Need USB breakout board or...

bsmith · 03-30-2018, 03:02 PM

Hello all,

I've been enjoying my PW3, but wanted to jailbreak it - I am a computer geek wanabe, and wanted to do some networking, maybe SSH, and of course get some of the other nice features of a JB'ed Kindle.

The problem is that my software is quite new, so there are no presently any ways to downgrade it so a JB would work. The only way that I can see is do the surgery on my PW3, and directly connect my PW3 to a PC via a USB breakout board. Unfortunately, the one recommended is sold at a Amazon. I have looked for one that will work - the most important feature being a 1.8 v limit passed to my PW3 from a 5 v USB interface. This I have not been able (yet) to locate.

So I am open to any option:
1. Find an alternative breakout board that meets the 1.8v requirement.
2. Purchase someone else's breakout board (seed me a PM).
3. Alternative way to JB my PW3?

Thanks to all!

02xda2 · 03-31-2018, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsmith

Hello all,

I've been enjoying my PW3, but wanted to jailbreak it - .........

So I am open to any option:
1. Find an alternative breakout board that meets the 1.8v requirement.
2. Purchase someone else's breakout board (seed me a PM).
3. Alternative way to JB my PW3?

Thanks to all!

Hey bsmith,

1. you can buy something like this which will allow you to stepdown voltage to 1.8v. (didn't understand it's only sold at Amazon, what so?)

2. you have not mentioned where you are from, so no point sending you a pm.

3. only @knc1 can answer this.

knc1 · 03-31-2018, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 02xda2

Hey bsmith,
- - - -
3. only @knc1 can answer this.

It depends.

On the current firmware version (described as the version number shown on the "device info" panel of the settings menu), which you describe as:

Quote:

my software is quite new

Sorry, but that does not compute.

Country of purchase (info not provided).

If the Kindle is still running the firmware it arrived in the box with or if it has been updated (info not provided).

If you would please re-post your #3 with that additional information, I can try to answer it.

bsmith · 03-31-2018, 01:38 PM

Sorry that I am at least 10 years behind the power curve on technology.

I should have known that the JB is very software dependent. I am using Kindle 5.9.4. I updated it in error before I knew what I was doing.

The country of purchase was US. I don't know where manufactured, as purchased it off ebay. The first 6 digits of the serial number are G090 G1, which indicates US (I believe).

02xda2: I checked the USB breakout board, but I didn't see any option to lower the voltage to 1.8. Was it there, and I did not see it? - my eyes are getting old!

Thanks for your responses.

knc1 · 03-31-2018, 03:15 PM

If it had been purchased from Amazon.de or had an earlier firmware version (or a number of other weird-ass exceptions) then you would not need to use the serial port.

Lucky you, the choice is easy, use the serial port just as you already had planned to do.

bsmith · 03-31-2018, 06:21 PM

Thanks knc1 for the confirmation.

Looks like I still need to hear from someone with a USB breakout board with a 1.8 v regulator that they would be willing to sell. Or find one that is available from somewhere on the web.

Thanks to all who read my post!

02xda2 · 03-31-2018, 11:00 PM

This should give you an idea

hius07 · 04-01-2018, 03:16 AM

Here are the links for what you need: ebay or ali

bsmith · 04-01-2018, 11:15 PM

Thanks for the information. I know enough about electronics to be dangerous!

02xda2: Looks like your solution will be the most flexible and straightforward. I will be able to use the FTDI chip drivers. I believe that I have found the proper chip for the 5 to 1.8 volt regulator:

https://www.mouser.com/new/stmicroel...17-regulators/

hius07: Your solution looks the simplest and cheapest. I would guess that the drivers would be found here:

http://www.prolific.com.tw/US/ShowPr...id=225&pcid=41

“Back in the day” (I am getting a bit old), the USB to serial converter cables made by Prolific were very robust. Hope that they still make good stuff.

Thanks for your input.

knc1 · 04-02-2018, 09:42 AM

If your PC runs Linux, you do not need any drivers.

cobrax3 · 04-03-2018, 03:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsmith

Thanks for the information. I know enough about electronics to be dangerous!

