Unable to Update Q5 Pro from custom 2.0.1

[JBMouse]

Hi, I am probably asking a question that has already been covered, but searches do not get me any answers, so here it is:
I have just aquired a Q5 Pro (having already mastered the Q10 Pro I already have),  and I am trying to update to the latest custom firmware, 2.1.1 but I cannot get anything to work except the currently installed 2.0.1 It is running Android 7, and should not be a chinese version (2.0.1 wouldn't work would it?), I have re installed official firmware 2.0.1 successfully, but 2.0.3 won't install, 2.0.4 won't install. I tried custom firmware 2.0.1 and that installed OK. I then tried custom firmware 2.0.4 (where is 2.0.3?) but that failed. I just get the Himedia boot screen with vertical coloured bars across the screen, and no further action!
I have tried several times, re downloading, suspecting file corruption, but nothing works, so I am stuck on 2.0.1
Can anyone help please

[stl]

You have to install 2.0.3 before 2.0.4. How are you installing, via menu or reset button?

[JBMouse]

thanks for the reply
I am using the reset button method, but I can only find the official firmware of version 2.0.3, not the custom. Can I use the official 2.0.3 and then install 2.0.4 custom over the 2.0.3 official?
Or should I be using the menu upgrade?

[kodiloaded]

Yes you can install  official 2.0.3 and then install 2.0.4 custom

[JBMouse]

Just tried official 2.0.3 but no luck, the progress bar under the android circle only gets to 75% before the Q5 reboots, and then nothing appears on screen, totally blank.
Try 2.0.1 custom again, no problems, installs perfectly OK!
I keep suspecting 2.0.3 file is corrupt.

[stl]

Try to install 2.0.0 first, then 2.0.3.

[JBMouse]

No luck!
2.0.0 official installed OK, although the progress bar under the android circle only got to70%, but that didn't stop the install, so tried 2.0.3 official, progress bar got to 60% again, rebooted itself, I waited 25 minutes, but nothing, blank screen.
I will be trying to install 2.0.3 over the failed 2.0.3, leaving the android and lost dir on the usb drive
Then if failure I will install 2.0.1 custom - again.
2.0.1 custom up and running OK, I guess I am stuck there now!

[pcristi]

@JBMouse
Please read you private message(PM). Maybe helps.

[JBMouse]

Still no luck whatsoever! Tried all the suggestions (Thanks pcristi) but nothing gets me beyond Android 7 custom firmware 2.0.1. Stuck there, so I have updated all the apps I use to the latest, incl. Kodi 18.2, and will carry on as it is.
Still no output from the composite phono connection, but I do now have a small unit that takes the hdmi out of the Q5 and gives composite and stereo to 3 phonos, and that works, as well as composite can.
Wondering if I should try the shorting out the pins on the motherboard trick, or am I likely to brick it?

[stl]

Try to upgrade to official 2.0.3 via settings menu using the USB stick.

The procedure for the official and custom files are different regarding renaming and extracting. Did you ever manage to install ANY official version?

[JBMouse]

Thanks for the info.
I am on custom firmware 2.0.1, and I tried your idea of upgrading to official 2.0.3 using the system upgrade, but it did not work. The android ring spun, but the progress bar only reached about 70 - 75% before it rebooted, I got the Himedia logo for 1 second, and then just a blank screen for 20 minutes, so I gave up.
I re installed official firmware 2.0.1 using the reset pin at the back method, and all went perfectly (although the progress bar only reached 75% again),  so having oficial 2.0.1 running ok, I tried the system upgrade to official 2.0.3, but again progress bar reached 70 - 75%, then blank screen for 20 minutes.
I will now re install 2.0.1 custom, unless you or someone has any more suggestions!
I am renaming when using the custom, and unzipping the official firmware when getting upgrade.zip to the USB drive.

[stl]

When you install the custom version the progress bar reaches 100%? The core files of the custom versions are basically the same as the official, I'm just wondering if you're doing something wrong. If you're using windows it might hide the extension .zip from the file.
As far as I know there's no difference in the firmware version number in the settings between official and custom.

[JBMouse]

No, the progress bar rarely goes to 100%, except, if I remember, when upgrading Android 5 to 7, which I have done at least twice now. I downgraded and then went back in steps as advised by pcristi, but neither of his 2 ways of getting to 2.0.3 worked.
I am very computer literate, so all my hidden files and extensions are always on, and the correct .zip file is always used.
When I re install custom or official 2.0.1 the progress bar only gets to 70 - 75% but the system then boots and runs normally. It is only when trying to go to 2.0.3 that I get the problems.
Do I definitely have a UK version Q5? I think so, as I have 5GHz wifi available (though not used) and 8GB memory, and, I assume, it would not run 2.0.1 when installed.
Is Android 7 fully installed? Can't answer that for sure, maybe there are diagnostics available to understand where the incompatibility lies, or what is blocking the 2.0.3 install. I am even using NTFS formatted usb drives as told by pcristi, but fat32 drives result in the same behaviour.
All my normal end to end fault finding analysis are not finding the problem, can't think it is hardware, so O/S problem seems likely.
If all else fails, I wonder what, if anything, I am missing by not being on custom firmware 2.1.1, which would be the ultimate aim?

[stl]

Q5 Pro Chinese hardware: http://item.jd.com/2720522.html

Compared to European/international Q5 Pro (as we sell), Chinese Q5 Pro:

* Has 2.4 Ghz Wi-Fi only. No 5Ghz.
* Lacks Bluetooth.
* Adds an external SATA port.
* Usually has the Chinese HiMedia logo on the top with Chinese writing.
* Runs a completely different firmware designed mainly for Chinese streaming services.
* European Q5 Pro firmware cannot be installed on Chinese hardware and vice versa.

[JBMouse]

Yes, mine is definitly european!