GeekBuying Releases Firmware 1.65.4 for GK802 mini PC

Geekbuying has released a new version of the firmware (1.65.4) for Zealz GK802 mini PC that fixes NTFS and Bluetooth issues, but you may instead want to use deadhp1 version which also provides root access, and fixes “this item is not compatible with your device” issue in Google Play.

There are 2 files available (Deaphp1):

  • rooted_fixed_rt-M500a_v1.65.4_20130118a_updated.7z (link down) – Firmware Update 1.65.4 (127 MB)
  • rooted_fixed_rt-M500a_v1.65.4_20130118a_updated_FULL_IMAGE.rar (link down) – The full SD card with 1.65.4 (747 MB)

Normally, you would just use the firmware update file that contains the system, boot, u-boot and recovery partition (in this release) by following those steps in a Linux or Windows PC [Update: this method does not appear to work for anybody, please scroll down to use dd / Win32DiskImager method]:

  1. Extract rooted_fixed_rt-M500a_v1.65.4_20130118a_updated.7z
  2. Copy the files to a microSD card
  3. Insert the microSD card into GK802 microSD slot.
  4. Insert the microUSB cable halfway in GK802 (Do not power on)
  5. Press the recovery button (located on the right side of the microUSB port, when the plastic part of the casing faces down)  with a sharp object (I used a toothpick).
  6. Power the device, and keep pressing the recovery button 1 or 2 seconds, and connect it to the HDMI port of your TV
    gk802 firmware update
  7. Select “Update all images” with the mouse, wait for the firmware update to complete, and click on “Reboot system” to start your new firmware.

Initially, I used a keyboard for the firmware update, but it was not recognized, so I had to use a mouse. I’ve tried those instructions in HiAPad Hi802, and I could go through all the steps, but my device was still using the old firmware. I did not manage to go back to this menu, and try another option (e.g. “apply update from extsd”), so I went with Plan B: copying the full image to the internal SD card.

First, you’ll have to open the device to get the internal microSD card (That’s easy but you can still checkout Hi802 review for instructions), and insert it in your PC. Then it’s probably a good idea to backup the original microSD card:


Finally unzip the image, and copy it to the microSD card:


In a Windows PC, simply use Win32DiskImager instead.

This method worked with Hi802, and I can now install Apps from Google Play I wasn’t able to with the previous firmware (e.g. Antutu), and I could also verify that I have root access. Hi802 Antutu 3 score (9861) with this firmware is much better than the score I got (8516) when I reviewed Hi802 with the original firmware, mainly because of better CPU and RAM scores.

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37 Comments
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HSTe
HSTe
11 years ago

I can see in the log that the performance of the cpu is dependent of the cooling solution.
If it get hot it automatically set down max freq.

Andrew
Andrew
11 years ago

Does it include ‘xpad.ko’ or xpad game controller support in the kernel? That’s the most important to me.

HSTe
HSTe
11 years ago

The OpenGL ES 2.0 performance is still terrible.
Hopefully there will be som better driver for this later.

Raj
Raj
11 years ago

Thanks for the post, I opened the sd card and installed a new 32gb sd card and installed the firmware successfully. Every works better than previous version and its rooted aswell. Only problem I have is its showing only 5gig free. Anyway to release the space ?

Joe
Joe
11 years ago

Hello Thanks for the Rom it sorted my Netflix Play Store Issue.

Norman
Norman
11 years ago

@Raj

how did you do this?! Who can I copy the android to a new sd card ?
Please help me!

Tushar
Tushar
11 years ago

I’m Not a techie. Could you please help me out. I tried updating the firmware with the link on Geekbuying. I do get the recovery mode, and once i select update all images, it does update all images. but then i select the option “reboot system now”, screen goes blank and there is no signal after that. I’ve tried doing this almost 10-15 times with no result.

Please help me. Am i missing some steps here?

