PRS-350 Sony PRS-350 having problems, reboots constantly

crankypants · 07-17-2017, 05:31 AM

I have a Sony PRS-350. Last night when I set it down after using it, it had 75% charge. This morning the battery was dead. Normally it just goes into "sleep" mode with no problems. But as I tried to charge it, it kept rebooting, which is probably why the battery went dead last night.

I tried hitting the reset button for 1 second and that didn't seem to change things. Then I tried holding Reset down for 10 seconds, and that didn't seem to change things either.

I have a cheap Chinese charger cord that changes a color as it's plugged in. While the cord reads 4.7vdc (within 10% tolerance), it does not charge, no amps seem to be going through it.

Another cord is currently charging the device as it now says "Charging battery". It is not constantly rebooting on this different charging cord. It is actually hooked to my PC so the 2 drives appear in Windows 8 while it's charging.

So, if the first Chinese cord is bad, could there be something else wrong with it? The battery is still original, as I got the device used.

Thanks!

Hemmi · 07-17-2017, 08:51 AM

At this point, it's probably the battery that's dead.

JSWolf · 07-17-2017, 10:15 AM

I have to go with the battery being shot. Given how old and slow the 350 is, I highly recommend getting a new Reader instead of trying ot replace the battery. It's just not worth it. Also given that most of your eBooks will be ePub, I suggest going with a Kobo Reader so you don't have to convert.

crankypants · 07-17-2017, 04:30 PM

Thanks. I was also leaning towards a dead battery. I think it's the original battery.

What other smaller Sony readers support Epub natively? And I'd like to sideload books too.

How about any other readers that support larger font sizes, sideloading, and EPUB? I like the e-ink because that old Sony PRS-350 is what I used to read outdoors. The device must be able to override CSS settings of the font size in the ebook and sideload books without extra software.

JSWolf · 07-17-2017, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crankypants

Thanks. I was also leaning towards a dead battery. I think it's the original battery.

What other smaller Sony readers support Epub natively? And I'd like to sideload books too.

How about any other readers that support larger font sizes, sideloading, and EPUB? I like the e-ink because that old Sony PRS-350 is what I used to read outdoors. The device must be able to override CSS settings of the font size in the ebook and sideload books without extra software.

Most Sony Readers are slow and could have issues with excess CSS and hi-res images. I don't know about the T3. That's the only Sony with a resolution of 1024x758 and might be OK. But I've no experience. To be honest, there are no Sony Readers I'd buy now.

As for larger font sizes, you'll want a larger screen size as well. For a Reader that has many many more font sizes, the ability to side load the fonts of your choice, has adjustable margins and line height, with a very nice screen and nice front light, I recommend the Kobo Aura H2O Edition 2. It has a 6.8" hi-res screen and for larger font sizes is much nicer than a 5 or 6" screen.

Hemmi · 07-17-2017, 07:34 PM

If you're in the US and feel like taking a chance, Sony readers can be had secondhand for pretty cheap. You never know if you're going to get one with a good battery and how long that battery will last though. I've bought most of my Sonys secondhand and have had great luck with them having good batteries.

A Kobo is the next best thing but no page turn buttons on them. I tired one and didn't like that so I went back to Sonys.

JSWolf · 07-17-2017, 09:01 PM

There's no need for page turn buttons. The touch screen is just that much better. Also, with eInk screens, you really don't get visible finger prints like you do on an LCD screen. also, buying a used Sony, you are taking a risk. The battery could be shot or almost on the way out. It's not worth it. The screen on a new Kobo is just so much nicer. I've seen the difference between my H2O and a T1 and it's not even close. The H2O is so much nicer. Plus, once you have a Reader with a front light, you won't want one without. Newer ADE on Kobo for much nicer typesetting. There is nothing going for a Sony Reader.

crankypants · 07-18-2017, 05:27 AM

@JSwolf, I see the Kobo Aura h2o is splashproof. That's a plus. I'll look into that. Do all Kobos support EPUB natively?

