I have a Q10 pro in need of updating..please help

[Vipersan]

I have bought an older Q10 pro from a friend ..but it is in need of updating ..
It is an older box ..and he has bought a later one so sold me his older box.
The technical spec is as follows.
Model Q10 pro
Android version 5.1.1
Kernal version 3.18.24
build number HMD-1 09 2016-12.15 091707
sn HMDB501507001705
mem size 2gb
storage size 16gb
I am assuming it is European version ?
language is English and has 16gb
it is obviously well out of date...and no updates available when connected to the net.
I assume the only way to update this would be manually ?
Can someone kindly help and advise what files I would need
I dont want to brick this unit by mistake and sadly I am a novice here.
Step - by - step would be good.
many thanks
VS

[Vipersan]

Well ..I hope I'm taking the correct route..
Downloaded Q10 PRO FIRMWARE. ANDROID 5.1 TO ANDROID 7 v2.0.4. FUTEKO
It did appear to work ..but often hangs/crashes in operation ..
Can I just upgrade again to a later version ?
If so what ?
If not I guess I'll have to downgrade again to 5.1 ?

I really wish I knew what I was doing instead of just guessing..

[stl]

https://www.futeko.com/newforum/index.php?topic=4969.msg32361#msg32361

Install with the paperclip method

[Vipersan]

Thanks but it looks like it's too late to save this one now..
I tried updating to a nov 2020 firmware ..which appeared to go as expected ..but it didn't reboot upon completion ..and now does nothing..
Bricked I suspect.
I'll write this off to stupidity on my part..and avoid the Q10 in future.
cest la vie

[pcristi]

Q10Pro not so easy to bricked.
Start box without USB flash connected and rst(restore) button press.

- if you see Rainbow circle box are on Android 7.0 try install OFW v2.0.3.
Android 2.0.3 firmware from here:
https://www.futeko.com/newforum/index.php?topic=1865.0

- if are stil display Android Droid then start with upgrade FW from 5.1.1 to Android 7 again.
Android 5.1.1 to 2.0.4 firmware from here:
https://www.futeko.com/newforum/index.php?topic=2096.0

Above steps you can try anyway before to go to the next one.

Unlucky case if not once for above working then read here:
https://www.futeko.com/newforum/index.php?topic=4954.msg32242#msg32242
https://www.futeko.com/newforum/index.php?topic=1622.msg14469#msg14469

[Vipersan]

I tried as you suggested..
Press and hold the RST button at rear ..whilst selecting on at front..
The blue number pad illuminates for a few seconds..then goes off ..and the box returns to standby.
Basically no loader activity.
nothing on screen ?
I suspect this is terminal.
I figure the only way this could be revived is by replacing a chip which has a working loader..
rgds
VS

[Vipersan]

Having decided I have little to lose at this stage..
I followed the third link pcristi...and have the main board out of the Q10.
located those 2 contacts on the underside of the pcb..and soldered a small momentary switch across them.
Now I need to find an 8gb usb stick and prepare it.
I guess it's worth a go.
rgds
VS

[Vipersan]

Not found a suitable thumb drive as yet..but I now have a zip file called update.zip which contains 3 files :-
bootargs.bin
fastboot.bin
recovery.img

I dont want to risk my stupidity ruining the process so thought I'd ask the expert first
pcristi ..
Is this correct ?

[pcristi]

On USB stick will have 4 files

bootargs.bin
fastboot.bin
recovery.img
update.zip

bootargs.img, fastboot.img, recovery.img extract from update.zip
bootargs.img rename as bootargs.bin
fastboot.img rename as fastboot.bin
recovery.img, update.zip just copy.

Pay attention of Windows Explorer not to hide know extension then will make proper rename of extensions files.

[Vipersan]

So ..
getting this clear in my head
I downloaded
Q10 PRO FIRMWARE 2.1.4 V2 SEMI-OFFICIAL. INSTALL ON ANDROID 7 v2.0.4+ ONLY. FUTEKO. HMD-2.1.4 2019-09-11
open the zip ..
extract 3 files from the contents of the zip
bootargs.img rename as bootargs.bin
fastboot.img rename as fastboot.bin
recovery.img
so these then sit in the root of the USB
then copy the entire
.zip (Q10 PRO FIRMWARE 2.1.4 V2 SEMI-OFFICIAL. INSTALL ON ANDROID 7 v2.0.4+ ONLY. FUTEKO. HMD-2.1.4 2019-09-11)
rename this to update.zip

Sorry if I am sounding a bit thick..but this is all new to me.
rgds

[pcristi]

For all FW start post from Q5/Q10 Pro Official Firmware
https://www.futeko.com/newforum/index.php?topic=4775.0
Archive with long names (Q10 PRO FIRMWARE 2.1.4 V2 SEMI-OFFICIAL. INSTALL ON ANDROID 7 v2.0.4+ ONLY. FUTEKO. HMD-2.1.4 2019-09-11.zip) contend two files update.zip and readme.txt then have to extract update.zip from it.

[Vipersan]

I prepared a 120gb usb pen drive as required ..
sadly this has no worked for me.
I suspect there may well be something seriously wrong with the Q10...since I dont even get a brief flash of the Himedia logo at start up.
Boot manager damaged so wont even recognise the prepared USB ?
I'm no expert as I said..but this is my suspicion.
Is it possible to damage/corrupt the internal boot loader or is this protected such that it can never be corrupted ?
Is it time to give up on this and assume it is beyond recovery ?

[Vipersan]

On the off chance the size of the thumb drive is critical I've ordered a smaller 8gb thumb drive to try in place of the 128gb.
but maybe this is pointless ?
rgds

[pcristi]

MiniTool Partition Wizard or similar can create MBR/FAT32/8GB partition on bigger USB stick, then can give a try.

[Vipersan]

The 8gb thumb drive arrived..
transferred the 4 files over and tried again..
Nothing doing.
Time to give up I think.
Looks like I aquired a pretty paperweight.
rgds
VS