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My success story in restoring the bricked Aura H2O in detail for others who are in the same situation...
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As the device has become totally frozen, I followed this procedure to put it back to good use. Remember this procedure will void any warranty from Kobo. Use this method only if you don't bother about the warranty. All the used software tools are freeware.
I had a spare "Strontium Nitro" 32GB UHS-1 microSD card lying around my house. From Frostschutz's image archive, I extracted the image file using WinRAR. The expanded file size was 3,965,190,144 bytes. I made a copy from the original image and renamed it
RRaoD Kobo Aura H20 Nxxxxxxxxxxxx.img
Then I used HxD Hex Editor 1.7.7.0 portable to replace Frostschutz's serial no. with mine.
I found that the blank 32GB microSD in SD Adapter is not recognized by the USB Duplicator Image Writer program. So loaded the microSD card in a multi card reader with USB cable and connected to the laptop. Now the microSD card is visible in the USB Duplicator Image Writer program. Copied the above image file to the microSD card.
I started the Minitool Partition Wizard Home Free 9.1 program and the following partitions were visible on the microSD card.
1st partition: Unallocated 24MB
2nd Partition: rootfs(Ext4) 256MB (Used 59%)
3rd Partition: recoveryfs(Ext4) 256MB (Used 59%)
4th Partition: KOBOReader(FAT32) 3.2GB (Used 0%)
5th Partition: Unallocated 26.3GB
I selected the 4th Partition, and extended the partition into the 5th partition.
Now the 4th partition has become KOBOReader(FAT32) 29.5GB(Used 0%). The 32GB microSD was ready for the Aura H2O.
Now comes the sensitive and toughest part:
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I opened the front cover of Kobo Aura H2O patiently with a thin knife without scratching around. Removed the 4 screws on the corners of the motherboard.
After removing the motherboard from the back, removed the battery connector to isolate the power. Removed the original Sandisk 4GB class 4 microSD card and replaced with the new 32GB card.
Reconnected the battery to the motherboard and pressed the power button and Tada... the ereader has booted. Connected the USB cable between ereader and the laptop as the battery was very low.
With the motherboard out in the open, the touch screen and the buttons on screen were not working. They started working only after the front cover is mounted on the motherboard.
The ereader booted normally and then I logged in to the Kobo account and the main desktop has appeared. Used the Sync feature to download the dictionaries and latest firmware update. Tried all the menus and the ereader was working sweetly. With the new 32GB microSD card, the device boots and functions faster.
Now I turned my attention to the supposed culprit (Original 4GB card!).
I connected 4GB microSD card to the multi card reader and laptop. In Minitool Partition Wizard program, I could see all the default partitions as they should appear.
Is the original card OK? Scratched my head once and thought lets try this card on the device. Replaced the 32GB card with the original 4GB card and started the device. I could not go beyond the white screen.
OK brilliant idea, lets erase everything on the original card and copy the partitions as I have done for the new 32GB card. Then may be I can keep it as a spare card.
Using the USB Image writer program tried to overwrite the partitions on the 4GB card. The process stopped with an error message. In Minitool Partition Wizard tried to remove the partitions on the 4GB microSD card. Surprisingly I could not remove the partitions. The Original card has somehow become sort of read-only and not functioning. Then decided to trash the original 4GB card. Good riddance!
Cleaned the loose adhesive on the back cover, put back the 32GB card and installed the motherboard on the back cover with four screws. After cleaning the screen with a wet cloth, placed the front cover over the device and pressed around the inner and outer edges. The existing adhesive has stuck back nicely. I was happy to note the device looks new without a scratch. I did not bother for the waterproofing, so had not applied any adhesive.
The adhesive used by Kobo is similar to UHU Power super strong contact adhesive (not Super glue), used to stick wood, rubber, plastic etc. In few countries a similar adhesive is used for applying patch to a punctured tube of car tyre. For someone who needs waterproofing, they can use this adhesive after thoroughly cleaning the old adhesive. It should be applied uniformly without any gaps in two thin layers inside the front cover, one around the inner bezel near the screen and the other on the outer portion of the cover, at original adhesive locations. Allow it to dry for 10-40 minutes and press the front cover back firmly. This adhesive being elastic in nature will be easy to remove, in case the device needs to be opened in future without breaking it.
Frostschutz, you are the man. Without your image, my H2O would have become a paperweight. Thanks man.
I started loading the books in the device. As it is a lengthy process, I will post about that later.
Note: A few photos of H2O innards as attachments.
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