Mini My Kobo Mini won't turn on

Ruinemacil · 08-14-2013, 07:59 PM

Hello, everyone. This is my first post and English is not my first language, so feel free to correct any mistake I could have.

I am experiencing some problems with my Kobo Mini, after just a month of buying it. I think it was caused because of disconecting the Kobo from the computer in a non-secure way. I was copying some .cbz mangas to the device, and when it finished, I took the USB cable without ejecting it properly. Then, the problems started.

Everytime I turn on the device, the little led in the top goes green and then blue as usual, but after that, it will blink in green several times, as long as the loading screen is visible; after that, it starts up apparently as usual, but after the Home Screen loads, the touch goes useless almost instantly; after that, the green and blue initial lights turn on as usual and the device is restarted with the same problems, starting here an infinite loop. The device will turn on and off infinitely, and you have a short period of response to get it completelly off.

I think it's a problem of firmware, but as I can't get into the menu, I can't update the reader via wi-fi nor connect it to the PC to update it with the official software (it will turn on when I connect it, but I won't be able to select the connection via USB)

Should I take the Micro-SD from the back and install a new firmware? It will load easily? Someone here could say me how to do this? Also, am I the only one that suffered this problem?

Ruinemacil · 08-14-2013, 08:04 PM

I forgot to mention that I have already tried an easy reset (with the clip in the back) and it didn't work.

robko · 08-14-2013, 08:59 PM

The various Kobo's do tend to be sensitive to unplugging from USB without being properly ejected, so you're likely right that that is the cause of your problem. If memory serves to do a factory reset on the mini: hold the power button ON for 15-20 seconds (that makes sure the device is off), then press and hold the pin hole in the back and while holding it turn the device ON. That should get you into factory reset which hopefully will straighten out your issues. With luck you shouldn't need to play with the internal SD card etc.

paola · 08-15-2013, 04:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robko

The various Kobo's do tend to be sensitive to unplugging from USB without being properly ejected, so you're likely right that that is the cause of your problem. If memory serves to do a factory reset on the mini: hold the power button ON for 15-20 seconds (that makes sure the device is off), then press and hold the pin hole in the back and while holding it turn the device ON. That should get you into factory reset which hopefully will straighten out your issues. With luck you shouldn't need to play with the internal SD card etc.

yes, hopefully this will work for you. If it does not, you may want to try the live chat and get authorised for a replacement unit - unless you are happy to play around with the SD card, but I think that will void the warranty on the device (this is what I ended up doing).

Good luck, hope the hard reset works!

speakingtohe · 08-18-2013, 07:49 PM

So how many requests have there been for firmware. Probably my memory is defective, but I have seen less than a dozen, and can only recall 4 threads that started with a request for a copy of the firmware. Maybe a tacked on request or two in these threads. Most of the please help me threads seem to be from people whose readers will not turn on and many are from people who have had these problems after an upgrade. Some are from people who turn off a working device and it just won't turn on again. Both appear in far greater quantities than on the Sony or Kindle forums.

Now I know enough to make a backup, and I have learned this the hard way. Most people do not learn this until they have a problem or two or three. And even I have been guilty of putting it off till it comes back and bites me.

People who read the Kobo forum regularly should be aware that it is best practice especially for Kobo devices. But many do not come here till they get a problem. Kicking them when they are down seems at best a little bit inhumane. And while the thread title has been changed, it seemed to apply to anyone with a bricking problem whether they were asking for an SD card image or not. If it is such an objectionable practice, apply for the thread to be deleted rather than sounding like an unhappy house spouse wondering why it is always their job to clean the toilet.

The unhappy house spouse is sometimes forced to clean the toilet because he/she cannot abide a dirty toilet. I don't see this as the problem here. Just don't send them a firmware update, and if they do inadvertently do something stupid, or God forbid their device exhibits some unexpected behavior, just don't help them. Someone else will.

