Hard Bricked RK3228A TV Box (Board T39-V1.0) - Looking for Maskrom / CLK Test Point

[Kuroki]

Hello everyone,

I am trying to install Armbian on my Android TV Box, but unfortunately, I flashed an incorrect firmware. Now the device is hard-bricked: the red and blue LEDs are blinking alternately, there is no HDMI output (black screen), and the physical reset button is not working properly.

I already have an SD card loaded with the multitool to install Armbian, but I need to force the SoC into Maskrom Mode first so it can bypass the corrupted eMMC and boot from the SD card.

Device Specifications:

SoC: Rockchip RK3228A

Board ID: T39-V1.0

Storage: eMMC (BGA type)

I have attached the front and back photos of my PCB board (IMG-20260607-WA0027.jpg and IMG-20260607-WA0031.jpg) for reference.

Could anyone help me identify the exact and safe test points (CLK to GND shorting points) for this specific T39-V1.0 board layout?

Thank you so much for your help!

[jock]

Hard bricking is not compatible with the led flashing alternatively: you did not hard bricked the device, you're just having difficulties in changing the firmware.

The maskrom pin may help, but also a serial adapter attached to the uart may let you solve the issue without maskrom. You could also tell us what is the bad firmware that makes your leds blink alternatively.

[Kuroki]

Hello jock,

Thank you for your guidance and for clarifying that my device isn't truly hard-bricked.

Regarding your question about the firmware, I used the image from this link: https://mega.nz/folder/v2IEEJqK#WR2o_RwAvS0XWd3pBmnp7Q.

Could you please advise on the next steps, or if there is a specific way to use the UART adapter to diagnose or recover the device based on this specific firmware?

Thank you for your help

Sorry if I ask a lot of questions because I'm a beginner.

Edited 1 hour ago by Kuroki