A kindle with half a screen!

[ishdhand]

My Kindle Keyboard 3G has a cracked screen. The top half is working as usual, but the bottom half is frozen. Is there any hack that I can install that will help me use just the top half for reading books?


ps: I'm out of warranty. I can't replace

[geekmaster]

Originally Posted by ishdhand

My Kindle Keyboard 3G has a cracked screen. The top half is working as usual, but the bottom half is frozen. Is there any hack that I can install that will help me use just the top half for reading books?


ps: I'm out of warranty. I can't replace

"Somebody" could write a program that shrinks and rotates the screen to fit the good part of the screen (which should work okay if you select a larger font). For now, you can use a little K3 program I published that lets you scroll the physical framebuffer (screen contents) for somebody who had a cracked screen. It is here:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=1856086

You may notice the "funky" self-made "license/disclaimer" in the source code. I use the MIT license these days, so use that if you need an officially-recognized license.

You need to compile it from the source in the code box. You can use the tcc (tinycc) package that works on all eink kindles to do that. Look in the Tools index for tcc.

[RainingLemur]

In lieu of that, you could still contact Kindle support and see what they could do for you. You may get an offer for a cheaper newer model.

[pidgeon92]

Ooh, I couldn't imagine reading on less than a 6" screen. I agree with contacting Kindle Support, they may take pity on you. If you are in the US:

Amazon Kindle customer service (1-866-321-8851)

[Andy_T]

Absolutely!
Give a call to Kindle Customer Support. They may have good offers for you.
After all, they want you to continue buying books from them (assuming that is what you have been doing so far)

Best regards,
Andy

[jezebel]

Originally Posted by geekmaster

For now, you can use a little K3 program I published that lets you scroll the physical framebuffer (screen contents) for somebody who had a cracked screen. It is here:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=1856086



You need to compile it from the source in the code box. You can use the tcc (tinycc) package that works on all eink kindles to do that. Look in the Tools index for tcc.

hi geekmaster, are there simple step by step instructions somewhere on how to implement this program. I'd like something to refer to in the event I mess up at some point.

[geekmaster]

Originally Posted by jezebel

hi geekmaster, are there simple step by step instructions somewhere on how to implement this program. I'd like something to refer to in the event I mess up at some point.

It was written for a K3. At the provided link there is a scroll.ini file that works with launchpad to control scrolling. The download file contains a bug, so you need to compile the source code provided in the code box as I mentioned above. I may get around to compiling and reuploading it one of these days if there is a demand for it. Or you can compile it with tcc (from the dev corner / master index sticky / tools index).

[jezebel]

thanks, I will give it a try. Is there a possibility I could totally brick my K3 if I do something wrong?

[twowheels]

Neat idea to keep it limping along, but you might want to consider the fact that once the glass has broken it likely has additional stress fractures and will probably get worse soon.

[geekmaster]

Originally Posted by jezebel

thanks, I will give it a try. Is there a possibility I could totally brick my K3 if I do something wrong?

Not by running launchpad and the scroll program. Of course, you could do something ELSE wrong using DIFFERENT software.

EDIT: I compiled and uploaded scroll-1.4 to the linked post above. It contains some code updates beyond what is shown in the code box, and the compiled scroll program. I was not able to test it now. Let me know how it works for you.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by ishdhand

My Kindle Keyboard 3G has a cracked screen. The top half is working as usual, but the bottom half is frozen. Is there any hack that I can install that will help me use just the top half for reading books?


ps: I'm out of warranty. I can't replace

I strongly recommend contacting Kindle Customer Support. (NB Kindle Support, not Amazon Support - they are different.)

They might well be able to help.

[geekmaster]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

I strongly recommend contacting Kindle Customer Support. (NB Kindle Support, not Amazon Support - they are different.)

They might well be able to help.

I have one with a cracked screen. They offered me a replacement for half list price (which is more than I originally paid for it WITH a leather m-edge cover and light). I guess it all depends on which support person you talk to at amazon.