Very Old eReader still working? - Page 3

ZodWallop · 04-23-2020, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcentros

I don't think so. I don't think you need the Sony Reader software at all, but you will need the PRS-505_Updater_xxxxx.exe application.

I asked the same question last December and was given a link to the firmware that no longer works...

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=325794

But I do have the file (fortunately). I think it's less than 19MB (I incorrectly wrote kilobytes, sorry.) I'll see if I can put it up on my Google Drive.

(PM sent.) I "compressed" the single file into a zip since some virus checkers don't like downloading .exe files.

Thanks man! Now I just need to find a mini-USB cord. We had a big cleanout right before Coronavirus and I tossed all of mine, figuring I didn't need them any longer.

rcentros · 04-23-2020, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

Thanks man! Now I just need to find a mini-USB cord. We had a big cleanout right before Coronavirus and I tossed all of mine, figuring I didn't need them any longer.

Yeah, I've given away a couple miniUSB cables in the last few months, figuring I could pick up more at the thrift stores.

I'm glad I picked up the Rocketfish Y-Cable that Richwood linked me to a couple years ago. At the time these were selling for under $5 (now the same eBay seller is getting $20 for them).

https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Rocketf...0AAOSw~bVeUIe4

These are nice because they're well made and you can plug them into the charging port of your Sony Reader (as well as the miniUSB port, which seems to work better for charging). These were actually made for the Sony PSP game counsel, but the only difference is that the nose of the power supply is a bit longer than the PRS chargers were.

Here's one, that's supposedly new (but without retail packaging), that is selling for $9.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rocketfish-...740d%7Ciid%3A1

I guess they're getting rarer than they used to be.

Here's one (not Rocketfish) on Amazon Prime...

https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Data-...7654621&sr=8-1

Here's another on Amazon (not Prime) that's $3 total (including shipping). This one was actually made the PRS, you'll notice it has a little shorter "snout."

https://www.amazon.com/Fenzer-Charge...7654696&sr=8-4

BelleZora · 04-23-2020, 01:35 PM

The Nook ST Glowlight and Kindle Touch, purchased in 2012, still work just fine and hold a charge. My Kobo Aura, purchased in 2013, also holds a charge and is good as new. The Nook GL was my favorite reader for many years and I still occasionally read a book with it.

azayn · 04-23-2020, 02:50 PM

My Kobo Mini - eBay refurb - still works fine although the battery seems to die soon.

My very first reader was a Sony 505 which I gave away last year. Even though it hadn’t been powered on in years, it still worked and I could connect it to Calibre.

kyrilson · 04-23-2020, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcentros

No, I bought this PRS-500 used a few months ago — with several other eReaders in a Shop Goodwill "grab bag" of untested readers. I mostly bought the "grab bag" for a Kobo Aura HD. That one didn't work at first, but once I opened it up and re-seated the microSD card it's worked fine (I've used it quite a bit). The "grab bag" also included two PRS-505s (one with a broken screen, one is in great shape, pictured in an earlier post), a Kobo WiFi, a white Kobo Touch (works fine, but the battery doesn't hold a charge), a Sony PRS-600 and a PRS-900 (with lighted case) and three Literatis (which I haven't tested). These "grab bags" are mostly how I ended up with so many eReaders.

I've attached a couple images of the "grab bag" that was posted on Shop Goodwill. I originally thought the Kobo Aura HD was an original H2O.

It looks like the firmware on the PRS-500 was just slightly too old to support ePub (it does support Adobe DRM PDF). Firmware version 2.0.00 1425 1 (c) 2006-2009.) When I load an ePub on it, it just doesn't show up in the Menu.

Sony made some amazing ereaders. I wish they were still in the ereader game. I bet they would have some amazing frontlit ereaders nowadays if they were. That looks like a nice grab bag you snagged there, rcentros, I'm jealous.

silverraven · 04-23-2020, 03:40 PM

https://www.amazon.com/Adapter-Conve...s%2C136&sr=8-4
I've used these little micro to mini adaptors to charge my Sansa Clips. Not those specifically, I can't find the link for those, but that type.
S

ZodWallop · 04-23-2020, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcentros

Here's another on Amazon (not Prime) that's $3 total (including shipping). This one was actually made the PRS, you'll notice it has a little shorter "snout."

https://www.amazon.com/Fenzer-Charge...7654696&sr=8-4

$3 cable ordered

Richwood · 04-24-2020, 08:42 PM

I just checked and my PRS-900 Sony reader is still holding a charge for multiple weeks and working fine. Introduced the same year as the Kindle 1. BTW rcentros, it was me, Richwood who posted about the Rocketfish cable rather than Richmond. As I recall you posted a thank you at the time. Cable still works great and I still have a second one that remains unopened.

rcentros · 04-24-2020, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richwood

I just checked and my PRS-900 Sony reader is still holding a charge for multiple weeks and working fine. Introduced the same year as the Kindle 1. BTW rcentros, it was me, Richwood who posted about the Rocketfish cable rather than Richmond. As I recall you posted a thank you at the time. Cable still works great and I still have a second one that remains unopened.

I'm sorry. I thought I checked that. It's corrected and bolded now. My apologies.

