Vestel upgrade_loader.pkg: Forced Recovery Firmware for 17MB110, JVC, Toshiba, Philips TVs

User question

upgrade_loader.pkg

Artificial Intelligence Response

Direct answer to the question

• upgrade_loader.pkg is a forced-recovery / full-image firmware package used mainly by Vestel-based televisions and professional displays (also re-branded sets such as JVC, Telefunken, Toshiba, Hitachi, Philips HFL/BDL, etc.).
• It contains the complete boot chain (bootloader, kernel, root FS, application stack, panel profile, keys) and is executed by a special “USB emergency” routine in the boot ROM or first-stage loader.
• Its only purpose is to re-flash every partition of the eMMC / NAND from scratch when normal update mechanisms (autorun.upg, OTA, network) fail or when migrating to a new software platform (e.g. Michelangelo → Yoda).

Key points
• Must match the exact main-board (e.g. 17MB110), LCD panel code and software generation.
• Incorrect or interrupted flashing bricks the board – recovery then requires a hardware programmer.
• File is not publicly distributed by Vestel; technicians obtain it via authorised portals or service dumps.

Detailed problem analysis

1. Package structure

   upgrade_loader.pkg ─► header (signature, CRC32)
   ├── uboot.bin (SoC first/second stage)
   ├── logo.bin (splash)
   ├── kernel.img (Linux / RTOS)
   ├── rootfs.squashfs (system libraries, busybox)
   ├── appfs.img (UI, OTT apps)
   ├── panel_xxx.bin (timing & gamma)
   └── keys.dat (HDCP, Widevine, Netflix ESN)

   The header includes a board-id and panel-id whitelist checked by the loader.

2. Boot-strap mechanism
   • The ROM looks for a FAT32-formatted USB, filename exactly upgrade_loader.pkg in root.
   • If the SHA/CRC inside header passes and the board-id matches, U-Boot switches to “mass-storage update mode”, erasing and writing partitions sequentially.
   • Progress is indicated only by the standby LED (steady → rapid blink → off → reboot). No OSD is shown because the main display timing controller is disabled during flash.

3. Compatibility matrix (simplified)

Parameter	Must match	Notes
Mainboard chassis	✓	e.g. 17MB110, 17MB97, 17MB211 differ in SoC, DDR map
Panel model / code	✓	Wrong profile ⇒ black/white, inverted, or no-backlight
Tuner option byte	✓	DVB-T/T2/C/S2, ATSC, ISDB differences
Software platform name	✓	Michelangelo, Yoda, Leonardo refer to major API / middleware changes
Secure-boot keyset	(if enabled)	New sets (post-2020) enforce RSA signature; old files are rejected

4. Typical failure scenarios
   • No LED flash – USB not detected ➔ re-format FAT32, use ≤ 16 GB USB 2.0, front port.
   • Endless blinking – checksum mismatch or partition write error ➔ verify file with md5 / sha1, try fresh copy, different stick, stable AC supply.
   • Boot loop after flash – panel or tuner mismatch ➔ wrong firmware family; repeat with correct build or change profile via service menu (F, 9, 8, 5, 0).
   • Brick (no LED, no UART) – power loss during erase; only eMMC ISP or BGA reball possible.

Current information and trends

• Since 2021 Vestel introduced secure-boot / signed images; upgrade_loader.pkg now carries RSA-2048 signatures verified in ROM, blocking cross-model downgrades.
• New Android-TV based chassis (17MTxx) use recovery.img + super.img in A/B partitions; the legacy .pkg method remains only as a last-resort.
• Cloud/OTA delta updates are replacing full USB images to reduce field-service cost; upgrade_loader.pkg is kept for service centres.

Supporting explanations and details

Analogy: Think of the package as a factory rescue disk that reforms and reinstalls the whole operating system of a PC—including BIOS, drivers, Windows, and your product key—in one pass. Any mismatch between motherboard revision, display adapter, or licence key and the image will prevent boot or activate anti-tamper locks.

Example timing for a 4 GB image on 17MB110 (MT5657 SoC)

00:00 LED fast blink: header check
00:15 Writing bootloader (4 MB)
01:10 Erasing rootfs partition (256 MB)
03:20 Programming rootfs
05:45 Programming appfs
06:30 Reboot → slow blink (first boot scripts)
08:00 OSD appears

Ethical and legal aspects

• Firmware images are copyright of Vestel and OTT partners; public sharing may infringe IP and DRM agreements.
• Flashing unofficial builds can void warranty, violate content-protection (Widevine/Netflix) terms, or breach EU Ecodesign energy regulations if factory presets change.
• Field engineers must comply with local e-waste directives; bricking a board and replacing it instead of re-flashing can raise environmental concerns.

Practical guidelines

Implementation checklist for service personnel

1. Identify hardware: read sticker on mainboard (e.g., “17MB110P-3 234578”) and panel (e.g., “VES490UNDL-2D-N12”).
2. Obtain exact-match .pkg via Vestel service portal (login required) or authorised distributor.
3. Verify integrity (sha1sum provided in bulletin).
4. Format USB (Windows: format X: /FS:FAT32 /Q, Linux: mkfs.vfat -F 32 /dev/sdX1).
5. Copy file, safely eject.
6. Plug USB, hold OK on RC or P+ on keypad, insert AC, release after LED starts rapid blink.
7. Wait ≥ 10 min; never cycle power prematurely.
8. After first boot, enter service menu → Option bytes → confirm panel, tuner, BT, CI flags.
9. Run factory reset, auto-tune, HDMI check, panel ageing mode (if OLED).

Potential challenges & work-arounds
• Signed-image rejection – request “crypto-off” engineering build or replace main-board with matching secure-ID.
• Panel mismatch but no alternative firmware – in service menu change Panel ID then execute EEPROM write and cold reboot (risky, but often works).

Possible disclaimers or additional notes

• Information is for qualified technicians; high-voltage areas inside TV present shock hazard.
• Some 2023 Vestel boards use eMMC devices bonded directly on SoC package (POP); ISP programming requires microscope and pogo pins.
• Community tools (Vestel Toolbox, vestel_unpack.py) exist but are reverse-engineered, unsupported, and may break secure-boot chains.

Suggestions for further research

• Study MTK / MStar secure-boot whitepapers to understand signature chain.
• Explore Vestel Toolbox GitHub to learn unpack/repack of .pkg.
• Monitor professional forums (badcaps.net, elektro-tanya, Digital-Kaos) for panel-specific builds.
• Investigate “A/B seamless update” adopted in 17MTxx Android boards as future trend.

Brief summary

upgrade_loader.pkg is Vestel’s all-in-one, forced-recovery firmware image. It rewrites bootloader-to-application layers and must exactly correspond to the mainboard, panel, and software generation (e.g., Yoda v3.26.12.0 for 17MB110). The update is triggered via USB in emergency mode; any mismatch or power interruption can permanently brick the set, making professional tools necessary for un-bricking. Always source authentic packages, verify checksums, follow the LED-blink procedure meticulously, and document option-byte settings after flash.

Disclaimer: The responses provided by artificial intelligence (language model) may be inaccurate and misleading. Elektroda is not responsible for the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of the presented information. All responses should be verified by the user.