Helen

Uschiekid · 08-19-2013, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speakingtohe

So how many requests have there been for firmware. Probably my memory is defective, but I have seen less than a dozen, and can only recall 4 threads that started with a request for a copy of the firmware. Maybe a tacked on request or two in these threads. Most of the please help me threads seem to be from people whose readers will not turn on and many are from people who have had these problems after an upgrade. Some are from people who turn off a working device and it just won't turn on again. Both appear in far greater quantities than on the Sony or Kindle forums.

Now I know enough to make a backup, and I have learned this the hard way. Most people do not learn this until they have a problem or two or three. And even I have been guilty of putting it off till it comes back and bites me.

People who read the Kobo forum regularly should be aware that it is best practice especially for Kobo devices. But many do not come here till they get a problem. Kicking them when they are down seems at best a little bit inhumane. And while the thread title has been changed, it seemed to apply to anyone with a bricking problem whether they were asking for an SD card image or not. If it is such an objectionable practice, apply for the thread to be deleted rather than sounding like an unhappy house spouse wondering why it is always their job to clean the toilet.

The unhappy house spouse is sometimes forced to clean the toilet because he/she cannot abide a dirty toilet. I don't see this as the problem here. Just don't send them a firmware update, and if they do inadvertently do something stupid, or God forbid their device exhibits some unexpected behavior, just don't help them. Someone else will.

Helen

wrong thread?

aceflor · 08-19-2013, 02:37 AM

Obviously meant to be posted on the "confused" Thread. But oh so true !!!

speakingtohe · 08-19-2013, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aceflor

Obviously meant to be posted on the "confused" Thread. But oh so true !!!

Yup you are right.One of my more sub-moronic moments but far from my worst

Helen

aceflor · 08-19-2013, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speakingtohe

Yup you are right.One of my more sub-moronic moments but far from my worst

Helen

I sure can beat you at this, just you wait

.

abbyquek · 06-18-2014, 09:02 AM

Hi all,

I am having a problem with my Kobo Mini as well!
I just bought mine on the 17th of June at Auckland Airport, only to return to Singapore to realise that there is a defect! I can't charge it as the metal piece in the Mini is loose and won't connect to the hardware. Double checked this by opening the Mini up.

Hence, it can't charge and neither can it be turned on.

What should I do? I have tried contacting Kobo through their website but they have yet to get back to me.

Dr. Drib · 06-18-2014, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abbyquek

Hi all,

I am having a problem with my Kobo Mini as well!
I just bought mine on the 17th of June at Auckland Airport, only to return to Singapore to realise that there is a defect! I can't charge it as the metal piece in the Mini is loose and won't connect to the hardware. Double checked this by opening the Mini up.

Hence, it can't charge and neither can it be turned on.

What should I do? I have tried contacting Kobo through their website but they have yet to get back to me.

Help me understand, please: You voided the warranty by opening up the Mini?

If the above is correct, you may be out of luck.

Other opinions will be posted shortly.

TechniSol · 06-19-2014, 08:58 PM

Well, if you can't get Kobo to help for whatever reason I'd guess that you can probably find someone in Singapore with the appropriate skills and equipment to fix it. My guess is almost any decent cell phone or HDTV repair shop could resolder the micro USB port for you with a minimum of fuss.

08-14-2013, 07:59 PM	#1
Ruinemacil Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Argentina Device: Kobo Mini	My Kobo Mini won't turn on Hello, everyone. This is my first post and English is not my first language, so feel free to correct any mistake I could have. I am experiencing some problems with my Kobo Mini, after just a month of buying it. I think it was caused because of disconecting the Kobo from the computer in a non-secure way. I was copying some .cbz mangas to the device, and when it finished, I took the USB cable without ejecting it properly. Then, the problems started. Everytime I turn on the device, the little led in the top goes green and then blue as usual, but after that, it will blink in green several times, as long as the loading screen is visible; after that, it starts up apparently as usual, but after the Home Screen loads, the touch goes useless almost instantly; after that, the green and blue initial lights turn on as usual and the device is restarted with the same problems, starting here an infinite loop. The device will turn on and off infinitely, and you have a short period of response to get it completelly off. I think it's a problem of firmware, but as I can't get into the menu, I can't update the reader via wi-fi nor connect it to the PC to update it with the official software (it will turn on when I connect it, but I won't be able to select the connection via USB) Should I take the Micro-SD from the back and install a new firmware? It will load easily? Someone here could say me how to do this? Also, am I the only one that suffered this problem?

