JQ6500 rescue tool - V1.1

For JQ6500-16p owners with no Windows upload software on their device. It is an 32Bit ISO-file with a Linux system which should boot on almost every PC to install a new or missing interface upon your JQ6500-16p. It runs perfect on Virtualbox. The interface language for your module is English. You can also easily change your exitisting interface from Chinese to English with this tool.

What's new? See the newsblog.

Some of the 16MBit and almost every 32MBit and other variants come without the windows upload tool, that autostarts, when you plug in the device. This issue makes them, espacially for Windows users, almost useless. Luckily, there ist an existing tool written by Reinhard Max - for Linux, but Windows users are still left alone. Until now. Reinhard is also responsible for this new ISO rework and made - well... almost everything :-)

This repository provides all the helpless owners with two tools:

• Linux Users: A tool for installing a missing upload tool or for direct uploading MP3 files on your device.
• Windows Users: A very small ISO image with a simplified batch script for running the tool above on a CDROM/DVD or USB stick. It supports both UEFI and BIOS.

Which kind of JQ6500-16p module do I have?

There are two common variants: 16MBit und 32MBit. But there are also 8MBit, 64MBit, and even never-seen-by-myself 128MBit modules. To be sure, take a look at the larger IC on the backside, maybe with a magnifying glass. 16MBit modules are labeled with 25X16 like 25Q16 or 25L1606E, 32MBit modules are labeled with 25X32 like 25Q32CS16, so the numbers after the first 3 characters describe the size: A label beginning with 25X128... should have 128MBit flash. BTW: 25 means Serial Flash.

JQ6500-rescue-tool is a simple package of

• Minimal Linux Live (28-Jan-2018) from Ivan Davidov,
  with a small frontend and some small modifications. It's a very well documented small distribution!
• JQ6500 Linux tool (292a7e5a71) from Reinhard Max. Very useful.
  It is beerware... ;-)

Content

JQ6500-rescue-tool/
├── ISO/
|   UEFI/BIOS compatible tool image and the Minimal Live Linux bundle extension.  
|   └── bundle-jq6500/
|       Minimal Linux Live distribution bundle for JQ6500 support.  
|
└── JQ6500_tool/
    Linux command line tool source.  
    └── isoroot/
        Needed files for the iso image for your module.  

How to use the tool with Windows

1. You need the prepared ISO-image from this repository from here jq6500_rescue_tool.iso.
2. Create a bootable medium. Right click on jq6500_rescue_tool.iso und select Burn disc image, insert a blank CDROM oder DVD and press Burn. It is also possible to boot from an USB stick. There are several tools like Rufus. Note that you need to choose DD image mode! Also note that Unetbootin is not working!
3. Restart your computer and boot from disc or stick (usually bei pressing Enter, F11, F12, DEL or whatever during startup, see your mainboard manual).
4. Plug in your JQ6500-16p.
5. After boot process (max. 1 minute), select r. Wait until the flashing process is finished.
6. Done. Unplug your rescued device.
7. Reboot to Windows by pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL. Yes, reset. Don't forget to boot from harddisk again...
8. Plug in your device again and enjoy your fresh Windows interface :-).

Congrats, your module is usable again and speaks a bit more western language.

How to use the tool with Linux

1. Compile and link the source files by typing make. If it fails, check if it's dependencies are installed: make, gcc, glibc-devel and either mkisofs or xorriso. Note that this packages may have their own dependencies.
2. Plug in your device.
3. In a terminal, enter the JQ6500 folder.
4. Run ./jq6500 -X to fix your module.

This tool can even upload MP3-files to your module. Just type ./jq6500 -W [PATH_TO_YOUR_FOLDER]/* This will upload all files in the given folder. Very handy!

How to use the tool with Windows running VMware or Virtualbox

Luca Dentella made a tutorial. Note that he's using the old version of my tool, so instead of selecting your device, just press r to repair it. There's even a video.

I've tested the tool with Virtualbox. Runs great!

How to upgrade your JQ6500 module with more flash

You can replace the Winbond 25Q16JVSIQ with 16MBit or the 25Q31JVSIQ with 32Mbit SPI flash chip with a larger model, the 25Q64JVSIQ or the largest 25Q128JVSIQ. Desolder your old one and replace it with the bigger one. You need SMD soldering skills. Then reinstall the interface with ./jq6500 -X.

Related sites

The JQ6500-16p has it issues, but is very easy to handle for an unbeaten price. If you are interested in other projects or in programing the module by yourself, here are some related sites you may be interested in.

Arduino library

There is a slim and easy library available, written by James Sleeman. He also made a video on how to use the Windows interface for non-Chinese owners and gives some useful hints for a better hardware handling.

Nokolino

My first project with the JQ6500-16p. And the reason for this repository. Nokolino, a cuddly small speaking monster, is quite successful but there are many makers without Linux knowledge. Nokolino is to be for everyone, so I made this tool.

At last...

You've got ideas? Suggestions? Bug reports? Feel free to contact me and contribute!