Kindle wifi converted to 3g

littlewoodenguy · 02-03-2011, 06:31 AM

Hi everyone,

I have a kindle wifi and a kindle wifi/3g that has been eaten by a dog. I opened the wifi/3g kindle and the 3g modem and sim card are undamaged, so I was wondering if I could put them in my wifi kindle and get 3g working? Any thoughts?

Thanks

abookreader · 02-03-2011, 10:10 AM

No idea but the WiFi Kindle has a serial number that Amazon doesn't have listed as a 3G Kindle. So I'm kind of doubtful that even if you get everything connected properly, you'll be able to establish Whispernet over the 3G. WiFi Kindles and 3G Kindles have different coding on the serial numbers B006___ and B008___ I think.

If it were me and I didn't mind the risk of having two destroyed and worthless Kindles. I'd be more apt to tear apart the WiFi Kindle and replace the chewed up parts on the 3G.

Tiersten · 02-03-2011, 12:49 PM

What abookreader said. Amazon will see a WiFi only Kindle on Whispernet and the servers probably won't like that. I've not heard of anybody trying this before so you're breaking new ground on this one.

Does your K3 WiFi have the 3G modem socket + SIM holder? I've seen several sets of internal photos of the WiFi only models and not all of them have those components fitted. The only K3 WiFi I looked at didn't have either socket and there may have been some passive components missing around that area as well. I didn't have a K3 3G+WiFi model nearby to compare for those small components.

If you do manage to fit the 3G card into a K3 WiFi, please post back with your results. Thanks.

littlewoodenguy · 02-04-2011, 02:58 AM

so you guys think the kindle identifies itself by serial number on the network? that makes sense I suppose - I was hoping the sim card and the fact it was kindle would be enough.

I haven't opened my kindle wifi yet but from what I could find on the web it looked like the wifi has the same motherboard with the modem jack and the sim card slot. The only tricky bit hardware wise is that the 3g antenna is a sticker and would have to peeled off in one piece.

I'll have to think more about it...

littlewoodenguy · 02-04-2011, 03:02 AM

oh and does anyone have any idea where the serial number would be stored? The motherboard in the wifi/3g is chewed up and won't work, but if the serial is stored in some removable part I could maybe transfer that as well.

Valentino · 02-04-2011, 03:41 AM

Another reason why this probably wouldn't work is that you will have the wifi only firmware which I doubt has the drivers and scripts necessary to run the 3g card.

daffy4u · 02-04-2011, 08:44 AM

Have you tried contacting Amazon for a replacement? They might be be able to help you.

Tiersten · 02-04-2011, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valentino

Another reason why this probably wouldn't work is that you will have the wifi only firmware which I doubt has the drivers and scripts necessary to run the 3g card.

The firmware is the same for both models. I never bothered to look at how it knows it is a 3G+WiFi model instead of a WiFi only model though. If it is checking the serial number to determine this then its going to take more than fitting the modem to upgrade it to a 3G+WiFi.

Tiersten · 02-04-2011, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by littlewoodenguy

so you guys think the kindle identifies itself by serial number on the network? that makes sense I suppose - I was hoping the sim card and the fact it was kindle would be enough.

The Kindle sends the serial number to the Whispernet servers. The IMSI inside the SIM determines whether you get cell service but isn't used for the actual communication with Amazon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by littlewoodenguy

I haven't opened my kindle wifi yet but from what I could find on the web it looked like the wifi has the same motherboard with the modem jack and the sim card slot.

Not all (or only some?) K3 WiFi units have the socket for the 3G modem or the SIM card holder.

Quote:

Originally Posted by littlewoodenguy

The only tricky bit hardware wise is that the 3g antenna is a sticker and would have to peeled off in one piece.

You should be able to remove it carefully. It looks like its regular PFC material like Kapton which means its reasonably resistant against breaking.

Quote:

Originally Posted by littlewoodenguy

oh and does anyone have any idea where the serial number would be stored? The motherboard in the wifi/3g is chewed up and won't work, but if the serial is stored in some removable part I could maybe transfer that as well.

Flash soldered onto the board. Its not removable.

littlewoodenguy · 02-05-2011, 02:27 AM

Thanks for the input! I agree that it sounds pretty unlikely to work also because amazon blacklists kindles by serial number so that is probably the way it's identified on the network. it's too bad since I've already paid the premium for the cell service and now can't use it, but I can't expect amazon to cover every situation. it would be nice if amazon would sell me a kindle 3g for the price of a wifi

I still might try it just for kicks but I think I'll wait a couple of weeks at least - I'll definitely post back and let you guys know what happens if I go through with it.

abookreader · 02-05-2011, 09:05 AM

Have you called Amazon CS and talked to them?

