is it possible to revert to old firmware?

ellenelle · 04-21-2013, 05:32 PM

I am a fairly new Kindle user. I bought A Kindle Touch because I have problems with my hands and my eyes and it was the only e-book reader out there that has both text-to-speech and a touch screen that isn't too bright. It was working great until I registered it and was forced to update the firmware from version 5.0.0 to 5.0.4. Then I started having problems with the text-to-speech: if I paused it for more than a couple of seconds, it would stop responding altogether and I would have to reboot in order to get it working again. If you Google "text to speech stopped after pausing" you will find a thread on the Amazon Kindle forum about this issue.

The consensus is, the software is the problem. Does anyone know how to revert to an old version of the firmware? When I connect the Kindle to my computer, I see a folder called "system" in the Kindle, but there's nothing in there that looks like it's the software running the device. I tried resetting to factory settings but that did not reset to the old firmware version. Calling customer service was of no help whatsoever.

Thanks,
Ellen

mgmueller · 04-21-2013, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ellenelle

I am a fairly new Kindle user. I bought A Kindle Touch because I have problems with my hands and my eyes and it was the only e-book reader out there that has both text-to-speech and a touch screen that isn't too bright. It was working great until I registered it and was forced to update the firmware from version 5.0.0 to 5.0.4. Then I started having problems with the text-to-speech: if I paused it for more than a couple of seconds, it would stop responding altogether and I would have to reboot in order to get it working again. If you Google "text to speech stopped after pausing" you will find a thread on the Amazon Kindle forum about this issue.

The consensus is, the software is the problem. Does anyone know how to revert to an old version of the firmware? When I connect the Kindle to my computer, I see a folder called "system" in the Kindle, but there's nothing in there that looks like it's the software running the device. I tried resetting to factory settings but that did not reset to the old firmware version. Calling customer service was of no help whatsoever.

Thanks,
Ellen

Technically, it should be possible to revert to any former firmware state.
At least it was possible for the other Kindle models I've tried.
Only problem: On the Amazon website you'll probably only find the latest release.
But: One can download the firmware directly on the Kindles or on the PC and then copy over. Most users use the PC method, as the "over-the-air" update on the Kindle can take some time.
If someone saved this firmware on his PC, he can upload it to box.com or somewhere else.
In your shoes, I'd post a thread "firmware xyz for Kndle touch needed" in the Kindle subforum. If you google for it, you'd might find a lucky hit as well.
Anyway: Reverting the firmware shouldn't be a problem, if you find the file somewhere on the web.

mgmueller · 04-21-2013, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ellenelle

I am a fairly new Kindle user. I bought A Kindle Touch because I have problems with my hands and my eyes and it was the only e-book reader out there that has both text-to-speech and a touch screen that isn't too bright. It was working great until I registered it and was forced to update the firmware from version 5.0.0 to 5.0.4. Then I started having problems with the text-to-speech: if I paused it for more than a couple of seconds, it would stop responding altogether and I would have to reboot in order to get it working again. If you Google "text to speech stopped after pausing" you will find a thread on the Amazon Kindle forum about this issue.

The consensus is, the software is the problem. Does anyone know how to revert to an old version of the firmware? When I connect the Kindle to my computer, I see a folder called "system" in the Kindle, but there's nothing in there that looks like it's the software running the device. I tried resetting to factory settings but that did not reset to the old firmware version. Calling customer service was of no help whatsoever.

Thanks,
Ellen

5.0.4?
Just checked: Newest version for Kindle touch should be 5.3.2.1:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/custom...deId=200790650
Maybe this solves the problems you have with 5.04?

ellenelle · 04-22-2013, 11:53 AM

I think version 5.0.4 was as far as it could update via Wi-Fi. It's an older device, as you know. On their site, Amazon has directions for a two-step process for completely updating. But the TTS problems were still persisting as late as last November according to the thread I cited, and some of the problems described were worse than those that I'm having. So I'd have to investigate whether it's been resolved with the latest update before I do the entire thing.

I did download the updates just to my computer and they are .bin files. There is no obvious way to access the firmware in the Kindle. I've checked all the folders, including the hidden ones, and I think Amazon made a decision not to have it accessible. So I don't know how I would be able to replace the update with the older version.

booklover6 · 04-22-2013, 12:52 PM

Yes you can do it if you follow the instructions in this thread.

