Restoring PMT?

[Weasalopes]

I'm an idiot.

I seem to have somehow succeeded in corrupting/deleting the PMT, which I presume is the Partition Management Table. Probably by using the format function of the flash tool.

So, my Gemini won't turn on, or at least nothing appears on the screen. It's a near-complete brick. Near-complete, in that it's still detectable via the USB cable, so at some level it is still functioning.

When attached by the USB cable Windows does recognize a "MediaTek USB Port (COM 5)", but it keeps detecting/undetecting it. Keeps giving that upwards series of notes to indicate finding it, then a bit later the descending sequence of notes to indicate dropping the connection; this matches what displays in the Bluetooth and other devices section of the Settings interface.

The flash tool, when attempting to flash, give the following error message: "Failed to get PMT info". Which is why I think it's the PMT. I've attached a screenshot of the flash software's status and that message.

What I've been able to track down online all indicates restoring from a recovery.img file.

I don't have a recovery image.

Is there any way of obtaining a recovery image from Planet Computers, or some other source, and installing it? Given that all x27 Gemini start out identical, after all, a generic recovery image should be possible.

I do have a NVRAM0 backup. So that stuff should be reinstallable afterwards, using the instructions I found elsewhere in these forums.

Or does anyone have an idiot proof explanation of how to use the manual format option with the flash software to recreate the PMT such that the flash software will then successfully flash the standard firmware?

Help!

[iusethis]

I had the same problem and restoring the NVRAM solved it. I also initially thought that my Gemini wouldn't turn on, but it was actually stuck on a blank screen. Took a few tries to time it right but eventually rebooted into recovery mode and restored.

[Weasalopes]

I had the same problem and restoring the NVRAM solved it. I also initially thought that my Gemini wouldn't turn on, but it was actually stuck on a blank screen. Took a few tries to time it right but eventually rebooted into recovery mode and restored.

Glad I checked back.

The first time I'd tried the NVRAM restore as described elsewhere, it didn't work, I'd gotten the same message. Based upon your response, I gave it a couple of additional attempts, and this time it worked.

Thankfully I'd also come across the information posted concerning using the esc key and the silver button to enter recovery mode, so I knew how to do that once the flashing was complete.

The multi-colored globes are in orbit as I type.  

Whoo! It says "Welcome"; I'm in!

I had been attempting to creating a new version of the SP flashtool from the source code, but the make.exe is internally coded to ask for the Microsoft Visual Studio 9.0 directory tree, and I don't have that old a version; changing the make.bat didn't do any good since some of the calls are inside the .exe

Anyway, now to go through the entire setup process again; this time I'll make sure to back up afterwards.

[rubus-3.142]

I also have this problem  

Managed to reflash the NVRAM to my backup copy,  think! by editing the scatter file,  

 [ Invalid Attachment ]


But what next - the Gemini is a black screen - detectable via USB so I know it is turned on but nothing else  - what's the trick with the buttons - can you post the link as I can't find it by searching?

[iusethis]

I also have this problem  

Managed to reflash the NVRAM to my backup copy,  think! by editing the scatter file,  

 [ Invalid Attachment ]
 [ Invalid Attachment ]


But what next - the Gemini is a black screen - detectable via USB so I know it is turned on but nothing else  - what's the trick with the buttons - can you post the link as I can't find it by searching?

These are the boot options depending on your firmware:
http://support.planetcom.co.uk/index.php/C...ot_mode_options

If you can't flash successfully try these steps:
- Quit the flash tool
- Turn off the Gemini (if you have a black screen just hold down the 'esc' key for several seconds).
- Reopen the flash tool:

"To start the flashing process, just click the big Download button, connect your Gemini to your PC and restart the Gemini. Once booting, the flash tool will detect the unit and will start flashing the device with the selected firmware. "

[rubus-3.142]

These are the boot options depending on your firmware:
http://support.planetcom.co.uk/index.php/C...ot_mode_options

If you can't flash successfully try these steps:
- Quit the flash tool
- Turn off the Gemini (if you have a black screen just hold down the 'esc' key for several seconds).
- Reopen the flash tool:

"To start the flashing process, just click the big Download button, connect your Gemini to your PC and restart the Gemini. Once booting, the flash tool will detect the unit and will start flashing the device with the selected firmware. "

THANKS - with the power and silver buttons I got it to boot into recovery  and could connect via the flash tool again.  Read back the NVRAM and it matches what I flashed back (i.e. the original).  So went ahead and flashed the stock android - rebooted and all good.

After checking all OK then went for a 100% andorid  Root(normal) No-root (silver button)  - seems to work fine.

[DonOregano]

I'm having no luck with this approach, as described here: https://www.oesf.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=35296

Any other ideas?

[Ifanafi]

Experienced similar s-o-l flashing update.

My frozen on the Planet logo splash page Gem wouldn't power off or restart.

Long-hold of the Esc + silver button did nothing.

So, I unplugged the Gem from my laptop.
Deleted all update tools folders EXCEPT for the folder with the copy of NVRAM file.
Twice, deep cleaned the laptop's registry and rebooted it after each cleaning.

Downloaded the update files again.
Installed the drivers and configured the flashing tool, again. It found the NVRAM file.
Connected the closed Gem to the laptop and opened its' cover.

Viola! The update took and my Gemini is again functioning anew.

Good luck.

I'm having no luck with this approach, as described here: https://www.oesf.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=35296

Any other ideas?

[DonOregano]

All right, will give it (yet) another go. I am however using Linux, and I have tried wiping the flash tool and the firmware directory and re-unpacking them.

But when you say that it found NVRAM, what do you mean by that? I was under the impression that the NVRAM was only intended as a backup, and not actually used during ordinary flash?