of course it will be some time before I get my X8-H from you, but I applaud the fact that you are providing a method to root way way way ahead of time

[baldrick45]

Way to Go!

Ordered an X8-H from Eric yesterday and now eagerly awaiting dispatch confirmation <yeah - I know it'll be at least a fortnight - but a geek can't help wanting Christmas to come early...>

I'm delighted to see root access already. Kinda reminds me why I gave up on Apple so many years ago!

[TMx]

Ordered an X8-H from Eric yesterday and now eagerly awaiting dispatch confirmation <yeah - I know it'll be at least a fortnight - but a geek can't help wanting Christmas to come early...>

I'm delighted to see root access already. Kinda reminds me why I gave up on Apple so many years ago!

isnt it a Presale?

[baldrick45]

Certainly is! - so I'm looking at a 2 week delay to dispatch and another 2-3 week delay until the box hits my hot, sweaty hands. It's enough to give a man the shakes I tell you!!

Looking on the bright side though, by the time it's in my hands, Eric, Bob and all of the talented people here on the site will have 3 official firmware updates, 5 custom roms and 27 patches to improve XMBC performance all ready for me to enjoy...

I love Andorid for this. The various developers communities (XDA, modaco, freaktab etc) are just superb. I'm sitting with a 3 year old mobile phone which is still flying on a custom version of CM11, I've got root for this box effectively from day 1 of its release and I just know that I'll have a couple of years fun out of it (and possibly even be able to afford a real 4k TV) before I'll need to change it.

I compare this to my one brief flirtation with Crapple (TM) where every freakin' update would bork my jailbreak and force me back into their lovely little safe, controlled, sandboxed world.

Never again!

[toymanedk]

Minix X8-H On Its Way

I am like a kid at Christmas. I received word my Minix X8-H (with free gifts) is to be shipped today with tracking number! YIPEE!!!!!! It will take 7-12 business day to reach USA. This is my first time ordering from
GeekBuyer's and so far it has been a pleasant experience!

I want the latest install of XBMC and all the 3rd party add-ons/repositories. I am new to all of the "rooting" and add-on procedures so it will be fun and a learning process as well.

GeekBuyer's is my favorite new web site!! Service is EXCELLENT!

Hope I can rely on this forum for help. Thank you in advance!

[blairpoodle]

Recovery not mounting /sdcard

Just a heads up, the recovery doesn't see the /sdcard so you can't actually root from the 1st method. However, there's always the chance I'm doing something wrong, so if anyone else has any joy, please post results.

[Batfink32]

Re: How to root Minix NEO X8 and NEO X8-H Quad Core tv box?

Just a heads up, the recovery doesn't see the /sdcard so you can't actually root from the 1st method. However, there's always the chance I'm doing something wrong, so if anyone else has any joy, please post results.

Are you using FAT32 for your sd card format?

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[blairpoodle]

Yep. FAT32 see from within the update app. Just not mounted by recovery. There's no option in the stock recovery to mount the sdcard either.



Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[Batfink32]

Re: How to root Minix NEO X8 and NEO X8-H Quad Core tv box?

Yep. FAT32 see from within the update app. Just not mounted by recovery. There's no option in the stock recovery to mount the sdcard either.



Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

I had trouble with the tronsmart seeing the SD in recovery and I had to format in either NTFS or FAT32 can't remember, think it was FAT32 so that's why I said. Further than that not sure what the problem is.

PS, nice phone ;-)

[Finless]

Sometimes recovery wont see the sdcard.
Back up to the main menu in recovery. Unplug and plug back in the sdcard.
Then select install from EXT and try again.

If you continue to have issues then make sure it is a fresh formatted fat32 sdcard and when you remove it from windows EJECT it do not just unplug it.

Also it appears it wont support sdcard over 32megs.

Bob

[blairpoodle]

My mental checklist was done that, done that, done that. 32meg?!? That is rather small and difficult to source.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[blinkone]

Rooted my x8H perfect & easy using Method 1: thanks for this

[blairpoodle]

Re: How to root Minix NEO X8 and NEO X8-H Quad Core tv box?

I had trouble with the tronsmart seeing the SD in recovery and I had to format in either NTFS or FAT32 can't remember, think it was FAT32 so that's why I said. Further than that not sure what the problem is.

PS, nice phone ;-)

Thanks. I reformatted the card. Well actually recreated a new partition table on it and it has worked fine. Obviously one too many dd for a raspberry pi installation.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[adi_tca]

Question: rooting the device with current official FW will lead to loose the possibility to upgrade the X8-H via OTA (also official future FW), or upgrading via OTA is still possible, but after the upgrade the root will be lost?
Thx