Need to reset for return - nothing works!

[D3TO]

For a few weeks now, my vox has no memory of previous sessions after a power-off, which makes it pretty well useless. If I download books, email, insert settings, use a bookmark - none of these activities will survive a power-down. When I power up again, it's as if I hadn't done anything. This even extends to factory resets - I reset, then power up, and it's forgotten the reset and all my settings, email etc. have survived the reset.

Kobo email support has been painfully slow and inept. This morning I called in and was walked through 3 different factory resets - nothing worked. (It's being escalated and who knows when I'll hear back - I thought my complaint was already at level 3, at least that's what I was told earlier.) I have until Monday to return this device and I don't want to do so without blowing away all my personal information on the device. Any suggestions for reset???

What I've already tried:
1. factory reset under the Privacy setting
2. powering up while depressing volume up button
3. popping the back cover off and pushing in the reset button by the battery
4. unplugging the battery for a minute before re-plugging.

Thanks.

[cypherslock]

I've tried the first three. And am waiting for not only a new Vox (shipped out Thursday) but also a pre-paid box to return mine in. My thinking is that there might just be some type of bug in the software itself that degrades it over time. I thought I was the only one with the problems you have. Glad (sad?) to see I'm not alone. Out of everything I've seen, I still love the Vox though. Hopefully this won't happen again.

[D3TO]

Are you returning your Vox with personal data on it and resetting all your passwords... or did you manage to erase stuff and have it "stick" after a power-down? I really don't want to return this with my email, email settings, wireless network passwords etc.

I still haven't heard back from Kobo help. Unbelievably bad service.

[Darnielle]

Lie to your GP about having intense head pain. The moment you're in the same room as an MRI machine, toss the Vox into it and hit the switch! This works; I've seen it in films about spies and everything.

In seriousness, though, you'd probably get away with returning it to Kobo. Most companies get devices full of data all the time; it's only private shop cowboys you need to look out for.

[cypherslock]

Nope. I am sending it as is because it will not factory reset no matter what I do. They destroy them apparently so I'm not too worried. And I can change my passwords. The new Vox does successfully factory reset, so I can't wait for the next official update.

[easterncoyote]

[QUOTE=Darnielle;1873804]Lie to your GP about having intense head pain. The moment you're in the same room as an MRI machine, toss the Vox into it and hit the switch! This works; I've seen it in films about spies and everything.


Hahaha. How about trying this in an airport scanner?

[TonyToews]

Originally Posted by cypherslock

They destroy them apparently so I'm not too worried.

I really, really doubt any mfr destroys hardware. They'll run it through the diagnostics and send it out again. Hopefully clearly labelled as a refurbished unit. Although I recall reading about some porn on memory cards purchased as new.

[pokee]

Originally Posted by TonyToews

… I recall reading about some porn on memory cards purchased as new.

[cypherslock]

I was specifically told by support that they will NOT be sending it out again. *shrugs*

[taming]

Originally Posted by TonyToews

I really, really doubt any mfr destroys hardware. They'll run it through the diagnostics and send it out again.

Actually, Kobo's manufacturing partner has engineers that look only at truly farked devices. They tear down the devices, test the components after they have been pulled from the case, etc. Every company does some of this. I had a Touch that ended up being bits and pieces .