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Maskrom Mode

ROCK 5 supports Maskrom mode, which is a special operation mode for CPU to wait for USB OTG port command. The PC tools we use to communicate with ROCK 5 in Maskrom mode are the rkdeveloptool and RKDevTool. We use the rkdeveloptool in Linux/macOS and the RKDevTool under Windows.

Preparation

  • ROCK 5A
  • USB-A to USB-A cable
  • eMMC Module
  • Power Supply and power cable
  • OS images

Steps

  1. Power off the board.
  2. Take the eMMC module and other storage off.
  3. Plug the USB-A to USB-A cable to the upper USB 3.0 port(No.8) of ROCK 5A, the other side to PC USB 3.0 port.
  4. Power on the board.
    ROCK 5A power on
  5. Attaching the eMMC module

Another way is to connect the two pins of the maskrom(No.23) before power on, it's not necessary that take the eMMC module and other storage off.

  • Open the RKdevtool:
    This is the UI without maskrom device:
    no device

This is the UI with maskrom device:
on maskrom

  • Choose the Loader and Image files:
    Left click the rightmost cell to choose the Loader and Image files:
    Choose files

The spi loader file of ROCK 5A is here: RK3588 loader
The image can be found on Official Image.
Note: The image needs to be decompressed after be downloaded.

  • Choose Device and flash(run):
    Attention:
  1. choose eMMC when using eMMC module
  2. choose the desired device
  3. tick the item
    Attention Point
  • Wait for the flash to complete:
    Progress is shown on the right, it would tip you after completion:
    Flash completion

Supplementary

There are many more uses for RKDevTool, this is guide is just one of them, for more, welcome to join our communication platforms or ask Google for help.