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--- doc:appunti:android:sp_flash_tool [2020/01/13 12:19] – [Download] niccolo
+++ doc:appunti:android:sp_flash_tool [2023/08/27 11:56] (current) – [SP Flash Tool on GNU/Linux] niccolo
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ====== SP Flash Tool on GNU/Linux ======
-**SP flash tool** is an application which mainly helps you to **flash Stock ROM**, **Custom recovery** and fixing in some extreme cases (firmware update, Flash recovery, unbrick bricked Android device etc.). SmartPhone FlashTool is working with **MediaTek Android smartphones** (**MTK** based). You can download the executable from the **[[https://spflashtool.com/|home page]]**.
+**SP flash tool** is an application which mainly helps you to **flash stock ROMs**, **custom ROMs**, **custom recovery**, etc. on Android devices based on the **MTK chipsets**. It can also fix some extreme cases of bricked devices, occured during firmware updates, etc. SmartPhone FlashTool is working with **MediaTek Android smartphones** (**MTK** based).
+You can download the executable from the **[[https://spflashtools.com/|spflashtools.com]]**. :!: **WARNING**: The site is not officially managed by MediaTek, many other sites exist offering the same download (e.g. [[https://spflashtool.com/|spflashtool.com]]), but none seems to be the official one.
 The software is **proprietary and closed source**, it is distributed for two platforms: **MS-Windows** and **GNU/Linux**.
@@ Line 24: / Line 26: @@
 The normal workflow with **SP Flash Tool** is to **initiate the required operation** (//Download// or //Readback//) with the **USB cable disconnected**. Then you will connect the USB port and SP Flash Tool will **detect the device**, performing the operation.
+===== The Scatter File =====
+To perform upload (flashing) and readback (backup) of partitions using SP Flash Tool, you need a **scatter file** specifically written for your device. See this paragrah for more info:  [[android_partitions#the_scatter_file|Android paritions - The scatter file]].
+==== MTK Droid Tools ====
+The most common way to create a scatter file was to use **MTK Droid Tools**, a proprietary, MS-Windows only, software. It seems that that software **does not longer work** with **Android 5.0 Lollipop** and later. The latest MTK Droid Tools is **version 2.5.3**, which is from 2014.
+It seems that the program runs over the ADB (**Android Debug Bridge**), so it requires that the phone is started and running the operating system, and that it has the **USB debugging** enabled. Using the ADB bridge, it should do not require the MTK VCOM drivers, but it requires the **[[https://developer.android.com/studio/run/win-usb|ADB Windows Drivers]]**. It seems also that MTK Droid Tool requires **root access** on the phone to achieve all its functions.
+**MTK Droid Tools** does indeed runs in **GNU/Linux** using the **[[wp>Wine_(software)|Wine]]** compatibility software, but it **cannot access the USB port** as it requires, so **it is useless**. Some people reported to be able to use the program under a full GNU/Linux virtualization environment (like VirtualBox).
+==== The Miracle Box ====
+It seems that the preferred tool to read/write firmware on moderm smartphones is the **[[http://www.amiraclebox.com/|Miracle Box]]**. It is a combination of hardware and software, but it seems that there is also a software-only solution, at least accordingly to this post: [[https://forum.hovatek.com/thread-15700.html|Miracle Box / Thunder setup latest versions and drivers]]. Look at this post to get an idea on how to backup a firmware using the Miracle Box: [[https://forum.hovatek.com/thread-13347.html|How to use Miracle Box to backup Mediatek (MTK) firmware]].
+==== Find the scatter file on the net ====
+Another approach to obtain the scatter file for your Android device, is to **search the internet** for a **stock ROM** or a **custom ROM** for your exact model. These ROMs are generally shared as archives containing the various images files and the scatter file, usable to flash the images back to the phone (using SP Flash Tool). However, **you should be very careful** before using a scatter file to flash your device; you should check at least that the output of **cat /proc/partitions** to verify that starting address and size does match. Read this page: [[android_partitions#inspecting_partitions_on_the_command_line|Inspecting partitions on the command line]].
 ===== Download =====
+**Download** is the operation of **flashing the memory** of the device with the content of a file that you have on the PC. You must provide the **scatter file** and the program looks in the same directory for all **the image files** it refers.
 ^ Download only          | You must choose this option if you **flash selective partitions** e.g. **recovery** only.  |
@@ Line 41: / Line 64: @@
 connect DA end stage: 2, enable DRAM in 1st DA: 0
 COM port is open. Trying to sync with the target...
+</code>
+If you wait enough time, an **error** is displayed in a **dialog box**:
+<code>
+ERROR : S_FT_DA_NO_RESPONSE (4001)
+DA didn't send response data to FlashTool!
 </code>
@@ Line 66: / Line 96: @@
 </code>
+The problem can arise if you try to **download** (flash) a partition using a **scatter file** which **differs** from the one used during **readback**.
 ===== Web References =====
   * **[[https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/help/qa-sp-flashing-linux-t3151035|Q&A SP Flashing under linux]]**