Kindle 3.1 software for Kindle 2, 2i, & DX (under construction)

[ableeker]

Exciting stuff! But where can I find Yifanlu's latest fix? The files from the first post look the same to me. Or is it something we can correct in the source files? If so, what would those changes be?

[modusop]

He must have been testing it out on me - he'll probably post it on the thread when he's done working out the bugs!

[yifanlu]

Updated, added the fixes I talked about. From what testers told me, there are issues regarding volume controls and 3G. Tell me if you have similar problems or other issues.

Also, please tell me if the package isn't noticed by the Kindle. It might do that.

[DickeFix]

Yifanlu, thanks for the update!

Unfortunately, I have still problems with the update creation which ends prematurely even with NO_TTS or with all TTS related lines commented away. I have tried five times now. It is the copying of the large usr directory which is unsuccessful. I have tried to copy that directory first but with same result. It then jumps over the copying of the other directories. Since it sometimes (but rarely) works I wonder if it can be a memory issue. Maybe shortage of RAM, an integer overflow due to too many files or problems with the speed of SD-memory leading to bit errors.

I will of course continue to try to create an upgrade in order to test your new package

[NiLuJe]

I remember having a hell of a time backing up the TTS stuff when I did a backup of my K3, back in the 3.0.2 day. I'm not sure how I ended up working around that, but I think mostly by hammering at it with rsync with the --partial switch enabled ^^.

No idea what might be the root of the issue, but, AFAIR, my K2i was way less finnicky .

[DickeFix]

NiLuJe, Thanks for the tip. I tried to replace

cp -a /usr ${ROOT}/

with these three lines

rsync --partial -a /usr ${ROOT}/
rsync --partial -a /usr ${ROOT}/
rsync -a /usr ${ROOT}/

These rsync lines were done just within seconds as opposed to copy which took at least 15 minutes so I don´t think anything got copied. The update was however generated but when I tried it on the DXG it got stuck at start page and I had to recover.

[azuwis]

Why not generate rootfs-host.img from host and rootfs-client.img from client, and then run the patch process in a normal Linux box?

[yifanlu]

Originally Posted by DickeFix

NiLuJe, Thanks for the tip. I tried to replace

cp -a /usr ${ROOT}/

with these three lines

rsync --partial -a /usr ${ROOT}/
rsync --partial -a /usr ${ROOT}/
rsync -a /usr ${ROOT}/

These rsync lines were done just within seconds as opposed to copy which took at least 15 minutes so I don´t think anything got copied. The update was however generated but when I tried it on the DXG it got stuck at start page and I had to recover.

The Kindle doesn't have rsync. I think usbnetwork includes rsync though. If what NiLuJe said is true, I guess I can just include rsync with the package.

Originally Posted by azuwis

Why not generate rootfs-host.img from host and rootfs-client.img from client, and then run the patch process in a normal Linux box?

You can, but what's the fun in that

[DickeFix]

Yifanlu, I think it is a good idea to include rsync. Most often it is the copying of /usr that fails but sometimes it succeeds with /usr and halts at /opt if I do the copying in that order. I think it is the large transfers from the Kindle memory to itself that gives bit errors that the cp process can not handle and gives up. Unfortunately I am a complete newbie on Linux so I hope you can fix it.

I guess the main motivation for doing everything on the Kindle is that end users without Linux should be able to use the package.

[nerd]

I have only kindle 2i and i would like to test firmware 3.1 on my device. Could someone share your rootfs.img or show me where i can download it pls ?

[NiLuJe]

Note that when I said 'hammering', I *mean* hammering, I had to restart it at least a good dozen times... >_<".

[DickeFix]

I have tried many, many times to update now. Three times it passed copy_new_files but then it instead aborted during add_old_files.

[qinbill]

Originally Posted by DickeFix

I have tried many, many times to update now. Three times it passed copy_new_files but then it instead aborted during add_old_files.

Are you doing that on K3g? I did it on my K3g. It stopped many times. I borrowed my friends K3w. It works fine to generate Update file.

[DickeFix]

Qinbill, that is interesting. Yes I tried to do it on a K3G without success. I wonder if it is indeed a difference between K3G and K3w or a difference between individual units of Kindle 3 irrespective of model. Anyway it is very strange, small variations in the program, e.g. addition of a new line for logging the progress, seem to affect how far the update progress works until it fails.

Anyway, I got help to compile the update and I can report that firmware 3.1 works to 95% on the Kindle DXG after a boot and manual restart!

The pdf reader, e-book reader, volume buttons and autorotation works perfectly!

The 3G works partially. I see the service providers by tapping 311 in settings screen so reception works but I am unable to connect or register at Amazon.

USB port does not work. When I attach USB cable Kindle goes into USB mode and the device comes up on computer screen but it does not mount so I can´t transfer any files. This problem may be due to interference with usbnetwork. I will try to uninstall it.

The mp3 player and text-to-speech function gives an crackling noise even when the file stopped playing. It sounds like dust or static electricity on an old LP record.

Yifanlu is close to get this working! It would be great with especially the webkit webbrowser on the Kindle DXG. It is so much better than the original K2 browser.

[modusop]

DickeFix's results mirror mine, down to the service providers.