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→Backup the NVRAM partition
==Introduction==
This document will guide you through the necessary steps needed to flash your Gemini with a Linux or Android /Linux OS.
'''Please note: ''' '''<span style="color: #ff0000;">Flashing 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="margin: 0.4em 0px 0.5em; color: #252525;" source="" sans="" pro="" sans-serif="" font-size:="" 15="" 008px="" font-style:="" normal="" font-variant-ligatures:="" font-variant-caps:="" font-weight:="" 400="" letter-spacing:="" orphans:="" 2="" text-align:="" start="" text-indent:="" 0px="" text-transform:="" none="" white-space:="" widows:="" word-spacing:="" -webkit-text-stroke-width:="" background-color:="" ffffff="" text-decoration-style:="" initial="" text-decoration-color:="">These steps are detailed in the next sections.</div>
==Download and Install FlashTool on Windows==
<div style="margin: 0.4em 0px 0.5em; color: #252525;" source="" sans="" pro="" sans-serif="" font-size:="" 15="" 008px="" font-style:="" normal="" font-variant-ligatures:="" font-variant-caps:="" font-weight:="" 400="" letter-spacing:="" orphans:="" 2="" text-align:="" start="" text-indent:="" 0px="" text-transform:="" none="" white-space:="" widows:="" word-spacing:="" -webkit-text-stroke-width:="" background-color:="" ffffff="" text-decoration-style:="" initial="" text-decoration-color:="">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(Windows 7 or later supported).</div>You can find the latest drivers here: [http://support.planetcom.co.uk/download/FlashToolDrivers.zip Windows Flash Tool Drivers]
<div style="margin: 0.4em 0px 0.5em; color: #252525;" source="" sans="" pro="" sans-serif="" font-size:="" 15="" 008px="" font-style:="" normal="" font-variant-ligatures:="" font-variant-caps:="" font-weight:="" 400="" letter-spacing:="" orphans:="" 2="" text-align:="" start="" text-indent:="" 0px="" text-transform:="" none="" white-space:="" widows:="" word-spacing:="" -webkit-text-stroke-width:="" background-color:="" ffffff="" text-decoration-style:="" initial="" text-decoration-color:="">Once downloaded, unzip the archive. You will find a folder called '''FlashToolDrivers''', open the folder and double click on the '''Install''' (install.bat) file. Allow the installation to complete by clicking '''Yes''' when asked to make changes.</div>
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]
<div style="margin: 0.4em 0px 0.5em; color: #252525;" source="" sans="" pro="" sans-serif="" font-size:="" 15="" 008px="" font-style:="" normal="" font-variant-ligatures:="" font-variant-caps:="" font-weight:="" 400="" letter-spacing:="" orphans:="" 2="" text-align:="" start="" text-indent:="" 0px="" text-transform:="" none="" white-space:="" widows:="" word-spacing:="" -webkit-text-stroke-width:="" background-color:="" ffffff="" text-decoration-style:="" initial="" text-decoration-color:="">Once downloaded the Windows FlashTool, 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.</div>
==Download and Install FlashTool on Linux==
On Ubuntu you will need to install the following dependency:
<code>xhost +local:</code>
Additionally you will have to restart the udev service by typing (or rebooting your machine):
<code>udevadm control --reload-rules && udevadm trigger</code>
Finally, you will need to install the following dependency:
<code>sudo yum dnf install nas-libs-1.9.4-13.fc28.x86_64</code>
You can also build the flash tool by yourself, the code is hosted on github: [https://github.com/dguidipc/SP-Flash-Tool-src Flash Tool Source]
==Customise your Gemini partition table==
If you choose to flash a Linux or Android-Linux firmware, then you will have to repartition your device, reserving some space for Linux and some for Android. To repartition your Gemini you will have to use our partition tool, available at [http://support.planetcom.co.uk/partitionTool.html http://support.planetcom.co.uk/partitionTool.html]. A screenshot of the tool is provided below.
[[File:Screen_Shot_2018-06-20_at_11.06.06.png|center|800x527px|border]]
After selecting the partition size, you can select the operating systems to use for each boot mode. Gemini supports 4 boot modes. When (see the Gemini is OFF, press Esc(On) key Linux boot notes section below for around one second to initiate the booting process. Immeditately after that, the unit will vibrate, and after a few seconds the screen will turn ON. When the screen turns ON, the Gemini will check the status of the Esc (Onmore information) key and of the side silver button. Based on the status of those buttons there are 4 possible booting modes:
* Boot 1: Both Esc (On) key and side button are not pressed. This is the default booting option when no buttons are pressed.
* Recovery Mode: Esc (On) is pressed. This will always boot into overy mode.
* Boot 2: Side button is pressed.
