In this article, we'll show you how to reflash an Android 8.1 tablet. These were the Alba8Neu PiPO and then K811C tablets, which shipped with the later v1.1 and the v1.3 DE1 machines.

Here's how to reflash:

Step 1: 1st or 2nd generation Android 8.1 tablet?

First off, you need to figure out if you have a 1st generation Android 8.1 tablet or a 2nd generation Android 8.1 tablet.

You can figure out which tablet you have by looking to see if you have a "reset button".

The first generation tablet has a hole where the reset button is. 

The second generation tablet has a button for reset.

Step 2: Get the right files

Here's all the files you need for the 1st generation Android 8.1 tablet:

ROM/Firmware file: DE1_Alba8Neu_ROM_8.1_ROM_v1.zip

Flashing tools & drivers required:

Driver_Auto_Installer_v1.1236.00.zip

SP_Flash_Tool_v5.1532_Win.zip

SN_Write_Tool_v1.1916.00.zip

Here's all the files you need for the 2nd generation Android 8.1 tablet:

ROM/Firmware file:

gen2_android81.zip

K811C Firmware 20190817.zip (newer version)

Flashing tools & drivers required:

Driver_Auto_Installer_v1.1236.00.zip

SP_Flash_Tool_v5.1532_Win.zip

SN_Write_Tool_v1.1916.00.zip

Step 3: Write down WiFi and Bluetooth MAC addresses

Before you begin, if the tablet is functional, ensure both the WiFi and Bluetooth are turned on in the "Settings" app. While in the "Settings" app, tap on "About Tablet" and then select "Status". Write down (or take a photo of) BOTH your WiFi and Bluetooth MAC addresses (they will look something like "22:80:F3:81:21:01"). These values might get deleted, and will need to be re-entered after flashing a new ROM.

If your tablet is not functional right now (i.e. in a boot loop or unresponsive - and the RESET button doesn't fix the issue), continue with the process anyway - you will be provided with relevant instructions.

Step 4: Back up your files

Flashing a tablet will almost certainly remove any files, apps and settings on your tablet. If you are able, back up anything important first.

Step 5: Using SP Flash Tool to flash an Android ROM onto the tablet

Unzip SP Flash Tools and MediaTek Drivers

NOTE: You must use the SP Flash Tool version 5.1532 from this page to successfully flash the Decent 8.1 tablet.

Install MediaTek drivers

Unzip the firmware file you wish to use

Ensure the tablet is off and unplugged. (If you can turn it off, if not, continue anyway)

Open flash_tool.exe from SP Flash tools

Go to the "download tab"

click on "choose" next on the "scatter-loading file" line

Select the MT8163_Android_scatter file from the ROM folder

-> The table below should automatically populate with a bunch of bin and img files.

Choose "Download Only" from the drop down list (just above the table). This option should not delete your NVRAM or MAC addresses, and is the recommended option.

Note: If you have flashed your tablet using "Download Only", but find an issue still exists or that the tablet is misbehaving. You can attempt a more comprehensive erase and flash by using the "Format All + Download" option. Unfortunately this will erase your NVRAM and MAC addresses, and you will need to use the SN Write Tool (instructions below) to reprogram them once flashing is complete. If your tablet's ROM contents are sufficiently corrupt (or different), SP Flash Tool may force you to use the "Format All + Download" option before you can continue.

click on the "Download" button up the top (next to "Stop").

Make sure the tablet is turned off, then plug the tablet usb cable into the computer

Wait a little bit, can take up to a minute, the bottom status bar should change colour, and then show a progress of formatting, and downloading flash.

NOTE 1: if you cant turn your tablet off, plug it into the PC and hold down POWER and VOLUME UP until it reboots, the SP Flash software should hopefully catch it during the preloader stage of boot. This might require a few attempts.

NOTE 2: if your tablet is completely non-responsive, plug it into the PC and gently press the RESET button by placing a toothpick or pin inside the reset hole.

Wait while the ROM is being flashed, this will take 5 minutes or more (depending on the ROM files you use).

After the flashing is completed, unplug usb cable. Power up the tablet (you may have to hold POWER and VOLUME UP for 10 seconds). The first boot will take some time (possibly 10 minutes or more) as it rebuilds the user partition. The tablet may reboot itself once or twice before it is ready.

You should be presented with a fresh android install

Why you might need to use the SN Write Tool

1) You used the "Format All + Download" option in SP Flash tool. Which erases your NVRAM and MAC addresses.

2) Your tablet has an erased or corrupted NVRAM partition. This can usually be identified by checking if your Bluetooth MAC address is "00:00:46:81:63:01".

3) In Android 7.0, you see a "NVRAM WARNING 0x10" (or similar) message on your WiFi Settings screen.

4) You seem to have an obviously not random set of MAC addresses, or they change every boot. (Ensure WiFI is turned on before checking, or else it can report a false WiFi MAC address of 00:20:00:00:00:00).

If one of the above applies to you, continue with the instructions below. Otherwise your tablet is now ready to use.

Using SN Write Tool to re-program MAC addresses (and/or fix NVRAM)

To Re-Program your MAC addresses, and fix NVRAM issues - 

Install MediaTek drivers if you havent already (these will already be installed if you used SP Flash tool earlier)

Download SN Write Tool, and unzip the file.

Open SN_Writer.exe from the SN Write Tool folder.

For ComPort choose "USB VCOM" in the drop down list.

For Tablet Type choose "Tablet Wifi Only" in the drop down list.

Click on the "System Config" button

In the System Config window, ensure everything is Unticked, apart from "BT Address" and "Wifi Address"

In the System Config window, click the "AP_DB" button down the bottom, and navigate to the folder containing the ROM you have installed, select the only file beginning with APDB (for example APDB_MT8163_S01_L1.MP8_W15.19), click Open.

In the System Config window, click the "Save" button down the bottom.

You should be back at the main SN Writer window, click on the "Start" button

Enter in your WiFi and Bluetooth MAC addresses without any colons or symbols (i.e. they should be in a format similar to - 2280F3812101).

NOTE: If you dont have your original WiFi And Bluetooth MAC addresses, generate two random addresses using this website https://www.hellion.org.uk/cgi-bin/randmac.pl?scope=local&type=unicast  (Ensure you choose "Locally Administered" and "Unicast").  Use one of these randomly generated addresses for WiFi and one for Bluetooth.  

Dont click OK yet.  Instead ensure your tablet has booted into Android and is plugged into your PC.  On the tablet, hold down POWER for two seconds to bring up the "Power Off or Reboot" prompt.  

Click "OK" in SN Writer, then tap "Power off" on the tablet.

After the tablet reboots SN Writer will begin to reprogram your NVRAM partition writing the new MAC addresses.  You will receive a "Pass" message if the process was successful.

If you receive any other error message, the chances are reprogramming NVRAM has failed.  You can quickly boot into Android and verify if the WiFi and Blueooth MAC addresses have been programmed successfully, otherwise you will need to attempt the procedure again (timing can be difficult regarding the reboot). 

Your tablet is now ready to use.

#tablet #reflashing #documentation