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Firmware Upgrade Guide

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southoz edited this page Jan 5, 2026 · 2 revisions

Firmware Upgrade Guide for ArkOS on G80CA-MB

This guide assumes you already have ArkOS installed and are upgrading to a newer firmware version. It builds on the initial installation process but focuses on preserving your data, especially ROMs. Always back up important data before proceeding, as flashing the firmware card will erase content.

Prerequisites

  • Your current ArkOS SD card (the firmware/OS card).
  • A computer with an SD card reader.
  • (If using Option 2) Sufficient storage space on your computer to back up your ROMs (size depends on your collection).
  • Download tools:

Important: This is for G80CA-MB boards (Panel 8 or Panel 9 variants). If your device is Panel 9, you'll need the DTB tweak after flashing, just like during initial installation. Identify your panel type from your original setup or device specs.

Choose the option below based on your ROM storage setup:

  • Option 1: If your ROMs are on a second SD card (left slot, labelled EASYROMS) — simpler, no ROM backup needed.
  • Option 2: If your ROMs are on the same SD card as the OS/firmware (right slot) — requires backing up and restoring ROMs.

Option 1: ROMs on Second SD Card (EASYROMS Setup)

This is the recommended setup. Your ROMs are separate, so upgrading just involves reflashing the OS card without affecting ROMs.

  1. Power Off and Remove Cards

    • Safely shut down your device (from the ArkOS menu: Options → Shutdown).
    • Remove the firmware/OS SD card from the right-hand TF slot. Leave the EASYROMS card in the left slot or set it aside (it won't be touched).

  2. Download and Decompress the New Firmware

    You should now have a .img file (e.g., ArkOS_...img).

  3. (Optional but Recommended) Verify the File

    • Check the SHA1 hash (listed on the release page) matches your extracted file.

  4. Flash the New Image to the OS SD Card

    • Insert your current OS SD card into your computer.
    • Open Balena Etcher.
    • Click Flash from file → select your extracted .img.
    • Click Select target → choose your OS SD card (double-check — it will be erased!).
    • Click Flash! and wait (5–15 minutes).

  5. Panel 9 Devices Only – DTB Fix (Skip if Panel 8)

    • After flashing, safely eject and re-insert the SD card — your computer will show a BOOT partition.
    • Download the special Panel 9 DTB file: rf3536k4ka.dtb.panel9fnfix.1512MHz
    • Copy it to the BOOT partition root.
    • Delete the original rf3536k4ka.dtb (Panel 8 version).
    • Rename the new file to rf3536k4ka.dtb.

  6. Insert and Boot

    • Safely eject the SD card.
    • Insert it back into the right-hand TF slot (and re-insert EASYROMS if removed).
    • Power on the device.
    • First boot after upgrade may take 1–2 minutes as it sets up. Your ROMs should remain accessible via the EASYROMS card.
    • If needed, go to Options → Advanced → Switch to SD2 for ROMs to ensure it's reading from the second card.

Option 2: ROMs on the Same SD Card (Single Card Setup)

If your ROMs are stored on the OS card's ROMs partition, you must back them up first, as flashing will erase the card. After flashing, restore them to the new ROMs partition.

  1. Backup Your ROMs

    • Safely shut down your device (Options → Shutdown).
    • Remove the SD card from the right-hand TF slot and insert it into your computer.
    • Your computer should show multiple partitions: BOOT (small, for system files) and EASYROMS (larger, where your games are stored). If partitions don't mount automatically, use a tool like Disk Management (Windows) or Disk Utility (macOS) to access them.
    • Open the EASYROMS partition (it may appear as a drive labelled ROMS or similar).
    • Copy all contents (ROM files, folders, saves, etc.) to a folder on your computer. This may take time depending on size — ensure the backup is complete and verified.

  2. Download and Decompress the New Firmware

    You should now have a .img file (e.g., ArkOS_...img).

  3. (Optional but Recommended) Verify the File

    • Check the SHA1 hash (listed on the release page) matches your extracted file.

  4. Flash the New Image to the SD Card

    • With the SD card still in your computer, open Balena Etcher.
    • Click Flash from file → select your extracted .img.
    • Click Select target → choose your SD card (double-check — it will erase everything, including your old ROMs!).
    • Click Flash! and wait (5–15 minutes).

  5. Panel 9 Devices Only – DTB Fix (Skip if Panel 8)

    • After flashing, safely eject and re-insert the SD card — your computer will show a BOOT partition.
    • Download the special Panel 9 DTB file: rf3536k4ka.dtb.panel9fnfix.1512MHz
    • Copy it to the BOOT partition root.
    • Delete the original rf3536k4ka.dtb (Panel 8 version).
    • Rename the new file to rf3536k4ka.dtb.

  6. Restore Your ROMs

    • After flashing (and DTB fix if needed), safely eject and re-insert the SD card.
    • The new setup will have fresh partitions: BOOT and a new empty EASYROMS partition (created/expanded on first boot, but accessible now).
    • Open the EASYROMS partition.
    • Copy your backed-up ROM contents back into it. Preserve the folder structure (e.g., if ROMs were in subfolders like /nes or /snes, recreate that).
    • Safely eject the SD card.

  7. Insert and Boot

    • Insert the SD card back into the right-hand TF slot.
    • Power on the device.
    • First boot after upgrade may take 1–2 minutes as it expands partitions and sets up. Your restored ROMs should now be available.

Final Notes

  • After upgrading, check for any post-upgrade steps in the release notes on GitHub.
  • Consider switching to the dual SD card setup (as in the original guide) for easier future upgrades — format a second card as exFAT, label it EASYROMS, extract EASYROMS.zip to it, and use Options → Advanced → Switch to SD2 for ROMs.

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