02xda2: Looks like your solution will be the most flexible and straightforward. I will be able to use the FTDI chip drivers. I believe that I have found the proper chip for the 5 to 1.8 volt regulator:

https://www.mouser.com/new/stmicroel...17-regulators/

hius07: Your solution looks the simplest and cheapest. I would guess that the drivers would be found here:

http://www.prolific.com.tw/US/ShowPr...id=225&pcid=41

“Back in the day” (I am getting a bit old), the USB to serial converter cables made by Prolific were very robust. Hope that they still make good stuff.

Thanks for your input.

for the voltage part use this:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voltage_divider
it's easy enough if you are an electronics beginner and you have access to a multimeter and a few resistors
remember to measure the results before applying to the board

knc1 · 04-03-2018, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cobrax3

for the voltage part use this:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voltage_divider
it's easy enough if you are an electronics beginner and you have access to a multimeter and a few resistors
remember to measure the results before applying to the board

Why not use the one diagrammed and posted here by geekmaster specifically for the Kindle?

cobrax3 · 04-03-2018, 10:26 AM

i'm not very experienced, i took one approach that seemed easier to me.
2 resistors seem easier than 2 resistors and 3 diodes. also, i don't understand the mixup of the voltage and the rxd/txd terminals, seems dangerous to me.
but, as it is already tested probably by more than one person, i'm sure it works perfectly, he looks like he knows what he is doing there

cobrax3 · 04-03-2018, 10:34 AM

also, i think i used rx/tx not rxd/txd? i don't recall exactly, but the 1.8v power was supplied by dividing the 3.3v one with the scheme from the link
i think rxd and txd was supplying 3.3v and i found that odd, so i used the rx/tx
i can check if anyone is interested, the circuit is still at home, in a box

edit:
yes, i followed this guide:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=267541
so i used rx/tx, not rxd/txd

knc1 · 04-03-2018, 11:52 AM

Folks, please, just use an adapter specifically for 1.8v, low-voltage cmos interface.

Others on this forum have used 3.3v and even 5.0v, low-voltage interface adapters without reporting any damage to the Kindle.
But the SoC hardware reference manual says: "1.8v" without any "5.0v (or 3.3v ) tolerant" qualification.
Since I am not in the position to purchase burned out Kindles, burned out by following my directions, I do not recommend using anything other than what the manufacturer claims is correct.

= = = = =

Now that the Kindle Rx <- Adapter Tx has a voltage devider on it ...
How do you plan to make the Kindle Tx -> Adapter Rx rise high enough for the adapter to recognize the level as a 'high' level?
(geekmaster had a pull-up system engineered into his diagrammed level shifter for a reason.

)

03-30-2018, 03:02 PM	#1
bsmith Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 5026 Join Date: Mar 2018 Device: Kindle PW2, PW3 Nook Simple Touch	Need USB breakout board or... Hello all, I've been enjoying my PW3, but wanted to jailbreak it - I am a computer geek wanabe, and wanted to do some networking, maybe SSH, and of course get some of the other nice features of a JB'ed Kindle. The problem is that my software is quite new, so there are no presently any ways to downgrade it so a JB would work. The only way that I can see is do the surgery on my PW3, and directly connect my PW3 to a PC via a USB breakout board. Unfortunately, the one recommended is sold at a Amazon. I have looked for one that will work - the most important feature being a 1.8 v limit passed to my PW3 from a 5 v USB interface. This I have not been able (yet) to locate. So I am open to any option: 1. Find an alternative breakout board that meets the 1.8v requirement. 2. Purchase someone else's breakout board (seed me a PM). 3. Alternative way to JB my PW3? Thanks to all!

04-03-2018, 10:34 AM	#14
cobrax3 Connoisseur Posts: 64 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2016 Device: PW1	also, i think i used rx/tx not rxd/txd? i don't recall exactly, but the 1.8v power was supplied by dividing the 3.3v one with the scheme from the link i think rxd and txd was supplying 3.3v and i found that odd, so i used the rx/tx i can check if anyone is interested, the circuit is still at home, in a box edit: yes, i followed this guide: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=267541 so i used rx/tx, not rxd/txd Last edited by cobrax3; 04-03-2018 at 10:40 AM.