There have been loads of stories on replacement Kindles for free or at least at a discount.

daffy4u · 02-05-2011, 10:20 AM

I asked the OP the same question a few posts back but didn't get a response.

littlewoodenguy · 02-05-2011, 11:36 PM

No I haven't but that is a good idea, I think I will

JSWolf · 02-06-2011, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by littlewoodenguy

No I haven't but that is a good idea, I think I will

What did Amazon CS have to say?

littlewoodenguy · 02-09-2011, 09:12 PM

So I went ahead and contacted kindle CS (like I should have from the start - I didn't realize they were soooo good) and they agreed to send me a new kindle 3G for $72! which is more than fair and more than I expected

02-03-2011, 06:31 AM	#1
littlewoodenguy Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2011 Device: kindle 3	Kindle wifi converted to 3g Hi everyone, I have a kindle wifi and a kindle wifi/3g that has been eaten by a dog. I opened the wifi/3g kindle and the 3g modem and sim card are undamaged, so I was wondering if I could put them in my wifi kindle and get 3g working? Any thoughts? Thanks

02-04-2011, 02:58 AM	#4
littlewoodenguy Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2011 Device: kindle 3	hmmm so you guys think the kindle identifies itself by serial number on the network? that makes sense I suppose - I was hoping the sim card and the fact it was kindle would be enough. I haven't opened my kindle wifi yet but from what I could find on the web it looked like the wifi has the same motherboard with the modem jack and the sim card slot. The only tricky bit hardware wise is that the 3g antenna is a sticker and would have to peeled off in one piece. I'll have to think more about it...

02-05-2011, 02:27 AM	#10
littlewoodenguy Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2011 Device: kindle 3	:/ Thanks for the input! I agree that it sounds pretty unlikely to work also because amazon blacklists kindles by serial number so that is probably the way it's identified on the network. it's too bad since I've already paid the premium for the cell service and now can't use it, but I can't expect amazon to cover every situation. it would be nice if amazon would sell me a kindle 3g for the price of a wifi I still might try it just for kicks but I think I'll wait a couple of weeks at least - I'll definitely post back and let you guys know what happens if I go through with it.

02-05-2011, 11:36 PM	#13
littlewoodenguy Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2011 Device: kindle 3	Amazon CS No I haven't but that is a good idea, I think I will

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02-03-2011, 10:10 AM	#2
abookreader Wizard Posts: 1,516 Karma: 2567610 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Kindles - Keyboard, Fire, 2-US, iPhone, iPAD	No idea but the WiFi Kindle has a serial number that Amazon doesn't have listed as a 3G Kindle. So I'm kind of doubtful that even if you get everything connected properly, you'll be able to establish Whispernet over the 3G. WiFi Kindles and 3G Kindles have different coding on the serial numbers B006___ and B008___ I think. If it were me and I didn't mind the risk of having two destroyed and worthless Kindles. I'd be more apt to tear apart the WiFi Kindle and replace the chewed up parts on the 3G.

02-03-2011, 12:49 PM	#3
Tiersten Guru Posts: 987 Karma: 8641 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: Kindle 3G+WiFi	What abookreader said. Amazon will see a WiFi only Kindle on Whispernet and the servers probably won't like that. I've not heard of anybody trying this before so you're breaking new ground on this one. Does your K3 WiFi have the 3G modem socket + SIM holder? I've seen several sets of internal photos of the WiFi only models and not all of them have those components fitted. The only K3 WiFi I looked at didn't have either socket and there may have been some passive components missing around that area as well. I didn't have a K3 3G+WiFi model nearby to compare for those small components. If you do manage to fit the 3G card into a K3 WiFi, please post back with your results. Thanks.

02-04-2011, 03:02 AM	#5
littlewoodenguy Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2011 Device: kindle 3	oh and does anyone have any idea where the serial number would be stored? The motherboard in the wifi/3g is chewed up and won't work, but if the serial is stored in some removable part I could maybe transfer that as well.

02-04-2011, 03:41 AM	#6
Valentino Connoisseur Posts: 86 Karma: 999999 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: some.	Another reason why this probably wouldn't work is that you will have the wifi only firmware which I doubt has the drivers and scripts necessary to run the 3g card.

02-04-2011, 08:44 AM	#7
daffy4u I'm Super Kindle-icious Posts: 6,734 Karma: 2434103 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Long Drive, Calinadia Candafornia Device: KDXG, KT, Oasis	Have you tried contacting Amazon for a replacement? They might be be able to help you.

02-05-2011, 09:05 AM	#11
abookreader Wizard Posts: 1,516 Karma: 2567610 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Kindles - Keyboard, Fire, 2-US, iPhone, iPAD	Have you called Amazon CS and talked to them? There have been loads of stories on replacement Kindles for free or at least at a discount.

02-05-2011, 10:20 AM	#12
daffy4u I'm Super Kindle-icious Posts: 6,734 Karma: 2434103 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Long Drive, Calinadia Candafornia Device: KDXG, KT, Oasis	I asked the OP the same question a few posts back but didn't get a response.

02-09-2011, 09:12 PM	#15
littlewoodenguy Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2011 Device: kindle 3	So I went ahead and contacted kindle CS (like I should have from the start - I didn't realize they were soooo good) and they agreed to send me a new kindle 3G for $72! which is more than fair and more than I expected

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