Kindle 2 dramas

Nool · 02-23-2014, 09:41 PM

Hi Folks,

I've recently pulled out my old Kindle 2 International that stopped working a number of years ago. It was frozen on the dreaded critical battery screen and just wouldn't charge. I didn't know how to fix it back then but I thought I'd give it another try. I took off the back and saw that the battery was all puffed up. Having some knowledge of batteries I knew this wasn't good so I thought "maybe a new battery would solve the problem?".

I ordered one pretty much exactly the same from eBay but it didn't solve the problem. I discovered that the batteries (the eBay seller gave me two instead of one!) were completely flat (zero volt output) but learned that they can be 'reawakened' with some charge. Seeing that my Kindle wouldn't charge I had to use a Multivoltage adaptor to charge them. So, after some McGyvering, I managed to charge the batteries enough to get the Kindle to come back to life.

The kindle still wouldn't charge. After quite a number of hours searching the net and trying all sorts of 'soft' resets and 'hard' resets and holding the home button and whatnot I still don't have a solution - but I'm convinced there is one out there!

I need your help!

The Kindle seems to work fine when I put a freshly charged battery in it. If I plug in the wall charger the battery indicator says it's charging but it is not and after I take the cable out the indicator says it's still chraging. Sometimes even the orange light comes on but after a while (and it is a short while) the Kindle goes back to the critical battery screen and I have to remove the battery and charge it externally. If I plug it into the computer via USB the computer recognises it (took me a while to achieve this) and I can do all the things one can do from the puta but the Kindle says that it is 'currently not charging' and, of course, wont charge. The orange light behaves a bit haphazardly, too. It may come on if I plug in the charger, or not. Or it may turn on for a little while and then turn off. Either way it doesn't charge.

Here's a list of things I've tried so far:
1. hold the on button for 20/30/45/90/180 seconds (this does a reset but doesn't solve the recharge problem)

2. hold the on button for 30 seconds and then hold the home button for 30 secs (this does the hard reset but doesn't solve the problem)

3. Do a restart from within ('home', 'menu', 'settings', 'menu', 'restart')

4. Do a reset to factory settings ('home', 'menu', 'settings', 'menu', 'reset to Factory Defaults').

4. hold down the on button and keep it there while trying to recharge from a wall socket for many hours. The orange light comes on but the Kindle doesn't charge - I just end up back at the critical battery screen. The orange light turns off after an hour or so as well.

5. I've tried jailbreaking the Kindle to see if it would fix a possible software fault (it didn't) and then un-jailbroke it by restarting it with the jailbreak uninstall file copied across.

6. Updating to version 2.5.8.

7. I've checked for physical faults on the PCB and in the micro-USB connection. No noticeable problems. The USB connection seems fine and the orange light does sometimes come on so I don't think there is any problem there.

8. Asked Amazon for help. I did an instant chat with a fellow. Tried a few of the above steps, however, no warranty? No dice.

9. Danced the funky chicken. Probably out of frustration more than anything.

I feel like the problem lies within the Kindle's software/firmware. It seems to work fine on a charged battery but glitches only when trying to charge it. Is there any way I can refresh the firmware involved with battery management?

There's my story. Any assistance would be most, most oh so very most appreciated.

Neil

jbcohen · 02-26-2014, 07:43 AM

There is a company near me that are experts in batteries, their company slogan is "if it runs on batteries we got it." Batteries Plus. They are also available on the internet at batteriesplus.com and 800-677-8278. Why not put in a call to them and see if they can help, in addition to the help that you get here. They seems ot be willing to help out with problems like this one.

Nool · 02-26-2014, 07:06 PM

Thanks for the reply, jbcohen.

Would you know the international code to add to this number? I'll be calling from Australia.

meeera · 02-26-2014, 08:16 PM

I hate to be the rationalist here, but if your time is worth more than a minimal amount, and you're doing this for practical reasons rather than tinkering as a hobby, I'd suggest just grabbing a new basic kindle. Once you start calling international phone numbers on top of spending hours of your time, it's maybe not worth it anymore!

Good luck

Nool · 02-26-2014, 09:11 PM

Thanks for the thoughts, meeera. I guess it is a bit of a tinker/hobby at the moment. I don't mind too much about and international call if it's all I've go tot go on - I have a reasonable plan for my phone and time to spare after hours - which should be during work hours in... hmm jbcohen has his/her location as 'Palanthas' which is a fictional place..... I'm not sure if i'll be able to call this place! I was assuming it was somewhere in the US.

O.o

AnemicOak · 02-26-2014, 10:08 PM

Call me a cynic, but all Batteries Plus is likely to do is try to sell you another battery for it. No one I've ever encountered in one of their stores knows much as far as anything technical, although they're good at looking up part numbers to get you the battery you're looking for.

There is a similar retailer much closer to you...
http://www.batteryworld.com.au

GoSharks · 02-26-2014, 10:55 PM

When my K2i's battery died, I got a replacement from NewPower99.com. They were very reasonable, had good customer service and were able to provide the exact battery I needed (hint: there is more than one type and they are not interchangeable between the different versions of the K2's). I would recommend them.
Good Luck!