It's a great cable and it was really great at $4 (although I think it had already creeped up a little in price when I bought mine – or maybe it was right after I bought mine). I thank you again for that link. I use that cable all the time. I can charge two of the old Sonys (or other old miniUSB eReaders) at once using it.

rcentros · 04-24-2020, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyrilson

Sony made some amazing ereaders. I wish they were still in the ereader game. I bet they would have some amazing frontlit ereaders nowadays if they were. That looks like a nice grab bag you snagged there, rcentros, I'm jealous.

Completely agree with you about Sony's quality (and innovation). I don't know what they did differently, but batteries just seem to last a LOT longer in Sony readers. And these feel good in your hand.

As for the Shop Goodwill eReader "grab bags" – they normally come up fairly regularly (everything has slowed down on the site right now because of the virus). I've gotten a couple of these "grab bags" for the minimum bid as no one else was interested (but not with the one above, I think there were two or three of us who wanted the Kobo Aura HD).

Richwood · 04-24-2020, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverraven

https://www.amazon.com/Adapter-Conve...s%2C136&sr=8-4
I've used these little micro to mini adaptors to charge my Sansa Clips. Not those specifically, I can't find the link for those, but that type.
S

Unfortunately the old Sony readers with a USB Mini interface and a round bayonet style charger interface connector cannot be charged through the USB Mini connector. Same for the Kindle 1. I have tried on both.

rkomar · 04-24-2020, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richwood

Unfortunately the old Sony readers with a USB Mini interface and a round bayonet style charger interface connector cannot be charged through the USB Mini connector. Same for the Kindle 1. I have tried on both.

Are you talking about all of the old Sony readers in general, or yours in particular? I've always charged my PRS-505 via the mini-USB interface, so I'm confused by your statement.

rcentros · 04-24-2020, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richwood

Unfortunately the old Sony readers with a USB Mini interface and a round bayonet style charger interface connector cannot be charged through the USB Mini connector. Same for the Kindle 1. I have tried on both.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkomar

Are you talking about all of the old Sony readers in general, or yours in particular? I've always charged my PRS-505 via the mini-USB interface, so I'm confused by your statement.

I was going to say, mine charge fine with a miniUSB cable. But I have noticed that some seem to need the "round bayonet" port when they're completely dead to get them going again. And I try to use a power supply that's has a higher amperage (like a tablet) charger, rather than a small smartphone charger.

binaryhermit · 04-25-2020, 12:24 AM

You see a decent number of Kindle Keyboards, which were discontinued like almost 7 years ago, still in use around here

Ripplinger · 04-25-2020, 12:47 AM

I've still got 4 Sony 350 readers that all work from 2010 and 2011. I don't use them anymore, but I do charge them periodically to keep the batteries from dying. I could part with the 2 silver ones, but I doubt they'd be worth much. I had friends in Denmark and the UK grab 2 blue ones, and those I won't ever part with. If they had built-in front lights, I'd still be using them, I loved everything about that reader.

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04-23-2020, 01:35 PM	#33
BelleZora Wizard Posts: 1,443 Karma: 26333088 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Seattle, US Device: Paperwhite 5, Kobo Libra Colour, Pocketbook Verse Pro Color	The Nook ST Glowlight and Kindle Touch, purchased in 2012, still work just fine and hold a charge. My Kobo Aura, purchased in 2013, also holds a charge and is good as new. The Nook GL was my favorite reader for many years and I still occasionally read a book with it.

04-23-2020, 02:50 PM	#34
azayn Groupie Posts: 168 Karma: 7934958 Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Chicago Device: Nova 3, Galaxy S22+, iPad	My Kobo Mini - eBay refurb - still works fine although the battery seems to die soon. My very first reader was a Sony 505 which I gave away last year. Even though it hadn’t been powered on in years, it still worked and I could connect it to Calibre.

04-23-2020, 03:40 PM	#36
silverraven Guru Posts: 974 Karma: 3438612 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Kindle Voyage, Kindle 4NTB x 4	https://www.amazon.com/Adapter-Conve...s%2C136&sr=8-4 I've used these little micro to mini adaptors to charge my Sansa Clips. Not those specifically, I can't find the link for those, but that type. S

04-24-2020, 08:42 PM	#38
Richwood Astronomy Nut Posts: 531 Karma: 4000000 Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Reno, NV Device: Kindle (All), Kobo (Multiple), Sony (most) and Nook Glowlight Plus	I just checked and my PRS-900 Sony reader is still holding a charge for multiple weeks and working fine. Introduced the same year as the Kindle 1. BTW rcentros, it was me, Richwood who posted about the Rocketfish cable rather than Richmond. As I recall you posted a thank you at the time. Cable still works great and I still have a second one that remains unopened.

04-25-2020, 12:24 AM	#44
binaryhermit Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,732 Karma: 20469902 Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Lockport, IL Device: Kindle PW4, Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition	You see a decent number of Kindle Keyboards, which were discontinued like almost 7 years ago, still in use around here

04-25-2020, 12:47 AM	#45
Ripplinger 350 Hoarder Posts: 3,587 Karma: 8281267 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Midwest USA Device: Sony PRS-350, Kobo Glo & Glo HD, PW2	I've still got 4 Sony 350 readers that all work from 2010 and 2011. I don't use them anymore, but I do charge them periodically to keep the batteries from dying. I could part with the 2 silver ones, but I doubt they'd be worth much. I had friends in Denmark and the UK grab 2 blue ones, and those I won't ever part with. If they had built-in front lights, I'd still be using them, I loved everything about that reader.