jetBook death

[artifact]

After 2 years it looks like my jetBook is near death . The problem is either the power button, the battery, or maybe something gone astray with the inactivity sleeping function.

The device almost never turns on now -unless- it is plugged in. If it is plugged in I can turn it on and then disconnect the USB adapter and the power will stay on. Without the power plugged in it tries to start up and then immediately goes blank, or sometimes will flash the battery lightning bolt before turning off again. Once in a while just to give me false hope it brings up the book I am in the middle of reading before dying a few seconds later.

Anyone else with an older jetBook (original) seeing death throes? I sure hope this problem is just mine and isn't a design issue. Is it possible to crack open the case and swap out the battery or is it saudered in place?

Side note for posterity's sake before the jetBook dies and I forget to mention it:
I have a minor case of the jiggling text issue. Its not gotten worse nor magically fixed itself over time. It does seem to be somehow direct sunlight related and not temperature -- I've see it on a sunny cool winter day in the PacNW and not seen in the shade in summer hot, muggy tropical weather.

[Jack Tingle]

My guess would be a worn out batter. Li batteries don't last forever. My wife's old cell phone exhibited similar symptoms when the battery died. In her case, the phone was so old it wasn't worth replacing the battery, we just got her a new phone.

It is possible to replace the battery. If you search this forum waaayyy back, you'll find references to the method. It's not exactly trivial, but if you're careful and a little savvy you could try it yourself.

If it's anything else, it's probably not fixable, or worth fixing. You could try reflashing the ROM, just in case it is software.

Me, I'd recommend buying either a Sony, a Kobo, a BN Simple Touch (maybe), or (if you're willing to change file type) a K3. I still use my jetBook, but if it died tomorrow, I wouldn't replace it. I'd just shed a tear and shift everything to the K3.

Regards,
Jack Tingle

[cromag]

Without any additional info, I'd guess the battery too. In the MP3 player world, that I'm more familiar with, Li-Ion batteries generally last about three years. I'm going to guess (again) that the Jetbook is trying to draw more current when it starts up than when it's coasting along.

Good luck.

[Solicitous]

Originally Posted by Jack Tingle

Me, I'd recommend buying either a Sony, a Kobo, a BN Simple Touch (maybe), or (if you're willing to change file type) a K3. I still use my jetBook, but if it died tomorrow, I wouldn't replace it. I'd just shed a tear and shift everything to the K3.

I find that rather interesting. I was under the distinct impression that JB owners were really supportive of their devices suggesting the reflective LCD being superior to e-ink, but my travels around the web suggest that whilst the owners like them, they are either no longer recommending them, or wouldn't replace theirs with another reflective LCD.

Is this reflective of the changes in the market place ie: pricing of other readers and features, or has the pearl screen taken the lead in terms of quality over the LCD?

[Ken Maltby]

Originally Posted by Solicitous

I find that rather interesting. I was under the distinct impression that JB owners were really supportive of their devices suggesting the reflective LCD being superior to e-ink, but my travels around the web suggest that whilst the owners like them, they are either no longer recommending them, or wouldn't replace theirs with another reflective LCD.

Is this reflective of the changes in the market place ie: pricing of other readers and features, or has the pearl screen taken the lead in terms of quality over the LCD?

You may be reading a lot into what Jack said. I doubt that his replacement
recommendations would have been based on the screen primarily. The
jetBooks are getting older now and appear to be loosing emphasis if not
support at the manufacturer. The newer tech and temptation of a
multipurpose device, will be part of what you may be seeing on the web.

(My ASUS Eee Pad Transformer, is due Wednesday.)

Luck;
Ken

[cromag]

On the other hand, I recently jumped at the chance to pick up a second JBL from Newegg when they were closing out their last few white models for $65.

I keep an open mind, but I really like the way the JBL is designed.

[Ken Maltby]

I still expect to be using one of my four JBLs as my primary eReading device for a long
time yet. I even just put a copy of the "Allrecipes.com 100 Best Slow Cooker Recipes"
on my JBL and they look fine and the TOC works great. The color pictures will look
better on my Eee Pad Transformer, when it gets here, but I can have the ingredients
list for the recipies handier on my JBL, when I am at the grocers.

http://allrecipes.com/features/eCookBooks.aspx?src=eb1

There are plenty of other reasons that I will continue to prefer the JBL for most of my
ebook reading.

Luck;
Ken

P.S.; You might want to check out the features of their Android App., as well. There
are reasons to move on from just what a dedicated eReader can do. Still will be using
my JBL for years to come, I hope.

[Jack Tingle]

Originally Posted by Solicitous

I find that rather interesting. I was under the distinct impression that JB owners were really supportive of their devices suggesting the reflective LCD being superior to e-ink, but my travels around the web suggest that whilst the owners like them, they are either no longer recommending them, or wouldn't replace theirs with another reflective LCD.

Is this reflective of the changes in the market place ie: pricing of other readers and features, or has the pearl screen taken the lead in terms of quality over the LCD?

The Pearl screens are as-good-to-slightly-better than the reflective LCD on the jetBook (YMMV). Ectaco isn't going to spend a lot of effort on a reader that's a bit behind the times, so there probably aren't going to be a lot of firmware updates in the forseeable future. I certainly don't expect to get rid of the jetBook. It does some things supremely well; some better than my K3. I wouldn't buy another one. Time has passed it by.

P.S. I still own a K&E 10" Decilon. I don't use it for computation. The spreadsheet on my cell phone does a better job.

Regards,
Jack Tingle