PRS-600 I appear to have bricked my Reader :-(

Sans Oblast · 10-22-2009, 03:34 AM

Hi,
I haven't post here before, although I have read a fair bit, and found you site very helpful.

I bought a PRS600 a few weeks ago, and am very pleased with it, but now it has stopped working. Having searched the web, I can find no one else with a similar issue.

I was loading new books onto it, and after finishing I disconnected the device. It went through the usual process, but when it came to display the menu all that is displayed is the lines that divide the menu options, the shading of the lower menu, and in the place at the bottom where loading would usually go is the following text: "1fskin:/l/string...". With out "".

Suffice to say I am quite stuck. By exercising the power and reset buttons I can get it to reboot, but it says loading book like normal, and goes back to that screen. I can't shut it off, only reboot, and I can't even work out exactly how to get it to reboot, just seems to do it when I keep pressing reset and power. I have tried a hard reset, nothing changes.

I'm running Ubuntu 9.04, and using Calibre. I have Windows available if needed.

Any help would be very much appreciated.

igorsk · 10-22-2009, 09:40 AM

Reset, then connect USB while it's booting. It should boot into "USB connected" screen and you should be able to clear the internal memory.

DojoPat · 10-22-2009, 04:23 PM

I've found the Sony tech support helpline is also pretty good. They will know how to break this loop for you. I don't have the phone number at hand - it was included in the Warranty papers with the ereader.

Sans Oblast · 10-23-2009, 02:27 AM

Fixed. Had to format the internal memory, but it works at least. Thanks for the help guys.

susytp · 11-14-2009, 04:48 PM

how can I format the internal memory if I can not acces the reader (only can aces by explorer from windows) ?
I have this same problem and I can fix it, I need help....
thanks

Fix it !!!!!!!!

R0B_IX · 12-21-2009, 08:07 PM

Sorry to bring up an old topic, but I just had the same thing happen to me and since this was the first thread I came across, I wanted to add in a bit more information to help future victims.

First, there is no reason to format the device. Instead, once you get your reader to a state where you can see it in windows explorer or mount it in Linux/OSX, go to the directory \database\cache\ and rename media.xml to media.xml.bak. You could probably just delete media.xml, but the site I was reading suggested just moving the file and I didn't want to risk further frustrations.

Second, when speaking to a Sony rep, he gave this suggestion for resetting the device:
1. Hold the reset button for 20 seconds
2. Press the power switch twice.
I had to do this about three times before it accomplished anything, but eventually the device restarted once and then a yellow light started blinking. The first time it worked, the device was not plugged into the PC, but I have no idea if that's important. At that point, the procedure can be repeated and during the restart, plug the device into the computer. As long as you plug it in before it tries to process media.xml, you will be put into a usb mode and can make the modifications necessary.

(Media.xml information obtained from http://wannemacher.us/?p=238)

mcwang66 · 12-22-2009, 02:10 PM

I have the same problem. Can anyone tell me how to format the internal memory?
Thanks

andreaf · 12-23-2009, 12:19 AM

My reader is only one week old and I also have this problem. I tried following the steps posted here, but I can't rename the media.xml file, since the "cache" folder won't open (it says it's corrupted). Any ideas?

Could someone explain how to format the internal memory?

Thanks a lot!

fizzywiz · 12-23-2009, 02:34 AM

Well, to format the drive in XP you just right click on it in my computer and click format, choose fat32 and start.

susytp · 12-25-2009, 01:54 PM

I got that problem solved only by charging it for about 4 hours, then I connect it to the PC and rename \database\cache\media.xml to media.xml.bak

and I solved it!!!!

poshm · 02-04-2010, 07:51 AM

I got this problem today but thanks to this thread was able to fix the reader.

I pressed the reset button, then the power switch before quickly plugging in via USB. I wasn't able to do anything other than delete the corrupt XML file which I did. It is now recharging as it has a low battery but I managed to get it working again and am back to the main menu with my books still showing.

