[Miscellaneous Android Development] RayWalton:
HOW TO UNBRICK A MYGICA ATV1200 or ATV1220

Okay this is a reliable method for unbricking MyGica ATV1200 and ATV1220 boxes and other identical Geniatech models with different branding (e.g. Sumvision X2 Clyclone). Many thanks to Josh at EmbER for his irreplaceable help and support without which this would not have been possible for me to have had a chance of succeeding. Using this method I have now successfully unbricked 5 boxes 2 X ATV1200 and 3 X ATV1220T boxes which are now all nicely running the latest EmbER firmware. But as per the usual caveat, you agree that you carry out the following procedures fully at your own risk of course.

Firstly you need to download the following three files, the last two are from my Public Dropbox folder, and please download these quite small files anew even if you already have files of the same or similar names, as there may well be differences, particularly with the 3rd file which has been importantly amended from an original that I had.

1. Amlogic BootcardMaker in English - Using link http://chinagadgetsreviews.blogspot.com.au/2015/04/download-amlogic-bootcardmaker-english.html

2. MX_LINUX-EMPTY-BOOTCARD-FOR-GIT.zip - Using link https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/17319514/MX_LINUX-EMPTY-BOOTCARD-FOR-GIT.zip

3. ATV1200 pins to short.jpg - Using link https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/17319514/ATV1200 pins to short.jpg

Step A. Okay the first task is to make a suitable SD boot card using the BootcardMaker.exe application found in Link 1 above. Note this version runs in English language and also in Windows 10, unlike earlier versions of this utility. So first unzip this downloaded .rar file into a suitable location on your PC (I use a cleared Temp folder on my C drive). Insert a suitable SD card of at least 1GB (I used a 4GB Class 4 card) into your PC SD card slot (or adaptor).

Run up the BootcardMaker.exe utility and VERY IMPORTANTLY make sure you locate your appropriate newly inserted SD card from the utillity's "Choose disk" option using the drop down list. Double check it is definitely pointing to your SD Card you wish to partition and format as whatever disk you point to will end up being totally reformatted and lose any data that was on it.

Next click on the Yes box in the "To Partition and Format" option.

Now click on the "Open" button in the "Choose your bin files:" settings option and you should see the u-boot.bin file which you must select.

Finally click on the "Make" button and you will see your SD card goes into the Windows normal quick format routine applet screen which you should say yes to and allow it to complete the format.

Step B Once BootcardMaker.exe has completed the special bootable formatting of your SD card then, by unzipping File 2 above, copy across all the files in the "MX_LINUX-EMPTY-BOOTCARD-FOR-GIT" folder just as they are from File 2 above. There will then be just 5 files in all which should importantly be on the root directory of your newly made special SD card. Your special bootable SD card used for unbricking your box is now ready for use.

Step C You now need to open up the case of your ATV1200 or ATV1220 by unscrewing and removing the three small cross headed screws on the rear of your box. Keep these screws in a safe place and then gently with say a small flat headed screwdriver prise open the top cover of your box taking care not to damage the case itself. For the ATV1220 box there is no need to remove the ribbon cables at the front as you can just lay the case top down in front of the box. You are now ready to start the unbricking procedure as detailed below.

Step D You will need a small electrical or similar flat headed screwdriver and a toothpick. First of all insert the newly created bootable SD card in the appropriate slot on your box. Next using the .jpg picture in File 3 above locate the two pins which you will need to short, these are pins 6 & 7 on the chip as shown by the red arrow. NOTE The ATV1220 mainboard is very similar so you can use the ATV1200 picture provided to easily identify the chip and the two pins as it is pretty much in the same place.

Step E With the box switched off with the power plug unplugged from the back we are now ready for the important unbricking stage. You must of course have an HDMI cable connected from the box to your TV / monitor and ensure that it is properly connected and working (test with another good device like a DVD player or Games console etc). So carefully with the small screwdriver short across the two appropriate pins 6 & 7, as per the red arrow in the picture, and using the toothpick press in and hold the recessed reset button ensuring that you felt it properly click in. Using a third hand (i.e. a helper) and, whilst still maintaining the pin shorting and toothpick pressed in reset button, now apply the power plug to the box so it powers up (front lamp lights red normally). Count about 5 to 10 seconds (no more) and remove the screwdriver from shorting the two pins but keep the reset button pressed in still and best to wait until you see some activity on your TV screen before removing the toothpick. YOU MUST NOT AT THIS STAGE SWITCH OFF YOUR BOX AS IT MAY TAKE UP TO TWO MINUTES BEFORE YOU SEE ANY ACTIVITY. You should then be dumped into the standard recovery screen and of course you can now remove the toothpick too.

If nothing happens after about two minutes then you need carefully repeat this complete Step E again and ensure that you have indeed shorted those two pins 6 & 7 which may in some cases require first gently scraping any insulating coating they may have over them. If all went smoothly then congratulations you have now successfully unbricked your box. But before moving on I suggest you carry out from the recovery screen a factory reset which will clear any possible unwanted content out of your box, then power off your box by removing the power plug.

Step F You can now flash the latest EmbER 3.0.1 public release firmware to your newly unbricked box in the normal way using your toothpick and a suitable SD card with the EmbER 3.0.1 files copied onto it. Your should find there is no need to first install any earlier MX Linux firmware as the box is now clear and will accept the EmbER firmware cleanly and reliably. You should then of course register your box by making a suitable donation of US$10 or more to unleash your EmbER firmware and update it to the latest fully activated EmbER firmware. That also shows your appreciation for all the good work that Josh and Cory carry out at EmbER including the huge help with this unbricking procedure

Step G Once you are happy all is working you can carefully reassemble your opened box using the three screws you removed and kept safe. Now enjoy your newly recovered box.

Please give your feedback whether that be confirmation that it all worked for you or in particular if you had any problems with the above instructions or if you found any errors.