Investigating the Kindle Oasis - Page 2

blkhawk · 05-31-2016, 10:00 AM

I thought I already mentioned the cover connectors. As far as i can tell the connectors only have an i2c or something similar on them - there are 2 connections that connect to the battery(VCC and GND). The other connectors are 2 communication pins (i2c or something similar) and a GND for for signaling. This is a bit weird so there might be functions on that connector.

I have however no idea how to trigger other modes for the connector.

As for the other side of the board I will see what i can do.

geekmaster · 05-31-2016, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blkhawk

I thought I already mentioned the cover connectors. As far as i can tell the connectors only have an i2c or something similar on them - there are 2 connections that connect to the battery(VCC and GND). The other connectors are 2 communication pins (i2c or something similar) and a GND for for signaling. This is a bit weird so there might be functions on that connector.

I have however no idea how to trigger other modes for the connector.

As for the other side of the board I will see what i can do.

The battery module should have more than two pins in its connectory. I took a dead battery module apart, and it contains a plastic and metal frame with a small circuit board (which uses i2c or similar to report its serial number and battery status to the kindle firmware). The battery module also contains a rather standard single-cell LiPo battery pack (2 wires) connected to the small circuit board. I plan to replace a dead (inflated) LiPo pack with one salvaged from a cheap rechargeable device, wrapping the label back over the battery pack frame when complete. Some older kindle batteries even label those extra pins as "data" and "clock" (or similar).

blkhawk · 05-31-2016, 11:00 AM

wait? you took apart a kindle oasis battery pack and did not post any pictures? Shame on you

As for more than 2 pins - yes the connector has 5 pins - and if you add up the ones I wrote about then you get to 5 pins.

geekmaster · 05-31-2016, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blkhawk

wait? you took apart a kindle oasis battery pack and did not post any pictures? Shame on you

As for more than 2 pins - yes the connector has 5 pins - and if you add up the ones I wrote about then you get to 5 pins.

Not an Oasis, a PW3. However, they are probably very similar inside.

And yes, I do plan to take pictures and post them. It is on my "To Do" list. I also have a K2 with a bloated battery. LiPo batteries are in sealed foil pouches which tend to inflate when they die. This K2 battery inflated so much that the kindle front and back were bulged and the side seam split open. Thankfully, the battery pack was under the keyboard and not the fragile eink display.

I do not yet have an Oasis -- just PW3 and older (except my PW1, which was last seen in California a couple years ago)...

I will post photos when I cut out the old (spot-welded tabs) LiPo and solder in a cheap replacement, into the original battery pack frame. It *should* work (and even ID itself as an authentic amazon battery pack).

I plan to do such battery surgery for both dead battery packs, and yes, I will post pictures (soon).

EDIT: Pictures posted here. I will add more to that thread when I experiment with "non-standard" battery transplants, that attempt to masquerade as genuine amazon batteries.

geekmaster · 06-01-2016, 06:25 PM

That "battery surgery" was a success (at least for the K2). The kindle firmware recognizes it as a genuine amazon battery (as expected). It should work for all "self identifying" batteries, including Kindle Oasis, and NON-AMAZON lithium battery operated devices (even expensive smartphones)...

Checkout the "Kindle Battery Surgery" thread for details...

coplate · 06-03-2017, 01:04 AM

This page has some zoomed out pictures. It looks like there are several pads covered up by the battery cable.

http://gearopen.com/tablets/amazon-k...-reader-25362/

JSWolf · 06-03-2017, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coplate

This page has some zoomed out pictures. It looks like there are several pads covered up by the battery cable.

http://gearopen.com/tablets/amazon-k...-reader-25362/

And the person writing the article got the US price 100% wrong. It's not $405. It's $289.99.

bcomnes · 02-08-2020, 02:03 PM

Did anyone ever figure out serial port access on the oasis? Mine bricked last night after a bad USB mode eject. Figuring that is probably the only way in at this point.

knc1 · 02-08-2020, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcomnes

Did anyone ever figure out serial port access on the oasis? Mine bricked last night after a bad USB mode eject. Figuring that is probably the only way in at this point.

