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Linux/MacOS Host

File Download​

Please go to the Resource Download Page to download the corresponding Loader and image files

Note:

You can choose different system images according to your needs, such as iStoreOS, Debian Cli, etc., but the loader file is the same.

Install rkdeveloptool​

rkdeveloptool is Rockchip's software for USB burning on Linux/macOS platforms.

The rkdeveloptool can be thought of as an upgrade_tool for the open source version.

If your operating system does not provide rkdeveloptool, you will need to compile and install it from source.

Enter Maskrom Mode​

What is Maskrom mode

Maskrom mode, also known as Loader mode, is a special boot mode generally used for recovering or repairing problematic devices. This mode allows users to interact directly with the device's hardware without going through the operating system. In Maskrom mode, users can communicate with the device via a computer or other devices and execute a series of commands to resolve device issues.

On MacOS:

Result after executing lsusb Output:Bus 000 Device 004: ID 2207:350b Fuzhou Rockchip Electronics Co., Ltd. Composite Device

On Linux:

Result after executing lsusb Output:Bus 001 Device 030: ID 2207:350b Fuzhou Rockchip Electronics Company

On Windows:

Open RKDevTool, and you will see the device is in "Found One MASKROM Device" status.

How to Enter Maskrom Mode​

E54C has a dedicated Maskrom button, as shown in the image below:

MaskRom Key

Prepare the following equipment:

  • A USB Type-C cable
  • A small pin or toothpick
  • 12V DC power adapter

MaskRom Key

  1. First, plug the USB Type-C cable into the E54C's USB Debug port, and the other end into your computer
  2. Then press and hold the Maskrom button with the pin
  3. Then plug in the 12V DC power adapter

Under normal circumstances, the device will enter Maskrom mode, the power indicator light will turn on, and you can release the pin.

Using rkdeveloptool​

Write to a file​

tip

rkdeveloptool does not automatically decompress compressed files when writing to them.

You must first extract the used files and specify the extracted files in rkdeveloptool.

tip

rkdeveloptool does not support the selection of a Maskrom device, nor the selection of a storage medium to be written to. Normally, when using rkdeveloptool, only one device and one storage medium are connected in hardware. This step cannot be controlled by software.

If you need to write to multiple devices at the same time, use upgrade_tool.

  1. Extract the image file (See File Download above for details of the image file, here rock_debian_bullseye-_desktop_release_b1.img.xz is used as an example)
xz -d rock_debian_bullseye-_desktop_release_b1.img.xz (if the image file is gz format，then use `gunzip -d xxx.gz` command)
  1. Flash Loader(See File Download above for details of the loader file，here rkxxxx_spl_loader_v1.xxx.bin is just an example)
sudo rkdeveloptool db rkxxxx_spl_loader_v1.xxx.bin
  1. Flash System Image (Here rock_debian_bullseye-_desktop_release_b1.img is an example, use the file got from step1 as a replacement)
sudo rkdeveloptool wl 0 rock_debian_bullseye-_desktop_release_b1.img

Reboot​

sudo rkdeveloptool rd

Login​

After rebooting the device, you can log in to the system via HDMI or serial port.

Device Login​

For details, please refer to Quick Start