Latest update turns kobo to brick

p_a_smith · 06-18-2013, 08:29 AM

I bought a book last night and when I synced via wifi the latest software update was downloaded and asked me if I wanted to install. I did and watched as it began the update and then the screen went blank (black with only a ghost outline of the update text).

I have tried to reboot (blue light and then nothing), tried the pinhole, tried to do a factory reset (pinhole plus slider), tried plugging it into my computer (light turns green but I can't see the kobo as a drive), tried charging the kobo with a wall charger (light turns green and no difference no matter how long I leave it.)

Anyone have any suggestions?

taming · 06-18-2013, 10:29 AM

Which Kobo device? The ones with lights and the ones without have slightly differrent Factory Reset methods. You list a Kobo original, and I would not expect that that device should have had an update.

DNSB · 06-18-2013, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by p_a_smith

I bought a book last night and when I synced via wifi the latest software update was downloaded and asked me if I wanted to install. I did and watched as it began the update and then the screen went blank (black with only a ghost outline of the update text).

I have tried to reboot (blue light and then nothing), tried the pinhole, tried to do a factory reset (pinhole plus slider), tried plugging it into my computer (light turns green but I can't see the kobo as a drive), tried charging the kobo with a wall charger (light turns green and no difference no matter how long I leave it.)

Anyone have any suggestions?

Going by the KT listed under your devices, I'd guess you have a Kobo Touch. The factory reset for the Touch can be done in a couple of ways.

Hold the power slider in the off position for 15 seconds. Release the power slider, hold the home button and slide the power slider to turn the unit on. After the LED comes on, hold the home button until the LED starts discoing (flashing rapidly). The screen should let you know a reset is in progress.

Alternative is hold the power slider in off position for 15 seconds. Release the power slider. Press and hold the home button. While doing this, use a paper clip to press the reset button. Once the LED comes on, hold the home button until the LED starts discoing.

Good luck!
David

booklover6 · 06-18-2013, 11:44 AM

What about for a Kobo Glo? Mine is stuck on the smiley face screen. I side loaded the update.

Be still my heart, it just flipped to the new home screen. *phew*

DNSB · 06-18-2013, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by booklover6

What about for a Kobo Glo? Mine is stuck on the smiley face screen. I side loaded the update.

Be still my heart, it just flipped to the new home screen. *phew*

If you ever need it, Glo factory reset is the same as the Touch but you hold the light button instead of the home button.

Regards,
David

booklover6 · 06-18-2013, 01:00 PM

Thanks, David, I would have never known that!

filmo · 06-18-2013, 01:59 PM

Reason for first long hold of power button is to make sure frozen reader that is on is turned off. Sometimes repeating full procedure a 2nd time is required.

taming · 06-18-2013, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DNSB

If you ever need it, Glo factory reset is the same as the Touch but you hold the light button instead of the home button.

Regards,
David

And with the Mini, you hold down the pin re-set as it has neither a home button or a light.

The basic format is:

Long pull/push on the thing that turns the device off.
Release of on/off
Hold down of "thing" #2, which would be light button, home button, or pin reset while
Turning the device on.

p_a_smith · 06-19-2013, 02:13 PM

Thanks for all the suggestions. I have a Kobo Touch (my original Kobo has no wifi) and nothing seems to be able to bring it back. I have a feeling it might be the battery since it seems to not be holding a charge any more.

I like my Kobos but am a bit disappointed that this one did not last two years. Add that to the one I gave at Christmas as a gift which died six months later I am starting to question the quality control.

PeterT · 06-19-2013, 02:32 PM

What reset approaches have you tried?

p_a_smith · 06-19-2013, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterT

What reset approaches have you tried?

All of them- every combination of slider,pinhole, home button pushing listed above and elsewhere on the forum. The device is not recognized when I plug it into the computer (tried two different computers and different cords with no success).

The screen is black and while I can get the light at the top to blink blue when I try to restart and it is green when I plug into a USB port (or my wall charger). That is the only sign of life I have seen since I dl'd the update.

Any suggestions? My next thought is to take it apart...

PeterT · 06-19-2013, 05:20 PM

What had worked for me when nothing else did was to hold power switch over for 20 seconds to ensure it was powered off, then with a pin in the hole, hold the home button and then power the unit on.

At this point I started to see the led flash and saw the unit enter recovery mode.

TechniSol · 06-19-2013, 10:49 PM

Charge it, just to make sure, hold the power button for 10-15 seconds and perform the reset by holding the paperclip in, the home button in, and holding the switch for 5-10 seconds while watching the display and LED. Rinse and repeat if you do not see a change.

