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==Introduction==
This document will guide you through the necessary steps needed to flash install or update Android on your Gemini with Linux or Android OS.
'''Please note: ''' '''<span style="color: #ff0000;">Flashing Installing Android or Linux will delete any user data on the device. Please make sure you have a backup of any important data before starting!</span>'''
<div style="text-align: justify;">'''Important Note: <span style="color: #ff0000;">please Please don’t use other tools to flash firmware fo your Gemini as it’s easy to loose key information such as the IMEI number. 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.<br data-attributes="%20/"><br data-attributes="%20/"></span>'''</div>There are 3 steps needed to install or upgrade Android on your Gemini: # Install the FlashTool software on your Windows PC or Linux PC# Download and unzip the Android firmware# Flash the firmware on your device These steps are detailed in the next sections. ==<br data-attributes="%20/">Download and Install FlashTool on Windows==The first step to install FlashTool on a Windows PC is to install the flash tool drivers. These The drivers are needed for your Windows PC to communicate with your Gemini, the minimum requirement is to have a 64bit Windows operating system.
You can find the latest drivers here: [http://support.planetcom.co.uk/download/FlashToolDrivers.zip Windows Flash Tool Drivers]
Now that the drivers have been installed, you can download the latest Windows flash tool: [http://support.planetcom.co.uk/download/FlashToolWindows.zip Windows Flash Tool]
Once downloaded the Windows flash toolFlashTool, please unzip it to reveal the '''FlashToolWindows''' folder. Next, run the flash tool by double clicking on '''flash_tool''' (flash_tool.exe) file in the '''FlashToolWindows''' folder.
==Download and Install FlashTool on Linux==
If you intend to install FlashTool on a Windows PC you can skip this section, otherwise please keep reading if you want to install FlashTool on a Linux PC.
You can find the latest Linux flash tool software here: [http://support.planetcom.co.uk/download/FlashToolLinux.tgz Linux Flash Tool]
And inside the file put the following 2 lines:
<code>ATTRS{idVendor}=="0e8d", ENV{ID_MM_DEVICE_IGNORE}="1"</code><br data-attributes="%20/"><code>ATTRS{idVendor}=="6000", ENV{ID_MM_DEVICE_IGNORE}="1"<br data-attributes="%20/"></code>
After that, restart the udev:
On Ubuntu you will need to install the following dependency:
'''Notes - Fedora 28'''
On Fedora you will have to write the following command to allow applications running with root privileges to access the X server (this will fix the lines above for both the gedit and the flash_toolcommand):
<code>xhost +local:</code>
Additionally you will have to to restart the udev service by typing (or rebooting your machine):
<code>udevadm control --reload-rules && amp; udevadm trigger</code>
Finally, you will need to install the following dependency:
==Download Android Gemini Firmware==Now that the Flash Tool FlashTool application is running, it is time to download the Gemini Android Firmware. Planet Computers provides both an Android-only firmware and a Linux or Android-Linux firmware. If you choose to flash a standard Android firmware, you will have to download one from this page: the [[Gemini Firmware|Gemini Firmware.page]] After downloading the firmware, unzip it to reveal the folder containing the firmware code, for example '''Gemini_WIFI_MP_09052018''' or '''Gemini_x27_FOTA3_12062018'''. If you choose to flash a dual boot Android-Linux firmware, then follow this link to get to the Gemini partitioner.
After downloading the firmware, unzip it to reveal the folder containing the firmware folder, for example '''Gemini_WIFI_MP_09052018''' or '''Gemini_x27_FOTA3_12062018'''.
==Configuring Flash ToolFlashTool==
Use the choose button as in the following screenshot to load the scatter file that you will find inside the downloaded firmware. In particular:
* Downlad-Agent should be set to the file MTK_AllInOne_DA.bin, which is located in the FlashToolWindows or FlashToolLinux folder.
* Scatter-loading file should be set to the specific scatter '''Gemini_Android.txt''' file of the firmware that you want to flash, which is located in inside the of the firmware folderthat you downloaded.
[[File:flash1Screen_Shot_2018-06-21_at_10.45.58.png|center|800x511px|border]]
==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.
[[File:nvramScreen_Shot_2018-06-21_at_10.51.50.png|center|800x527px|border]]
==Flashing the Gemini Android firmware==
Be sure to follow the previous step to store a copy of the NVRAM partition as backup.Now click back on the '''Download''' tab.
If you want to flash the complete firmware to your unit then select '''Firmware Upgrade''' from the drop down menu.This will automatically select all the partitions in the table and it will restore your unit to its factory state. Please note that you will loose all your personal data/settings.
Your screen should appear similar to the following screenshot:
To start the flashing process, just click the big '''Download''' button, connect your Gemini to your PC and restart the Gemini. Once you select booting, the flash tool will detect the unit and will start flashing the scatter file, device with the table should be populated as below:selected firmware.
If instead you want to manually update your Gemini without loosing your data, you should select the '''Download Only '''option from the drop down menu. After that, make sure you select all the partition with the exception of the '''userdata''' partition, which contains your data. Your screen should look like this:
[[File:flash2Screen_Shot_2018-06-21_at_11.12.29.png|center|800x597px|border]]