workshop, reduced screen - Page 3

Renate · 06-18-2025, 10:23 AM

Normally it would start saying, "You are only 6 taps away from developer!"

Hmm, about now I'd be looking for an internal UART on this thing.

There could be some secret gesture or password to enable USB but you'd never find it at random.

Do you have an update for this thing?
It's old, it should be easy to hack.
Or does it use an SD card for the system software (like Kobo did)?

Renate · 06-18-2025, 10:30 AM

Yeah, there's a Spanish YouTube about the UART on this.

It's clear enough, but you'll need a USB UART adapter.

Renate · 06-18-2025, 11:57 AM

Oh, this is not Android.
So, forget about ADB.

The UART can get you something to type to but it's going to take some looking to figure out what's wrong.

This came out in 2016.
The domain "bq.com" is up for sale.

daniel bastida · 06-18-2025, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renate

Normally it would start saying, "You are only 6 taps away from developer!"

Hmm, about now I'd be looking for an internal UART on this thing.

There could be some secret gesture or password to enable USB but you'd never find it at random.

Do you have an update for this thing?
It's old, it should be easy to hack.
Or does it use an SD card for the system software (like Kobo did)?

No, it doesn't have an internal SD card.

AliExpress cable. I suppose this one might work.
It seems difficult to me.

Renate · 06-18-2025, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daniel bastida

It seems difficult to me.

Mmm, I think it will be difficult.
Getting it to talk to you is not hard.
Figuring out where the problem is might be.

Did you replace the screen yourself?
You're going to have to rip off the bezel, then replace the tape later.

You know, that's kind of an old device and it's not supported.
Do you know if the battery is any good?
That's another headache.

Both your old and new display are equally "dumb".
They can't say what they are.
So the display is not the problem.

Ha! I know what the problem is.
This puppy is NTX.
That means it relies on NTX HWConfig.
Somehow that got corrupted.

You should even be able to alter that in u-boot.
Certainly with mmc utilities, maybe it has hwconfig utilities too

Gosh! I wish somebody had a utility for dumping those configs.

Code:

C:\>ntxhwcfg hwcfg
0b  Version              2.7
0f  Size                 63
10  PCB                  E60QL0
11  KeyPad               NO_Key
12  AudioCodec           No
...
2f  DisplayResolution    1024x758
...
4e  GPU                  NC

Yeah, that USB UART should work fine.
Too bad that we have to wait a week for it to show up.
You're going to need some header pins because the cable is female.
Not these specifically, but whatever.

daniel bastida · 06-19-2025, 03:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renate

Mmm, I think it will be difficult.
Getting it to talk to you is not hard.
Figuring out where the problem is might be.

Did you replace the screen yourself?
You're going to have to rip off the bezel, then replace the tape later.

You know, that's kind of an old device and it's not supported.
Do you know if the battery is any good?
That's another headache.

Both your old and new display are equally "dumb".
They can't say what they are.
So the display is not the problem.

Ha! I know what the problem is.
This puppy is NTX.
That means it relies on NTX HWConfig.
Somehow that got corrupted.

You should even be able to alter that in u-boot.
Certainly with mmc utilities, maybe it has hwconfig utilities too

Gosh! I wish somebody had a utility for dumping those configs.

Code:

C:\>ntxhwcfg hwcfg
0b  Version              2.7
0f  Size                 63
10  PCB                  E60QL0
11  KeyPad               NO_Key
12  AudioCodec           No
...
2f  DisplayResolution    1024x758
...
4e  GPU                  NC

Yeah, that USB UART should work fine.
Too bad that we have to wait a week for it to show up.
You're going to need some header pins because the cable is female.
Not these specifically, but whatever.

Yes, I replaced the screen myself, and the adhesive tape didn't fit; it apparently still holds.

The battery seems in good condition.

The old screen was the original and was cracked, but what I could see wasn't reduced; the size was correct. It was ED060KG1, as it should be.

I used the ED060KC1 the seller gave me, and he assures me it also works for the Kobo Glo HD (which originally also had the ED060KG1).

Renate · 06-19-2025, 03:48 AM

As I've said, the screen's not the problem.

