PIPO M9PRO - easy method of flashing ROMs

[griff2]

I came across some information that suggested it is possible to install a new ROM on the M9Pro (maybe other PIPO products?) by simply placing the update file in the root of the external SD card and renaming it to "update.img". When you next boot up the M9Pro, the update file is recognised and you are given the opportunity to install it in a pop-up window.

First I tested it whilst my system was RileyROM2.3 and used the official chinese ROM that was released 20/11/13 on my external SD card. I rebooted, and yes, the update was recognised and installed. During the install the little busy android figure shows along with a sliding scale showing progress of install. The system seemed to reboot a couple times ... have patience ... and eventually it rebooted into the official Chinese ROM.

Just in case it only worked with the official ROM, I then tested it using (ahem!) 'another custom ROM' that is well known and rebooted the official version, and it recognised the update file and installed that too.

So it seems to be an easy method, doesn't it?

Maybe other PIPO owners would like to take the bull by the horns and test it out.... (the usual warnings apply... if it bricks it isn't my fault!)

[Finless]

All Rockchip devices support this kind of update but......
It wont repartition NAND space so if you want more space for APPs like the options Randy's ROM gives, that wont work. It also wont update the bootloader if the new ROM contains an updated bootloader.
Finally it also wont update the kernel UNLESS kernel is in boot.img.

So just be aware of the limitations of update.img on SDScard.

Bob

[griff2]

All Rockchip devices support this kind of update but......
It wont repartition NAND space so if you want more space for APPs like the options Randy's ROM gives, that wont work. It also wont update the bootloader if the new ROM contains an updated bootloader.
Finally it also wont update the kernel UNLESS kernel is in boot.img.

So just be aware of the limitations of update.img on SDScard.

Bob

Thanks for that info, Bob. I had gathered it wouldn't allow changing the NAND space, didn't know about the others. Still, it might be useful in some situations, eh?

[Finless]

Thanks for that info, Bob. I had gathered it wouldn't allow changing the NAND space, didn't know about the others. Still, it might be useful in some situations, eh?

Sure. If it is a simple update of system, then it's an easy way to do it.
Also you can make your own updates that install system APPs, and other system files.
You have to learn how to edit edify scripts though

Bob

[manao]

What I like and what is interesting with this kind of system flash is you can modify all modules.
You can not do much with an image file, unless you want to reconstruct the changes in an image file.

[ludoke]

I came across some information that suggested it is possible to install a new ROM on the M9Pro (maybe other PIPO products?) by simply placing the update file in the root of the external SD card and renaming it to "update.img". When you next boot up the M9Pro, the update file is recognised and you are given the opportunity to install it in a pop-up window.

First I tested it whilst my system was RileyROM2.3 and used the official chinese ROM that was released 20/11/13 on my external SD card. I rebooted, and yes, the update was recognised and installed. During the install the little busy android figure shows along with a sliding scale showing progress of install. The system seemed to reboot a couple times ... have patience ... and eventually it rebooted into the official Chinese ROM.

Just in case it only worked with the official ROM, I then tested it using (ahem!) 'another custom ROM' that is well known and rebooted the official version, and it recognised the update file and installed that too.

So it seems to be an easy method, doesn't it?

Maybe other PIPO owners would like to take the bull by the horns and test it out.... (the usual warnings apply... if it bricks it isn't my fault!)

Have tested this,i'm on Riley 2.1 ,i have copied a update.img file from Kasty to my external sd (root) reboot 2 times but no succes,did not get the pop up window. Also pu the img file in the internal memory,also no succes.
I own a Huawei Ascend G615 smartphone and out of the box with stock firmware this is the normal procedure to upgrade the firmware(the procedure from griff2)
In the Huaway settings there's a special item for upgrading this way,on stock firmware.
With custom rom installed this item is gone.
I think it's the same story for the PiPo,altough griff2 stated that he tried this with Riley Rom.

[rrileypm]

The problem with installing custom firmware this way is due to the variations of parameter sizes and file sized of system.img.

When I do a RileyROM...I don't check to see what size Kasty is using. So we are all a little different.

Flashing by recovery is possible...I even include a template to do it in my ROM kit (with CWM). But you can only use it to quickly flash back the same exact ROM with the same user app space.

Otherwise, I recommend flashing via PC so you can erase idb.

Sent from my M6pro using Tapatalk

[ludoke]

The problem with installing custom firmware this way is due to the variations of parameter sizes and file sized of system.img.

When I do a RileyROM...I don't check to see what size Kasty is using. So we are all a little different.

Flashing by recovery is possible...I even include a template to do it in my ROM kit (with CWM). But you can only use it to quickly flash back the same exact ROM with the same user app space.

Otherwise, I recommend flashing via PC so you can erase idb.

Sent from my M6pro using Tapatalk

Yes ok,but why it isn't work for us while it seems to work for griff2?
On the Huawei Ascend G615 it's the common way to update from stock rom,once you installed a custom rom this option can't be used anymore.

[GeorgeKa]

I got the new firmware for my M6 Pro from www.pipoworld.com and after the download
i renamed the file to update.img.

I connected my Pipo to my PC and placed the file in my tablet.

I reboot my tablet but it seems that it doesnt find the .img file and start the update process.

Am I doing something wrong ?

[griff2]

I got the new firmware for my M6 Pro from www.pipoworld.com and after the download
i renamed the file to update.img.

I connected my Pipo to my PC and placed the file in my tablet.

I reboot my tablet but it seems that it doesnt find the .img file and start the update process.

Am I doing something wrong ?

You don't say that you placed this file in the external SD card? That's where it needs to go.

I did a Google snd searched for other instances of people explaining this technique. Unfortunately I have lost the links, but they only took a few minutes to find. Although i didn't have to, I seem to remember someone saying to re-mount your external SD card. But I would sugget you have a search on Google for techniques with Rockchip devices - and bear in mind the explanations that other more learned members have said about this method of flashing.

At the moment. I'm in bed with the influenza, so excuse the fact that I'm being brief.

[ludoke]

I got the new firmware for my M6 Pro from www.pipoworld.com and after the download
i renamed the file to update.img.

I connected my Pipo to my PC and placed the file in my tablet.

I reboot my tablet but it seems that it doesnt find the .img file and start the update process.

Am I doing something wrong ?

I had the same issue with my PipO M9 Pro with Riley rom, after flashing latest Kasty rom i got the popup window asking for upgrading.