Djinn Hache · 02-04-2010, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Djinn Hache

Hello. It's my first message at this forum and my language is not english so, forgive my bad use of language.

It happened to me and I was so worried. I think it should post here to help anyone who had this problem on the future.

I'll paste the link because the solution was posted by another user. Credits to him.

http://wannemacher.us/?p=238&cpage=1

See you.

Hope it helps.

albarron · 04-27-2010, 06:21 AM

Hi there! It's the first time I write here

This is an old topic indeed. Nevertheless, it is still relevant.
Just to confirm:

I sent a ne book with calibre, but after finishing I was unable to umount, so I just unplugged the device, resulting in the well known 1fskin:/l/string screen.

I wasn't able to rename \database\cache\media.xml. Linux said that it was unable to write in the file system and Windows said that the file was corrupt and it wasn't able to rename it.

I felt a little bit risky and just deleted the file. Anyway, the information was already lost!

The good news is all my books are still there. the bad ine is that all my notes and collections are lost

I hope my experience is useful for anybody.

Bye

kartu · 04-27-2010, 06:33 AM

albarron

Quote:

I wasn't able to rename \database\cache\media.xml. Linux said that it was unable to write in the file system and Windows said that the file was corrupt and it wasn't able to rename it.

Checkdisk could have helped. You could access it from "tools" tab in drive's properties or just via command line:

chkdsk /f z:

(instead of z: you should have drive letter corresponding to reader's internal memory)

luma · 06-19-2010, 08:48 AM

Thanks for the great help.

Took a few tries of pressing the reset button, but then it worked and I plugged it in.

$ su
# mount /dev/sdc/ /media/dsksdl/
# cd /media/dsksdl/
# cd database/cache/
# rm media.xml

I don't use notes so I just removed the media.xml file. But my notes were still there anyway!

10-22-2009, 03:34 AM	#1
Sans Oblast Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: PRS600	I appear to have bricked my Reader :-( Hi, I haven't post here before, although I have read a fair bit, and found you site very helpful. I bought a PRS600 a few weeks ago, and am very pleased with it, but now it has stopped working. Having searched the web, I can find no one else with a similar issue. I was loading new books onto it, and after finishing I disconnected the device. It went through the usual process, but when it came to display the menu all that is displayed is the lines that divide the menu options, the shading of the lower menu, and in the place at the bottom where loading would usually go is the following text: "1fskin:/l/string...". With out "". Suffice to say I am quite stuck. By exercising the power and reset buttons I can get it to reboot, but it says loading book like normal, and goes back to that screen. I can't shut it off, only reboot, and I can't even work out exactly how to get it to reboot, just seems to do it when I keep pressing reset and power. I have tried a hard reset, nothing changes. I'm running Ubuntu 9.04, and using Calibre. I have Windows available if needed. Any help would be very much appreciated.

11-14-2009, 04:48 PM	#5
susytp Member Posts: 10 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: SPAIN Device: Sony Reader PRS-600	how can I format the internal memory if I can not acces the reader (only can aces by explorer from windows) ? I have this same problem and I can fix it, I need help.... thanks Fix it !!!!!!!! Last edited by susytp; 11-14-2009 at 06:38 PM. Reason: fix spelling

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10-22-2009, 09:40 AM	#2
igorsk Wizard Posts: 3,442 Karma: 300001 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Belgium Device: PRS-500/505/700, Kindle, Cybook Gen3, Words Gear	Reset, then connect USB while it's booting. It should boot into "USB connected" screen and you should be able to clear the internal memory.

10-22-2009, 04:23 PM	#3
DojoPat literature lover Posts: 62 Karma: 82 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: New York Device: Sony Ereader PRS-505 & PRS-300	I've found the Sony tech support helpline is also pretty good. They will know how to break this loop for you. I don't have the phone number at hand - it was included in the Warranty papers with the ereader.

