Booting PW2 without WiFi chip

[snipchip]

Hi all,

I was just wondering if my Kindle PW2 would still boot without its WiFi chip.

Long story short, the place where I work does not allow any devices with wireless communication, so I'll have to desolder the Atheros WiFi module hiding under a can.

I have decent experience with reflowing, so I don't expect any troubles there, but I'm just wondering if the PW2 will boot without the WiFi module or if I would have to tinker with the firmware.

I've torn the device apart and have access to the back, just not sure whether I should proceed any further.

Thanks in advance.

[knc1]

Originally Posted by snipchip

Hi all,

I was just wondering if my Kindle PW2 would still boot without its WiFi chip.

Long story short, the place where I work does not allow any devices with wireless communication, so I'll have to desolder the Atheros WiFi module hiding under a can.

I have decent experience with reflowing, so I don't expect any troubles there, but I'm just wondering if the PW2 will boot without the WiFi module or if I would have to tinker with the firmware.

I've torn the device apart and have access to the back, just not sure whether I should proceed any further.

Thanks in advance.

Did you try adding the file named:
WIFI_NO_NET_PROBE
(no contents, no extension, all capitals)
to the top level of USB storage?

Then just keep it in Airplane mode.

= = = =

If that doesn't meet company requirements -
Just remove power from the Wifi chip, not the entire chip.

= = = =

If you take it apart - it might not ever boot.

[snipchip]

Originally Posted by knc1

Did you try adding the file named:
WIFI_NO_NET_PROBE
(no contents, no extension, all capitals)
to the top level of USB storage?

Then just keep it in Airplane mode.

= = = =

If that doesn't meet company requirements -
Just remove power from the Wifi chip, not the entire chip.

= = = =

If you take it apart - it might not ever boot.

My initial thought was to try uninstalling the WiFi driver or making the WIFI_NO_NET_PROBE file, but turns out my company won't allow software mods in fear of employees enabling WiFi again.

I'll try cutting the power first to the chip, thanks. If that works, I think it'll be safe to remove the entire package.

Does anyone know of any e-ink readers without WiFi?

[Cinisajoy]

Can you leave that device at home and find a different non-wifi device to read on?
I am assuming you read on your breaks.

[snipchip]

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

Can you leave that device at home and find a different non-wifi device to read on?
I am assuming you read on your breaks.

Yup, that's another option I've been looking for. Do you know any non-WiFi e-ink readers out on the market?

[Cinisajoy]

Not new ones but there are some older ones out there.
Alturek made one. There is also an older heavier backlit sort of tablet (will do books, music and photos) slick was the brand name.
Ask over in the What to buy sub-forum. I would hate for you to break an ereader just for the company.

Oh and I don't think a paper book has wifi but anymore who knows.

[zxczxc]

If your work is so strict/important about no wireless, why should they believe you if you have a normally wifi enabled device that you say has it disabled?
Would they open it up and check? - every day? (For example, you could bring in the wifi chip removed/disabled one for a week, then start to bring in a different kindle that has wifi)

In my opinion they shouldn't allow you to disable it, but, what about ADDING wifi to devices that don't already have it? (although that is less likely than this already unlikely scenario)