Help! My jetBook Lite has frozen on me! - Page 5

clerky96 · 02-19-2010, 06:01 PM

Would a higher mAh make any difference? I saw some GP (same brand that came with my jbl) NiMH rechargeables that claim to have a mAh of 3600. Never seen any that high. I really want to get rechargeables for the jbl that I bought for hubby but am concerned about the freeze problems people have been having when using rechargeables. Even buying a block of batteries pretty much offsets the benefits of the less expensive jbl. Hope Ectaco decides they need to do something about this issue and correct it for us.

GA Russell · 02-19-2010, 06:14 PM

With my rechargeable Duracells, the JBL starts with only 3 bars.

So does this mean that I should switch batteries when it drops to 2 bars?

GhostHawk · 02-19-2010, 06:28 PM

Shamelessly copied from the other thread.

........"Been using rechargeables since the original batteries died.

No problems so far, except that the shutdown came almost immediately after the warning. When the batteries get down below half on the screen indicator, I change them at first opportunity. "................

Sounds like a good place to start Russell.

TheBard · 02-19-2010, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Would a higher mAh make any difference?

Yes. The higher mAh batteries should provide useable power for a longer period of time.

Quote:

(Saw some) NiMH rechargeables that claim to have a mAh of 3600. Never seen any that high.

Neither have I. That is higher than many alkalines!

Anecdote:

Not too long ago, I purchased some inexpensive "1800 mAh" AAA rechargeable NiMH batteries from an overseas vendor on eBay. I had never seen triple-A rechargeable batteries with such a high current rating. A few tests showed the batteries were more like 600 mAh than 1800 mAh. The vendor is no longer selling on eBay.

Yes, there IS a difference among batteries (even batteries of the same type), and there might be a difference among JBLs - and how they handle rechargeables. Ken Maltby's comment about lots of variability in the parameters is quite valid!

We may end up using the "empirical method" to determine compatibility of batteries ... (use whatever works for ya)

[Remember, if your JBL does "lock up", you probably can restore it by going through the long firmware update process, and save a mailing to Jetbook customer support. Be patient.]

cmbs · 02-19-2010, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GA Russell

With my rechargeable Duracells, the JBL starts with only 3 bars.

So does this mean that I should switch batteries when it drops to 2 bars?

Are your batteries maybe old and aren't holding a full charge anymore? Mine shows a full bar when I change the batteries.

GA Russell · 02-19-2010, 11:03 PM

cmbs, my batteries are brand new - got them for Christmas along with the JBL.

cmbs · 02-20-2010, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GA Russell

cmbs, my batteries are brand new - got them for Christmas along with the JBL.

Does it shut itself off at two bars? Or lower than that? Mine shuts itself off at two bars. It seems to me we just need to not let it get to the point of shutting itself off. When you know how many bars it'll reach before shutting off, you know when to change batteries.

I'm using energizer 2500 mAh NiMH, if that makes any difference, and the bar is full when I change batteries.

GA Russell · 02-20-2010, 01:27 AM

Mine shuts off at one bar.

remccainjr · 02-27-2010, 05:58 PM

Well, I got my JB-L in January and after some of the same symptoms described in this forum (rechargable death after 2 bars, etc.) mine finally died 2 days ago. I've tried all the solutions mentioned here - alkaline batteries, flash the eeprom, etc. but no luck.

It just sits at the jetbook Lite screen and stubbornly refuses to go any further.

I've sent off to customer support for an RMA number.

Ken Maltby · 02-28-2010, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by remccainjr

Well, I got my JB-L in January and after some of the same symptoms described in this forum (rechargable death after 2 bars, etc.) mine finally died 2 days ago. I've tried all the solutions mentioned here - alkaline batteries, flash the eeprom, etc. but no luck.

It just sits at the jetbook Lite screen and stubbornly refuses to go any further.

I've sent off to customer support for an RMA number.

Could you provide which firmware was running in your JBL, when these
symptoms occurred?

Also; the make and model of the rechargeable batteries involved.

It might help in getting a better picture of what is going on and where
the risks are.

Luck;
Ken

Linda! · 02-28-2010, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by remccainjr

I've sent off to customer support for an RMA number.

Do you plan to ask for a refund or for repair/replacement?

When I called for an RMA number, I was told that if I wanted my unit
repaired/replaced I wouldnt need an RMA number.

Highroller · 03-03-2010, 07:29 PM

Well my lockup seemed a little different. My screen didn't blank it just froze. On reset it stuck on the Jetbook- Lite screen even when I tried to reload the firmware it froze same place for an hour. They replaced it. I wrote and asked what caused the problem, ie hardware or software? This is the replay I got via email

Thank You for Your email.
This is not the problem of neither hardware, nor software. This is the problem of compatibility of hardware with software. We are planning to release new updates shortly that would exclude such problems in future. Updates are available for free of charge for all Customers regardless date of purchase. Please, feel free to contact me if You have any questions.

So to me if they are gonna fix it with a firmware update then its a software problem.

TheBard · 03-03-2010, 09:10 PM

Quote:

We are planning to release new updates shortly that would exclude such problems in future.

That is good news.
Also, in another thread, a JetBook person promised new fonts.
Great to see there is a company that provides post-sale services such as this. Hopefully the "fixes" will appear in the not too distant future (and work, as well).

