UPDATE: This method has been expanded to use a simpler inclusive semi-automated framework featuring a bootable CD, in a new sticky thread. Please try ixtab's KUBRICK tools first:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=206064
NOTE: Before debricking, CHARGE THE BATTERY ON A WALL CHARGER FOR 20 HOURS! Seriously. We have been plagued with too many recent reports of "bricked" kindles that only had a battery so discharged that it could only be charged slowly (20 hour charge curve). After charging, either the kindle works as-is, or at least debricking will function correctly.
UPDATE: We now have Kubrick, a LiveCD to debrick Kindle 3, Kindle 4 and Kindle Touch. It means you do not need to install Linux to use the Linux debricking tools. More news (and download link) for this awesome debricking tool here:
UPDATE: Good news for Paperwhite owners! A PW has been debricked from the dreaded "Your Kindle Needs Repair" screen! Nice job kaznelson!
UPDATE: Awesome news! Thanks to eureka, we now have a custom u-boot that can be loaded and run from MfgTool or the command-line usb downloader tool, which contains fastboot protocol. This will be a HUGE help when debricking kindles that have a completely erased mmc! Check it out:
UPDATE: You can install diags+ssh without needing fastboot, using a K5 update package from ixtab:
UPDATE: There is a cross-platform replacement for MfgTool (imx_usb_loader command-line tool). You can get it from the "references and Links" section below.
UPDATE: To clarify our goals, we have renamed "forensic images" to "debricking repair images". Please edit your old posts to change "forensic" to "debricking repair". Thank you. 
NOTE: When flashing "debricking repair images", be sure to use matching partition and kernel versions to prevent problems. Read this for kernel version compatibility details:
Successful Debricking Begins Here
Definitions: Kindle model name K5 is also known as Touch, KT, or KTouch. Model name K4 is also known as K4NT, K4 Non-Touch, K4S (silver) or K4B (black). Model K3 is also know as K3G, Kindle 3G, or Kindle Keyboard. The words debrick and debricking can also be called unbrick, unbricking, recover, recovery, repair, repairing, restore, restoring, restoration, or brick fix. 
I have posted this information in various forms to multiple threads, but it keeps getting missed by those who need it, so it is being place in its own thread, in hopes that it will be noticed by those who need it.
SUMMARY: You should be able to recover from most K4/K5 bricking situations by using MfgTool to get to fastboot mode, then using fastboot to flash mmcblk0p2_ssh.img to the diags partition, then booting diags and exporting the USB drive to copy mmcblk0p1 on it, then starting an SSH shell and using dd to copy the /mnt/us/mmcblk0p1.img to /dev/mmcblk0p1, then finally by running the factory_restore script. The K3 uses different tools to achieve the same results by also flashing a known-good firmware image (see K3 USB debricking links below for details).
DETAILS: You can now download an
mmcblk0p2_ssh.img.gz file from the "debricking repair images" link below. It adds the missing USBnet dropbear SSH files to an otherwise unchanged diags partition. This lets you SSH in from the Diagnostics menu and fix or restore your bricked main system partition from the linux command line. A similar method can be used with a K4, which already has SSH built into the diags partition, so
NO need to reflash
mmcblk0p2 on a K4.
The following instructions are for a linux host PC.
For windows, you need to adapt them.
Follow the instructions in the "
Select Boot" thread to get your bricked kindle into
fastboot mode.
In
fastboot mode, do:
gunzip mmcblk0p2.img.gz
sudo ./fastboot flash diags mmcblk0p2.img
Then reboot to
diags mode. Select menu items
N) U) Z) X).
Wait 20 seconds for dropbear to startup. Do:
sudo ifconfig usb0 192.168.15.201
ssh root@192.168.15.244
The password is
mario.
If you want to replace
mmcblk0p1 with a backup copy, you can do that with:
dd if=/mnt/us/mmcblk0p1.img of=/dev/mmcblk0p1 bs=4K
Or, if you want to mount the main system drive and repair individual files on it, then do:
mount /dev/mmcblk0p1 /mnt/mmc
With the main system partition mounted, you can then repair or replace damaged or missing files in
/mnt/mmc/ (which is the mounted writeable main system partition).
