[Q] Can't flash A20 TV box!

[Smakky]

Hello everyone,

I have bought various Android TV boxes in the past, and haven't had problems getting them up and running.

I recently ordered 2 chinese models from eBay however, which are giving me nothing but grief. I apologize in advance for such a loooong post, but I am at my wits end and I am really hoping someone can help me out.

The action was for this model here:
www.ebay.com.au/itm/231275032090

It appeared to be a pretty standard model, like a Justop 4.0, but with a hard switch where the optical should be, and a cut down remote.

Firstly, the Specifications according to the auction:
1GB ddr3
4GB nand flash
Allwinner A20 dual core 1GHz CPU

On closer inspection after receiving the unit, an additional physical difference is that the reset button appears to be between the USB ports, instead of behind the AV out - not a big deal.

After powering it up, I am having huge problems with them.

Firstly though, what the software says about the hardware:
Advanced Settings/About Tablet:
Model Number : BBA22
Android Version : 4.2.2
Firmware Version : V2.0
Kernel Version : 3.4.39 [email protected] #10 Wed May 14 22:36:36 CST 2014
Build Number : BBA22-UI4-V2.0.1

And what Droid Info says about the (relevant)hardware:
Model : BBA22 (sdk-normal)
Manufacturer : unknown
Chipset : sun7i
RIL version : sw-dataonly-ril-0.5
Build Number : BBA22-UI4-V2.0.1
Build Bingerprint : softwinners/ninss/ninss4.2.2/NinssSoftware/20140521:eng/test-keys
OS Version : Jelly Bean MR1 (4.2.2)
SDK : 17
CPU Architecture : ARMv7 Processor rev 4 (v71)

Now, the BIGGEST issue these things have, is that at random points of use, it comes up with a message "Warning - System configuration is inconsistent with the production configuration, please contact your supplier, thank you!". This message will flash over and over again for anything from 30 seconds to half an hour. I half suspect it has tablet code SOMEwhere in it also, as it keeps coming up with 'touch the circle' walkthroughs for applications like avia. This might be unrelated though, I have no idea.

So anyway, I have tried doing the Justop 4.0 flash method with a SD card, however it will not turn on if there is a card in the slot. Also, when you hold the reset button down and power it up, it does not seem to go into the diagnostic mode so I can't flash it that way either. I am guessing the ONLY way I can update short of soldering in a serial port, is to use the backup/restore function.

I read through this whole thread here, but cound not fine anything to help me:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2398632

If anyone has any ideas, please let me know, I seriously can't get anything to work. I thought maybe the 'hotspot' being enabled was causing the incinsistency problem, but I used a process killer to stop that at startup, still no luck. Doing a system reset through advanced config didn't help either, I got the error almost as soon as turning the unit back on.

I've attached pictures of the error I am getting, the top of the board, and the back if the board.

Cheers,

Smak

PS - I am yet to hear back from the seller, but if I ever do, I will post the result here...

 

[tisdall]

Advanced Settings/About Tablet:
Model Number : BBA22
Android Version : 4.2.2
Firmware Version : V2.0
Kernel Version : 3.4.39 [email protected] #10 Wed May 14 22:36:36 CST 2014
Build Number : BBA22-UI4-V2.0.1

I seem to be in a very similar situation. My device also reports as being "BBA22" but it's a different form factor and the identification on the board is "TXCZ_A20_v1.0". I tried contacting the people that made the board (Shenzhen Tianxing Chuangzhan Electronic Co.) but they refused to help. I also tried contacting the company that made the firmware images (Shenzhen NINSS Technology Ltd.) and they also refused. The supplier I bought the device from says they have the image file but they can't seem to figure out how to get it to me (they tried emailing the +200mb file then they gave up and stopped responding). The build number on my device is "BBA22-UI4-V2.0.4" so apparently there's an update available that may work on your device.

I'm pretty sure you need to flash the image using the Phoenixsuit program to make a special sdcard that you place in the device and boot from to reflash the device.

Please post your image file if you ever get it!