Nool · 02-27-2014, 01:40 AM

Thanks for the comments so far!

I don't think the battery is the problem. I have a new battery and when I charge it (externally from the Kindle) and place it into the Kindle it seems to work fine (albeit the battery discharges quite quickly). It's just that the Kindle refuses to charge the battery.

HarryT · 02-27-2014, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nool

Thanks for the comments so far!

I don't think the battery is the problem. I have a new battery and when I charge it (externally from the Kindle) and place it into the Kindle it seems to work fine (albeit the battery discharges quite quickly). It's just that the Kindle refuses to charge the battery.

Then it's broken. Simple as that. I really wouldn't waste any more time on it, personally.

Barbara1955 · 02-28-2014, 05:34 AM

Does seem to have died. IF you can only get it to work for a little while then I hook it up to you PC & Rescue the eBooks!

pdurrant · 02-28-2014, 05:57 AM

And it's always useful having a Kindle 2 registered to your Amazon account, so that you can download books to your PC for 'transfer via USB', even if the Kindle 2 in question is dead. (If you're happy removing DRM, that is.)

HarryT · 02-28-2014, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdurrant

And it's always useful having a Kindle 2 registered to your Amazon account, so that you can download books to your PC for 'transfer via USB', even if the Kindle 2 in question is dead. (If you're happy removing DRM, that is.)

Personally I find "Kindle for PC" better for that, but that's just a personal preference. The reason it's better is that it gets you books in KF8 format, whereas with a K2 all you'll get is the old Mobi format.

pdurrant · 02-28-2014, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Personally I find "Kindle for PC" better for that, but that's just a personal preference. The reason it's better is that it gets you books in KF8 format, whereas with a K2 all you'll get is the old Mobi format.

Oh, while it works I'll use Kindle for Mac. But it seems unlikely that Amazon will cut support for the Kindle 2, and even more unlikely that they'll update the firmware for a new DRM scheme.

Nool · 02-28-2014, 04:43 PM

My latest reading suggests that it might be the battery. It seems that the Kindle 2 US and the Kindle 2 International have batteries that are not interchangeable. Either that or it is broken.

I will, if I give up, transfer my books to my computer. My wife has a Kindle 3 wifi so I should be able to put them on that.

Nool · 03-08-2014, 01:40 AM

Well, it turns out it is the battery. The original battery model number was S11S01B. The replacement batteries were S11S01A. I managed to put a bit of charge back into the original battery and now the Kindle works fine. The S11S01A batteries are NOT compatible with the Kindle 2 International (model no. D007001, serial no. B003XXXXXXX).

I'm posting this for anyone else who may have this problem.

02-23-2014, 09:41 PM	#1
Nool Member Posts: 13 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Australia Device: Kindle 2	Kindle 2 dramas Hi Folks, I've recently pulled out my old Kindle 2 International that stopped working a number of years ago. It was frozen on the dreaded critical battery screen and just wouldn't charge. I didn't know how to fix it back then but I thought I'd give it another try. I took off the back and saw that the battery was all puffed up. Having some knowledge of batteries I knew this wasn't good so I thought "maybe a new battery would solve the problem?". I ordered one pretty much exactly the same from eBay but it didn't solve the problem. I discovered that the batteries (the eBay seller gave me two instead of one!) were completely flat (zero volt output) but learned that they can be 'reawakened' with some charge. Seeing that my Kindle wouldn't charge I had to use a Multivoltage adaptor to charge them. So, after some McGyvering, I managed to charge the batteries enough to get the Kindle to come back to life. The kindle still wouldn't charge. After quite a number of hours searching the net and trying all sorts of 'soft' resets and 'hard' resets and holding the home button and whatnot I still don't have a solution - but I'm convinced there is one out there! I need your help! The Kindle seems to work fine when I put a freshly charged battery in it. If I plug in the wall charger the battery indicator says it's charging but it is not and after I take the cable out the indicator says it's still chraging. Sometimes even the orange light comes on but after a while (and it is a short while) the Kindle goes back to the critical battery screen and I have to remove the battery and charge it externally. If I plug it into the computer via USB the computer recognises it (took me a while to achieve this) and I can do all the things one can do from the puta but the Kindle says that it is 'currently not charging' and, of course, wont charge. The orange light behaves a bit haphazardly, too. It may come on if I plug in the charger, or not. Or it may turn on for a little while and then turn off. Either way it doesn't charge. Here's a list of things I've tried so far: 1. hold the on button for 20/30/45/90/180 seconds (this does a reset but doesn't solve the recharge problem) 2. hold the on button for 30 seconds and then hold the home button for 30 secs (this does the hard reset but doesn't solve the problem) 3. Do a restart from within ('home', 'menu', 'settings', 'menu', 'restart') 4. Do a reset to factory settings ('home', 'menu', 'settings', 'menu', 'reset to Factory Defaults'). 4. hold down the on button and keep it there while trying to recharge from a wall socket for many hours. The orange light comes on but the Kindle doesn't charge - I just end up back at the critical battery screen. The orange light turns off after an hour or so as well. 5. I've tried jailbreaking the Kindle to see if it would fix a possible software fault (it didn't) and then un-jailbroke it by restarting it with the jailbreak uninstall file copied across. 6. Updating to version 2.5.8. 7. I've checked for physical faults on the PCB and in the micro-USB connection. No noticeable problems. The USB connection seems fine and the orange light does sometimes come on so I don't think there is any problem there. 8. Asked Amazon for help. I did an instant chat with a fellow. Tried a few of the above steps, however, no warranty? No dice. 9. Danced the funky chicken. Probably out of frustration more than anything. I feel like the problem lies within the Kindle's software/firmware. It seems to work fine on a charged battery but glitches only when trying to charge it. Is there any way I can refresh the firmware involved with battery management? There's my story. Any assistance would be most, most oh so very most appreciated. Neil

