Likebook Alita bricked after accidentally flashing Mars firmware..

[raygj]

because with my watch

Originally Posted by FixMyAlita

Nice thanks, that's really lucky, I couldn't find it even with some serious Googling. I'm currently using the tool you linked to restore the backup that ottischwenk shared, typically when I install a new system image or the like to the device, it tends to load very slowly on the first startup, I'm noticing this isn't the case when flashing these images, unfortunately there's no change with the Touch Pad Firmware, but the system image definitely changed, if there was a way to safely format and then flash, I'd do that.. I'm gonna try get into the system menu, maybe there's something in there I can change.

can you boot it up and navigate to About tablet and select erase all data (factory reset)?
because when i was changing my watch image , not all the changes were active until i did a erase/factory reset.(i think this erases and copies all files from backup.img)

[bazz2004]

I've got a suggestion, a question and an observation.
Alita supports a usb keyboard so how about buying a usb c to usb data connector. These cost peanuts and it might enable you to operate the Alita propped up on a table when connected to a physical keyboard. It would confirm that it's only the touch screen firmware that's messed up or missing. These are not pocket sized devices so the keyboard wouldn't be that much of a hindrance.
How you factory reset the Alita is now baffling me. I've done it and I remember that it didn't return the unit to exactly how it was when I received it. Gone for example was the option to set the time to GMT. I had to set the time manually. Perhaps I misremember but I thought there was a factory reset option - where or how a reset is done is now baffling me.
One observation regarding the touch back button on the front is that if you hold it in together with the power button you see the option to Shut down or Reboot. Not much use though if the touch screen isn't working.

[FixMyAlita]

Originally Posted by raygj

because with my watch
can you boot it up and navigate to About tablet and select erase all data (factory reset)?
because when i was changing my watch image , not all the changes were active until i did a erase/factory reset.(i think this erases and copies all files from backup.img)

Hey raygj, there's a deadzone covering that option on the screen, I navigated to Accessibility and enabled Large Text and managed to hit press factory reset, but no luck. It did reset the device but the Touch Screen issue remains.

Originally Posted by bazz2004

I've got a suggestion, a question and an observation.
Alita supports a usb keyboard so how about buying a usb c to usb data connector. These cost peanuts and it might enable you to operate the Alita propped up on a table when connected to a physical keyboard. It would confirm that it's only the touch screen firmware that's messed up or missing. These are not pocket sized devices so the keyboard wouldn't be that much of a hindrance.

Good idea, will definitely be worth looking into as I'm quickly running out of options.

Originally Posted by bazz2004

How you factory reset the Alita is now baffling me. I've done it and I remember that it didn't return the unit to exactly how it was when I received it. Gone for example was the option to set the time to GMT. I had to set the time manually. Perhaps I misremember but I thought there was a factory reset option - where or how a reset is done is now baffling me.

I've tried factory resetting through the settings, I'm fairly sure this is just to erase all the data on the device and change all values back to default, I've tried flashing system images for updates and the like, no dice, and lastly I've tried using someone else's backups on the device, another dead end. The process wasn't difficult, but the results are lacking.

Originally Posted by bazz2004

One observation regarding the touch back button on the front is that if you hold it in together with the power button you see the option to Shut down or Reboot. Not much use though if the touch screen isn't working.

I'm able to trigger the Shut Down/Reboot menu just by holding the power off button actually, I'm fairly sure this is standard Android behavior.

[bazz2004]

I confirm that just holding down the power button does give the Shut down or Reboot option.
Although it's had a reset early on there is no obvious problem with my Alita.
The present firmware version and I have installed each update as it was released is
BYRead V2.3.3-2020041718
There is no option showing up in User settings for a Factory reset which is strange as you seem to have that on yours. Perhaps its no longer included with the latest Firmware.

[ottischwenk]

Originally Posted by bazz2004

There is no option showing up in User settings for a Factory reset which is strange as you seem to have that on yours. Perhaps its no longer included with the latest Firmware.

It's in Settings, Top Third ->, Android Settings, Backup & Reset

[bazz2004]

Thanks for checking that. On my Alita it isn't there but it must have been when I received it. I've got under User Settings
Display Style Settings - Standard Minimalist
Lock Screen Wallpaper
Power off Wallpaper
Next is
Button setting which has below it Back button vibration off/on.

That's the lot.

[bazz2004]

Now that I think back there did used to be an Android Settings icon. It is no more. Maybe ottischwenk has the only properly set up Alita on here. One mistake and you're toast.

[ottischwenk]

Originally Posted by bazz2004

Thanks for checking that. On my Alita it isn't there but it must have been when I received it. I've got under User Settings
Display Style Settings - Standard Minimalist
Lock Screen Wallpaper
Power off Wallpaper
Next is
Button setting which has below it Back button vibration off/on.

That's the lot.

No.
Settings, upper third of screen - Alita (->), (last point) Android Settings, .......

[bazz2004]

Yes, thanks, that little arrow wasn't registering. It's all there. I reckon they could make the interface a lot easier to navigate.

[rvcjew]

unfortunately the firmware for the touch matrix ect may be stored in the actual panels it self and therefor for the 8.1 upgrade the mars did a firmware update to it's panels to be more compatible with 8.1 and that update was flashed to your panel. Until they push the 8.1 update for the alita with its own update for the panel it might be stuck that way. Could you try getting an explorer on there that has root level access like solid explorer ect. and go to system/then open build.prop (should open as text) I'm wondering if the data in that thinks it's a mars digitizer.

Edit: you have a link to the exact mars firmware you flashed? I want to see what it had in the img.

[ottischwenk]

Originally Posted by bazz2004

Yes, thanks, that little arrow wasn't registering. It's all there. I reckon they could make the interface a lot easier to navigate.

Why?
How often will you use it?

[ottischwenk]

Originally Posted by FixMyAlita

Here's a Likebook Alita K103 PDF sent to me by a tech support guy on their Facebook, it contains instructions detailing how to flash a default system image for the device, unfortunately as far as I'm aware it's missing what the technician calls "TP FW" (Not sure what the TP stands for), but for whatever reason that prevents me from resetting the pointer calibration. Maybe someone else will find this PDF useful anyway.

Did you try the image in the pdf?

[bazz2004]

Originally Posted by ottischwenk

Why?
How often will you use it?

Hopefully, hardly ever as I'm just using the Alita as an expensive e-reader but clearly it could go wrong big time. I'm not experienced with Android and maybe it is easy when you use a smart phone regularly. Then again I'd be considering Apple rather than Android because my iPad experience has been brilliant so far. It's user friendly whereas the Boyue has proved very taxing.

[ottischwenk]

Originally Posted by bazz2004

Hopefully, hardly ever as I'm just using the Alita as an expensive e-reader but clearly it could go wrong big time.

Well, after I've set everything up, I don't use it at all - so I don't care how hidden and awkward the access is.
Of course, an Alita can also be used as a reader, but it's too big and unwieldy for me; I much prefer to use my Boox Poke 2.
I use the Alita as a drawing device and as a garden / outdoor computer with a Bluetooth keyboard

[bazz2004]

Well what matters here is the resuscitation of FixMyAlita's device. If I learn a bit from the thread all the better. Thanks again for your help.