 

[Smakky]

I seem to be in a very similar situation. My device also reports as being "BBA22" but it's a different form factor and the identification on the board is "TXCZ_A20_v1.0". I tried contacting the people that made the board (Shenzhen Tianxing Chuangzhan Electronic Co.) but they refused to help. I also tried contacting the company that made the firmware images (Shenzhen NINSS Technology Ltd.) and they also refused. The supplier I bought the device from says they have the image file but they can't seem to figure out how to get it to me (they tried emailing the +200mb file then they gave up and stopped responding). The build number on my device is "BBA22-UI4-V2.0.4" so apparently there's an update available that may work on your device.

I'm pretty sure you need to flash the image using the Phoenixsuit program to make a special sdcard that you place in the device and boot from to reflash the device.

Please post your image file if you ever get it!

That is good to know, I might email them again now. Will let you know the outcome!

 

[Smakky]

OK, so I got a reply from the seller.

I've attached the patch file and the instructions to this message, but theres a few things to note.

- Its only like 20 meg big, so it isnt a full firmware update
- The instructions talk about pressing the reset button at the start.., I don;t think this is neccesary if its rooted already
- The instructions are VERY engrish-y, basically just dump the update.zip onto a sd card, and apply the patch through the settings menu
- The default language is changed to some form of Chinese after applying, theres plenty pictorials on how to change the android language though.
- The version has been updated from BBA22-UI4-V2.0.1, to BBA22-UI4-V2.0.3 - This is still lower than the one you mentioned @ BBA22-UI4-V2.0.4

So far though, I have re-installed all my apps, and haven't seen the error.. yet. I was a little concerned it is still giving me touchpad tutorials, but mouse mode on the remote is making short work of those.

I'll just have to wait and see, I guess.

 

[tisdall]

OK, so I got a reply from the seller.

I've attached the patch file and the instructions to this message, but theres a few things to note.

- Its only like 20 meg big, so it isnt a full firmware update
- The instructions talk about pressing the reset button at the start.., I don;t think this is neccesary if its rooted already
- The instructions are VERY engrish-y, basically just dump the update.zip onto a sd card, and apply the patch through the settings menu
- The default language is changed to some form of Chinese after applying, theres plenty pictorials on how to change the android language though.
- The version has been updated from BBA22-UI4-V2.0.1, to BBA22-UI4-V2.0.3 - This is still lower than the one you mentioned @ BBA22-UI4-V2.0.4

So far though, I have re-installed all my apps, and haven't seen the error.. yet. I was a little concerned it is still giving me touchpad tutorials, but mouse mode on the remote is making short work of those.

I'll just have to wait and see, I guess.

That seems very promising for you! Unfortunately it probably won't help me at all... It sounds like it's a sort of update patch instead of a whole image. Starting the device with the reset button causes it to load the recovery partition instead of the regular partition (I'm guessing you saw a green android with a text menu with options for recovery). I full flashing would/could involve an SDcard, but I think you would have to create it with Phoenixsuit and not just copy the file contents over (it would then just boot directly from the SDcard and you wouldn't need to press the reset button).

In my case, both the regular boot partition and the recover partition are wrecked so I couldn't even try this patch if I wanted to.

Thanks for posting, though... Hopefully it helps someone else out.

 

[Smakky]

That seems very promising for you! Unfortunately it probably won't help me at all... It sounds like it's a sort of update patch instead of a whole image. Starting the device with the reset button causes it to load the recovery partition instead of the regular partition (I'm guessing you saw a green android with a text menu with options for recovery). I full flashing would/could involve an SDcard, but I think you would have to create it with Phoenixsuit and not just copy the file contents over (it would then just boot directly from the SDcard and you wouldn't need to press the reset button).

In my case, both the regular boot partition and the recover partition are wrecked so I couldn't even try this patch if I wanted to.

Thanks for posting, though... Hopefully it helps someone else out.

Hmm, is clockworkmod still a thing? I could try taking a backup of my ROM and see if that's something you can use.., only problem is I will need a bit of time. If I get a chance, I'll do it over the weekend. I will need a place to dump the image though, it will be too big to attach here, can sort that out later though.

 

[tisdall]

Hmm, is clockworkmod still a thing? I could try taking a backup of my ROM and see if that's something you can use.., only problem is I will need a bit of time. If I get a chance, I'll do it over the weekend. I will need a place to dump the image though, it will be too big to attach here, can sort that out later though.