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02-26-2014, 07:43 AM	#2
jbcohen Wizard Posts: 3,030 Karma: 11196738 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Where am I? Device: Kindle Paperwhite Signature edition and a Samsung S24 Ultra	There is a company near me that are experts in batteries, their company slogan is "if it runs on batteries we got it." Batteries Plus. They are also available on the internet at batteriesplus.com and 800-677-8278. Why not put in a call to them and see if they can help, in addition to the help that you get here. They seems ot be willing to help out with problems like this one.

02-26-2014, 07:06 PM	#3
Nool Member Posts: 13 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Australia Device: Kindle 2	Thanks for the reply, jbcohen. Would you know the international code to add to this number? I'll be calling from Australia.

02-26-2014, 08:16 PM	#4
meeera Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,802 Karma: 68407974 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Libra 2, iPadMini4, iPad4, MBP; support other Kobo/Kindles	I hate to be the rationalist here, but if your time is worth more than a minimal amount, and you're doing this for practical reasons rather than tinkering as a hobby, I'd suggest just grabbing a new basic kindle. Once you start calling international phone numbers on top of spending hours of your time, it's maybe not worth it anymore! Good luck

02-26-2014, 09:11 PM	#5
Nool Member Posts: 13 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Australia Device: Kindle 2	Thanks for the thoughts, meeera. I guess it is a bit of a tinker/hobby at the moment. I don't mind too much about and international call if it's all I've go tot go on - I have a reasonable plan for my phone and time to spare after hours - which should be during work hours in... hmm jbcohen has his/her location as 'Palanthas' which is a fictional place..... I'm not sure if i'll be able to call this place! I was assuming it was somewhere in the US. O.o

02-26-2014, 10:08 PM	#6
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	Call me a cynic, but all Batteries Plus is likely to do is try to sell you another battery for it. No one I've ever encountered in one of their stores knows much as far as anything technical, although they're good at looking up part numbers to get you the battery you're looking for. There is a similar retailer much closer to you... http://www.batteryworld.com.au

02-26-2014, 10:55 PM	#7
GoSharks SQUIRREL!! Posts: 1,636 Karma: 8400000 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: California Device: K-Fire, PW2, PW3	When my K2i's battery died, I got a replacement from NewPower99.com. They were very reasonable, had good customer service and were able to provide the exact battery I needed (hint: there is more than one type and they are not interchangeable between the different versions of the K2's). I would recommend them. Good Luck!

02-27-2014, 01:40 AM	#8
Nool Member Posts: 13 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Australia Device: Kindle 2	Thanks for the comments so far! I don't think the battery is the problem. I have a new battery and when I charge it (externally from the Kindle) and place it into the Kindle it seems to work fine (albeit the battery discharges quite quickly). It's just that the Kindle refuses to charge the battery.

02-28-2014, 05:34 AM	#10
Barbara1955 Non-Techy Posts: 4,455 Karma: 15499273 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: WV---USA Device: Samsung Cell Phone & Amazon Fires & Kobo eReaders	Does seem to have died. IF you can only get it to work for a little while then I hook it up to you PC & Rescue the eBooks!

02-28-2014, 05:57 AM	#11
pdurrant The Grand Mouse 高貴的老鼠 Posts: 73,747 Karma: 315126578 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Norfolk, England Device: Kindle Oasis	And it's always useful having a Kindle 2 registered to your Amazon account, so that you can download books to your PC for 'transfer via USB', even if the Kindle 2 in question is dead. (If you're happy removing DRM, that is.)

02-28-2014, 04:43 PM	#14
Nool Member Posts: 13 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Australia Device: Kindle 2	My latest reading suggests that it might be the battery. It seems that the Kindle 2 US and the Kindle 2 International have batteries that are not interchangeable. Either that or it is broken. I will, if I give up, transfer my books to my computer. My wife has a Kindle 3 wifi so I should be able to put them on that.

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03-08-2014, 01:40 AM	#15
Nool Member Posts: 13 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Australia Device: Kindle 2	Well, it turns out it is the battery. The original battery model number was S11S01B. The replacement batteries were S11S01A. I managed to put a bit of charge back into the original battery and now the Kindle works fine. The S11S01A batteries are NOT compatible with the Kindle 2 International (model no. D007001, serial no. B003XXXXXXX). I'm posting this for anyone else who may have this problem.