06-19-2014, 08:58 PM	#12
TechniSol GranPohbah-Fezzes r cool! Posts: 1,056 Karma: 3151024 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: Nook STRs, Kobo Touch, Kobo Glo	Well, if you can't get Kobo to help for whatever reason I'd guess that you can probably find someone in Singapore with the appropriate skills and equipment to fix it. My guess is almost any decent cell phone or HDTV repair shop could resolder the micro USB port for you with a minimum of fuss. Last edited by TechniSol; 06-19-2014 at 09:00 PM.

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08-14-2013, 08:04 PM	#2
Ruinemacil Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Argentina Device: Kobo Mini	I forgot to mention that I have already tried an easy reset (with the clip in the back) and it didn't work.

08-14-2013, 08:59 PM	#3
robko Wizard Posts: 2,454 Karma: 5469320 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: Kobo	The various Kobo's do tend to be sensitive to unplugging from USB without being properly ejected, so you're likely right that that is the cause of your problem. If memory serves to do a factory reset on the mini: hold the power button ON for 15-20 seconds (that makes sure the device is off), then press and hold the pin hole in the back and while holding it turn the device ON. That should get you into factory reset which hopefully will straighten out your issues. With luck you shouldn't need to play with the internal SD card etc.

08-18-2013, 07:49 PM	#5
speakingtohe Wizard Posts: 4,812 Karma: 26912940 Join Date: Apr 2010 Device: sony PRS-T1 and T3, Kobo Mini and Aura HD, Tablet	So how many requests have there been for firmware. Probably my memory is defective, but I have seen less than a dozen, and can only recall 4 threads that started with a request for a copy of the firmware. Maybe a tacked on request or two in these threads. Most of the please help me threads seem to be from people whose readers will not turn on and many are from people who have had these problems after an upgrade. Some are from people who turn off a working device and it just won't turn on again. Both appear in far greater quantities than on the Sony or Kindle forums. Now I know enough to make a backup, and I have learned this the hard way. Most people do not learn this until they have a problem or two or three. And even I have been guilty of putting it off till it comes back and bites me. People who read the Kobo forum regularly should be aware that it is best practice especially for Kobo devices. But many do not come here till they get a problem. Kicking them when they are down seems at best a little bit inhumane. And while the thread title has been changed, it seemed to apply to anyone with a bricking problem whether they were asking for an SD card image or not. If it is such an objectionable practice, apply for the thread to be deleted rather than sounding like an unhappy house spouse wondering why it is always their job to clean the toilet. The unhappy house spouse is sometimes forced to clean the toilet because he/she cannot abide a dirty toilet. I don't see this as the problem here. Just don't send them a firmware update, and if they do inadvertently do something stupid, or God forbid their device exhibits some unexpected behavior, just don't help them. Someone else will. Helen

08-19-2013, 02:37 AM	#7
aceflor Wizard Posts: 3,472 Karma: 48036360 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: where the sun lives, or so they say Device: Pocketbook Era, Pocketbook Inkpad 4, Kobo Libra 2, Kindle Scribe	Obviously meant to be posted on the "confused" Thread. But oh so true !!!

06-18-2014, 09:02 AM	#10
abbyquek Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2014 Device: Kobo Mini	Hi all, I am having a problem with my Kobo Mini as well! I just bought mine on the 17th of June at Auckland Airport, only to return to Singapore to realise that there is a defect! I can't charge it as the metal piece in the Mini is loose and won't connect to the hardware. Double checked this by opening the Mini up. Hence, it can't charge and neither can it be turned on. What should I do? I have tried contacting Kobo through their website but they have yet to get back to me.