Kobo E_Reader wifi upgrade gone bad

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by Spode

So there is no way to see a Linux partition in Win 7? I can copy and write images, but I can't actually see any of the resultant Linux partitions? I tried Linux Reader but it didn't show the partitions on the uSD card. Is there any software or hardware that does this?

When I have mounted the SD card from my Glo in my laptop, I can see all the partitions. But, Windows only knows how to handle the FAT32 partition. Mounting it in a laptop running Linux, I could see all the partitions and change them how I wanted.

I know nothing about Linux. I was hoping if it were possible to see the Linux partitions that I could delete and replace corrupted or dysfunctional partitions. This is no doubt naive, it's probably much more complicated than I realize. You can read FAT32 directories in Linux. Why not the reverse? Think maybe I'll get a Windows version of Linux. Windows is no limiting. Would love to move onto a new OS.

I'm not sure what you ware wanting to do. I doubt if writing an individual file to a partition will work. Odds are the partition table or the boot record or the uBoot or kernel or something at that level has become corrupted. If these are in good state, the device will probably do a factory reset using the buttons and everything will be OK. It would probably be possible to fix these, but I have no idea how.

The fix is simple: Write the image to the card. Take the card out of the device, mount it in a PC, write the image to it, put it back in the device and everything should be OK.

[Spode]

I wanted to thank DavidFor, Flyboy320 and DNSB for all the help you gave me. I was able to replace my 2gb microSD card in my Kobo Wifi with an imaged 4gb card, and it's all working beautifully. It was a confusing go for me, but in retrospect, after intently following all the directions provided, the process now seems relatively simple.

One thing I did was to purchase a cheap, damaged Kobo N289 so I could take it apart and check out the innards before moving on to my functioning Kobo. For newbies, like myself, it's important to note that the microSD card is on the other side of the Kobo screen. Four screws must be removed after which the screen panel can be gently pulled out and away from the Kobo plastic frame.

Thanks again everyone. My Kobo, which after a software upgrade was totally screwed up, is now back up to speed, and I'm delighted.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by Spode

I wanted to thank DavidFor, Flyboy320 and DNSB for all the help you gave me. I was able to replace my 2gb microSD card in my Kobo Wifi with an imaged 4gb card, and it's all working beautifully. It was a confusing go for me, but in retrospect, after intently following all the directions provided, the process now seems relatively simple.

Ain't it the truth... the first time is the hardest.

Originally Posted by Spode

One thing I did was to purchase a cheap, damaged Kobo N289 so I could take it apart and check out the innards before moving on to my functioning Kobo. For newbies, like myself, it's important to note that the microSD card is on the other side of the Kobo screen. Four screws must be removed after which the screen panel can be gently pulled out and away from the Kobo plastic frame.

When I opened up my N289, convincing the sticky tape around the edge of the screen to come off without damaging anything was the most "fun".

Originally Posted by Spode

Thanks again everyone. My Kobo, which after a software upgrade was totally screwed up, is now back up to speed, and I'm delighted.

Good to hear that it is back in business and with more storage. Time to enjoy some reading!

[didoto]

Hi everybode,

At last I registered after months of browsing this marvelous knowledge and expert data base

I have a Kobo eReader that infinitely READ ON when I switch it, but never finishes.

Flyboy320 was so kind to give me the working sd image.
I have dpwnloaded, unzipped and applied the image to the original SD card.
Put it back in device and switched it on. The light came steady blue and remained so , but nothing happened on the screen (it was stuck on READ ON when I switched it off before that).
I tried ti hard reset it, but again nothing.

Do you kniw am I doing something wrong or waht?
Mine Kobo is the one without touch, with WiFi and with the pad buttons in the low ridght front of the device.

I might use different SD card for example, but with this before applying the SD image the device started up, but never finished READ ON. Now it is not doing even that. Very strange.

Any help appreciated!

Thanks a lot guys!

Originally Posted by Spode

I wanted to thank DavidFor, Flyboy320 and DNSB for all the help you gave me. I was able to replace my 2gb microSD card in my Kobo Wifi with an imaged 4gb card, and it's all working beautifully. It was a confusing go for me, but in retrospect, after intently following all the directions provided, the process now seems relatively simple.

One thing I did was to purchase a cheap, damaged Kobo N289 so I could take it apart and check out the innards before moving on to my functioning Kobo. For newbies, like myself, it's important to note that the microSD card is on the other side of the Kobo screen. Four screws must be removed after which the screen panel can be gently pulled out and away from the Kobo plastic frame.

