Unit DIED !!

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by sirmaru

The first 8 digits of my dead Kindle Fire serial number was: D01E B0A0.

The first 8 digits of my new Kindle Fire serial number is: D01E C0A0.

It appears there is a major version run difference between the two from those two numbers.

You really don't know what this numbering difference means, it could be date related or assembly plant related or anything really.

Would be interesting if the "dead" ones fell into this sequence, but mine that just locked up and is working now is not in either of those sequences.

Originally Posted by frankz

I'd love to see where you've seen that reported for Lithium Ion batteries, as the recommended storage charge level (where the charge level has the least effect on the life of the battery) for Lithium Ion batteries is 40%.

At a 40% charge at 25 degrees C, your battery will naturally lose 4% of its capacity in a year. At 100% charge at the same temperature, it will lose five times that (20%).

http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/a...ased_batteries

Lithium Ion Polymer battery manufacturers recommend discharging the battery to 50% for storage purposes. That doesn't sound anything like "never letting it get discharge 50%." You're intentionally discharging it to that level with the understanding that it will slowly discharge in storage.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium...olymer_battery

Hmm, did you even read that first article you linked too? Apparently not. Here is what it said:

Similar to a mechanical device that wears out faster with heavy use, so also does the depth of discharge (DoD) determine the cycle count. The smaller the depth of discharge, the longer the battery will last. If at all possible, avoid frequent full discharges and charge more often between uses. If full discharges cannot be avoided, try utilizing a larger battery. Partial discharge on Li-ion is fine; there is no memory and the battery does not need periodic full discharge cycles other than to calibrate the fuel gauge on a smart battery.

Table 2 compares the number of discharge/charge cycles a battery can deliver at various DoD levels before lithium-ion is worn out. We assume end of life when the battery capacity drops to 70 percent. This is an arbitrary threshold that is application based.

A partial discharge reduces stress and prolongs battery life. Elevated temperature and high currents also affect cycle life.

The article then gives a table showing the battery life expectancy (cycle life, or number of charges the battery can expect to have before it dies) based on the Depth of Discharge (DoD, how far discharged the battery was before being recharged). The table clearly shows that if you routinely allow the battery to fully discharge before recharging, that is allow a 100% DoD, it will last about 500 recharges. If you routinely allow the battery to half discharge before recharging, that is allow a 50% DoD, it will last about 1500 recharges.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by kennyc

You really don't know what this numbering difference means, it could be date related or assembly plant related or anything really.

Would be interesting if the "dead" ones fell into this sequence, but mine that just locked up and is working now is not in either of those sequences.

I have to ask was Wifi on or off when this happen? Android 2.3 is known to lock up when going to sleep and WiFi is on.

[kennyc]

wifi is always on on all my devices, never had one lock up like this.
my Droid X is 2.3 and it's never locked up like this.

My impression though is that it was a "lockup" of some kind, probably software related.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by kennyc

wifi is always on on all my devices, never had one lock up like this.
my Droid X is 2.3 and it's never locked up like this.

My impression though is that it was a "lockup" of some kind, probably software related.

It's the version 2.3. used. The Coby 's with 2.3 and Kobo Vox have the same issue. They are all using the same version of 2.3

What happens is when the Unit goes to sleep with WiFi on causing it to lock up. There is an app to fix this called Advanced Wifi Lock (Free) or you can just turn WiFi off before putting it to sleep.

The bug was introduced in 2.3 and was still problematic is some honeycomb versions as well.

[kennyc]

As I said, I've been using it exactly the same way for over a month and this is the first time it's happened. I really don't think that is the issue or it would have happened before this.

But, it certainly could be and it could be the bug behind other's issues that have been reported. At this point I'm going to standby and if it happens again will get it exchanged. Though I don't think it's hardware and it may be that the promised software update in the next week or so will address this if it is a software bug.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by kennyc

As I said, I've been using it exactly the same way for over a month and this is the first time it's happened. I really don't think that is the issue or it would have happened before this.

But, it certainly could be and it could be the bug behind other's issues that have been reported. At this point I'm going to standby and if it happens again will get it exchanged. Though I don't think it's hardware and it may be that the promised software update in the next week or so will address this if it is a software bug.

I agree I don't think it's hardware. Was the unit asleep or powered off? Also how often do you restart the Fire?

[kennyc]

What is your favorite color? What is your mother's maiden name, which trail, left or right?
Does the Higgs Boson Exist?

[sirmaru]

Originally Posted by Blossom

I have to ask was Wifi on or off when this happen? Android 2.3 is known to lock up when going to sleep and WiFi is on.

Yes, WiFi was on. Maybe, when I recieve my exchange Fire tomorrow, I'll leave WiFi off unless synchronizing.

However, if one does a Shut Down every night, wouldn't that automatically shut down WiFi as well?

That last Fire only died when I was leaving it in Sleep Mode every night. Prior to that discharge cycle, I had always done a Shut Down at night and it did not fail.

Finally, the Fire tried to do a software triggered Shut Down and I cancelled it. Maybe, had I allowed that Shut Down to happen, it would not have died. That may be a protective mechanism built into the software.

