Linux Flash Guide

Introduction

This document will guide you through the necessary steps needed to flash your Gemini with Linux or Android OS.

Important Note: please don’t use other tools to install Linux on a Gemini as it’s easy to loose key information such as IMEI. In particular, never use the “Format all + download“ option in the SP Flash Tool as this erases key information stored in the NVRAM partition and can lead to a non-functional device.

Download and install flash tool drivers

The first step is to install the flash tool drivers. These drivers are needed for your PC to communicate with your Gemini. At the moment the drivers are only available for Windows, they are also known to work inside a Windows virtual machine running on a different operating system.

You can find the drivers here: http://support.planetcom.co.uk/index.php/Linux_Support

Once downloaded, unzip the archive. You will find a folder called Driver_Auto_Installer_v1.1236.00, open the folder and double click on the Install file. Allow the installation to complete by clicking Yes when asked to make changes.

Download and install flash tool

Now that the drivers have been installed, we can download the flash tool. You will also need a firmware to flash, either Linux or Android. You can find the flash tool, alongside with the current available Linux versions here: http://support.planetcom.co.uk/index.php/Linux_Support

Once downloaded please unzip both the flash tool and the firmware. Next, run the flash tool by double clicking on flash_tool in the SP Flash folder.

Backup the NVRAM partition

Before flashing the device with a different firmware it is a good idea to backup the current NVRAM partition. This partition stores key information for your Gemini, including the IMEI number. If it gets lost or damaged, your Gemini will not be able to take or receive calls.

The provided flash tool is already configured for your Gemini. To create a backup of your NVRAM partition, just click on the Readback tab and then on the Add button. A row will appear in the table as in the following screenshot.

Next, just click the Read Back button, connect your Gemini to your PC and restart the Gemini. Once rebooted, the flash tool will detect the phone and will write the NVRAM partition on a file on your hard disk called NVRAM0. It’s a good idea to keep this file as a backup.

Flashing the Gemini with an alternative firmware

Be sure to follow the previous step to store a copy of the NVRAM partition as backup. Now, run the Flash tool software and click on the Download tab. Next, locate the Scatter-loading File option and click on the associated choose button, as highlighted in the picture below:

Now, open the firmware folder from the firmware zip file you downloaded and select the scatter file. The table should be populated as below:

Finally, change the Download Only drop down menu to Firmware Upgrade and click on the Download button. Connect your Gemini and restart it. . Once rebooted, the flash tool will detect the phone and it will update the OS with the selected firmware.

Linux dual boot notes

The dual boot mechanism works as follow:

If you restart the machine normally (i.e. no special key is pressed), then Android will boot
If you keep press the Esc (On) button for a long time when restarting the machine, then the Gemini will start in Recovery mode
To boot Linux, restart the machine while keeping pressed the side button. You can release the side button when the screen turns ON