Thanks again everyone. My Kobo, which after a software upgrade was totally screwed up, is now back up to speed, and I'm delighted.

[didoto]

Sorry for the typing errors. There is no need to hurry that much

[robko]

Originally Posted by didoto

I have a Kobo eReader that infinitely READ ON when I switch it, but never finishes.

That's sounding like it might be a broken screen substrate. Is anything changing on the screen at all? Any chance of posting a picture of a screen?

[didoto]

Yes, it is changing - READ ON and below the boxes keep on marking and unmarking.... Never ends. I tried an image for N647, but it made things worse - the boxes stopped moving and blue light came from the start button steday light. It is like if no SD card i present in the device.
After that I mounted an image of my old SD card (I backed it up, although non-working just to have it) and then the boxes started moving again.
I think it was not the right image for me.
I need a SD image for N647B.
Anyone has it please?

Here it is a picture of the screen:
http://prikachi.com/images.php?images/330/7753330E.jpg

Best regards,

[robko]

Originally Posted by didoto

Yes, it is changing - READ ON and below the boxes keep on marking and unmarking...

That description and the pic pretty much rules out a screen issue.

[didoto]

Really?!
Although the sceen is changing?
But when I load another image of working device the sceen just stops and blue light come on steady. And when return old image it keeps on READ ON and boxes moving? That is why I suggested that it needed just the right image...

I am not acquainted with these things, sorry for the stupid questions

Regards,

Originally Posted by robko

That description and the pic pretty much rules out a screen issue.

[robko]

Sorry, you misunderstood. I meant that it is NOT a screen problem based on this information.

Originally Posted by didoto

Really?!
Although the sceen is changing?
But when I load another image of working device the sceen just stops and blue light come on steady. And when return old image it keeps on READ ON and boxes moving? That is why I suggested that it needed just the right image...

I am not acquainted with these things, sorry for the stupid questions

Regards,

[rdgroulx]

Dear davidfor,

I created this account just to post here. Seems you are the go-to guy on the entire Internet. I've looked everywhere on the net and you are the only one who seems to have real solutions. That, by the way, shows how bad Kobo is in supporting their own product if they count on community for help.

I'm in the same basket, having an N289 that got bricked after a forced Wi-Fi update. All books lost, can connect to shop, unrecognised by Desktop, etc. In spite of countless resets I always get a "updating your software" on every boot

I tried latest Desktop version, the clipper-hole reset, software factory reset, etc....nothing works. Desktop won't recognise, shop won't load, nothing.

I also tried to find firmwares myself and cant see any. Very frustrated by Kobo, clearly there are many people in the same situation and the support on their website is just vanilla run-of-the-mill stuff and completely useless.

HELP!!!

[PeterT]

One standard piece of advice given many times is to reach out to Kobo. Don't open your device to replace the SD card until you have dealt with Kobo support. In numerous cases they HAVE replaced bricked WiFi's by newer models.

As to how to reach Kobo, see what options are available for YOUR country. http://kobo.frontlinesvc.com/app/lanpag might help.

Twitter DOES seem to be one route where many have had assistance. See https://twitter.com/KoboHelp

[davidfor]

@rdgroulx: As PeterT said, contact Kobo. The description sounds like an issue with the latest firmware update. They know about the problem and have been replacing the WiFi with a refurbished Touch.

Other than that, you can try putting a new image on the internal SD card. I don't have a copy of one for the N289 version of the WiFi (or at least not somewhere you can download it from). But, there is one available. A request for it in this thread should get a response.

[didoto]

Hi,
Just to report the Kobo is fixed. Thanks for the help I got fromthe forum members.
In fact there is some issue with the screen as it is a little bit less contrasted than other Kobo I saw, but nothing disturbing.

Regards,

Originally Posted by robko

Sorry, you misunderstood. I meant that it is NOT a screen problem based on this information.

[meeera]

Originally Posted by didoto

Hi,
Just to report the Kobo is fixed. Thanks for the help I got fromthe forum members.
In fact there is some issue with the screen as it is a little bit less contrasted than other Kobo I saw, but nothing disturbing.

Was the other Kobo you saw also a Kobo Wifi, with the D-pad? Your Kobo is a very old device now, it's been obsolete for several generations, and it has a Vizplex screen, unlike the Pearl and Carta screens of the newer Kobos.