PRS+: Enhanced firmware for Sony Reader, Folders, Games & more

[kartu]

Regarding games, better post comments here. But there are several levels and on the bottom you should be able to see shortcuts switching between them.

[BenChen]

Originally Posted by noxx

- game -> chess: is it possible to change the level of difficulty? it not very difficult to win vs the reader... (scholar's mate)

How to change difficulty depends on which version of Sony Reader you have. On the touch versions, you press [NEXT] and you will see the AI speed change. On the non-touch readers, you press the "0" button.

Note that the Auto setting is also included in this toggle. So here is the cycle:

Medium (Auto ON) - this is the default starting position (1 player)
Slow (Auto ON) - this is the hardest difficulty (1 player)
Fast (Auto OFF) - (2 players)
Medium (Auto OFF) - (2 players)
Slow (Auto OFF) - (2 players)
Fast (Auto ON) - this is the easiest level, good for a child/beginner

You can force an AI move even if the Auto is OFF. So you can watch the player play itself, if you really want to!

[Bob in Alberta]

I tried this update on the advice of a coworker who did it on his 650. My 300 is now stuck on "Opening Book". The computer doesn't even recognize it any more. I noticed after the fact that it is recommended that you reconnect the reader back to the computer after the download to delete the installer file. I would have thought that if this was a necessary part of the install and needed to be done quickly then it would have been noted at the start of the procedure. Good update for the 300 if you are looking for a reason to go out and buy a new reader. Anyone have any ideas as to how to restore? I tried the reset button and even that doesn't work. Please help.

[kartu]

Bob in Alberta
Nothing tragic has happened to your reader. However I wonder what exactly you were trying to achieve by posting:

Good update for the 300 if you are looking for a reason to go out and buy a new reader.

[Bob in Alberta]

Sorry if I came off a little strong but I presently have a ereader that is still opening a book. I just felt that the disclaimers that ask you to quickly plug it back into the computer should be stated at the start. Now, with my hat in hand, may I humbly ask what I can do to rectify my situation? I should have read the bugs section first.

[Bob in Alberta]

Re: PRS300 (A little more information if anyone could possibly help).

The power switch won't turn the unit off - the yellow led is blinking

If I plug the reader into the computer it isn't recognized.

The update appeared to be going along successfully until near the end - everything was showing as ok until it started displaying "Opening Book...".

[kartu]

300 and 505's are next to impossible to brick (this would be the first one) at least with PRS+ installers (which were used by thousands of people).

Now, there are 2 possible reasons of your problem:
1) internal memory stuff got corrupted book and that's why it hangs during boot. If that is the case, it should still boot if you reset it (1. On the bottom edge of the Reader, using a pin or paper clip, press the RESET button. 2. Turn on the Reader.) and immediately connect to your PC. Then removing all content from internal mem should fix it.

2) Fsk flashing failed. In this case, you will have to reset it 10 times in a row (right ater yellow lamp blinks after previous reset) and it will fall into firmware update mode. In that mode use this updater (it's a modified 505 version, you can't keep it) then repeat PRS+ installation.

If then you are unhappy with PRS+, post about it here and I'll create an "uninstaller" for PRS 300 (which is long due since many people are afraid of trying PRS+ since there is no obvious way back).

[mgriffiths]

Dear Kartu,

Thanks for your and jackie_w suggestions, I was able to install the software very easily on my 950.

However, it has frozen twice, each time after playing a game (five in a row, the next night mahjong). After five in a row it got stuck with a screen "undefined" or undefined folder - it would not respond.

Last night it got stuck, i tried to switch off, then it would not switch off and got stuck more.

Each time i pressed the reset button i think 3 or 4 times then it came back to life. Was this the right thing to do? Any other less dramatic steps. Anyone else had this problem or is it normal?

On your software itself, thank you - I cannot believe that the original sony software did not have folders, your software is so much more obvious and intutive. It basically just reads off the SD card. Clock also is basic but why not in the original sony, great to have it. Downloading files - I want to try to get dropbox or something like this to work (firewall stops it working) - then I could send files from work to my 950 to read. Still figuring out how best to do this.

Hope my problems are not serious, and thanks for writing this simple and effective software.

[kartu]

mgriffiths
Games freeze if used in some sequence on 300 and 950 for yet unknown reason.
Reset is harmless way to get out of it.
Pressing reset once followed by power switch should be enough (it takes a while until it reacts).

[Bob in Alberta]

Solution #1. Tried the reset button - opening book comes back on - computer doesn't recognize reader

Solution #2 Pressed reset 10 times - got message that firmware didn't update - plugged into computer and it now reads updating firmware - I've downloaded the updater but at the moment the computer isn't showing the reader

[ThR]

Originally Posted by kartu

Games freeze if used in some sequence on 300 and 950 for yet unknown reason.
Reset is harmless way to get out of it.
Pressing reset once followed by power switch should be enough (it takes a while until it reacts).

OK, I didn't post this problem because I thought I was too stupid to handle my device. I can affirm this behaviour incl. the described solution with my PRS-950

[Bob in Alberta]

Issues with PRS300:

Still showing updating firmware now (after 25 minutes) red light with flashes of yellow

Is it working of should I abort?

Thanks.

[kartu]

Originally Posted by Bob in Alberta

Issues with PRS300:

Still showing updating firmware now (after 25 minutes) red light with flashes of yellow

Is it working of should I abort?

Thanks.

25 mins is not normal.
What is the updater saying?

[Bob in Alberta]

Just says "Updating firmware now..."

[kartu]

Originally Posted by Bob in Alberta

Just says "Updating firmware now..."

For 25 mins? Hmm...
Reset it once and see if it boots.
If not, repeat the 10 reset thing and try to update it using another USB port (or even better another PC).