{"id":2823,"date":"2023-06-07T14:13:51","date_gmt":"2023-06-07T13:13:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/droix.co.uk\/knowledge-base\/?post_type=kb&p=2823"},"modified":"2024-02-21T11:50:48","modified_gmt":"2024-02-21T11:50:48","slug":"stock-firmware-retro-handhelds","status":"publish","type":"kb","link":"https:\/\/droix.net\/knowledge-base\/article\/stock-firmware-retro-handhelds\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Reinstall Stock Firmware on Retro Gaming Handhelds"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

For any number of reasons, you may need to roll back your firmware and install the stock version. Be it a device getting bricked, unstable update, preparing to sell or just a fresh start. The firmware on your device is an important collection of software that provides low-level control for a device’s specific hardware. Naturally an important installation, and one you want to get right. In this guide, we’re going to go through the process of formatting and preparing your device and installing the stock firmware onto it. This process is different for many devices so each process and what devices it’s for will be listed below, make sure to follow along for your device. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prepare your MicroSD Card<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first thing we need to do is prepare the MicroSD Card<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Power off your device and remove the MicroSD<\/a> card by pushing it further in, it will click out and you will be able to pull it out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once it’s out you can plug it into your PC, this can be done in a few different ways. You can use an SD card converter, as we did in the photos, the included MicroSD to USB adapter that comes in the box or even just straight into the PC if your computer has a MicroSD card slot. Any method is perfect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once it\u2019s in, make sure your computer can see it by going to This PC and confirming it\u2019s there. This process will remove all data on the card, so it would be a good idea to back it up by going into the SD card and copying the contents to a folder on your computer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Once you\u2019re sure the computer can read it, we\u2019re going to format the card. This will delete everything currently saved on it. Optionally I recommend you make a backup. This is done by creating a new folder on your PC and dragging the contents over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019re ready to format we need to install a piece of software called Rufus which will help us. You can download it from this link here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Scroll down and download the latest version for your PC. If you\u2019re not sure what version is best go with the Standard Windows x64 platform as that is the most common. Run the .exe file when it downloads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you open the program you\u2019ll be greeted with this screen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We\u2019ll need to ensure the format is set up first. Ensure your device is the microSD card you\u2019ve plugged in. Set boot selection to \u2018Non bootable\u2019. Set the partition scheme to \u2018MBR\u2019. The target system to \u2018BIOS or UEFI\u2019. Give the volume an appropriate label, such as \u2018Firmware-Installer\u2019 and finally set the file system to \u2018FAT32\u2019. You\u2019re ready to click \u2018Start\u2019. When you do so a warning will pop up letting you know the device will be erased. Click \u2018OK\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Your device is now formatted, and we can get ready to install the stock firmware. This is where the process forks for all devices. Follow along with device-specific instructions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find your device from the list of manufacturers below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n