If your kindle still will not boot to the main system framework, then your /var/local partition may be damaged or full. To reset it do this:
dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/mmcblk0p3 bs=4K count=1K
That last step above successfully recovered multiple "difficult" kindles recently, when they still would not boot to the main system partition after doing the previous steps. Resetting /var/local will erase your collections database, so you may want to backup files in /var/local before resetting it.
This is documented in the "
Select Boot" and "
Fastboot Manifesto" threads (see links provided below).
Good luck!
References and Links
K5 diags+ssh (no fastboot needed!):
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2202022
imx_usb_loader cross-platform replacement for MfgTool: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2185626
Another version of imx_usb_loader, with whiptail and zenity based interface, and all required .bins:
https://github.com/aditya3098/imx_usb_loader
USB debricking for noobs (K3): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=186076
USB debricking for noobs (K4/K5): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=180789
ixtab's debricking tools collection for Windows:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2148818
Kubrick: Live CD to debrick Kindle 3, Kindle 4 and Kindle Touch:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=206064
Select Boot for K4 and Touch: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=169645
Russian translation of my work: http://beznervov.com/computers/hard/...olnyj-navorot/
Fastboot Manifesto: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=170241
Fastboot for Windows: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2001683
Fastboot for Mac: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2029696
Kindle4NTHacking wiki: https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/Kindle4NTHacking
Kindle Touch Hacking wiki: https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/Kindle_Touch_Hacking
Kindle 3 Hacking: http://www.cowlark.com/kindle/combined.html
Debricking my K4, What we Learned: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=1953663
K3flasher (K3 USB debricking): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=184310
K3 (serial port) "Unbricking": https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=134637
Kindle "Debricking Repair" Images (be sure to use matching partition and kernel versions):
Successful Debricking Reports
geekmaster (serial port): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=1893448
rastik (serial port): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=1908487
geekmaster (USB): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=1959995
blackjack13: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=1914987
PoetCop: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=1972739
cscat: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=1973193
Emrexem: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=1975892
ernalve: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=1976684
geekmaster (again): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=1977994
thomass: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=1978488
cscat (again): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=1979349
itsmee: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=1979376
hostar: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=1980920
dasmoover: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=1981772
cscat (again): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1989107
aditya3098: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=1989110
captainjack: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=1989347
john_pb: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=1990205
muydificil: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=1991180
zcat: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=1992660
john_pb (again): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=1993882
lightstrike: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=1993990
Deathknight: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=1996204
murz_07: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=1996402
curb: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=1997750
PoetCop (again): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2002101
mars77: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2016752
qsoo: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2018097
wsxhwyy: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2020557
SharkNX: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2022667
mcp1999: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2025137
drogon: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2032578
kn007: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2033355
qtybest: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2036942
sohmc: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2037627
turambar: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2043135
diba (twice): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2046336
tamerlaha: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2047250
non_fox: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2050368
vlamark: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2051250
gamerh2o: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2051332
mcp1999 (again): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2057639
sole: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2063941
aditya3098 (again): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2078800
leihongwang (thanks hostar): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2080628
VoxT3R: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2080682
sib.husky: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2093591
ppoo: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2096408
deep (twice): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2096989
silver18: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2097011
t-ror: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2100303
6a6af: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2104427
kerotan: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2105324
mony: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2108391
sigster: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2116528
Aleyst: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2124876
kirokko: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2125630
eleventeen: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2126373
vitalidon: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2131767
ultankc: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2134747
jber: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2140280
zklcy: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2141381
qlob (K3 USB debrick!): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2142233
ixtab: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2142775
evergamer: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2147236
XXPetrosXX: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2149467
qlob (K3, again): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2151430
Pyrocitus: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2154076
haydnfan (using 64-bit win7): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2159957
hawhill (K3, ATK/k3flasher): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2162728
flashmozzg: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2163257