If the battery has been run down a recovery is not going to happen, charge it fully first.

p_a_smith · 06-20-2013, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TechniSol

Charge it, just to make sure, hold the power button for 10-15 seconds and perform the reset by holding the paperclip in, the home button in, and holding the switch for 5-10 seconds while watching the display and LED. Rinse and repeat if you do not see a change.

If the battery has been run down a recovery is not going to happen, charge it fully first.

Tried it twice with no results. The screen remains blank. Thanks for the suggestions but it seems that whatever happened during the update has bricked it completely...

Minitrue · 06-20-2013, 08:36 AM

First post here as I stumbled across this forum as my Kobo Touch has done exactly the same!

Went to update it last night and everything went blank and nothing since

Search the internet far and wide to find all the possible ways to reset it (combinations using the reset button, home button, power button, computer) and still nothing. Only bit of live is the green button while charging and the blue when it attempts to do something.

I have contacted Kobo by email as mine is 15 months old so out of warranty where I bought it. It's a shame that their own software has bricked their own device! Hopefully Kobo will be able to help me out.

06-18-2013, 08:29 AM	#1
p_a_smith Me, Myself, but not I Posts: 161 Karma: 228652 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: Kobo Original, Acer 200, Asus FHD, Kobo Touch	Latest update turns kobo to brick I bought a book last night and when I synced via wifi the latest software update was downloaded and asked me if I wanted to install. I did and watched as it began the update and then the screen went blank (black with only a ghost outline of the update text). I have tried to reboot (blue light and then nothing), tried the pinhole, tried to do a factory reset (pinhole plus slider), tried plugging it into my computer (light turns green but I can't see the kobo as a drive), tried charging the kobo with a wall charger (light turns green and no difference no matter how long I leave it.) Anyone have any suggestions?

06-18-2013, 11:44 AM	#4
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	What about for a Kobo Glo? Mine is stuck on the smiley face screen. I side loaded the update. Be still my heart, it just flipped to the new home screen. phew Last edited by booklover6; 06-18-2013 at 11:49 AM.

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06-18-2013, 10:29 AM	#2
taming Trying for calm & polite Posts: 4,012 Karma: 9455193 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mostly in Canada Device: kobo original, WiFI, Touch, Glo, and Aura	Which Kobo device? The ones with lights and the ones without have slightly differrent Factory Reset methods. You list a Kobo original, and I would not expect that that device should have had an update.

06-18-2013, 01:00 PM	#6
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	Thanks, David, I would have never known that!

06-18-2013, 01:59 PM	#7
filmo Wizard Posts: 1,326 Karma: 1077205 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: Kobo Touch, Sony T1, Kobo Mini	Reason for first long hold of power button is to make sure frozen reader that is on is turned off. Sometimes repeating full procedure a 2nd time is required.

06-19-2013, 02:13 PM	#9
p_a_smith Me, Myself, but not I Posts: 161 Karma: 228652 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: Kobo Original, Acer 200, Asus FHD, Kobo Touch	Thanks for all the suggestions. I have a Kobo Touch (my original Kobo has no wifi) and nothing seems to be able to bring it back. I have a feeling it might be the battery since it seems to not be holding a charge any more. I like my Kobos but am a bit disappointed that this one did not last two years. Add that to the one I gave at Christmas as a gift which died six months later I am starting to question the quality control.

06-19-2013, 02:32 PM	#10
PeterT Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,505 Karma: 78910112 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Device: Libra H2O, Libra Colour	What reset approaches have you tried?

06-19-2013, 05:20 PM	#12
PeterT Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,505 Karma: 78910112 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Device: Libra H2O, Libra Colour	What had worked for me when nothing else did was to hold power switch over for 20 seconds to ensure it was powered off, then with a pin in the hole, hold the home button and then power the unit on. At this point I started to see the led flash and saw the unit enter recovery mode.

06-19-2013, 10:49 PM	#13
TechniSol GranPohbah-Fezzes r cool! Posts: 1,056 Karma: 3151024 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: Nook STRs, Kobo Touch, Kobo Glo	Charge it, just to make sure, hold the power button for 10-15 seconds and perform the reset by holding the paperclip in, the home button in, and holding the switch for 5-10 seconds while watching the display and LED. Rinse and repeat if you do not see a change. If the battery has been run down a recovery is not going to happen, charge it fully first.

06-20-2013, 08:36 AM	#15
Minitrue Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: UK Device: Kobo Touch	First post here as I stumbled across this forum as my Kobo Touch has done exactly the same! Went to update it last night and everything went blank and nothing since Search the internet far and wide to find all the possible ways to reset it (combinations using the reset button, home button, power button, computer) and still nothing. Only bit of live is the green button while charging and the blue when it attempts to do something. I have contacted Kobo by email as mine is 15 months old so out of warranty where I bought it. It's a shame that their own software has bricked their own device! Hopefully Kobo will be able to help me out.

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