[[File:Screen_Shot_2018-06-20_at_11.16.03.png|center|640x421px800x527px|border]]
After you made your selection, there are 3 modules to download using the buttons on the right:
* The ''' Base firmware ''' contains the basic Android firmware. This is the main component, it needs to be extracted to reveal the Gemini Base firmware folder. All the other component need to be copied/unzipped here.* The '''Scatter file ''' contains the definition of your Gemini partition, based on your selection. This needs to be copied into the firmware folder* The optional '''Linux module''' (Debian, Sailfish 3.0 Beta for Gemini Community Edition, or Debian+SailfishKali Linux) contains the additional Linux modulefirmware. This needs to be unzipped into inside the firmware folder
<span style="color: #ff0000;">'''NOTE: '''<span style="color: #000000;">'''It is important to keep a backup of the custom scatter file that you created, '''</span></span><span style="color: #ff0000;"><span style="color: #000000;">'''you will need it each time you want to update your device (for example Android) without loosing your data.'''</span></span> ==<br />Configuring Flash Tool==
Use the choose button as in the following screenshot to load the scatter file that you will find inside the downloaded firmware. In particular:
* DownladDownload-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 file of the firmware that you want to flashcustomised, which is located in the firmware folder Your screen should look like the following screenshot:
[[File:flash1Screen_Shot_2018-06-21_at_11.35.58.png|center|800x600px|border]]
In particular, all the partitions should be checked. If you see any unchecked partitions in the list, make sure you unzipped the Linux module in the firmware folder and try again.
==Backup the NVRAM partition==
[[File:nvram.png]] 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 NVRAM0Screen_Shot_2018-06-21_at_10. It’s a good idea to keep this file as a backup52. ==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: [[File:flash102.png|center|640x419px799x526px|border]] Now, open the firmware folder from the firmware zip file you downloaded and select the scatter file. If you selected an Android firmware, then the scatter file will be called''' Gemini_Android.txt'''. If you selected an Android/Linux firmware, then the scatter file name will depend on the space you reserved for them, for example''' Gemini_x27_A26GB_L30GB_Multi_Boot.txt'''.
<span style="color: #252525; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif; font-size: 15.008px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">Next, just click the </span><strong style="color: #252525; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif; font-size: 15.008px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Read Back</strong><span style="color: #252525; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif; font-size: 15.008px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;"> button, connect your PC to the left end USB-C port on your Gemini and restart the Gemini. Once booted, the flash tool will detect the unit and will write the NVRAM partition on a file on your hard disk called NVRAM0 (see screenshot below). It’s a good idea to keep this file as a backup, together with the customised Scatter file.</span>
<span style="color: #252525; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif; font-size: 15.008px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">[[File:flash2Screen_Shot_2018-06-21_at_10.51.50.png|800x527px|center|border]]</span>
==Flashing the Gemini Linux firmware==
<div style="margin: 0.4em 0px 0.5em; color: #252525;" source="" sans="" pro="" sans-serif="" font-size:="" 15="" 008px="" font-style:="" normal="" font-variant-ligatures:="" font-variant-caps:="" font-weight:="" 400="" letter-spacing:="" orphans:="" 2="" text-align:="" start="" text-indent:="" 0px="" text-transform:="" none="" white-space:="" widows:="" word-spacing:="" -webkit-text-stroke-width:="" background-color:="" ffffff="" text-decoration-style:="" initial="" text-decoration-color:="">Be sure to follow the previous step to store a copy of the NVRAM partition as backup.Now click back on the '''Download''' tab.</div>
<div style="margin: 0.4em 0px 0.5em; color: #252525;" source="" sans="" pro="" sans-serif="" font-size:="" 15="" 008px="" font-style:="" normal="" font-variant-ligatures:="" font-variant-caps:="" font-weight:="" 400="" letter-spacing:="" orphans:="" 2="" text-align:="" start="" text-indent:="" 0px="" text-transform:="" none="" white-space:="" widows:="" word-spacing:="" -webkit-text-stroke-width:="" background-color:="" ffffff="" text-decoration-style:="" initial="" text-decoration-color:="">Select the '''Firmware Upgrade''' option from the drop down menu. This will automatically select all the partitions in the table.</div>
<span style="color: #252525; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif; font-size: 15.008px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">To start the flashing process, just click the big </span><strong style="color: #252525; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif; font-size: 15.008px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Download</strong><span style="color: #252525; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif; font-size: 15.008px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;"> button, connect your PC to the left end USB-C port on your Gemini and restart the Gemini. Once booting, the flash tool will detect the unit and will start flashing the device with the selected firmware.</span>
If you experience this issue, please follow the actions below:
# Disconnect your Gemini from your PC
# Press and hold the Esc (On) key and the silver side button until the unit restarts (until the unit vibrate)
# Reboot your PC
# Try the flash process again, it should now complete without issues
# Allow the installation of unknown applications<br />[[File:Screen_Shot_2018Screenshot_20190212-06124142.png|center|800x400px|border]]<br /><br /># Navigate to https://magiskmanager.com<br />[[File:Screenshot_20190212-123531.png|center|800x400px|border]]<br /><br /># Scroll down to 'Download Magisk Manager'. Click on the download button and install the application.<br />[[File:Screenshot_20190212-123546.png|center|800x400px|border]]<br /><br /># Open the application. If you arre running the app in a non-20_at_15rooted Android you will see the error 'Magisk is not installed'.<br />[[File:Screenshot_20190212-123732.png|center|800x400px|border]]<br /><br /># When asked about Additional Setup, Tap on Yes and let the process complete.57<br />[[File:Screenshot_20190212-123822.55png|center|800x400px|border]]<br /><br /># Congratulations, you are running rooted Android on your Gemini!<br />[[File:Screenshot_20190212-123849.png|center|640x421px800x400px|border]]
==<br />Linux boot notes==
The multi-boot mechanism works as follows.
Starting from a switched OFF Gemini, press the Esc (On) key to start the unit until the Gemini vibrates. Once you feel the vibration you can choose the boot mode by pressing the following key combination: