Firmware Update Firmware 3.3 broke my kindle

Ezequiel80 · 02-05-2012, 02:47 PM

I have a Kindle keyboard edition. After updating its firmware to version 3.3 my kindle broke. Images render incorrectly now (after changing from one page to a page with an image, the image retains words from the previous page).

This happens on screensaver too, but not on the restarting screen. Text can be read perfectly too, so I discarded a screen issue.

I contacted Amazon and they offered to replace my kindle for free. No shipping charges or importing fees. However, they still want to charge me a "service fee" of $65 because the kindle warranty is over. (heh, they introduce a problem via a firmware update and I have to pay them to fix it)

I guess I'll keep using the Kindle as it is and at some point buy another device.

Just writing this to warn you about this issue and ask you if you had any advice.

SteveEisenberg · 02-05-2012, 03:56 PM

Just to make sure, have you fully rebooted several times?

If not sure, fully charge the battery. Then, hold the on-off switch in the on switch for between 15 and 20 seconds (use a clock with a second hand) before releasing. Then wait for several minutes.

If it is a case where you won't use the device unless fixed, you could risk carefully prying open the case with a small screwdriver. Sometimes, with handheld computers, a battery pull (will require taking out two Phillips-head screws) gives a more thorough reboot. I have no evidence this is true for the K3 but recall one post suggesting it.

It doesn't look like any of the keys are permanently depressed, does it?

Ezequiel80 · 02-05-2012, 06:03 PM

I did several resets. And even one "revert to factory default".

It is a baffling problem, I experienced a broken screen before and this is not at all like it since the kindle can be used without any problem for text.

I'll try with a full recharge and then restart again.

Thank you for your response.

Ezequiel80 · 02-08-2012, 10:08 PM

No Luck, I fully charged the kindle and restarted but still having the same issue.

pidgeon92 · 02-08-2012, 10:54 PM

Do you have a jailbreak or some other hack on it?

Ezequiel80 · 02-08-2012, 11:08 PM

Nope, no mods or jailbreak. The only thing I think changed was the 3.3 update. I'll try to upload a video soon to let you see this issue. It seems to be related to the refreshing process, images don't refresh correctly.

Ezequiel80 · 05-18-2012, 02:48 PM

Ok, after some delay, I'm uploading images with descriptions

This is an overview of how a typical page looks like. As a reference, the original image is on this site.

The image shows parts of a previous article I was reading. Moving to next page and going back to this page makes the text change on the photo

A detailed look on the image:

On the other hand, text looks just fine to me (that's what makes me think this is not just a screen issue)

The text "From the very dedi" is just garbage on the image. The actual text of this page starts at the underlined "Noam"

This is not a problem with the article, it happens on every image I checked and also with the screensavers:

On the other hand, while doing a hard reset you can see an image correctly rendered:

After the reset has finished, going back to the screensaver shows a broken image again

I'm using my kindle to read without any problems but it would be nice to be able to fix this issue.

As a reminder, this problem started after updating firmware. I never applied any jailbreak or hack to the unit, but I'm wiling to do it if that fixes this problem.

ApK · 05-18-2012, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ezequiel80

(heh, they introduce a problem via a firmware update and I have to pay them to fix it)

[...]

Just writing this to warn you about this issue and ask you if you had any advice.

Do realize that 3.3 has been out for well over six months, and the VAST majority of KKs have already been updated...with no reports of this issue that I've noticed around these forums.
That strongly suggests it's unlikely to be a general problem with the update, and far more likely an isolated issue with your unit, which you seem to be saying is out of warranty, so it's hard for me to see a problem with Amazon's stance here.

I wonder if anyone knows if there is a way to make it apply the update again. Maybe it ws just some kind of (disasterous) glitch during the update.

ApK

Shack70 · 05-18-2012, 04:58 PM

I would contact Kindel suppot and see what they say

Ezequiel80 · 05-18-2012, 05:10 PM

When I first posted about this issue the firmware was kind of new. I agree that it seems it is not a common issue with the firmware, maybe it was a glitch during the update. Or maybe the issue is not related at all to the update and it was just a coincidence that it appeared after the update.

Tech support didn't know much really, they offered me to replace the unit but since it was out of warranty I had to pay a fee.

I decided to keep the unit, but still I'm trying to find a fix for it.

As far as I know, there is no official way of reapplying the firmware update. But maybe there is an unofficial method of doing that. That's why I seek help here.

pidgeon92 · 05-18-2012, 07:13 PM

I think you should contact Amazon again, and link to your pics. They really ought to replace the unit, even if it is out of warranty.

Are you in the US?

sirmaru · 05-18-2012, 10:30 PM

Press the Start Key for 30 seconds. Then repeat 3 times. That's always worked to fix my 3rd Generation Kindle Keyboard.

HarryT · 05-19-2012, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirmaru

Press the Start Key for 15 minutes. Then repeat 3 times. That's always worked to fix my 3rd Generation Kindle Keyboard.

15 minutes? What does that achieve? The Kindle will reboot if you hold in the power switch for about 20-30 seconds.

To the original poster - have you tried doing a "Reset to Factory Defaults"?

Ezequiel80 · 05-20-2012, 02:13 PM

Yes, I tried doing a factory reset (all my ebooks deleted) and a hard reset by holding the power switch for a long time (you can see the screenshot of one of those resets). I also tried discharging the battery and fully recharging again.

I'm not in US. Amazon offered me to change it, but for a fee of $60... I rather buying a new one.

At the moment I'm open to experimentation, like replacing the firmware or jailbreaking the unit.

HarryT · 05-20-2012, 04:04 PM

This sounds like a hardware problem with the display controller to me.

02-05-2012, 02:47 PM	#1
Ezequiel80 Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2012 Device: Kindle	Firmware 3.3 broke my kindle I have a Kindle keyboard edition. After updating its firmware to version 3.3 my kindle broke. Images render incorrectly now (after changing from one page to a page with an image, the image retains words from the previous page). This happens on screensaver too, but not on the restarting screen. Text can be read perfectly too, so I discarded a screen issue. I contacted Amazon and they offered to replace my kindle for free. No shipping charges or importing fees. However, they still want to charge me a "service fee" of $65 because the kindle warranty is over. (heh, they introduce a problem via a firmware update and I have to pay them to fix it) I guess I'll keep using the Kindle as it is and at some point buy another device. Just writing this to warn you about this issue and ask you if you had any advice.

05-18-2012, 10:30 PM	#12
sirmaru Wizard Posts: 2,426 Karma: 6561538 Join Date: Nov 2007 Device: Kindle PW 2013, HDX 2013, Galaxy S5 2014	Press the Start Key for 30 seconds. Then repeat 3 times. That's always worked to fix my 3rd Generation Kindle Keyboard. Last edited by sirmaru; 05-21-2012 at 03:42 PM.

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02-05-2012, 03:56 PM	#2
SteveEisenberg Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,034 Karma: 39379388 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: near Philadelphia USA Device: Kindle Kids Edition, Fire HD 10 (11th generation)	Just to make sure, have you fully rebooted several times? If not sure, fully charge the battery. Then, hold the on-off switch in the on switch for between 15 and 20 seconds (use a clock with a second hand) before releasing. Then wait for several minutes. If it is a case where you won't use the device unless fixed, you could risk carefully prying open the case with a small screwdriver. Sometimes, with handheld computers, a battery pull (will require taking out two Phillips-head screws) gives a more thorough reboot. I have no evidence this is true for the K3 but recall one post suggesting it. It doesn't look like any of the keys are permanently depressed, does it?

02-05-2012, 06:03 PM	#3
Ezequiel80 Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2012 Device: Kindle	I did several resets. And even one "revert to factory default". It is a baffling problem, I experienced a broken screen before and this is not at all like it since the kindle can be used without any problem for text. I'll try with a full recharge and then restart again. Thank you for your response.

02-08-2012, 10:08 PM	#4
Ezequiel80 Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2012 Device: Kindle	No Luck, I fully charged the kindle and restarted but still having the same issue.

02-08-2012, 10:54 PM	#5
pidgeon92 Wizard Posts: 3,144 Karma: 8426142 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Device: Kindle PW2, Kindle Voyage, Kindle DXG, Boox M90, Kobo Aura HD	Do you have a jailbreak or some other hack on it?

02-08-2012, 11:08 PM	#6
Ezequiel80 Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2012 Device: Kindle	Nope, no mods or jailbreak. The only thing I think changed was the 3.3 update. I'll try to upload a video soon to let you see this issue. It seems to be related to the refreshing process, images don't refresh correctly.

05-18-2012, 02:48 PM	#7
Ezequiel80 Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2012 Device: Kindle	Ok, after some delay, I'm uploading images with descriptions This is an overview of how a typical page looks like. As a reference, the original image is on this site. The image shows parts of a previous article I was reading. Moving to next page and going back to this page makes the text change on the photo A detailed look on the image: On the other hand, text looks just fine to me (that's what makes me think this is not just a screen issue) The text "From the very dedi" is just garbage on the image. The actual text of this page starts at the underlined "Noam" This is not a problem with the article, it happens on every image I checked and also with the screensavers: On the other hand, while doing a hard reset you can see an image correctly rendered: After the reset has finished, going back to the screensaver shows a broken image again I'm using my kindle to read without any problems but it would be nice to be able to fix this issue. As a reminder, this problem started after updating firmware. I never applied any jailbreak or hack to the unit, but I'm wiling to do it if that fixes this problem.

05-18-2012, 04:58 PM	#9
Shack70 Guru Posts: 775 Karma: 1043626 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: York, Pa Device: Kindle Fire 10", Honor 8 Android Phone	I would contact Kindel suppot and see what they say

05-18-2012, 05:10 PM	#10
Ezequiel80 Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2012 Device: Kindle	When I first posted about this issue the firmware was kind of new. I agree that it seems it is not a common issue with the firmware, maybe it was a glitch during the update. Or maybe the issue is not related at all to the update and it was just a coincidence that it appeared after the update. Tech support didn't know much really, they offered me to replace the unit but since it was out of warranty I had to pay a fee. I decided to keep the unit, but still I'm trying to find a fix for it. As far as I know, there is no official way of reapplying the firmware update. But maybe there is an unofficial method of doing that. That's why I seek help here.

05-18-2012, 07:13 PM	#11
pidgeon92 Wizard Posts: 3,144 Karma: 8426142 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Device: Kindle PW2, Kindle Voyage, Kindle DXG, Boox M90, Kobo Aura HD	I think you should contact Amazon again, and link to your pics. They really ought to replace the unit, even if it is out of warranty. Are you in the US?

05-20-2012, 02:13 PM	#14
Ezequiel80 Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2012 Device: Kindle	Yes, I tried doing a factory reset (all my ebooks deleted) and a hard reset by holding the power switch for a long time (you can see the screenshot of one of those resets). I also tried discharging the battery and fully recharging again. I'm not in US. Amazon offered me to change it, but for a fee of $60... I rather buying a new one. At the moment I'm open to experimentation, like replacing the firmware or jailbreaking the unit.

05-20-2012, 04:04 PM	#15
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	This sounds like a hardware problem with the display controller to me.