Unlighted Amazon cover, possible "fix"

[OtterBooks]

Aside from the dryer sheet, I wonder how a spray of Static Guard on the felt would do. The smell of dryer sheets has always been pretty cloying to me.

I thought about mentioning that, but I didn't find spraying my cover very appealing so I didn't want to suggest it to others, especially without knowing the effect. Plus if it worked, you may need to re-apply the spray if the chemical lost effect over time. The dryer sheet I used was unscented; the only thing I can smell while reading is the leather. Mileage may vary depending on brand and sensitivity, of course.

I've switched the dryer sheet out for a small 1"x1" piece cut from an anti-static bag. I was afraid it would make crinkle sounds but it doesn't. If all of this works, it may be a better option since I'm not sure whether the dryer sheet will retain it's conductivity, though the sheets I had must have been at least two years old.

So you mean, basically, I can go now online and order a non-lighted cover, claim it is freezing my device, and ask for a refund?

Well, you never know if they'll start producing covers made with a non-visible fix, and just not tell anyone. Also the refund+keep the cover approach isn't something they have to do, and could be a case by case (or cover by cover) basis. Also there's the dishonesty thing.

[OtterBooks]

I'm not sure how long it's supposed to take the problem with the unlighted cover to kick in, but I've been using mine since Christmas without a problem yet. Of course, I don't take my Kindle out of the cover, so that might be the difference.

It may not occur at all; not everyone experiences it. I could speculate as to why, but contemplating all the possible factors involved makes my head hurt. I bought a cover for a friend for Christmas and she hasn't had any problems.

I'll make one interesting speculation though: They may have started getting more reports of the issue once the seasons changed. Winter=dry.

[wvcherrybomb]

Originally Posted by Pushka

yes, sure agree if you have received a refund AND being able to keep the old cover and use it. Good point.

In my daughter's case, they refunded the full purchase price to her credit card, PLUS credited her Amazon account another $30, and let her keep the cover.

They told her that they were crediting her that amount so that she could buy the lighted cover to replace it.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by wvcherrybomb

In my daughter's case, they refunded the full purchase price to her credit card, PLUS credited her Amazon account another $30, and let her keep the cover.

They told her that they were crediting her that amount so that she could buy the lighted cover to replace it.

This seems to be what they're doing for everyone who's experienced this problem.

[TatianaS]

Originally Posted by wvcherrybomb

In my daughter's case, they refunded the full purchase price to her credit card, PLUS credited her Amazon account another $30, and let her keep the cover.

They told her that they were crediting her that amount so that she could buy the lighted cover to replace it.

Gee whiz...they did refund the amount of the cover but they asked that I return the cover to them...in the original packaging!

I got the cover when I got my K3 in September. Reported to Kindle Customer Service spontaneous rebooting/freezing problems starting 6 weeks later and continued periodically to contact them through mid-December with the spontaneous reboot issues. Finally, when the announced refund came through I called about my cover. They offered a refund (with no additional credit) and e-mailed me a label, asking that I return my cover in original packaging if I still had it (which I did).

DH bought me an Oberon cover for Christmas, which is much prettier than my unlighted Amazon cover.

[mldavis2]

There are a lot of potential variables with the problem which is perhaps why it has been so difficult for Amazon to come up with a solution. It is winter in the northern hemisphere, houses are heated and the air is dry. Static charges build up simply from walking across the room on a carpet. Some homes have humidifiers on the furnace to reduce static. The type of shoes you wear is a factor. The type of flooring/carpet is a factor. How far you walk before picking the Kindle up is a factor. Where you touch it can be a factor. The degree of insulation (paint) on the cover hooks is a potential factor which will reduce with wear. All of this also assumes static is the culprit.

[Zell]

Hi.

I had Amazon's cover and returned it immediately (got it as Best Buy). I didn't have it on my Kindle 3 for very long so I did not experience any problems but I wasn't going to take any chances. I wished I had found out about the problem before buying the case.

As far as the dryer sheet fix, I like to take my Kindle 3 off the case when I read. So I'd be replacing the dryer sheet every time I re-attached the Kindle to the case. For me, it would get annoying after awhile. But for those here who don't take it off, more power to you.

[mldavis2]

As I've said in several other posts, if you don't use your Kindle 3 with the cover on (as I prefer), just blank the screen with the power switch before putting it into the cover. I've never had a problem when doing that.

I don't like using it with the cover because it doubles the weight and is more awkward, and can't easily be used with one hand while in the cover. One of the major attraction to the Kindle is it's light weight. Using it in the cover voids much of that advantage for me.

[OtterBooks]

If you enjoy using the Kindle without the cover, then you're good to go. Happy reading.

[desertblues]

Originally Posted by NoWorthWhile

So you mean, basically, I can go now online and order a non-lighted cover, claim it is freezing my device, and ask for a refund?

Hmmm

I have a red unlighted cover which didn't cause any problems and which I don't use, as I bought another cover. I thought about offering it on MR for free; but the question as stated above is why I hesitate..........What should I do? That thing is gathering dust in my drawer.....

[Starko]

Originally Posted by Snakey

He did try to scrape the paint off the hooks and it eventually seemed to improve things ...

This is strange. As far as i know the problem is NOT the paint on the hinges but its absence. When the cover is new, paint on the hinges prevents static discharge. After some use the paint is worn off and the cover "shortcuts" kindle though exposed hinges.

Using dryer sheet is probably treating the cause of the problem.


On the other hand, there is another elegant solution: Cut a small piece of scotch tape and stick it to the underside of the bottom hinge of your unlighted cover. The reboot problem is gone.
You don't need a lot of tape, you don't need to cover the entire underside of the hinge. A punch-hole sized piece is enough to create a barrier between the hinge and the connector inside Kindle.

It is a good idea to make sure that the tape does not stick out beyond the hinge edges.

[Snakey]

Originally Posted by thorn

I have the Amazon cover on my K2, and have really loved it. I had ordered the M-Edge 'Go' to replace a less 'grown-up' looking cover, but was within my 30 days when Amazon announced the cover with the bungee closure, and returned the 'Go' cover quick as a blink. (My 'Go' for the K2 became too floppy too quickly -- and was just a bit too 'sleek'.)

Not sure what you mean about becoming floppy, but I'm really pleased with my Go cover and I prefer it to the Amazon one. It's very slim and looks really nice, I've recommended it to friends. My dad has the lighted and non-lighted Amazon covers, I prefer mine to those.

[wildstar]

Starko I tried your fix and I have had zero reboot or freeze issues since. Very good tip.

I noticed the other day that Amazon is no longer selling the no-light leather cover. Probably a revised version is in the works with non-conductive hinges. What a bizarre defect.

Originally Posted by Starko

This is strange. As far as i know the problem is NOT the paint on the hinges but its absence. When the cover is new, paint on the hinges prevents static discharge. After some use the paint is worn off and the cover "shortcuts" kindle though exposed hinges.

Using dryer sheet is probably treating the cause of the problem.


On the other hand, there is another elegant solution: Cut a small piece of scotch tape and stick it to the underside of the bottom hinge of your unlighted cover. The reboot problem is gone.
You don't need a lot of tape, you don't need to cover the entire underside of the hinge. A punch-hole sized piece is enough to create a barrier between the hinge and the connector inside Kindle.

It is a good idea to make sure that the tape does not stick out beyond the hinge edges.

[pboss]

That's pretty sufficient evidence that the static discharge theory is correct. Still no official word on the cause?