So, are you going to order the USB UART? What's the ETA?

daniel bastida · 06-19-2025, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renate

As I've said, the screen's not the problem.

So, are you going to order the USB UART? What's the ETA?

I don't think I'll buy it for now; I probably wouldn't know how to use it.

Maybe I'll try transferring the KG1 from the Kobo to the Cervantes, and the KC1 to the Kobo.

Dr. Drib · 06-19-2025, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j.p.s

Might also be a loose/dirty display cable connector.

Bingo! That's what I was going to say, but saw your post.

JSWolf · 06-19-2025, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DNSB

A broken substrate is noted for curved lines. Controller/cable issues are noted for straight lines.

This has no curved lines and does have straight lines.

Click image for larger version

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ID: 216347

DiapDealer · 06-19-2025, 08:00 AM

This is not a broken substrate in this case, Jon. Please allow the conversation to move on to what it it actually might be.

Renate · 06-19-2025, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

Please allow the conversation to move on to what it it actually might be.

Actually, the whole boat has sailed on this thread.

DiapDealer · 06-19-2025, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renate

Actually, the whole boat has sailed on this thread.

Agreed. Just trying to prevent the typical flogging of arguments/ideas that have long outlived their relevance.

DNSB · 06-19-2025, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

This has no curved lines and does have straight lines.

Jon, take a look at the area I circled area in the image you posted.

daniel bastida · 06-20-2025, 06:53 AM

I've swapped the screens.

The Kobo, now with ED060KC1, is still the same... perfect.

The Cervantes, now with ED060KG1, is still the same... reduced image.

The problem is the Cervantes.

If I get the USB UART adapter (I think ADB installed on the PC is no longer useful), what's the next step?

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06-18-2025, 10:23 AM	#31
Renate Onyx-maniac Posts: 3,922 Karma: 17236157 Join Date: Feb 2012 Device: Nook NST, Glow2, 3, 4, '21, Kobo Aura2, Poke3, Poke5, Go6	Normally it would start saying, "You are only 6 taps away from developer!" Hmm, about now I'd be looking for an internal UART on this thing. There could be some secret gesture or password to enable USB but you'd never find it at random. Do you have an update for this thing? It's old, it should be easy to hack. Or does it use an SD card for the system software (like Kobo did)?

06-18-2025, 10:30 AM	#32
Renate Onyx-maniac Posts: 3,922 Karma: 17236157 Join Date: Feb 2012 Device: Nook NST, Glow2, 3, 4, '21, Kobo Aura2, Poke3, Poke5, Go6	Yeah, there's a Spanish YouTube about the UART on this. It's clear enough, but you'll need a USB UART adapter.

06-18-2025, 11:57 AM	#33
Renate Onyx-maniac Posts: 3,922 Karma: 17236157 Join Date: Feb 2012 Device: Nook NST, Glow2, 3, 4, '21, Kobo Aura2, Poke3, Poke5, Go6	Oh, this is not Android. So, forget about ADB. The UART can get you something to type to but it's going to take some looking to figure out what's wrong. This came out in 2016. The domain "bq.com" is up for sale.

06-19-2025, 03:48 AM	#37
Renate Onyx-maniac Posts: 3,922 Karma: 17236157 Join Date: Feb 2012 Device: Nook NST, Glow2, 3, 4, '21, Kobo Aura2, Poke3, Poke5, Go6	As I've said, the screen's not the problem. So, are you going to order the USB UART? What's the ETA?

06-19-2025, 08:00 AM	#41
DiapDealer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 28,574 Karma: 204127028 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD	This is not a broken substrate in this case, Jon. Please allow the conversation to move on to what it it actually might be.

06-20-2025, 06:53 AM	#45
daniel bastida Enthusiast Posts: 29 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2025 Device: BQ Cervantes 3	I've swapped the screens. The Kobo, now with ED060KC1, is still the same... perfect. The Cervantes, now with ED060KG1, is still the same... reduced image. The problem is the Cervantes. If I get the USB UART adapter (I think ADB installed on the PC is no longer useful), what's the next step?