Timo
Timo
11 years ago

Hi! I was able to upgrade my GK802 easily with these instructions, but I’m still not able to download Netflix from Play Store as it’s says that device is not supported. Any ideas?

deadhp1
deadhp1
11 years ago

@Timo
You probably used the official update.
In order to have a fully working playstore you should apply my update.
I’ve added many files to the /system/etc/permissions/ directory to allow the GK802 to support many more apps.
I’ve also rooted the image.

Timo
Timo
11 years ago

@deadhp1
I got it working now. Thanks a lot!!!

Phil
Phil
11 years ago

Firmware update link for gk802 seems broken..also what is the difference between the two upgrades? The second is much much bigger. Thanks

Jer
Jer
11 years ago

I cannot get the firmware to update. Used a formatted fat 32 micro sd card 16 gb class 10 with unzipped firmware update, it tells me that it is unmountable in the recovery and every line says failed when select update all images. Tried the full image on the same blank card and it works but super slow and the play store doesn’t let me use. Am I doing something wrong here? Do i really need a 32 gb card for plan 2? shouldn’t a 16 gb card suffice? really frustrated any help is greatly appreciated.

Jer
Jer
11 years ago

I got it to work, but can’t run xaf custom xbmc. Is there another stripped down xbmc that works with the full dd image? Can this stick run openelec?

LevTov
LevTov
11 years ago

I am trying to install the full image. So, I formatted the 32MB SD card to FAT32 copied the image using “unetbootin-windows-583” after that replaced the internal SD in my gk802 with this SD and connected it to the power – the device didn’t boot.
When I try to format it to ext4, windows cannot open it and ask me to format it, so i cannot copy the image without formatting it to FAT32 or NTFS but then the device cannot boot.
What am I doing wrong?
Thank you.

LevTov
LevTov
11 years ago


Hello cnxsoft,

Yes, I meant 32 GB :). I am gonna try Win32DiskImager. Thanks a lot!

Hroth
Hroth
11 years ago

I know there’s more work on the Ubuntu side – but for this Android image, how hard do you think it is just to compile and install a new kernel module (hid-quanta)? I would like to stick this HDMI stick in a large 22″ touchscreen and make it a large tablet!

I’m new at Android but would love your opinion on whether it’s possible, I never heard what the last opinion was on whether the last RichTechie “source release” was sufficient to do this.

Hroth
Hroth
11 years ago


Thanks for the prompt reply! I’ll do that – the place to start is http://source.android.com/source/initializing.html, correct? I haven’t worked with Android before but it didn’t seem like the stick’s image included any dev tools. Sorry if that’s a dumb question.

Hroth
Hroth
11 years ago

– Exactly what I needed – thanks!

Onslow
Onslow
11 years ago

Thanks! Great site and firmware works great 😀

Austin
Austin
11 years ago

Trying to do this on Windows, I have a 32gb SD, I downloaded Win32DiskImager, but I’m getting an I/O error when I try to write the full file to my SD. Does it have anything to do with it being a .dd file extension? Thanks.

Austin
Austin
11 years ago

I tried copying the unzipped update file to my 32gb SD, inserted it, tried ‘update all image files’ in recovery, but I get the messages ‘md5 file error 1’ and ‘check boot.img file error’, any ideas?

trapiches
trapiches
11 years ago

good,
I got this ROM for i.MX6Q processors (GK802/Hi802), I wonder if anyone can release it and share it. since I have not succeeded.

Buenas,
he conseguido esta ROM, para procesadores i.MX6Q (GK802/Hi802), quisiera saber si alguien puede liberarla y compartirla. ya que yo no lo he conseguido.

link/enlace:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/yb86cn0nwa11srl/android_jb4.2.2_1.0.0-ga_image_6qsabreauto.tar.gz

Iker Echaniz
Iker Echaniz
11 years ago

What are those good reasons? with the public kernel+bootloader I expected a cyanogenmod already made and no one seems to be interested in Android with this board, why?

Diki
Diki
4 years ago

Are there any updates for modern android or Linux? it looks like this tv stick everyone forgot = (

Khadas VIM4 SBC