[HOW TO FLASH] how to flash Protek 4K

To flash the original Protek 4K (the first UHD model from Protek), you are working with a Broadcom chipset that is extremely reliable but requires a very specific folder path to trigger the bootloader during startup.

Preparation

1. USB Drive: Use a USB 2.0 stick (4GB or 8GB is best) formatted to FAT32.

2. Download Image: Ensure you have the firmware (OpenATV, OpenHDF, etc.) specifically for the Protek 4K.

3. Extract Files: Unzip the file on your computer. You should see a folder named protek.

4. Copy to USB: Transfer the entire protek folder to the root of your USB drive.

   • Structure: USB Stick -> protek -> 4k -> (image files: kernel.bin, rootfs.bin, etc.).

The Flashing Process

1. Power Down: Turn off the receiver using the physical power switch at the back.

2. Insert USB: Plug the USB stick into one of the USB ports (the side port is generally more responsive for flashing).

3. Power On: Flip the rear power switch to ON.

4. Initiate Flash:

   • Watch the front panel LED or the TV screen.

   • As soon as you see the prompt “Update?” or “Press Power”, press the Standby/Power button on the front panel immediately.

5. Wait: The front LED will usually blink during the writing process. Do not turn off the power until the box finishes and reboots itself automatically.

    

6. Complete: Once the boot logo changes or the setup wizard appears, you can safely remove the USB stick.

Troubleshooting & Tips

• Folder Name: Unlike the X1 and X2 models, the subfolder for this model must be named exactly 4k. If it is named 4kx1 or 4kx2, the box will ignore it.

• Automatic Flash (Force): If you can’t get the timing of the button press right, open the 4k folder on your USB, find the file noforce, and rename it to force. The box will now flash as soon as it is powered on.

• USB Selection: If the box boots to the old image, try using a different USB port or a different brand of USB stick (older, slower USB 2.0 drives often work best).