[Android General] Viva La Android R.I.P.:
QLink Scepter 8 Tablet

Gen 2 (MD Variant)

View attachment 5972999

Android 12 (Go Edition)

Optimized Stock ROM

PLEASE READ:​

This thread is presently under revision in order to fix some bugs and force closing issues during initial setup of the Android OS. I am also trying to work in a build for the CF variant. A huge thanks to @Frogking for testing and providing invaluable feedback on this project. Thank you all for your patience and support, and I hope to have things ironed out very soon. ​

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OVERVIEW:

This is a stock-based Android 12 (Go Edition) ROM for the Gen 2 (MD Variant) QLink Scepter 8 tablet, with custom mods for optimized performance, enhanced responsiveness, with a slimmed down and overall improved stock experience.

COMPATIBILITY:

As noted in the title and heading of this thread, this ROM is compatible with the MD variant of the Gen 2 QLink Scepter 8 only. I will try to release a similar ROM for the CF variant of the Gen 2 model when free time permits. Likewise, I plan on releasing optimized Android 11 (Go Edition) ROMs for the Gen 1 variants as well in due course. Please do not request ETAs.

ROM SPECIFICATIONS:

OS/Version: Android 12 (Go Edition)

API Level: 31

Build Tag: User

Firmware Build: Scepter8_Tablet_v01_20230526

Build ID: 12/SQ1A.220105.002

Custom Version: BigdroidOS v2.0.0.131

Build Date: May 26, 2023

Security Patch Level: June 5, 2023

Kernel Version: Linux v5.4.210 (svn26474)

Bootloader Version: v20230526_180126

ROM FEATURES:

• Heavily debloated

• All QLink apps & services removed

• QLink default wallpaper replaced

• Legacy Android boot animation

• Init.d support

• Force encryption disabled (DFE) (Opt-encrypt)

• AVB/dm-verity disabled

• Unsecure boot image support

• Optimized image rendering

• Rooted with Magisk v26.1 stable

• Static BusyBox v1.38.1

• Full r/w mounting of /super

• /system mounts r/w

• /vendor mounts r/w

• /product mountsr/w

• /system_ext mounts r/w

• RAM management optimizations

• Network speed optimizations

• Rapid boot time

• Optimized Kernel Samepage Merging (KMS)

• Maximum Swappiness (preset to 100)

• Launcher integrated into memory

• zRAM compression improvements

DISCLAIMER:

This guide involves flashing the factory allocated partitions of your device, a task which carries with it an inherent risk of bricking or otherwise rendering your device completely inoperable. By proceeding further, you are assuming sole responsibility for the integrity and operability of your tablet, thus absolving me of any liability in the event things go badly. This guide has been thoroughly tested on three different tablets, all with positive results and no adverse issues. Follow the instructions carefully, employ some patience, and things should go smoothly. In the unfortunate event you do brick your device, or are otherwise unable to boot to the Android OS, by guide on factory firmware restoration should get you up and going again fairly quickly. QLink Scepter 8 Factory Firmware Restoration Guide

PREREQUISITES:​

A PC or laptop running on Windows 7/8.1/10/11​

An unlocked bootloader. If you have not yet unlocked your device, follow my bootloader unlocking guide here and return to this thread once you have successfully unlocked your bootloader (NOTE: Complete only the guide on unlocking the bootloader. Achieving root access of the Android OS is not required here) QLink Scepter 8 Bootloader Unlocking Guide​

The Minimal ADB & Fastboot v1.4.3 tools installed on your Windows computer (link provided below)​

The factory supplied, or a quality equivalent, micro USB to USB-A charging/syncing cable ​

A reliable Internet connection with which to download the needed files ​

Your tablet should be running firmware build Scepter8_Tablet_v01_20230526. If you are not running this version, update your firmware by following my firmware restoration guide here. Return to this thread once your device has been updated accordingly QLink Scepter 8 Factory Firmware Restoration Guide​

INSTRUCTIONS:

WARNING: These instructions include steps for initiating a factory data reset of your tablet, which is required in order to successfully disable force encryption (DFE). A factory data reset effectively wipes all saved user data from your device's shared internal storage, including third party user apps, app data, app preferences, device preferences, music, photos, videos, documents, and all other data saved to shared internal storage by the user. Before proceeding further, make a full backup of any user data you wish to keep. ​

Download the Minimal ADB & Fastboot v1.4.3 tools Installer from the link below. Right click the .exe installer and opt to run it as an administrator. Follow the prompts to complete installation​

Open your Windows File Explorer, navigate to This PC and open Local Disk (C). Open Program Files (x86), copy the Minimal ADB and Fastboot folder, and paste it to your desktop​

Download the Optimized Stock ROM zip file, from the link below, onto your PC or laptop, and extract the contents of the archive to the Minimal ADB & Fastboot folder on your desktop​

Boot your device into Recovery mode, by executing this command from the Android OS

adb reboot recovery

A blue heading at the top of your display will indicate Android Recovery​

In recovery mode, use the Volume keys to navigate to the Wipe data/factory reset option. Press Power to select. Once complete, choose the Enter fastboot option and press the Power key to boot into fastbootd mode (this step is crucial; take care NOT to select the Reboot to bootloader option, but rather the Enter fastboot option)​

Execute the following command to verify proper fastboot communication between your tablet and PC/laptop

fastboot devices

If properly connected, the command window will yield an alphanumeric value consistent with your device's serial number, followed by the phrase fastboot​

Once a proper connection has been verified, execute the following commands in this order:

fastboot flash boot patched_boot.img
fastboot --disable-verity --disable-verification flash vbmeta vbmeta.img
fastboot flash super super.img
fastboot erase metadata
fastboot reboot

**Take note that the super.img file is quite large in size. Accordingly, fastboot will convert super.img into approximately ten smaller sparsechunk files, which will then be systematically flashed to the /super partition. This process can take several minutes to complete, so be patient and do not interrupt the flashing operation​

Upon reboot and completion of initial setup, open your app drawer and locate the Magisk app or its stub placeholder. Grant any requested permissions and follow all prompts to complete setup of the root environment. Magisk may reboot your device to complete the process. NOTE: if you do not see the Magisk app or its stub placeholder in your app drawer, download the Magisk v26.1 stub from the link below (stub-release.apk) and install it on your tablet. Open the stub, follow the prompts to upgrade to the full version of Magisk, and grant any requested permissions.​

That's it. Installation of the ROM and setup of the Magisk root environment are complete.​

DOWNLOADS:

• Official GitHub Magisk Releases

• Minimal ADB & Fastboot v1.4.3

• Optimized Stock ROM Package

THANKS & MENTIONS:

A heartfelt thanks to Hot Pepper™ Mobile CEO Shawn Sun for his continued assistance in providing me with up-to-date factory firmware images for all models of the QLink Scepter 8. Mr. Sun's continued support has been instrumental in keeping my device threads current with the latest firmware builds.

BUGS:

This ROM is based entirely on firmware build number Scepter8_Tablet_v01_20230526, of which I have noticed no bugs, instabilities or adverse issues. In the event you notice a bug or instability with this ROM, please submit an official bug report if you know how. If not, please provide detailed information regarding the bug, including screenshots and logcat results if possible. Please do not report bugs if you are running custom mods such as the Xposed framework, custom kernels, etc. Bugs and instabilities can only be properly diagnosed and analyzed if submitted while running this ROM as configured (the user followed all instructions installing this ROM and is not running any additional system-level mods, tweaks or frameworks). I will try diligently to patch any reported bugs, instabilities or adverse issues in due course.

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