Aura H2O Right half of the screen black after update

eatthedishes · 03-28-2017, 10:54 AM

Today I updated my Aura H2O via sync (from 3.19.5761). Since then the right half of the screen is black but still responsive, if I manage to tap the right places.

I have kobo start menu and koreader installed, with them I don't have this problem. If I leave nickel the whole screen works, if I go back to nickel, the right half turns black again.

Simply restarting the reader or pressing the "hairpin button" doesn't help. I tried sideloading 4.3.8966, 4.3.8945, then sync (didn't seem to do anything) and then sideloading 4.3.8966 again. No changes.

What else can I try?

Edit: Some menu graphics seem to be broken too.

JSWolf · 03-28-2017, 12:14 PM

Did you side load just KoboRoot.tgz or did you install the entire firmware update? The problem is that Kobo has changed the OS to go from 16bpp to 32bpp and you need the complete new firmware.

If you are side loading, take the COMPLETE contents of the update ZIP file and copy that to the .kobo directory. Then eject and that will do a full update.

Ashjuk · 03-28-2017, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eatthedishes

Today I updated my Aura H2O via sync (from 3.19.5761). Since then the right half of the screen is black but still responsive, if I manage to tap the right places.

I have kobo start menu and koreader installed, with them I don't have this problem. If I leave nickel the whole screen works, if I go back to nickel, the right half turns black again.

Simply restarting the reader or pressing the "hairpin button" doesn't help. I tried sideloading 4.3.8966, 4.3.8945, then sync (didn't seem to do anything) and then sideloading 4.3.8966 again. No changes.

What else can I try?

Edit: Some menu graphics seem to be broken too.

I know it might seem like a stupid question but was it working OK before you updated?

It seems from what I've read here that updating the firmware can often cause more problems than it solves.

Personally mine will stick with the firmware it came with.

eatthedishes · 03-28-2017, 12:36 PM

@JSWolf: The first update (where the problem began) was by sync, I don't know how I could have messed that up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

If you are side loading, take the COMPLETE contents of the update ZIP file and copy that to the .kobo directory. Then eject and that will do a full update.

With the following updates/downgrades I copied everything inside the ZIP file.

Could the change from 16bpp to 32bpp still have something to do with this?

eatthedishes · 03-28-2017, 12:46 PM

@Ashjuk

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashjuk

I know it might seem like a stupid question but was it working OK before you updated?

There were two minor problems:
1) Sleep mode always displayed the same book cover no matter which book was opened last.
2) The search function inside books didn't work properly. I only had the option to search inside 5 or 6 books which always stayed the same, no matter which book I had opened.
I hoped the update might fix the second one. But if I get it working again, I am tempted to copy your approach.

JSWolf · 03-28-2017, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eatthedishes

@JSWolf: The first update (where the problem began) was by sync, I don't know how I could have messed that up.

With the following updates/downgrades I copied everything inside the ZIP file.

Could the change from 16bpp to 32bpp still have something to do with this?

I've not read of anything like this, but then not many have mis-loaded the firmware. Another thing to try to is remove all the add-on you have. It could be one of them is causing the problem especially if it's an older version.

booklover6 · 03-28-2017, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashjuk

Personally mine will stick with the firmware it came with.

I don't update, unless I see a benefit to doing so.

robko · 03-28-2017, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eatthedishes

@Ashjuk
There were two minor problems:
1) Sleep mode always displayed the same book cover no matter which book was opened last.
2) The search function inside books didn't work properly. I only had the option to search inside 5 or 6 books which always stayed the same, no matter which book I had opened.
I hoped the update might fix the second one. But if I get it working again, I am tempted to copy your approach.

This sounds like you need to bite the bullet and do a full factory reset from the settings/device information menu (you'll have to put your books etc back on and will lose your current reading locations/settings etc.). The "resets" you've done so far basically just fully power the device off and clear out the RAM.

davidfor · 03-28-2017, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eatthedishes

@JSWolf: The first update (where the problem began) was by sync, I don't know how I could have messed that up.

