Broken screen?

mietek81 · 12-22-2023, 02:10 AM

Hi,
I came across an offer of a used Kobo Sage. The device is described as damaged. In the photo from the advertisement you can see stripes on the screen, but I am not sure if these are typical symptoms of a cracked screen or maybe it just got stuck and you can try to reset the reader or upload new firmware. What do you think?

pdurrant · 12-22-2023, 03:59 AM

That doesn't look like a cracked screen, but it does look to me like physical problems with the controller, or connection to the screen. IMO a reset/firmware update is unlikely to fix it.

But perhaps a Kobo expert will be along in a minute....

DNSB · 12-22-2023, 11:54 AM

I tend to agree with @pdurrant. The hallmark of a damaged screen is curved lines. This looks more like a ribbon cable not seated properly or the EPD controller is borked. A firmware update is unlikely to help.

Edit: EPD is an Electronic Paper Display.

JSWolf · 12-22-2023, 01:27 PM

That looks like a screen controller fault.

mietek81 · 12-24-2023, 01:29 PM

I guess that the screen controler is placed on the mainboard? Is Sage glued to be waterproof? Is it easy to open?

Quoth · 12-24-2023, 04:01 PM

It's easily opened, but beware of the cable to the four connections of the power cover add-on as that goes between main PCB (mounted on screen panel) and a small pcb on the rear cover. Not glued.

It's probably lacquered to make it "waterproof".

It could be a faulty BGA solder joint (very specialist) or defective IC or ribbon cable issue. I'd avoid it unless it's free and delivered free.

You can probably replace the battery on a Sage (eventually) and do nothing else.

JSWolf · 12-24-2023, 07:05 PM

I would try to return the broken Sage and get your money back.

DNSB · 12-25-2023, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mietek81

I guess that the screen controler is placed on the mainboard? Is Sage glued to be waterproof? Is it easy to open?

The only Kobo ereader that was physically sealed to keep water out was the Kobo Aura H2O. Since then Kobo has relied on a conformal nanocoating such as HZO's to protect the electronics from water. The coating does cause some issues when you are attempting to service the device but it does not make opening the device difficult.

hey.yeah · 12-25-2023, 01:29 AM

Hi!

Do we have any updates on this? I have a Kobo Aura H20 and I have this exact issue. Everyone keeps saying that this could be a physical issue. Do you have any recommendations on how I can fix this at home?

Looking for some help

12-22-2023, 02:10 AM	#1
mietek81 Connoisseur Posts: 84 Karma: 5414 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: CK, Poland Device: Kobo Glo, H2O	Broken screen? Hi, I came across an offer of a used Kobo Sage. The device is described as damaged. In the photo from the advertisement you can see stripes on the screen, but I am not sure if these are typical symptoms of a cracked screen or maybe it just got stuck and you can try to reset the reader or upload new firmware. What do you think? Attached Thumbnails

12-25-2023, 01:29 AM	#9
hey.yeah Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2023 Device: Kobo Aura H20	Same Issue Hi! Do we have any updates on this? I have a Kobo Aura H20 and I have this exact issue. Everyone keeps saying that this could be a physical issue. Do you have any recommendations on how I can fix this at home? Looking for some help

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12-22-2023, 03:59 AM	#2
pdurrant The Grand Mouse 高貴的老鼠 Posts: 74,245 Karma: 317184274 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Norfolk, England Device: Kindle Oasis	That doesn't look like a cracked screen, but it does look to me like physical problems with the controller, or connection to the screen. IMO a reset/firmware update is unlikely to fix it. But perhaps a Kobo expert will be along in a minute....

12-22-2023, 11:54 AM	#3
DNSB Bibliophagist Posts: 47,508 Karma: 171313058 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos	I tend to agree with @pdurrant. The hallmark of a damaged screen is curved lines. This looks more like a ribbon cable not seated properly or the EPD controller is borked. A firmware update is unlikely to help. Edit: EPD is an Electronic Paper Display.

12-22-2023, 01:27 PM	#4
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 80,290 Karma: 148951761 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	That looks like a screen controller fault.

12-24-2023, 01:29 PM	#5
mietek81 Connoisseur Posts: 84 Karma: 5414 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: CK, Poland Device: Kobo Glo, H2O	I guess that the screen controler is placed on the mainboard? Is Sage glued to be waterproof? Is it easy to open?

12-24-2023, 04:01 PM	#6
Quoth Still reading Posts: 14,650 Karma: 108669873 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Ireland Device: All 4 Kinds: epub eink, Kindle, android eink, NxtPaper	It's easily opened, but beware of the cable to the four connections of the power cover add-on as that goes between main PCB (mounted on screen panel) and a small pcb on the rear cover. Not glued. It's probably lacquered to make it "waterproof". It could be a faulty BGA solder joint (very specialist) or defective IC or ribbon cable issue. I'd avoid it unless it's free and delivered free. You can probably replace the battery on a Sage (eventually) and do nothing else.

12-24-2023, 07:05 PM	#7
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 80,290 Karma: 148951761 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I would try to return the broken Sage and get your money back.