Pumpkin 7" Android 4.4.4 Car Head Unit. RK3188 QuadCore - ROOT / FIRMWARE update

[WestlakeSt]

Hi,

I am new to this forum after spending quite a lot of time in the background looking around.
I have tried to search this forum for the information I need however I am just after some reassurance before going ahead with trying to change the ROM on my Android car headunit.

I have purchased this head unit from Pumpkin UK (via Amazon) here

I have looked extensively at the rather large thread here and have just have a few queries if anyone would be kind enough to try and help or point me in the direction to look.

The car head unit currently shows the following information in settings
Photo
MCU Version MTCB-KSP-V2.68, Jul 23 2015 11:19:43
Android Version: 4.4.4_25072015
Kernel version: 3.0.36+, [email protected] #421, Thu Jul 23 15:23:32 CST 2015
Build number: rk3188-eng4.4.4 25012015.10:43:57

So from the above information, I have determined the MCU is KSP and the firmware needs to be RK3188 1024x600 version.

1. Can I use the Malasyk firmware "update_4_4_4_1024X600_8_RK3188_MAL_17_10_2015" on this unit?

2. Will I need to change the MCU since the only one I can find from Malasyk is 2.68 already so wont actually be updating anything

3. I presume the Malasyk firmware will be in English or it will be easy enough to change to English if not by default.

Has any one else had any experience with rooting this head unit or changing the firmware? Any problems or unexpected surprises worth mentioning doing so?

I think this head unit must be a fairly new model as I have been struggling to much information about it so far from various forum, google and YouTube searches.

I am happy with the actual updating process but I have had the unit less than a week and don't want to brick it just yet if the above is a definite no no and I have just missed some crucial information suggesting not to do it.

If anyone wants any more details then I am happy to provide. :good:

Kind regards,
Steve

 

[nFKT]

I don't think we've seen the KSP variation, you may want to wait to confirm Malaysk's rom will work

 

[WestlakeSt]

I don't think we've seen the KSP variation, you may want to wait to confirm Malaysk's rom will work

If I could make a backup of my current firmware I would just try it, however I am struggling to work out how to do this since everything I read suggests I need to be rooted to backup the firmware. Is there a non-rooted method I could do to backup?
I also can't find a factory or standard version of the KSP variation firmware online either to use if it all goes wrong with the Malasyk version.

Will keep searching to see if I can back up without root unless someone can suggest a way. In the mean time as above if anyone else has had used Malasyk firmware with this unit please let me know.

Kind regards,
Steve

 

[nFKT]

If I could make a backup of my current firmware I would just try it, however I am struggling to work out how to do this since everything I read suggests I need to be rooted to backup the firmware. Is there a non-rooted method I could do to backup?
I also can't find a factory or standard version of the KSP variation firmware online either to use if it all goes wrong with the Malasyk version.

Will keep searching to see if I can back up without root unless someone can suggest a way. In the mean time as above if anyone else has had used Malasyk firmware with this unit please let me know.

Kind regards,
Steve

I take it back, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=61291848&postcount=14139 KSP MCU is there.

Android Version: 4.4.4_25072015 appears to be a standard huifei style rom. So malaysk for the correct resolution and cpu should be fine. Though make sure to make backups.

 

[WestlakeSt]

I take it back, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=61291848&postcount=14139 KSP MCU is there.

Android Version: 4.4.4_25072015 appears to be a standard huifei style rom. So malaysk for the correct resolution and cpu should be fine. Though make sure to make backups.

Ok, I have done some more digging around and have now managed to root this head unit :victory:

Going into the factory settings and using *#hct#root# (found this elsewhere on this forum) for the password a message appeared saying "ADB ROOT" and a new option called #SuperUser appeared in the settings.
I've installed SuperSu and this is working without problems. To further confirm root I rebooted and tried a couple root verifying apps which all confirm root is in place.

Initially started using Titanium Backup to do a full backup of the head unit however when I reboot into its recovery mode I cannot see this backup when using the "Recover system" option. Not sure why?

For my Nexus 7 tablet and Moto G phone I have replaced the recovery with ClockWorkMod Recovery (since masses of information on how to do it with little risk of breaking them was available). This works great as I have restored a particular backup on my phone after trying a few ROMs i didn't like or didn't work.

Could I replace the recovery in the head unit with the same?

I have downloaded ROM Manager by ClockWorkMod onto the head unit which can change the recovery to ClockWorkMod but I didn't want to go ahead with this just yet.

Can someone please advise if CWM (or an alternative?) can be put on these head units without breaking it?

Kind regards,
Steve

 

[MonkeySee]

Did you get any further with this?
Did you find a recovery (CWM, TWRP?)?

 

[WestlakeSt]

Did you get any further with this?
Did you find a recovery (CWM, TWRP?)?

Hi MonkeySee,

No I havent yet put a custom recovery on my unit (CWM or TWRP) as I am not sure what the likelihood of breaking it will be. I would imagine it would be OK, but since I was able to root the device the need to flash other ROMS is not so urgent now.

Although I would like to have a larger than 1GB system 'partition' as this is starting become a bit restrictive and for some reason I cannot copy apps to either of the SD cards. I notice other ROMS have larger system paritions.

I am not very well versed with Android and the whole flashing thing although I've done my phone, but there was masses of information and guides for this so I was fairly happy trying it, but for these head units it seems there are so many variations that I guess they haven't been around long enough, not as main stream generally compared to phones, or most likely I am just no good at searching forums for the info to reassure me.

Kind regards,
Steve