Release list

dArkOSen_R36_07202026 Latest

Latest

djparentx released this 20 Jul 17:12

07202026

7a04b95

dArkOSen 07202026

Boot & Startup

everyone gets new boot logos! (1024x768 and 720x720 supported)
new dArkOSen loading images
fixed boot logo for 1024x768 devices, everyone uses the same image/build now
added Recovery boot service
- '/boot/recovery.sh' is called before ES loads
- 'recovery.sh' can be anything, allowing to fix an unbootable system
- system loads as normal if 'recovery.sh' not present
hostname and hosts changed to 'MYDEVICE'
updater changed to 'Update-dArkOSen.sh'
fixed ownership of root folder
fixed fstab to prevent boot failure with 2 SD cards

Kernel & Hardware

added new dArkOSen OC kernel (a heatsink is recommended if using overclocking)
USB gadget (ECM/RNDIS/EEM + mass storage) enabled in kernel
all dtbs for genuine R36S models are patched for accurate battery reporting
new dtbs added to selector:
- R36S-Plus-V20 2025-03-18 2551
- R36S-V22 2024-12-18 2534
- HL-R45H-V20 2025-11-18

Networking

added NetworkManager dispatcher to disable IPV6 for faster PC connections
fixed missing battery and bluetooth icons
updated Wi-Fi Manager and BT Manager

System Utilities

updated 'Switch to SD2 for ROMs' to copy '/roms/tools' to '/roms2/tools' during setup
added R36 Tuner to the System folder (thanks to u/z3nmode-adri)
added R36 Boot Volume to the System folder (default set to 60%)
added Kodi Remover to the Advanced folder
added dArkOSen_dtb_patcher_v1.1 to the Advanced folder
- if you added your own dtb run dtb patcher to access overclocking

Audio

added more delay to volume-resume-fix, raised to 0.65s as some buffer pops were still leaking in ES

Themes & Graphics

major update to Gameboy and NGP overlays in Retro Shaders
updated R36 Theme Patcher

How the Overclock Works

Chips get a factory "grade" based on quality — lower-grade chips get told to stay slow
Unlocked new speed steps (1368–1512MHz) in the DTB that didn't exist before
Kernel now pretends the chip has a top-tier grade when max_cpufreq=1512 is set — without this, clock reports higher but real performance stays capped

Risk

Not measuring the actual chip's real quality — just assuming top-tier and running top-tier voltage
If a specific chip isn't actually top-tier: possible instability, crashes, or faster long-term wear (over years not hours)

Safeguards Still in Place

DTB voltage ceiling (1.4V) — hard cap, can't be exceeded regardless of cmdline
boot_cpufreq floor (1296MHz default) — always boots safe, only ramps up if userspace raises it
Requests above the DTB ceiling get rejected

Not Yet Built

Thermal step-down (auto-drop speed if running hot) — still on the to-do list, nothing currently stops sustained heat

Assets 4

dArkOS_R36S_07032026

djparentx released this 04 Jul 03:23

07032026

14defbe

Built from dArkOS_RG351MP_trixie_06072026.

HOW TO INSTALL:

unzip the .img file and flash it to your card with Rufus
use SELECT MODEL.bat to select your model
insert card into console and boot
the console will reboot twice as it expands partitions
the console will reboot into dArkOS

If you can't find your model in the MODEL SELECTOR then make copies of your original dtbs and rename them rg351mp-uboot.dtb and rk3326-r36s-linux.dtb then copy them to the boot partition.

Features:

dtb selector in /boot (credit to southoz)
Portmaster pre-installed
ThemeMaster pre-installed
RetroArch fully updated
file explorers have root access
root filesharing is enabled
KODI (credit to southoz)
working Fn button hotkeys
'Restore R36H hotkeys' in Advanced folder
new boot logo, low battery and loading screens
new background music, R36H-Synthwave-Retro-Compilation.mp3
teacupx's OC Kernel v1.40 (1296 Mhz default, 1512 Mhz max)
GPU overclocked to 600 Mhz (520Mhz default)
ZRAM enabled, 768MB
Jason3x's Realtek driver pack
Jason_3x's Emulation Station Icons (with my icon mod)
color battery icons
SjslTech's Portmaster fix for dArkOS
volume resume fix applied to prevent speaker pops
rotate boot logo service
rotate loading image service
change LED to red
Wi-Fi Manager
BT Manager
CPU Manager
Button Mapper (A/B switch is already enabled)
SYSTEMS Manager (to manage roms on 2 cards)
R36 Backup and Migration Assistant
Dave's Retro Shaders
Dave's Modern Shaders
R36S Theme Patcher
patched themes:
- RetroOz
- Simple
- Switch
- Minimal
- Freeplay
- NES Box
- Replica
- XMB FCAMod