10-23-2009, 02:27 AM	#4
Sans Oblast Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: PRS600	Fixed. Had to format the internal memory, but it works at least. Thanks for the help guys.

12-21-2009, 08:07 PM	#6
R0B_IX Enthusiast Posts: 32 Karma: 48 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: PRS-300	Sorry to bring up an old topic, but I just had the same thing happen to me and since this was the first thread I came across, I wanted to add in a bit more information to help future victims. First, there is no reason to format the device. Instead, once you get your reader to a state where you can see it in windows explorer or mount it in Linux/OSX, go to the directory \database\cache\ and rename media.xml to media.xml.bak. You could probably just delete media.xml, but the site I was reading suggested just moving the file and I didn't want to risk further frustrations. Second, when speaking to a Sony rep, he gave this suggestion for resetting the device: 1. Hold the reset button for 20 seconds 2. Press the power switch twice. I had to do this about three times before it accomplished anything, but eventually the device restarted once and then a yellow light started blinking. The first time it worked, the device was not plugged into the PC, but I have no idea if that's important. At that point, the procedure can be repeated and during the restart, plug the device into the computer. As long as you plug it in before it tries to process media.xml, you will be put into a usb mode and can make the modifications necessary. (Media.xml information obtained from http://wannemacher.us/?p=238)

12-22-2009, 02:10 PM	#7
mcwang66 Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: PRS-600	I have the same problem. Can anyone tell me how to format the internal memory? Thanks

12-23-2009, 12:19 AM	#8
andreaf Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Sony PRS 600	My reader is only one week old and I also have this problem. I tried following the steps posted here, but I can't rename the media.xml file, since the "cache" folder won't open (it says it's corrupted). Any ideas? Could someone explain how to format the internal memory? Thanks a lot!

12-23-2009, 02:34 AM	#9
fizzywiz Member Posts: 13 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2009 Device: Cybook Gen3 ver1.2 Build 834	Well, to format the drive in XP you just right click on it in my computer and click format, choose fat32 and start.

12-25-2009, 01:54 PM	#10
susytp Member Posts: 10 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: SPAIN Device: Sony Reader PRS-600	I got that problem solved only by charging it for about 4 hours, then I connect it to the PC and rename \database\cache\media.xml to media.xml.bak and I solved it!!!!

02-04-2010, 07:51 AM	#11
poshm Fanatic Posts: 581 Karma: 1003580 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Cambs, UK Device: PocketBook 360, Sony Reader Touch, Ipod touch & Kindle 2	I got this problem today but thanks to this thread was able to fix the reader. I pressed the reset button, then the power switch before quickly plugging in via USB. I wasn't able to do anything other than delete the corrupt XML file which I did. It is now recharging as it has a low battery but I managed to get it working again and am back to the main menu with my books still showing.

04-27-2010, 06:21 AM	#13
albarron Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2010 Device: Sony PRS 600	Hi there! It's the first time I write here This is an old topic indeed. Nevertheless, it is still relevant. Just to confirm: I sent a ne book with calibre, but after finishing I was unable to umount, so I just unplugged the device, resulting in the well known 1fskin:/l/string screen. I wasn't able to rename \database\cache\media.xml. Linux said that it was unable to write in the file system and Windows said that the file was corrupt and it wasn't able to rename it. I felt a little bit risky and just deleted the file. Anyway, the information was already lost! The good news is all my books are still there. the bad ine is that all my notes and collections are lost I hope my experience is useful for anybody. Bye

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06-19-2010, 08:48 AM	#15
luma Member Posts: 12 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2010 Device: none	Thanks for the great help. Took a few tries of pressing the reset button, but then it worked and I plugged it in. $ su # mount /dev/sdc/ /media/dsksdl/ # cd /media/dsksdl/ # cd database/cache/ # rm media.xml I don't use notes so I just removed the media.xml file. But my notes were still there anyway!