X96 MAX TV Box BLACK 4/64GB Amlogic S905X2, Android 8.1, Dual WiFi, Gig Lan,USB3.0, BT4.0

[Charlie_Boy]

Only 2 drives recognized . I'm going to guess that the creators of the X96 Max thought that with it only having 2 USB ports, the most anyone would hook up is just 2 drives for the 2 ports... and the firmware consequently written to that spec.

You may well be right there as the Minix only saw 2 initially until a firmware upgrade corrected that. I wonder if any of the alternative ROM's deal with that possibility.

[Venusflytrap]

Only 2 drives recognized . I'm going to guess that the creators of the X96 Max thought that with it only having 2 USB ports, the most anyone would hook up is just 2 drives for the 2 ports... and the firmware consequently written to that spec.

[Charlie_Boy]

I have a USB 3 powered hub with 4* 3.5 External HDD's in Orico powered drive enclosures plugged into that, the hub is plugged into the USB 3 port of the X96 Max. The X96 Max only recognises 2 of them. My Minix X8H Plus sees all 4 without a problem same set up. It is not a Kodi problem as the same amount of drives are seen throughout the system. The device was bought from fleabay mate.

[Venusflytrap]

Very interesting turn of events Charlie. When you say multiple mounts of HDDs; how many? Like two physical hard drives? Or one drive but multiple partitions? Just wondering if it's partitions that are causing your X96 Max to not recognize it. Furthermore if this issue may be a hardware issue rather than firmware. On my Vorke Z6, I have it networked via KODI to access my desktop computer which has multiple HDDs with multiple partitions with tons of movie and music on it; and that setup works well. I wonder if doing it that way would be an alternative solution for you. Although for some reason KODI doesn't work right on the X96 Max. Maybe there is an APK that can manage external drives through networking? Just a thought. Anyway, decent of them to offer a partial refund. Who were they? Geekbuying? Thanks

[Charlie_Boy]

The supplier of my unit has proposed that he give me a partial refund instead of returning the unit. It doesn't look like he thinks it will ever be fixed via updates. I am going to get it for as little as possible and then put this ROM onto it. If I can flash it. [ROM]XTMOD for u211 devices (X96Max, GT1Mini & some others), Magisk rooted etc.

By Xannytech

[Venusflytrap]

Good idea. Fingers crossed they'll pass on your email to the reseller/manufacturer and improve the firmware.

[Charlie_Boy]

I have emailed the re-seller that I got the unit from, and I asked him to report the list of faults that I gave them to the manufacturer. Whether they will do that I do not know as they have not, as yet, replied. That was the only way I could think of to try and get it fixed up. I have also started the process of installing a brand new copy of Windows on a second machine with a valid serial number, in the hope that it may allow me to flash a custom ROM. Though I am unsure whether even that alternative ROM would give me multiple mounts for EXT HDD's.

[Charlie_Boy]

Do you notice any changes or improvements with this "system optimization update"?

No not at all. I only use the box for viewing movies from external drives via USB though. It was pretty fast before optimisation to be fair. It starts quick and shuts down quick.

[Venusflytrap]

Do you notice any changes or improvements with this "system optimization update"?

[Charlie_Boy]

On a positive note, since receiving my X96 MAX in late December there have been 3 updates. So at least it looks like the manufacturer is trying to sort things out. Compared to my execrable Tanix TX28 (still in beta since last July and gathering dust in the loft), I'm pleasantly surprised.

Yes agreed I updated completely unexpectedly this morning. It was only optimisations though. My problem with mounts remains. Hoping for more updates soon.

[glaven]

On a positive note, since receiving my X96 MAX in late December there have been 3 updates. So at least it looks like the manufacturer is trying to sort things out. Compared to my execrable Tanix TX28 (still in beta since last July and gathering dust in the loft), I'm pleasantly surprised.

[Charlie_Boy]

Not cool that they ship these things out before doing the beta testing first. Unfortunately, the consumers get stuck with these not-ready-for-primetime boxes.

I think they operate on a shoestring and use the money brought in from sales to work on the firmware. So we get essentially just the hardware and a promise of more to come.

[Venusflytrap]

Not cool that they ship these things out before doing the beta testing first. Unfortunately, the consumers get stuck with these not-ready-for-primetime boxes.

[Charlie_Boy]

Thats the problem with these resellers (not helpful) while conveniently the manufacturers escape from being held accountable as they are mostly never publicized as to who they are.

I can live with mine 'as is' but need the mounts working,only 2 isn't enough.

[Venusflytrap]

Thats the problem with these resellers (not helpful) while conveniently the manufacturers escape from being held accountable as they are mostly never publicized as to who they are.