No.
You could sell it for parts.

Junket · 02-08-2020, 11:32 PM

Sometimes the magic smoke gets out. Sucks.

Can I assume that you read post #4? That's a starting point if you are ambitious e.g. see if you can get JTAG over USB working. Otherwise @knc1 's suggestion above.

Glorfindel · 02-08-2020, 11:40 PM

I found one on ebay for parts (shot battery) for $1 plus shipping right now. If I didn't already have too many projects for my desk I would be sorely tempted to give it a shot

Edit: auction so probably won't actually sell for $1, but still

Dra_w · 08-12-2020, 02:12 PM

For anyone who keep looking

But I got a problem when trying to access to diag mode. I stuck at kernel loading.

Could someone give it a try and tell me if you're getting the same problem with me or any change of success?

02-08-2020, 11:40 PM	#26
Glorfindel Force-Aware Elf Posts: 4,762 Karma: 11557898 Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Valinor Device: Kindle 4 w/SO	I found one on ebay for parts (shot battery) for $1 plus shipping right now. If I didn't already have too many projects for my desk I would be sorely tempted to give it a shot Edit: auction so probably won't actually sell for $1, but still Last edited by Glorfindel; 02-08-2020 at 11:45 PM.

08-12-2020, 02:12 PM	#27
Dra_w Night Owl Posts: 38 Karma: 100000 Join Date: Aug 2013 Device: Kindle 3; Kindle Voyage	Bingo! For anyone who keep looking But I got a problem when trying to access to diag mode. I stuck at kernel loading. Could someone give it a try and tell me if you're getting the same problem with me or any change of success? Attached Thumbnails

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05-31-2016, 10:00 AM	#16
blkhawk Bit Wrangler Posts: 31 Karma: 93324 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: Oasis	I thought I already mentioned the cover connectors. As far as i can tell the connectors only have an i2c or something similar on them - there are 2 connections that connect to the battery(VCC and GND). The other connectors are 2 communication pins (i2c or something similar) and a GND for for signaling. This is a bit weird so there might be functions on that connector. I have however no idea how to trigger other modes for the connector. As for the other side of the board I will see what i can do.

05-31-2016, 11:00 AM	#18
blkhawk Bit Wrangler Posts: 31 Karma: 93324 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: Oasis	wait? you took apart a kindle oasis battery pack and did not post any pictures? Shame on you As for more than 2 pins - yes the connector has 5 pins - and if you add up the ones I wrote about then you get to 5 pins.

06-01-2016, 06:25 PM	#20
geekmaster Carpe diem, c'est la vie. Posts: 6,433 Karma: 10773670 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Multiverse 6627A Device: K1 to PW3	That "battery surgery" was a success (at least for the K2). The kindle firmware recognizes it as a genuine amazon battery (as expected). It should work for all "self identifying" batteries, including Kindle Oasis, and NON-AMAZON lithium battery operated devices (even expensive smartphones)... Checkout the "Kindle Battery Surgery" thread for details...

06-03-2017, 01:04 AM	#21
coplate Guru Posts: 645 Karma: 1888888 Join Date: Jun 2009 Device: prs-505, Kindle Keyboard 3g, PW3	This page has some zoomed out pictures. It looks like there are several pads covered up by the battery cable. http://gearopen.com/tablets/amazon-k...-reader-25362/

02-08-2020, 02:03 PM	#23
bcomnes Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2020 Device: Kindle Oasis	Did anyone ever figure out serial port access on the oasis? Mine bricked last night after a bad USB mode eject. Figuring that is probably the only way in at this point.

02-08-2020, 11:32 PM	#25
Junket Nil adsuetudine maius Posts: 278 Karma: 500000 Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: US Device: PW4	Sometimes the magic smoke gets out. Sucks. Can I assume that you read post #4? That's a starting point if you are ambitious e.g. see if you can get JTAG over USB working. Otherwise @knc1 's suggestion above.