Troubleshooting [Help] Kindle 3G Screen Frozen

[mrfakename]

Hello everyone!
I’ve recently been trying to make a Kindlet for my Kindle 3G (acquired around a year ago from eBay). But a couple days ago, I noticed that it wouldn’t turn on and wouldn’t force restart. The screen stayed on the custom screensaver and wouldn’t change (I installed the screensaver and fonts tweak as well as KUAL and several Kindlets)
I tried force restarting to no avail. I wasn’t too worried since this had happened before and it restarted after a while. I decided to plug it in overnight. Here’s what happened next:
Day 1 - Panic Level: 2/10
It wouldn’t turn on. It's stuck on the custom screensaver.
Day 2 - Panic Level: 5/10
It still won’t turn on, even after charging overnight. The power switch light does not turn green when pressed. It does turn yellow when charging. After charging again for around 5 seconds it turns green when pressed. I don’t know much about kindles but I assume this means there’s some way to recover it since the light works.
Day 3 - Panic Level: 11/10!!!
I’ve tried all the methods on the internet for force restarting and resetting a Kindle 3G! The screen still won’t change from the screensaver I set!
Day 4 - Panic Level 8/10
Today I’m posting on this forum. Is my kindle bricked? And if so, should I use Kubrick Debricker? Is there any way to recover my kindle and continue creating Kindlets?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
mrfakename.

[katadelos]

You’re describing exactly the same symptoms as a dead battery so there’s every chance that it could be a hardware fault - I’d pop open the device, unscrew the battery and check the terminal voltage with a multimeter before worrying too much.

Wouldn’t advise using Kubrick on a K3, it takes hours and has a tendency to brick the rootfs for some reason. I’ve got a new method in the works but it’s kind of experimental, drop me a PM if you want to give it a go.

[eddie.t.h]

I bet on cracked balls under the processor. This is a typical fault in this model, right after a damaged power switch.
Check if after pressing the CPU with your finger the reader will start, if so, you will need reflow.

[mrfakename]

Hello,
Thank you for the suggestions.
@katadelos: My battery reads 3.3V, and it's a 3.7V battery, which leads me to believe it might not be a dead battery.
@eddie.t.h: I tried pressing on the CPU, but it still won't turn on.

[Quoth]

Lithium batteries are a bit more mysterious than your average Nickel or lead based rechargeable. At a certain point it will not be used due to fire risk. The 3.7V is a nominal cell voltage. They are about 4.2V fully charged. The 3.2V is close to flat for a 3.7V nominal cell.

Several models (DXG, KK3 at least) will not turn on if the battery doesn't charge.

3 x AA Alkaline cells gives about 4.8V when new & unused, and the useful endpoint is 3.0V even though the nominal voltage is 1.5V per cell.

The issue is that the Lithium batteries / cells, unlike Lead Acid, Nickel Cadmium or Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) will go on fire or explode if you attempt to charge them when they are worn out. So when the device stops charging and refuses to start the cell is still about 3.0V to 3.2V.

The Zinc Carbon end at about 0.9V per 1.5V cell and if left running (torch or motor or radio) the casing will dissolve and acid leak out. The Alkaline cells will also eventually discharge from end point of 1V and then if the spring is too strong the base seal will fail and the alkaline solution will leak out.

You need a new cell.

[mrfakename]

Hi @Quoth,
I think you're probably right about my battery being dead or dying.
I was able to power it on after charging for around an hour (even though it didn't power on after charging overnight).
So right now, it boots and runs, but with an extremely low battery capacity. I'm going to continue charging the Kindle 3G to see how full it can charge.
Is my best option to purchase a new battery, and if so, which vendor would be least expensive?
Thank you!

[Quoth]

They are about $10 to $15 on ebay, plus any import duties or VAT. Sellers change with the seasons.

Often opening a gadget is harder than swapping the cell, so you are more than half-way there.

[mrfakename]

Thank you everyone! My Kindle now seems to be working normally.

[lohtse]

Originally Posted by mrfakename

Thank you everyone! My Kindle now seems to be working normally. I can now resume my attempts at developing Kindlets and playing interactive fiction on it (with kif)!

If you need any testers I am happy to help..

[Dr. Drib]

Originally Posted by mrfakename

Thank you everyone! My Kindle now seems to be working normally. I can now resume my attempts at developing Kindlets and playing interactive fiction on it (with kif)!

I'm happy for you, but you neglected to update us on your Panic Level.