Though I don't know how far back the available versions go. But you can read about the procedure.

ixtab · 04-22-2013, 02:28 PM

@ellenelle: There is no such thing as an "older device" when it comes to firmwares. All firmwares released for a particular model *do* work on all devices (unless there is something terribly wrong with the hardware, of course). For your Touch, this means that any Kindle Touch FW between 5.0.0 and 5.3.2.1 will work (though newer ones might work better - the release notes usually mention something like "better wireless", so Amazon must've fixed some software issues in between...)

My suggestion is to try with Kubrick, as booklover6 said. This will install a 5.1.2 firmware, and can also fix the TTS files.

ellenelle · 04-22-2013, 07:46 PM

Thanks for the debricking suggestions, but my problem is not so severe that I want to go to that length to solve it. TTS works as long as I don't pause it; I have to turn it off completely if I want it to stop. And the process doesn't sound foolproof. Not to mention that having to hold the buttons down for a long time is going to really hurt my hands. As far as later updates, I think I'll quit while I'm ahead. Especially since I'm not really interested in using the Wi-Fi, and I can just download books on my computer.

04-21-2013, 05:32 PM	#1
ellenelle Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2013 Device: Kindle Touch	is it possible to revert to old firmware? I am a fairly new Kindle user. I bought A Kindle Touch because I have problems with my hands and my eyes and it was the only e-book reader out there that has both text-to-speech and a touch screen that isn't too bright. It was working great until I registered it and was forced to update the firmware from version 5.0.0 to 5.0.4. Then I started having problems with the text-to-speech: if I paused it for more than a couple of seconds, it would stop responding altogether and I would have to reboot in order to get it working again. If you Google "text to speech stopped after pausing" you will find a thread on the Amazon Kindle forum about this issue. The consensus is, the software is the problem. Does anyone know how to revert to an old version of the firmware? When I connect the Kindle to my computer, I see a folder called "system" in the Kindle, but there's nothing in there that looks like it's the software running the device. I tried resetting to factory settings but that did not reset to the old firmware version. Calling customer service was of no help whatsoever. Thanks, Ellen

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04-22-2013, 11:53 AM	#4
ellenelle Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2013 Device: Kindle Touch	I think version 5.0.4 was as far as it could update via Wi-Fi. It's an older device, as you know. On their site, Amazon has directions for a two-step process for completely updating. But the TTS problems were still persisting as late as last November according to the thread I cited, and some of the problems described were worse than those that I'm having. So I'd have to investigate whether it's been resolved with the latest update before I do the entire thing. I did download the updates just to my computer and they are .bin files. There is no obvious way to access the firmware in the Kindle. I've checked all the folders, including the hidden ones, and I think Amazon made a decision not to have it accessible. So I don't know how I would be able to replace the update with the older version.

04-22-2013, 12:52 PM	#5
booklover6 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,545 Karma: 14008730 Join Date: May 2008 Location: PA (USA) Device: Kobo Clara, 2E, Libre 1, PW4, PW5, 2022 Kindle, Kobo Libre Colour	Yes you can do it if you follow the instructions in this thread. Though I don't know how far back the available versions go. But you can read about the procedure.

04-22-2013, 02:28 PM	#6
ixtab (offline) Posts: 2,907 Karma: 6736094 Join Date: Dec 2011 Device: K3, K4, K5, KPW, KPW2	@ellenelle: There is no such thing as an "older device" when it comes to firmwares. All firmwares released for a particular model do work on all devices (unless there is something terribly wrong with the hardware, of course). For your Touch, this means that any Kindle Touch FW between 5.0.0 and 5.3.2.1 will work (though newer ones might work better - the release notes usually mention something like "better wireless", so Amazon must've fixed some software issues in between...) My suggestion is to try with Kubrick, as booklover6 said. This will install a 5.1.2 firmware, and can also fix the TTS files.

04-22-2013, 07:46 PM	#7
ellenelle Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2013 Device: Kindle Touch	Thanks for the debricking suggestions, but my problem is not so severe that I want to go to that length to solve it. TTS works as long as I don't pause it; I have to turn it off completely if I want it to stop. And the process doesn't sound foolproof. Not to mention that having to hold the buttons down for a long time is going to really hurt my hands. As far as later updates, I think I'll quit while I'm ahead. Especially since I'm not really interested in using the Wi-Fi, and I can just download books on my computer.

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