Possible Software bricked Kindle Voyage - can it be recovered?

[knc1]

Originally Posted by mihaixp

I just bought it and yes, it is 5.6.5. I have read a few articles on Kindle Jailbreaking. I know it can bring some possible benefits (such as fonts, screensavers). Are there any downsides to the jailbreak? Will I be able to install the newer software versions (even newer than 5.7.3) without any disadvantages? Are there any bugs that I should be aware of?

Momentarily I will keep it on Airplane mode because I have never jailbreaked any Kindle device so far. I have some experience with Android but this seems to be a bit different (not necesarilly more difficult).

I have read some tutorials on the forum but I'm not sure which aprroach is the best. Can you direct me to an easy method of jailbreaking + hotfixing?

Thanks!

The most recent and simplest way to jb 5.6.5 is described in the multi-color paragraph at the top of the sticky thread:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=265675

Once you have done the above, then you will need to install both KUAL and MrPI to install anything else of our update_*.bin packages.
Both are also in sticky threads.

Yes, you will be able to update to newer Amazon firmwares.
Once the JB & HotFix have been applied per the above, the jb will survive Amazon updates.
(Its 'viral' )

We don't have access to anything newer than what Amazon posts.
So I can't answer for 'newer than already known' firmware versions.
(If you can get us pre-release copies of Amazon updates, then we could answer that question for you.)

No downsides that we know of here, Amazon might tell you different thought (since once jb, the owner can mess with the information and revenue flow to Amazon).

Fonts, Screensavers, Collections handling, KOreader -
those are probably the most popular for the non-techie user.

[mihaixp]

Once again, thank you very much for the thorough answer.

I'm quite interested in custom screensavers, the other don't really bring anything that would fancy me. There is no other, simpler way of installing screensavers only, without installing beforehand Jailbreak + hotfix, Kual and MrPI?

[knc1]

Originally Posted by mihaixp

- - - -
There is no other, simpler way of installing screensavers only, without installing beforehand Jailbreak + hotfix, Kual and MrPI?

The screensaver operation has to have access to the file system outside of what you see as USB mass storage.

So a 'jailbreak' is required for that to happen with add-in features.
That is a 'hard requirement' with the Amazon/Kindle system.
(Only Amazon could change that, but don't hold your breath on that happening.)

It is only 5.6.5 jb that requires the 'hotfix', the other devices/firmware version for which we have a jb are 'all inclusive', a one step solution.

KUAL has become our 'standard' application launcher.
There where others before KUAL and you will still read here about the other ones that are in use.

KUAL (:cool) runs on all devices (other than the K1 and some K2 devices with very old firmware).

MrPI (Mobileread Package Installer) happened when changes Amazon/Lab126 made caused their "Update your Kindle" menu choice to stop recognizing our packages (the 'hotfix' package is a specially crafted exception).

Translation: MrPi wasn't our choice, it just became a requirement.

Since at that time, KUAL was the dominate application launcher, MrPI was made to be a KUAL menu extension.

The situation sort of "grew like Topsy" over the years.
We would minimize the requirements if we could.

With about 60 different Kindle models and IIRC, about 200 firmware versions, maintaining these add-ins is no small project.

[mihaixp]

I totally get it, that's why I finally decided to pull the trigger so I installed the jailbreak, then the hotfix.

The next step was to install KUAL (and KUAL Helper) + MrPI which now gave me the "Install MR Packages" option in Helper+.

I tried installing the Screensavers Hack but everytime I copy the correct bin file in the root folder it gets deleted after disconnecting the Kindle from the PC and the "Update your Kindle" option gets greyed out afterwards.

I then decided to copy the Update_python_0.14.N_install_pw2_kt2_kv_pw3.bin file into the MRPackages folder, and I installed by "Install MRPackges" button. It said it was successful and the device rebooted. But I didn't get any "special screensaver" and there is no linkss/screensavers folder in the root folder of my Kindle.

Can you tell me please what did I do wrong?

Thanks!

PS: Nevermind, I installed the latest snapshot 0.24N and it worked like a charm! Thanks for everything. Any suggestions for screensaver websites?

[knc1]

Originally Posted by mihaixp

- - - -
PS: Nevermind, I installed the latest snapshot 0.24N and it worked like a charm!
Thanks for everything.
Any suggestions for screensaver websites?

Kindle screensaver websites?
I don't have a clue, although you will find that some people have posted their images at this forum.