SYRIUSDARK (K3): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2163306
aditya3098 (again): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2163894
kubi: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2164414
Melib (K3): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2164847
bhaak: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2168009
flashmozzg (more): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2168246
Stea1th: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2168828
nineathena: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2169474
_Abahd_: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2174309
Krzysiek_14: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2175556
workingkindle: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2176230
thsheng: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2187991
giorgio130: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2188016
buddha2012 (K3): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2191503
Horus01: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2192804
zer0: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2193150
chris_c: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2200197
(-_-): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2202206
stangri (K3): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2210572
stangri (DX, serial port): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2210861
dmhs2004: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2212587
aditya3098: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2216180
aleritty (K3): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2216527
Tcdasa (remove hacks): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2219842
Prash (K3): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2223699
mike12489: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2232458
babywin (K3): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2232882
geekmaster (k5): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2234363
geekmaster (K4): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2236014
equinox1 (DX 3.2.1): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2236072
packerzrock (K4): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2237301
victor_2203: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2241173
Bradyle: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2242142
Zlatomip: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2248267
Max4711: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2249156
lrizzo (K3, batteries): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2248059
uriziel01 (K3): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2250888
dpavlin (DX): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2252167
thomass: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2256042
cloudycliff (K3): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2265377
kasumi: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2265566
Mike76: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2273151
adi123 (K5, erased mmc): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2274140
Begemot (DX): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2274210
kaznelson (PW, data.stgz): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2276382
kiri87 (K3): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2279196
mand: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2280958
twobob (multiple): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2281171
Mike76: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2284554
askak: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2294215
Maslan (K3) : www.mobileread.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2302556
Kaverin: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2310197
Manfor: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2312006
yangabanga (PW): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2314903
cameleon2605: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2327438
Zolyx (K3): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2332486
PrinceNothing: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2336829
Gaz81 (K4B): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2367764
WhiteDwarf72: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2373371
dsmid (K4B): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2374268
tommytomtom: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2379136
wolftail: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2379869
Bulleta: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2384759
CaseyCZ: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2391084
(...probably a bunch of reports posted while I was not prowling these forums ...)
wakawakawaka (DX): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2404328
mcquackers (DXG): https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2405857
tng5737: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2417330
term1nat0r: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2423476
(...and others in PMs, IRC, and countless "lurkers"... 
)
Past and Future HistorySpoiler:
This was copied from another thread in another forum, but I think it really belongs here. So here it is.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ixtab
geekmaster pretty much invented this method, so he knows it inside and out |
Actually, I gave credit to yifanlu for the original push in the right direction (as can be seen in gray at the bottom of first "simple debricking" post). After all, it was his "slip of the finger" that discovered the "magic key" for USB Downloader mode on the K4, and how to boot a custom u-boot from USB using that special mode. Together, we worked out how to use it to get my SEVERELY bricked K4 (with internal serial port pads ripped loose from the circuit board) working again during an IRC session spread out over a week. If not for my bricked K4 with a dead serial port, this method may not have become available to all those who used it successfully, and a lot of dead kindles would still be sitting in drawers and closets around the world. So my bricked and damaged K4 should also share credit for this "simple debricking" method.
Of course, it took a HUGE effort on the part of myself and others to gather all the tools together and grow it, organize it, simplify it, and document it for use by beginners. As measured by download counts of tools and debricking repair images, the "success reports" list is only about ONE PERCENT of all those who appear to have used this method.
The "simple debricking" method is also being used almost as a "routine step" in the development process by some developers now, and it is also being used to "downgrade" to previous firmware versions, and to install firmware that already has jailbreak and popular hacks pre-installed.
And this "simple debricking" method will get even simpler and more powerful when yifanlu completes his "one-click" project that will integrate these protocols, tools and steps into a single easy-to-use program that can be used for much more than "simple debricking".
And now hawhill has extended this "simple debricking" method to work on the K3 too, using the ATK (Advanced ToolKit) to replace "MfgTool" and "fastboot", and he is also working on a simple easy-to-use custom program to replace ATK. EDIT: Done! Check out hawhill's k3flasher tool.
We can look forward to more powerful and simpler tools and methods in the future. Thanks guys!
P.S. We need to thank yifanlu for getting us started on the right path.