can I convert Kindle WiFi (B008) to 3g (B006)?

dhdurgee · 11-12-2014, 12:53 PM

I recently cracked the screen of my Kindle 3g (B006) and just picked up a working Kindle WiFi (B008) for a good price on eBay. Is it possible to simply open both up and transplant the 3g card of the 3g into the WiFi unit, or is there a firmware difference that would prevent that from working?

I might decide to simply live with WiFi connectivity, as the 3g is of limited additional utility given the 3g is only good for browsing and accessing the Amazon store. I am sure I could swap all the various boards of the 3g except the keyboard into the WiFi unit, effectively replacing the cracked screen with the good one. I am debating if it is worth taking the effort to do this. If all that needed to move was the 3g card it would be a no-brainer.

Dave

HarryT · 11-12-2014, 02:09 PM

Moved to the dev forum.

knc1 · 11-12-2014, 03:33 PM

You will have to move the socket for the 3G card and the socket for the SIM card and the antenna assembly.

Easier, just move everything except the screen and its frame.

Note:

You may have trouble with the waveform file not matching the screen in the transplant.

We have a long thread here about matching the screen and the contents of its eeprom on the cable.
The fun part, is that the K3 shipped with at least 3 different screens.

dhdurgee · 11-12-2014, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knc1

You will have to move the socket for the 3G card and the socket for the SIM card and the antenna assembly.

Easier, just move everything except the screen and its frame.

Note:

You may have trouble with the waveform file not matching the screen in the transplant.

We have a long thread here about matching the screen and the contents of its eeprom on the cable.
The fun part, is that the K3 shipped with at least 3 different screens.

Joy. Is there an easy way to determine which of the 3 screens I am dealing with on both units? If not, it does indeed sound as if it may be more trouble than it is worth to retain the 3g capability.

Dave

knc1 · 11-12-2014, 05:03 PM

Open both units -
Position so you can plug good screen into good K3 -
Observe the graphics (such as a screen saver) -
Does it look normal or does it look "wire framed"?

If it looks normal, power down both and continue with the transplant operation.

Your lucky, the K3 is an "easy open" Kindle, see our prefix index for K3 tear downs.

11-12-2014, 12:53 PM	#1
dhdurgee Guru Posts: 830 Karma: 2525050 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: K3W, PW4	can I convert Kindle WiFi (B008) to 3g (B006)? I recently cracked the screen of my Kindle 3g (B006) and just picked up a working Kindle WiFi (B008) for a good price on eBay. Is it possible to simply open both up and transplant the 3g card of the 3g into the WiFi unit, or is there a firmware difference that would prevent that from working? I might decide to simply live with WiFi connectivity, as the 3g is of limited additional utility given the 3g is only good for browsing and accessing the Amazon store. I am sure I could swap all the various boards of the 3g except the keyboard into the WiFi unit, effectively replacing the cracked screen with the good one. I am debating if it is worth taking the effort to do this. If all that needed to move was the 3g card it would be a no-brainer. Dave

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11-12-2014, 02:09 PM	#2
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Moved to the dev forum.

11-12-2014, 03:33 PM	#3
knc1 Going Viral Posts: 17,212 Karma: 18210809 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Central Texas Device: No K1, PW2, KV, KOA	You will have to move the socket for the 3G card and the socket for the SIM card and the antenna assembly. Easier, just move everything except the screen and its frame. Note: You may have trouble with the waveform file not matching the screen in the transplant. We have a long thread here about matching the screen and the contents of its eeprom on the cable. The fun part, is that the K3 shipped with at least 3 different screens.

11-12-2014, 05:03 PM	#5
knc1 Going Viral Posts: 17,212 Karma: 18210809 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Central Texas Device: No K1, PW2, KV, KOA	Open both units - Position so you can plug good screen into good K3 - Observe the graphics (such as a screen saver) - Does it look normal or does it look "wire framed"? If it looks normal, power down both and continue with the transplant operation. Your lucky, the K3 is an "easy open" Kindle, see our prefix index for K3 tear downs.