I still have a strong suspicion that my hardware run was simply defective. It's also possible that the major software upgrade coming out from Amazon very soon may fix the sudden death problem as well.

Finally, the Fire always gives a recharge notice at 15%. That should be sufficient to keep the battery in good shape. If not, I hope the coming software upgrade raises that percentage. I have read elsewhere on the internet that Lithium batteries tend to die after 500 recharges no matter what one does. Mine died after only 9 recharges, way too low. Because the Fire requires recharges so often, it appears it will not last as long as Lithium batteries in other products with longer time frames between recharges.

That 500 recharge limit also means that, if one recharges every night, the Fire is doomed to fail in less that 2 years.

The other possibility is that this type of occurrance is common and may just require an overnight charge. I did not try that route with the returned Fire. I remember I had to do that with a Sony eReader a couple of years ago if it froze. The overnight charge cured the lockup and I still have mine today and it works fine if I just remember that solution.

[hn333]

Originally Posted by janicew

Gosh, I hope not since I haven't yet shut down when I recharge. I typically charge every night, although occasionally I do a complete deplete of the battery before charging in order to maximize battery life. So, based on my experience I wouldn't think charging in sleep mode is an issue as that's all I've done since day 1.

Allowing it to completely discharge is very harmful for the battery. Lithium-Ion does not have memory like the other rechargeable battery types and does not need to be fully drained to be recharged. A partial charge is better.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by sirmaru

Yes, WiFi was on. Maybe, when I recieve my exchange Fire tomorrow, I'll leave WiFi off unless synchronizing.

However, if one does a Shut Down every night, wouldn't that automatically shut down WiFi as well?

That last Fire only died when I was leaving it in Sleep Mode every night. Prior to that discharge cycle, I had always done a Shut Down at night and it did not fail.

Finally, the Fire tried to do a software triggered Shut Down and I cancelled it. Maybe, had I allowed that Shut Down to happen, it would not have died. That may be a protective mechanism built into the software.

I still have a strong suspicion that my hardware run was simply defective. It's also possible that the major software upgrade coming out from Amazon very soon may fix the sudden death problem as well.

Finally, the Fire always gives a recharge notice at 15%. That should be sufficient to keep the battery in good shape. If not, I hope the coming software upgrade raises that percentage. I have read elsewhere on the internet that Lithium batteries tend to die after 500 recharges no matter what one does. Mine died after only 9 recharges, way too low. Because the Fire requires recharges so often, it appears it will not last as long as Lithium batteries in other products with longer time frames between recharges.

That 500 recharge limit also means that, if one recharges every night, the Fire is doomed to fail in less that 2 years.

The other possibility is that this type of occurrance is common and may just require an overnight charge. I did not try that route with the returned Fire. I remember I had to do that with a Sony eReader a couple of years ago if it froze. The overnight charge cured the lockup and I still have mine today and it works fine if I just remember that solution.

15% is too low. I would charge at 25% That's when most Android Devices give connect to Charger message on the lock screen. 15% is more of warning. Letting you know you're battery is going to die soon. I mostly charge mine when it reaches 30% to 35%. I've yet to get my battery to go lower with normal use. It doesn't matter if it's sleeping or power off. If you power off each night you will use more battery when it boots up because Android has to go through a very long loading sequence. I charge mine in sleep mode but restart every few days to clean everything up.

I highly recommend you install WiFi Switch app. That way you can turn WiFi on and off with the touch of a icon. I would always put the Fire to sleep with WiFi off. This bug is real just google it. Many tablets suffers from this.

I had hoped the Fire was not susceptible to it. The problem with a bug is it may not rear it's ugly head unless certain conditions are met. No one knows what causes it yet and Google pretends it doesn't exists. If you must leave WiFi on then get Advanced Wifi Lock (Free) and set it to sleep never. I don't know if this works on the Fire but it is the work around people have used with success on other tablets to keep problem from occurring.

[sparklemotion]

What folder do you put non amazon apps in? Sorry, dumb question I'm sure, but I'm clueless.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by sparklemotion

What folder do you put non amazon apps in? Sorry, dumb question I'm sure, but I'm clueless.

It doesn't matter what folder the apk is in. It's just a install file.

[sparklemotion]

Originally Posted by Blossom

It doesn't matter what folder the apk is in. It's just a install file.

Well, that makes sense, lol. Thanks Blossom. I put on the wi-fi switch app. It's very handy.

[frankz]

Originally Posted by jswinden

The article then gives a table showing the battery life expectancy (cycle life, or number of charges the battery can expect to have before it dies) based on the Depth of Discharge (DoD, how far discharged the battery was before being recharged). The table clearly shows that if you routinely allow the battery to fully discharge before recharging, that is allow a 100% DoD, it will last about 500 recharges. If you routinely allow the battery to half discharge before recharging, that is allow a 50% DoD, it will last about 1500 recharges.

I'm not sure how the information in the chart (paraphrased: don't let the battery go to 0%) became "never let the battery get below 50%" to you, but that's clearly not what it says or is even implied.

When you discharge 100%, you are damaging the battery. You are not damaging the battery keeping as low as a 10%-15% charge. There is no harm whatsoever in letting the battery discharge to below 50% but above 10%-15%. None.