__NODL_PRELOADER 0x0 SYS1 start_addr: 0x0000000000000000 partition_size: 0x0000000000C00000 region: EMMC_BOOT_1 download: true Use code with caution. Key Parameters Explained:
For developers and advanced users, understanding how a scatter file is generated can be insightful. In MediaTek's Android Open Source Project (AOSP) build environment, the scatter file isn't written manually. Instead, it's generated by a tool called ptgen . This tool reads a source file, such as partition_table_MT6589_emmc.csv , and produces the final MT6589_Android_scatter_emmc.txt file. This process ensures consistency between the build system's partition layout and the file used for flashing.
This file is used to flash or repair old Android devices. Flashing means putting a new operating system onto a phone. What Is a Scatter File?
: The hardware-level address assignment.
The file MT6589_Android_scatter_emmc.txt is not merely a text document; it is the architectural blueprint for a smartphone's memory. In the context of the MediaTek MT6589 processor—a chipset that powered millions of mid-range Android devices in the early 2010s (such as the Samsung Galaxy Grand, Lenovo models, and various "phablets")—this file served as the map used by flashing tools to navigate the device's internal storage. Without this "scatter file," a device is effectively a brick, unable to locate its own operating system or bootloader.
Holds the recovery environment (stock recovery or custom recoveries like TWRP/CWM) used for manual maintenance and factory resets.
to identify the memory partitions (like boot, recovery, and system) on devices using the MediaTek MT6589 chipset. This specific chipset was common in early quad-core Android devices. CARE Toolkit Purpose of the Scatter File Partition Mapping
: Verify your phone model. Download the correct firmware package explicitly designed for your exact device SoC. 3. PMT changed for the ROM; it must be downloaded
Without a precise scatter file, the flashing software cannot locate the specific boundaries of partitions like BOOTIMG , RECOVERY , or ANDROID (system), rendering firmware installation impossible. Structure of the MT6589 Scatter File
Never modify the linear_start_addr values manually unless rebuilding the entire partition table from scratch. Even a 1-byte offset shift will cause the bootloaders to read garbage data.
: Each entry includes a linear start address and a partition size , ensuring that data is written to the correct hex locations.
In the MediaTek ecosystem, a scatter file is a text-based configuration that tells the flashing software where each component of the firmware should be written. For the MT6589—a popular quad-core chip from the early Android era—this file ensures that the bootloader doesn't accidentally overwrite critical system data. Key Components of the MT6589 Scatter File A standard MT6589_Android_scatter_emmc.txt contains several defined blocks. Common sections include: Usually specific to the phone model (e.g., HEXING89_WET_JB2 Storage Type: (distinct from older NAND-based chips). Partition Index: Each partition is assigned a name (e.g., Linear Start Address: The physical starting point on the eMMC chip. Physical Start Address:
Storage blocks for user applications, settings, and temporary system cache files. How to Use the MT6589 Scatter File with SP Flash Tool
Part_Name Size StartAddr Type preloader 0x40000 0x0 2 dsp_bl 0x40000 0x40000 2 ...
EMMC.txt, short for Embedded Multi-Media Controller text file, is a configuration file used by the MT6589 Android chipset to communicate with the device's EMMC (Embedded Multi-Media Controller) storage. The EMMC is a type of flash memory used in many mobile devices, including those powered by the MT6589 chipset. The EMMC.txt file contains vital information about the EMMC storage, such as its capacity, partition layout, and access parameters.
The initial bootloader code executed by the phone CPU upon power-up. If you flash an incompatible preloader, the device can experience a "hard brick," losing its ability to communicate via USB.