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03-31-2018, 01:38 PM	#4
bsmith Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 5026 Join Date: Mar 2018 Device: Kindle PW2, PW3 Nook Simple Touch	Sorry that I am at least 10 years behind the power curve on technology. I should have known that the JB is very software dependent. I am using Kindle 5.9.4. I updated it in error before I knew what I was doing. The country of purchase was US. I don't know where manufactured, as purchased it off ebay. The first 6 digits of the serial number are G090 G1, which indicates US (I believe). 02xda2: I checked the USB breakout board, but I didn't see any option to lower the voltage to 1.8. Was it there, and I did not see it? - my eyes are getting old! Thanks for your responses.

03-31-2018, 03:15 PM	#5
knc1 Going Viral Posts: 17,212 Karma: 18210809 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Central Texas Device: No K1, PW2, KV, KOA	If it had been purchased from Amazon.de or had an earlier firmware version (or a number of other weird-ass exceptions) then you would not need to use the serial port. Lucky you, the choice is easy, use the serial port just as you already had planned to do.

03-31-2018, 06:21 PM	#6
bsmith Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 5026 Join Date: Mar 2018 Device: Kindle PW2, PW3 Nook Simple Touch	Thanks knc1 for the confirmation. Looks like I still need to hear from someone with a USB breakout board with a 1.8 v regulator that they would be willing to sell. Or find one that is available from somewhere on the web. Thanks to all who read my post!

03-31-2018, 11:00 PM	#7
02xda2 moddedmad Posts: 2,120 Karma: 3911694 Join Date: Jan 2018 Device: none	This should give you an idea

04-01-2018, 03:16 AM	#8
hius07 Wizard Posts: 1,179 Karma: 3592925 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Ukraine Device: Kindle	Here are the links for what you need: ebay or ali

04-01-2018, 11:15 PM	#9
bsmith Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 5026 Join Date: Mar 2018 Device: Kindle PW2, PW3 Nook Simple Touch	Thanks for the information. I know enough about electronics to be dangerous! 02xda2: Looks like your solution will be the most flexible and straightforward. I will be able to use the FTDI chip drivers. I believe that I have found the proper chip for the 5 to 1.8 volt regulator: https://www.mouser.com/new/stmicroel...17-regulators/ hius07: Your solution looks the simplest and cheapest. I would guess that the drivers would be found here: http://www.prolific.com.tw/US/ShowPr...id=225&pcid=41 “Back in the day” (I am getting a bit old), the USB to serial converter cables made by Prolific were very robust. Hope that they still make good stuff. Thanks for your input.

04-02-2018, 09:42 AM	#10
knc1 Going Viral Posts: 17,212 Karma: 18210809 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Central Texas Device: No K1, PW2, KV, KOA	If your PC runs Linux, you do not need any drivers.

04-03-2018, 10:26 AM	#13
cobrax3 Connoisseur Posts: 64 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2016 Device: PW1	i'm not very experienced, i took one approach that seemed easier to me. 2 resistors seem easier than 2 resistors and 3 diodes. also, i don't understand the mixup of the voltage and the rxd/txd terminals, seems dangerous to me. but, as it is already tested probably by more than one person, i'm sure it works perfectly, he looks like he knows what he is doing there

04-03-2018, 11:52 AM	#15
knc1 Going Viral Posts: 17,212 Karma: 18210809 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Central Texas Device: No K1, PW2, KV, KOA	Folks, please, just use an adapter specifically for 1.8v, low-voltage cmos interface. Others on this forum have used 3.3v and even 5.0v, low-voltage interface adapters without reporting any damage to the Kindle. But the SoC hardware reference manual says: "1.8v" without any "5.0v (or 3.3v ) tolerant" qualification. Since I am not in the position to purchase burned out Kindles, burned out by following my directions, I do not recommend using anything other than what the manufacturer claims is correct. = = = = = Now that the Kindle Rx <- Adapter Tx has a voltage devider on it ... How do you plan to make the Kindle Tx -> Adapter Rx rise high enough for the adapter to recognize the level as a 'high' level? (geekmaster had a pull-up system engineered into his diagrammed level shifter for a reason. )

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