Troubleshooting Old Kindle 5 classic screen

DjKlimo88 · 04-13-2020, 02:17 PM

Hi there i'm new here, and could you advise me where should i ask about my girlfriends kindle 5 classic, its screen is just like super low contrast, and super low res. its almost unreadable sometimes

((( i just digged all over the internet and found literally nothing

(

NiLuJe · 04-13-2020, 04:20 PM

First off: that's a (black) K4

.

Second: what's the device's history? That vaguely looks like broke-as-hell waveform data, which should not really ever happen on a legit production device.

JSWolf · 04-13-2020, 04:30 PM

What you have is a K4NT. What it looks like in your photos is that it may be a problem with the screen controller. IMHO, I think you should get your GF a Kindle Paperwhite. I think she will enjoy using it much more as it's 300DPI and touch screen. Plus the PW4 runs the latest firmware ith all the improvements.

mergen3107 · 04-13-2020, 04:57 PM

This usually happens when the screen was replaced, but the waveform voltage was not adjusted according to that new screen. Usually it is written on the sticker that comes with the screen.
I’ll go and check whether I have info about which files it is. You should Jailbreak the device in the meantime. Upgrade to 4.1.4 first.

JSWolf · 04-13-2020, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mergen3107

This usually happens when the screen was replaced, but the waveform voltage was not adjusted according to that new screen. Usually it is written on the sticker that comes with the screen.
I’ll go and check whether I have info about which files it is. You should Jailbreak the device in the meantime. Upgrade to 4.1.4 first.

But you can also get something like that from a failing screen controller.

mergen3107 · 04-13-2020, 06:27 PM

@DjKlimo88

OK, so only IF the screen was replaced, this thing might help:
Jailbreak your Kindle, have access to write files (`mntroot rw` command).
The file is /sys/devices/platform/eink_fb.0/vcom
It contains a number, I don't remember format, just keep it the same. It is the screen's waveform voltage. Like, 2.50 Volts, or similar within a small step. Remember or write down this default (just in case).
Change this number by a small step, restart Kindle (having USBNetwork to autostart just in case, so can revert the value bacl to its default), and see if it helped, repeat.

Otherwise, if it is really a controller problem, you can still try to tweak this file, but it will only allow you to adjust the screen/contrast quality slightly, not until the best quality it once had. Such a case was on 4PDA forum a while ago (it is in Russian, so please use Google Translate).

04-13-2020, 02:17 PM	#1
DjKlimo88 Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2020 Device: Kindle 7 touch	Old Kindle 5 classic screen Hi there i'm new here, and could you advise me where should i ask about my girlfriends kindle 5 classic, its screen is just like super low contrast, and super low res. its almost unreadable sometimes ((( i just digged all over the internet and found literally nothing ( Attached Thumbnails

04-13-2020, 06:27 PM	#6
mergen3107 Wizard Posts: 1,506 Karma: 5000046 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Cape Canaveral Device: Kindle Scribe	@DjKlimo88 OK, so only IF the screen was replaced, this thing might help: Jailbreak your Kindle, have access to write files (`mntroot rw` command). The file is /sys/devices/platform/eink_fb.0/vcom It contains a number, I don't remember format, just keep it the same. It is the screen's waveform voltage. Like, 2.50 Volts, or similar within a small step. Remember or write down this default (just in case). Change this number by a small step, restart Kindle (having USBNetwork to autostart just in case, so can revert the value bacl to its default), and see if it helped, repeat. Otherwise, if it is really a controller problem, you can still try to tweak this file, but it will only allow you to adjust the screen/contrast quality slightly, not until the best quality it once had. Such a case was on 4PDA forum a while ago (it is in Russian, so please use Google Translate). Last edited by mergen3107; 04-13-2020 at 06:29 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Kindle classic 4/5 screen compatibility	Navigare	Kindle Developer's Corner	8	01-11-2015 08:28 AM
Glowlight screen darker than the Classic	JerseyBiker	Barnes & Noble NOOK	5	11-17-2013 09:15 AM
Touch Touch Vs Classic Screen Clarity	dixieknits	Barnes & Noble NOOK	5	10-10-2013 04:42 PM
Free Nook Classic with broken screen	apastuszak	Flea Market	0	12-11-2011 12:51 AM
Bargain (Kindle app) Chess (A Classic Game for Kindle) $0.99	arcadata	Deals and Resources (No Self-Promotion or Affiliate Links)	1	07-20-2011 08:48 AM

04-13-2020, 04:20 PM	#2
NiLuJe BLAM! Posts: 13,506 Karma: 26047202 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Paris, France Device: Kindle 2i, 3g, 4, 5w, PW, PW2, PW5; Kobo H2O, Forma, Elipsa, Sage, C2E	First off: that's a (black) K4 . Second: what's the device's history? That vaguely looks like broke-as-hell waveform data, which should not really ever happen on a legit production device.

04-13-2020, 04:30 PM	#3
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,740 Karma: 145864619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	What you have is a K4NT. What it looks like in your photos is that it may be a problem with the screen controller. IMHO, I think you should get your GF a Kindle Paperwhite. I think she will enjoy using it much more as it's 300DPI and touch screen. Plus the PW4 runs the latest firmware ith all the improvements.

04-13-2020, 04:57 PM	#4
mergen3107 Wizard Posts: 1,506 Karma: 5000046 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Cape Canaveral Device: Kindle Scribe	This usually happens when the screen was replaced, but the waveform voltage was not adjusted according to that new screen. Usually it is written on the sticker that comes with the screen. I’ll go and check whether I have info about which files it is. You should Jailbreak the device in the meantime. Upgrade to 4.1.4 first.

Advert

Advert