Highroller · 03-16-2010, 09:39 AM

I just had my Jetbook Lite lockup on me exactly the same way it did before when I had to send it back for replacement. Considering I have only had the replacement MAYBE a month, I am not at ALL happy with the Jetbook Lite at this time. I hope to God that I can get a refund on the jbl. Once might be unfortunate. 2 times in 3 months is a a very bad trend and I really don't want to pay to ship the bloody thing back every month or 2 until the warrenty runs out and than I am just out of luck all together.

clerky96 · 03-16-2010, 09:18 PM

Highroller, I'm curious if you bought your jbl from Ectaco or from somewhere else. I know that Newegg only warranties for 30 days, so would Ectaco refund money that you paid to Newegg? Doesn't seem like they would but maybe I am looking at this wrong. This problem does not seem to be getting resolved, and if they don't get it fixed soon, the word will get out and as far as I am concerned, their product will be worthless. Has this only happened when rechargeables were used? That seems to be an issue, and not being able to use rechargeables could be another big negative of the value of this reader.

02-19-2010, 06:01 PM	#61
clerky96 Connoisseur Posts: 93 Karma: 14 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Illinois - USA Device: none	Would a higher mAh make any difference? I saw some GP (same brand that came with my jbl) NiMH rechargeables that claim to have a mAh of 3600. Never seen any that high. I really want to get rechargeables for the jbl that I bought for hubby but am concerned about the freeze problems people have been having when using rechargeables. Even buying a block of batteries pretty much offsets the benefits of the less expensive jbl. Hope Ectaco decides they need to do something about this issue and correct it for us. Last edited by clerky96; 02-19-2010 at 06:05 PM.

02-27-2010, 05:58 PM	#69
remccainjr Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: jetbook lite	Bjorked. Well, I got my JB-L in January and after some of the same symptoms described in this forum (rechargable death after 2 bars, etc.) mine finally died 2 days ago. I've tried all the solutions mentioned here - alkaline batteries, flash the eeprom, etc. but no luck. It just sits at the jetbook Lite screen and stubbornly refuses to go any further. I've sent off to customer support for an RMA number.

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02-19-2010, 06:14 PM	#62
GA Russell Montreal wins Grey Cup! Posts: 7,584 Karma: 31484197 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Raleigh, NC Device: Paperwhite, Kindles 10 & 4 and jetBook Lite	With my rechargeable Duracells, the JBL starts with only 3 bars. So does this mean that I should switch batteries when it drops to 2 bars?

02-19-2010, 06:28 PM	#63
GhostHawk Data Privateer! Posts: 586 Karma: 62887 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Fargo ND Device: Ectaco Jetbook& Jetbook Lite	Shamelessly copied from the other thread. ........"Been using rechargeables since the original batteries died. No problems so far, except that the shutdown came almost immediately after the warning. When the batteries get down below half on the screen indicator, I change them at first opportunity. "................ Sounds like a good place to start Russell.

02-19-2010, 11:03 PM	#66
GA Russell Montreal wins Grey Cup! Posts: 7,584 Karma: 31484197 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Raleigh, NC Device: Paperwhite, Kindles 10 & 4 and jetBook Lite	cmbs, my batteries are brand new - got them for Christmas along with the JBL.

02-20-2010, 01:27 AM	#68
GA Russell Montreal wins Grey Cup! Posts: 7,584 Karma: 31484197 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Raleigh, NC Device: Paperwhite, Kindles 10 & 4 and jetBook Lite	Mine shuts off at one bar.

03-03-2010, 07:29 PM	#72
Highroller Zealot Posts: 124 Karma: 338 Join Date: Nov 2004 Device: Ebookwise 1150, Jetbook Lite, Slick Er-701	Well my lockup seemed a little different. My screen didn't blank it just froze. On reset it stuck on the Jetbook- Lite screen even when I tried to reload the firmware it froze same place for an hour. They replaced it. I wrote and asked what caused the problem, ie hardware or software? This is the replay I got via email Thank You for Your email. This is not the problem of neither hardware, nor software. This is the problem of compatibility of hardware with software. We are planning to release new updates shortly that would exclude such problems in future. Updates are available for free of charge for all Customers regardless date of purchase. Please, feel free to contact me if You have any questions. So to me if they are gonna fix it with a firmware update then its a software problem.

03-16-2010, 09:39 AM	#74
Highroller Zealot Posts: 124 Karma: 338 Join Date: Nov 2004 Device: Ebookwise 1150, Jetbook Lite, Slick Er-701	I just had my Jetbook Lite lockup on me exactly the same way it did before when I had to send it back for replacement. Considering I have only had the replacement MAYBE a month, I am not at ALL happy with the Jetbook Lite at this time. I hope to God that I can get a refund on the jbl. Once might be unfortunate. 2 times in 3 months is a a very bad trend and I really don't want to pay to ship the bloody thing back every month or 2 until the warrenty runs out and than I am just out of luck all together.

03-16-2010, 09:18 PM	#75
clerky96 Connoisseur Posts: 93 Karma: 14 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Illinois - USA Device: none	Highroller, I'm curious if you bought your jbl from Ectaco or from somewhere else. I know that Newegg only warranties for 30 days, so would Ectaco refund money that you paid to Newegg? Doesn't seem like they would but maybe I am looking at this wrong. This problem does not seem to be getting resolved, and if they don't get it fixed soon, the word will get out and as far as I am concerned, their product will be worthless. Has this only happened when rechargeables were used? That seems to be an issue, and not being able to use rechargeables could be another big negative of the value of this reader.

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