I'd appreciate that... Your board seems to have a completely different layout, but all the same components. I'm not familiar with clockworkmod, though, so I'm not sure how that backup would work. I guess I'd need to get clockworkmod flashed on to the recovery partition first and then I could flash the backup to the NAND from there?

 

[Smakky]

I'd appreciate that... Your board seems to have a completely different layout, but all the same components. I'm not familiar with clockworkmod, though, so I'm not sure how that backup would work. I guess I'd need to get clockworkmod flashed on to the recovery partition first and then I could flash the backup to the NAND from there?

I'm not actually too sure. The last timed I used clockworkmod was for flashing a galaxy s2 phone, so I'm not even too sure if its still around or compatible with tv boxes. There will definately be SOME sort of tool though, that can take a full backup suitable for restoring. I'm about at the limit of my knowledge, so I am sort of playing by ear and going into a google-learn-try sort of cycle as I try different things. Maybe someone with more experience will stumble in here and let us know what we need to do

 

[tisdall]

This is interesting... I found another device with an identical PCB board: YBKJ_A20 (I can't post links yet, but a Google search will find it) Several chips are different so the firmware would differ. It's so hard to work with these devices when no one claims credit for making a lot of these things!

 

[frietpan]

What is J4?

http://dl-1.va.us.xda-developers.com/2/9/3/6/8/3/3/DSC_0207s.jpg

I was wondering what the upper left 2 pin connector is for? (the little white 2 pin plug next to the USB)
Is it SPDIF? Power input? output? Something else? I see in this picture a cable connected so i'm hoping you can tell.

 

[H.SHAFAGHI]

Ask BBA22-V.1.50 TV BOX Model Android 4.2 Firmware

OK, so I got a reply from the seller.

I've attached the patch file and the instructions to this message, but theres a few things to note.

- Its only like 20 meg big, so it isnt a full firmware update
- The instructions talk about pressing the reset button at the start.., I don;t think this is neccesary if its rooted already
- The instructions are VERY engrish-y, basically just dump the update.zip onto a sd card, and apply the patch through the settings menu
- The default language is changed to some form of Chinese after applying, theres plenty pictorials on how to change the android language though.
- The version has been updated from BBA22-UI4-V2.0.1, to BBA22-UI4-V2.0.3 - This is still lower than the one you mentioned @ BBA22-UI4-V2.0.4

So far though, I have re-installed all my apps, and haven't seen the error.. yet. I was a little concerned it is still giving me touchpad tutorials, but mouse mode on the remote is making short work of those.

I'll just have to wait and see, I guess.

Hello
Thank You For This Firmware But It Work For BBA22-UI4-V2.0.1, to BBA22-UI4-V2.0.3.
My Device Model is ((BBA22-V.1.50)) with Android 4.2 and I had to update it with your firmware file to fix problem black page after boot.
after update my device with your firmware, black page broblem is solved but device not work properly and it show Error message for (android.process.acore) systematically in loop!
also I can not make very actions because this error message show repeatedly.
also the default device language is china and i can not change language (error message show repeatedly)
have you original firmware for ((BBA22-V.1.50)) with Android 4.2 device???
thank you for help me...

 

[amedeh123]

have you original firmware for ((BBA22-V.1.50)) with Android 4.2 device???

So... For everyone looking for a full firmware for this box, and stumbled upon this thread from google like I did: DESPAIR NO MORE.

I found a compatible firmware for this device (exacly as described and same board as the one OP has) It will work even if your box came preinstalled with another software version, but its the same hardware

Found it in another thread, posted by @daaviles30 Its not EXACLY the same as the one I had originally loaded but appears to work without any issue whatsoever (even the remote works), if a little bit better.
So here it is:

A20_V20_SDK_EN_XBMC_0703-2.img*491.4 MB
*https:/ /mega.co.nz/#!XAIRiD5Q!aIb0tvvjvzUdaf11vIR7PAadeXPV8XizYJ9X2mAzpQI



RH46-update-a20.zip*582 KB
*https:/ /mega.co.nz/#!HZwTgQIT!LQGxb6R-lCIKe58RgIGROfufY-aq5PODSAq3-NPKOeo



PhoenixCard_V309
*http:/ /mega.co.nz/#F!HAIhBJyS!L_UQPNnYdPyHTD3ggnJ6OA


After flashing update and then go to the play store and download SuperSU update that and your ready to go.

