Thanks for all suggestions.
I tried connecting to Windows 10 machine. No go. Possible I did not manage to hit the Connect button, since I don't know where it is.
Connected USB cable, Kobo "on". Tried to find Connect button. Turned Kobo off and back on (to extent those flashing lights mean anything!). Disconnected then reconnected USB cable. Tried again--less carefully--to find Connect button.
A couple more details I forgot to add in the original post:
- Resetting the device (paperclip in the pinhole) also causes the power button light to flash, but the screen still does not change
Created a photo, should show here (first time adding image). Kobo "on" and backlight on. Photo angled as that was a quick way to avoid any shadowing on the screen caused by the camera and me.
Curious if anything new occurs to you. At this point it seems likely the device is a goner.