Vontar X3 didn't start arbian

[howard180]

Hello!

I try to start Armbian_24.11.0_amlogic_s905x3_bookworm_6.6.53_server_2024.10.02.img.gz in Vontar X3 (4 gb , 32 Gb). But it doesn't start. what i did before:

1. Set meson-sm1-hk1box-vontar-x3.dtb in FTD (file uEnv.txt)
2. Rename file from u-boot-s905x3.bin to u-boot.ext

[ophub]

No modification is required, you can directly use the s905x3 firmware to start

[howard180]

What you mean? What step i must to do?

[petesimon]

howard180 try both SD card to boot and USB 3.0 port and USB 2.0 to boot. (3 attempts)

[howard180]

Tried all these cases, didn't help

[petesimon]

be more specific please in explaining what steps you have done. Did you use a toothpick and press/hold the reset button for 15 seconds?

also the currently installed firmware may be blocking the booting of 3rd party operating systems (armbian, emuelec, etc). or the bootloader is encrypted which also blocks some 3rd party things. This is true in my H96 Max X3 (S905x3) tv box. I had to downgrade the Android firmware to older firmware of the year 2022. Search online for an older stock Android firmware file. Another option is to install another Android firmware such as Aidan's-ROM, ( link here ) overwriting the stock Android firmware, and this may allow booting Armbian. Below are two methods that I use to install any compatible Android firmware onto two tv boxes.

T95 Max Plus / Burn Card Maker 2.03

and H96 Max X3 / Boot Card Maker 1 with TWRP recovery

[petesimon]

Search online for an older stock Android firmware file.

if this stock android firmware is older, then maybe try to downgrade your tv box by using this file.
link here
https://disk.yandex.ru/d/RXwz1zpVCXgHGQ/

I also found this information in freaktab forums and a mega link to another android firmware file. https://forum.freaktab.com/node/812507

*edit: and another, year 2020, *edit: another year 2020