With the following updates/downgrades I copied everything inside the ZIP file.

Could the change from 16bpp to 32bpp still have something to do with this?

If the kernel didn't get updated, weird graphics issues like this are likely. The initial upgrade was via WiFi, so it should have worked. There are odd problems were doing a manual install afterwards has fixed some problems. When you did the manual install, did you make sure you used the correct package for the Aura H2O? I would suggest downloading it again and installing it.

If the above doesn't fix it, you probably have to do a factory reset. But, you can take a copy of everything on the user partition and restore this after the factory reset. That way you won't lose the book status.

Goldendawn · 03-29-2017, 01:25 AM

@davidfor

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidfor

But, you can take a copy of everything on the user partition and restore this after the factory reset. That way you won't lose the book status.

Where is the user partition at on the drive? How would I get to it? If you would be so kind to explain I would really appreciate it.

Ashjuk · 03-29-2017, 02:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eatthedishes

@Ashjuk

There were two minor problems:
1) Sleep mode always displayed the same book cover no matter which book was opened last.
2) The search function inside books didn't work properly. I only had the option to search inside 5 or 6 books which always stayed the same, no matter which book I had opened.
I hoped the update might fix the second one. But if I get it working again, I am tempted to copy your approach.

I see your problem, given those issues I may well have been tempted to update the firmware.

In the short time I have had my KA1 the sleep mode seems to work as it should by displaying the correct cover and I have not yet used the search function. Fingers crossed it stays that way.

I hope you get it sorted out quickly.

meeera · 03-29-2017, 05:31 AM

Could you post a photograph of the screen?

eatthedishes · 03-29-2017, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meeera

Could you post a photograph of the screen?

It looks the same if I open a book and disappears when i leave nickel.

eatthedishes · 03-29-2017, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidfor

When you did the manual install, did you make sure you used the correct package for the Aura H2O? I would suggest downloading it again and installing it.

If the above doesn't fix it, you probably have to do a factory reset. But, you can take a copy of everything on the user partition and restore this after the factory reset. That way you won't lose the book status.

I used the Update for the Mark5 hardware.

What exactly do I have to copy to keep the book status?

JSWolf · 03-29-2017, 06:49 AM

The problem could possibly be whatever addons you have running being not compatible with 32bpp. That's why a factory reset might be the best idea.

03-28-2017, 10:54 AM	#1
eatthedishes Member Posts: 14 Karma: 15318 Join Date: Apr 2015 Device: Kobo Aura H2O	Right half of the screen black after update Today I updated my Aura H2O via sync (from 3.19.5761). Since then the right half of the screen is black but still responsive, if I manage to tap the right places. I have kobo start menu and koreader installed, with them I don't have this problem. If I leave nickel the whole screen works, if I go back to nickel, the right half turns black again. Simply restarting the reader or pressing the "hairpin button" doesn't help. I tried sideloading 4.3.8966, 4.3.8945, then sync (didn't seem to do anything) and then sideloading 4.3.8966 again. No changes. What else can I try? Edit: Some menu graphics seem to be broken too. Last edited by eatthedishes; 03-28-2017 at 11:08 AM.

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03-28-2017, 12:14 PM	#2
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,756 Karma: 145864619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Did you side load just KoboRoot.tgz or did you install the entire firmware update? The problem is that Kobo has changed the OS to go from 16bpp to 32bpp and you need the complete new firmware. If you are side loading, take the COMPLETE contents of the update ZIP file and copy that to the .kobo directory. Then eject and that will do a full update.

03-29-2017, 05:31 AM	#12
meeera Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,814 Karma: 68407974 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Libra 2, iPadMini4, iPad4, MBP; support other Kobo/Kindles	Could you post a photograph of the screen?

03-29-2017, 06:49 AM	#15
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,756 Karma: 145864619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	The problem could possibly be whatever addons you have running being not compatible with 32bpp. That's why a factory reset might be the best idea.