Tools Serial Jailbreaking your fw >= 5.6.x Kindle for Dummies

[knc1]

Originally Posted by carlinyos18

Lucky me, managed to break the debug pins on my PW3. Are there any other traces of rx / tx pins in the board?

On the back of the board.
And next time, use one of the "no hot solder" methods linked to in the first post of the thread.

[new_]

Thanks to everyone contributing to this thread, it's been very useful getting me this far.

I've followed the instructions for my PW2 (firmware 5.9.4).

I've got my serial to USB adapter connected to ground, TX and RX on the PW2 via some pins.

I'm getting the full boot output in PuTTY (using Windows 10), but I can't interrupt the boot.

Here's what I've tried:

• I have held multiple buttons down whilst the PW2 boots, many times, so I'm confident it's not the timing.
• I've jumped the TX and RX pins right next to the PW2 board, and pressed keys on the keyboard, I can see the key strokes in PuTTY.
• I've gone through the log from PuTTY and there are no key strokes in it (unless I jump the pins manually, then I can see the key strokes in the log).
• I tried soldering to the RX pad, it went OK, I've now got a wire on that pad, rather than a pin, but it didn't help.
• I tried using the alternative pads on the other side of the PW2 board. That didn't help either.
• Tested the adapter with a Raspberry Pi 2 to confirm that it's sending and receiving, it worked as expected.

As the boot output is getting to PuTTY from the PW2, and the key strokes are coming through when I jump the pins right next to the PW2 board, I think the issue is with the RX on the PW2.

This is the serial adapter I'm using:
DSD TECH USB to TTL Serial adapter with FTDI FT232RL Chip Compatible with Windows 10, 8, 7 and Mac OS X

The instruction slip that came with it does mention in one place that the level can be set to 1.8V, but I don't think it can (other places say it's 3.3V or 5V only).
I've been using it with 3.3V output.
I've read this thread, and at least a couple of people report that 3.3V has worked on their hardware, but I understand that 3.3V is risky, and 1.8V is recommended.

Given that I can see the key strokes in PuTTY when my TX and RX pins are jumped right next to the PW2 board - could the fact that I'm using 3.3V be preventing the signal getting to the PW2 somehow?

Is there any way to test whether the issue lies with the serial adapter or the PW2 RX pad without buying a new adapter?

Thanks in advance for any answers or suggestions.

[carlinyos18]

Originally Posted by knc1

On the back of the board.
And next time, use one of the "no hot solder" methods linked to in the first post of the thread.

Do you mind showing the pin locations at the back of the board in a picture?

Would be extremely helpful!

[knc1]

Originally Posted by carlinyos18

Do you mind showing the pin locations at the back of the board in a picture?

Would be extremely helpful!

Already posted (somewhere, several times).
Try our advanced search tool.
I **think** the author's name was coplate.

[carlinyos18]

Originally Posted by knc1

Already posted (somewhere, several times).
Try our advanced search tool.
I **think** the author's name was coplate.

Thank you for the tip!

After entering diagnostics menu and trying to log in with my generated password, it still returns me an "Incorrect login". Made sure I did type the actual serial number and password... I

pd. I'm on firmware 5.11.2

[knc1]

I do not know if the routine you are using for "password from serial number" is working for that fw version on that device.

Your best bet is to use KindleTool (which can generate the diags password from the serial number).

NOTE: Your PW3 is a "dual boot" system.
I do not think the "diags" system should be showing 192.168.15.244, that is almost always the "main" system's address.
And of course, the "main" system has logins disabled for all users of "main".
Which looks just like what you are seeing.

[tanya2019]

Hi, I m trying to jailbreaking my KAO(5.12.2), but i can't find the pin needed.
Does anyone know where is the tx and rx pin on KOA?

[knc1]

Not included.

[tanya2019]

Originally Posted by knc1

Not included.

Thank.
there is a store on taobao that can send KOA to them and jailbreak it(to have android on it) so I thought there is method to deal with it now.

[knc1]

Originally Posted by tanya2019

Thank.
there is a store on taobao that can send KOA to them and jailbreak it(to have android on it) so I thought there is method to deal with it now.

Maybe there is, but those people have not shared the information.

[Jacervi]

Hi, I'm config my serial port device and I get the window with the prompt "Uboot>" but I can't type the command "bootm 0xE41000". The keybord do not work. My PW3 is blocked and do not work the touchscreen when the serial port is in the Windows PC. What can I do ?
Thanks in advanced

[knc1]

Originally Posted by Jacervi

Hi, I'm config my serial port device and I get the window with the prompt "Uboot>" but I can't type the command "bootm 0xE41000". The keybord do not work. My PW3 is blocked and do not work the touchscreen when the serial port is in the Windows PC. What can I do ?
Thanks in advanced

You type the commands into the serial port, not into the touch screen.

[Jacervi]

Originally Posted by knc1

You type the commands into the serial port, not into the touch screen.

I type with the keyboard of Pc through serial port but do not answer. The screen is blocked independentment but I can't reset with the touchscreen.

[knc1]

Originally Posted by Jacervi

I type with the keyboard of Pc through serial port but do not answer. The screen is blocked independentment but I can't reset with the touchscreen.

So hold the power switch until it resets.
If the power switch isn't working, you have a whole lot of problems.

[terencelzw]

Hi guys just wanted to share with everyone how I did the serial port jailbreak without soldering.

I used this adapter (DSD TECH SH-U09C2 USB to TTL Adapter Built-in FTDI FT232RL IC for Debugging and Programming) from https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TXVRQ7V which allows you to easily convert to 1.8v.

I connected the RX and TX to the TX and RX on the kindle by inserting a sewing needle into the dupont cables provided by the adapter and taping them to the board. I also taped the GND to the metal plate.

You can see how I did it in the photos. Hope this helps for people who are not comfortable with soldering!