You can use nearly any image you find, once they are converted for your Kindle, see:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=237083
Item #10

{brag}
Our directions and documentation are often hard to follow, but those things are really hard to write.

Over the years, the very few number of actual errors in the software that is released here would put a smile on any commercial I.T. department, manager's face.

Translation:
Once you get past the directions, everything almost always 'just works'.
{/brag}

[dhdurgee]

Originally Posted by mihaixp

PS: Nevermind, I installed the latest snapshot 0.24N and it worked like a charm! Thanks for everything. Any suggestions for screensaver websites?

My preference was to install Python as well and enable cover mode. This automatically extracts the cover from the book you are reading and sets it to be the screensaver when it activates.

Dave

[Sydney's Mom]

Originally Posted by dhdurgee

My preference was to install Python as well and enable cover mode. This automatically extracts the cover from the book you are reading and sets it to be the screensaver when it activates.

Dave

That is a great idea!

[mihaixp]

Thank you all for the advice. I think I'll install Python as well.

How could I update the Kindle right now to the latest version (v5.7.3) without damaging the Jailbreak? Can I revert afterwards to 5.6.5? Do I need to install all the updates once again (and by this I mean the Screensavers only, yes ).

Thanks!

[knc1]

The jb will survive Amazon firmware updates, its 'viral'.

It is generally a one way trip, unless you have the rescue pack installed (optionally, with the coward's rescue pack addition also installed).

Yes, <- the most general, all inclusive answer (there are exceptions that don't matter).

Put all of the update_*.bin files you used in /mrpackages, select KUAL menu: mr update.
MrPI will take care of them all in a single batch.

[mihaixp]

Originally Posted by knc1

The jb will survive Amazon firmware updates, its 'viral'.

It is generally a one way trip, unless you have the rescue pack installed (optionally, with the coward's rescue pack addition also installed).

Yes, <- the most general, all inclusive answer (there are exceptions that don't matter).

Put all of the update_*.bin files you used in /mrpackages, select KUAL menu: mr update.
MrPI will take care of them all in a single batch.

Oh, great. So if I download the latest firmware from the Amazon and I place it in the /mrpackages folder I can install it via, Mr Update Installer, correct?

So, generally it's a one way trip (if I update to 5.7.3 I'll remain there). Hmm, I'm wondering is it worth it 5.6.5 -> 5.7.3? What is your opinion?

[NiLuJe]

No, MRPI won't handle official updates. (It'll treat them as an invalid package, so nothing will blow up, but, no need to try ).

[mihaixp]

Originally Posted by NiLuJe

No, MRPI won't handle official updates. (It'll treat them as an invalid package, so nothing will blow up, but, no need to try ).

So what would be the correct way to update once the PW3 is jailbreaked? Just waiting for the automatic download with the WiFi turned on?

[knc1]

Originally Posted by mihaixp

So what would be the correct way to update once the PW3 is jailbreaked? Just waiting for the automatic download with the WiFi turned on?

Follow the Amazon directions for the Amazon issued update packages.

That is:
Put package in top level of visible USB storage, use "Update Your Kindle" menu entry.

They (Amazon/Lab126) only broke UYK for **our** packages, it still works for **theirs**.

Nepotistic, but that is the way it is.

[bluen]

Originally Posted by knc1

The jb will survive Amazon firmware updates, its 'viral'.

It is generally a one way trip, unless you have the rescue pack installed (optionally, with the coward's rescue pack addition also installed).

Yes, <- the most general, all inclusive answer (there are exceptions that don't matter).

Put all of the update_*.bin files you used in /mrpackages, select KUAL menu: mr update.
MrPI will take care of them all in a single batch.

Hmmn, with the Voyage did the hotfix then amazon updated to 5.7.2. Should I be installing the rescue pack as a precaution? oR is it too late?

[knc1]

Originally Posted by bluen

Hmmn, with the Voyage did the hotfix then amazon updated to 5.7.2. Should I be installing the rescue pack as a precaution? oR is it too late?

The Kindles are 'dual boot' systems.

Amazon updates (generally) only change the 'main' system.

The 'Rescue Pack' adds the ability to switch to the 'diags' system and connect with it using ssh over the USB cable.

Similar to the USBnetworking package does for the 'main' system.
If not familar with using that package, practice with it until your comfortable.
That way when you have to use ssh into the 'diags' system, you will be on known territory.

As long as KUAL/MrPI is still working, you can install the rescue pack (like: now, before you need it).