MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - half-dead (but twitching) Kobo N647-KBU-B Wireless

naltar · 10-11-2016, 02:06 PM

Hello,
I've got a request from a relative for help with an old Kobo, and since I'm not much wiser than him I'd like to ask if his issue is fixable, or should he be looking for a replacement.
The device, handsomely called "N647-KBU-B" still works, in this sense that it boots, displays a given book page, and then, when the physical button is pressed to go to the next page, it goes a few, sometimes several pages forward. For now (I need to confirm this), he can go back page by page, which suggests to me that, perhaps, it's a physical damage (worn connector under the button?), i.e. pressing forward makes something "stick" underneath.
I have several questions:
1. is this a well-known issue?
2. Is it likely to be mechanical (hardware) rather than software issue?
3. can it be fixed by updating firmware? (presumably not). Reset done several times, no effect
4. if hardware issue, can it be circumvented by re-programming physical buttons, i.e. switching the forward / back function? Not a perfect solution, but if he can't fix the hardware and if repair is not worth it, costwise, it's better to have a limping reader than none.

btw, his current firmware is pretty ancient, 1.9.10(r32284.Sep.8.2011) but anyway, is there any use updating it (which, I heard, won't be that easy as old firmwares are not exactly easy to find off Kobo site?)

I would appreciate any help or suggestions. I mean, sure, Xmas is coming, perfect timing, but we can't see a good e-reader replacement (other than the new Aura One, which is not available in Europe yet, and when it is, it's gonna be very expensive, and way too large for what he would find comfortable to carry around).

Regards,

n.

10-11-2016, 02:06 PM	#1
naltar Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2016 Device: none	half-dead (but twitching) Kobo N647-KBU-B Wireless Hello, I've got a request from a relative for help with an old Kobo, and since I'm not much wiser than him I'd like to ask if his issue is fixable, or should he be looking for a replacement. The device, handsomely called "N647-KBU-B" still works, in this sense that it boots, displays a given book page, and then, when the physical button is pressed to go to the next page, it goes a few, sometimes several pages forward. For now (I need to confirm this), he can go back page by page, which suggests to me that, perhaps, it's a physical damage (worn connector under the button?), i.e. pressing forward makes something "stick" underneath. I have several questions: 1. is this a well-known issue? 2. Is it likely to be mechanical (hardware) rather than software issue? 3. can it be fixed by updating firmware? (presumably not). Reset done several times, no effect 4. if hardware issue, can it be circumvented by re-programming physical buttons, i.e. switching the forward / back function? Not a perfect solution, but if he can't fix the hardware and if repair is not worth it, costwise, it's better to have a limping reader than none. btw, his current firmware is pretty ancient, 1.9.10(r32284.Sep.8.2011) but anyway, is there any use updating it (which, I heard, won't be that easy as old firmwares are not exactly easy to find off Kobo site?) I would appreciate any help or suggestions. I mean, sure, Xmas is coming, perfect timing, but we can't see a good e-reader replacement (other than the new Aura One, which is not available in Europe yet, and when it is, it's gonna be very expensive, and way too large for what he would find comfortable to carry around). Regards, n.