How to disable OTA updates on K4 NT SO?

[mig_akira]

Hello everyone! After some time, I managed to remove ads on my Kindle 4 NT SO - I live in Brazil, so none of the ads have absolutely no interest for me, and I was not able to select "disable ads" from my Kindle nor from the Amazon manageyourkindle page. I think maybe it's because the Kindle 4 is not officially sold here.

So, I followed some instructions found here and on other sites and removed the ads and added custom screensavers.

But I haven't found how to disable OTA updates on K4 NT SO - only for the Kindle Touch or Kindle Fire. Is there a certified way to do it?

Thanks a lot!

[hostar]

Hello,
I haven't found solution for K4NT too anywhere on web.
But I found script /usr/sbin/otaup , which controls the handling with OTA update.
So I believe when this script will be disabled (removed with making backup or renamed),
the automatic updates will be disabled and also ALL OTA updates will be entirely disabled.

[knc1]

Originally Posted by mig_akira

So, I followed some instructions found here and on other sites and removed the ads and added custom screensavers.

That should be enough to prevent an OTA update from succeeding.

[hostar]

knc1: you are right, the OTA install will fail. But the problem is, they are still automatically downloaded and (unsuccecfully) installed.

[knc1]

Originally Posted by hostar

knc1: you are right, the OTA install will fail. But the problem is, they are still automatically downloaded and (unsuccessfully) installed.

Ah, but the question was not asked: "How to block downloads"
My crystal ball is off-line, I can't answer the question not (yet) asked.

There are several ways to prevent the downloading -
Modify the "to do" list the system maintains ;
or
Modify the device's firewall to prevent it from contacting Amazon for updates ;
or
Probably others.
My own choice was to block the device's access to Amazon from the Kindle in my main system gateway - leaving the Kindle system untouched.

[twobob]

err... I vaguely recall the service that pulls down OTA's on the 3 has a unique address...

Blocking such an address could do what you ask.

That may be one approach to consider. It was under one of the "Wear a Tin-Foil Hat" threads. Hope that helps.

[mig_akira]

Hello guys! Thanks for all your replies! I think I'll try both methods, if one should fail, the other might cover it for me =)

[knc1]

Originally Posted by mig_akira

Hello guys! Thanks for all your replies! I think I'll try both methods, if one should fail, the other might cover it for me =)

By "both methods" you are referring to which methods?

You already have ota updates disabled, the screensaver hack you installed disabled that from installing.
That is certain. We have the process to re-allow the disabled update documented and indexed.

Do you mean block the downloads?
I wrote that one for off-Kindle about six months ago (see my Chatty Kathy thread) and someone else added the on-Kindle method.
Nothing uncertain about that one either.

[twobob]

I have zero idea about the 4. or its guts sadly. probably the TODO service would be a place to start - BY START I MEAN START READING ABOUT - and find a solution there.

There are several config files that state in clear text what they do if you are willing to dig for them. As I said - look into the AMAZON ARE READING MY THOUGHTS threads...

Err well actually it was something like "Amazon record my cell tower location" or something. Hope that helps. BE CAREFUL would be my best advice. fiddling in the services could fill up a bit of drive and brick you. Probably blocking the address is the way forward. HOSTS file? on a 4? cant remember - anyways good luck

[hippy dave]

Originally Posted by mig_akira

Hello everyone! After some time, I managed to remove ads on my Kindle 4 NT SO - I live in Brazil, so none of the ads have absolutely no interest for me, and I was not able to select "disable ads" from my Kindle nor from the Amazon manageyourkindle page. I think maybe it's because the Kindle 4 is not officially sold here.

this isn't in relation to the question you're asking, but you may be interested - i've read elsewhere on the forum that several people in your situation (special offers kindle in a country where it's not supported) have phoned up amazon to ask about having the ads turned off, and amazon have done it free of charge. might be worth trying.