---------- Post added at 03:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:29 PM ----------

Titanium Backup Pro v6.1.5.3.apk*6.2 MB

*https:/ /mega.co.nz/#!vAAWRJga!vOFKlAq_25ssrG5kvwa3-oC-d0saL06YGBIWIyN2jss

You can delete all the unwanted system apps with this app.
Hope this helps Happy New Years.

The flashing process is exacly as described earlier in this thread. Use phoenix card to burn the img to an SD card, turn the device on with the card inserted in the slot and enjoy your restored android box.

 

[H.SHAFAGHI]

It Working Only With Booting From Memory Card Slot...

So... For everyone looking for a full firmware for this box, and stumbled upon this thread from google like I did: DESPAIR NO MORE.

I found a compatible firmware for this device (exacly as described and same board as the one OP has) It will work even if your box came preinstalled with another software version, but its the same hardware

Found it in another thread, posted by @daaviles30 Its not EXACLY the same as the one I had originally loaded but appears to work without any issue whatsoever (even the remote works), if a little bit better.
So here it is:


The flashing process is exacly as described earlier in this thread. Use phoenix card to burn the img to an SD card, turn the device on with the card inserted in the slot and enjoy your restored android box.

Hello My Friend And Thank You For Replay...
This Android is Working And is Very Good But i Can Not Install This To My Device. I Copy The IMG File To A External Memory Card (Using PhonixCard Application) and put the Memory Card To My Device And PowerOn My Device. My Device Automatically Boot From Memory Card And New Android is Appear. It Is Very Fast And Have No Errors.
Now...
HOW I CAN INSTALL THE IMG FILE TO MY DEVICE (INTERNAL MEMORY) AND BOOT MY DEVICE WITHOUT USING MEMORY CARD (FOR ALL TIMES)???

 

[tisdall]

Hello My Friend And Thank You For Replay...
This Android is Working And is Very Good But i Can Not Install This To My Device. I Copy The IMG File To A External Memory Card (Using PhonixCard Application) and put the Memory Card To My Device And PowerOn My Device. My Device Automatically Boot From Memory Card And New Android is Appear. It Is Very Fast And Have No Errors.
Now...
HOW I CAN INSTALL THE IMG FILE TO MY DEVICE (INTERNAL MEMORY) AND BOOT MY DEVICE WITHOUT USING MEMORY CARD (FOR ALL TIMES)???

Wow.

The Phoenixsuite makes an sdcard that flashes the internal memory. After it's finished flashing, you take the card out and it runs off of the internal NAND. That's it. It never runs the Android from the sdcard.

 

[H.SHAFAGHI]

My device can boot from sd-card!!! I need to flash this to install your android!

Wow.

The Phoenixsuite makes an sdcard that flashes the internal memory. After it's finished flashing, you take the card out and it runs off of the internal NAND. That's it. It never runs the Android from the sdcard.

Hello My Friend And Thank You For Replay...
1- My Device Can Boot From SD-CARD With A Bootable Memory Card! (Such As OpenSuse Linux)
2- I Use PhonixCard Application That You Send.
(PhoenixCard_V309
*http:/ /mega.co.nz/#F!HAIhBJyS!L_UQPNnYdPyHTD3ggnJ6OA

3- I Can Not Use PhonixSuit Application And I Don't Know How To Use PhonixSuit. When I Connect My Device To My Computer To Use PhonixSuit, My Computer Don't Find Any Hardware And Can Not Connect!
4- I Copy The IMG File To A SD-CARD (Using PhonixCard Application) and put the Memory Card To My Device And PowerOn My Device. My Device Automatically Boot From Memory Card And New Android is Appear. If Unplug The SD-CARD And Power On My Device, Old Android Is Appear!!! Master Android Software Is In My Device And I Need To Clear This From My Device And Install Your Android!

HOW I CAN INSTALL YOUR ANDROID TO MY DEVICE (INTERNAL MEMORY) AND BOOT MY DEVICE WITHOUT USING MEMORY CARD???

 

[H.SHAFAGHI]

I need help!!!!

no any answer???