My Kindle K3 (from about 2010) just doesn't support EPUB so there's not much point in using it since I mostly read EPUB.

JSWolf · 07-18-2017, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crankypants

@JSwolf, I see the Kobo Aura h2o is splashproof. That's a plus. I'll look into that. Do all Kobos support EPUB natively?

My Kindle K3 (from about 2010) just doesn't support EPUB so there's not much point in using it since I mostly read EPUB.

Yes, all Kobo Readers support ePub using RMDSK (ADE). The new Kobo Aura H2O Edition 2 is not just splash-proof, but truly waterproof.

Hemmi · 07-18-2017, 08:47 AM

Touch screens suck. They do not work for me at all. I can't tap or swipe correctly and never could get the hang of it. That's why I got rid of the Kobo Touch that I had.

I also get fingerprints on an eink screen so a screen protector is a must to make the screen easier to clean.

If you use Calibre, you can convert EPUB to whatever it is Kindles like and sideload books that way. At least it's a workaround until you get a new reader that likes EPUB.

JSWolf · 07-18-2017, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hemmi

Touch screens suck. They do not work for me at all. I can't tap or swipe correctly and never could get the hang of it. That's why I got rid of the Kobo Touch that I had.

I also get fingerprints on an eink screen so a screen protector is a must to make the screen easier to clean.

If you use Calibre, you can convert EPUB to whatever it is Kindles like and sideload books that way. At least it's a workaround until you get a new reader that likes EPUB.

Just because you are unable to use a simple touch screen, is no reason the OP should get a Reader that's may not be suitable.

janzen · 07-19-2017, 03:58 AM

I agree with Hemmi. Touch screens suck.

I recently got a 2nd hand Sony PRS-T1 for cheap and I am very happy with it.

JSWolf · 07-19-2017, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janzen

I agree with Hemmi. Touch screens suck.

I recently got a 2nd hand Sony PRS-T1 for cheap and I am very happy with it.

You have a way with words that should get your mouth washed out with soap.

What is are your issues with a touch screen on an eInk device?

Hemmi · 07-19-2017, 07:22 PM

Touch screens do not work well for everyone, hence the necessity of page turn buttons. They are so much more convenient anyway. I have to use a stylus to get a touchscreen to work for me.

JSWolf · 07-19-2017, 08:11 PM

There is no necessity for buttons. Buttons are going the way of the Dodo.

07-17-2017, 05:31 AM	#1
crankypants Hmm. Posts: 124 Karma: 2016606 Join Date: Oct 2015 Device: Android 4.2 Google Play Reader	Sony PRS-350 having problems, reboots constantly I have a Sony PRS-350. Last night when I set it down after using it, it had 75% charge. This morning the battery was dead. Normally it just goes into "sleep" mode with no problems. But as I tried to charge it, it kept rebooting, which is probably why the battery went dead last night. I tried hitting the reset button for 1 second and that didn't seem to change things. Then I tried holding Reset down for 10 seconds, and that didn't seem to change things either. I have a cheap Chinese charger cord that changes a color as it's plugged in. While the cord reads 4.7vdc (within 10% tolerance), it does not charge, no amps seem to be going through it. Another cord is currently charging the device as it now says "Charging battery". It is not constantly rebooting on this different charging cord. It is actually hooked to my PC so the 2 drives appear in Windows 8 while it's charging. So, if the first Chinese cord is bad, could there be something else wrong with it? The battery is still original, as I got the device used. Thanks!

07-17-2017, 04:30 PM	#4
crankypants Hmm. Posts: 124 Karma: 2016606 Join Date: Oct 2015 Device: Android 4.2 Google Play Reader	Thanks. I was also leaning towards a dead battery. I think it's the original battery. What other smaller Sony readers support Epub natively? And I'd like to sideload books too. How about any other readers that support larger font sizes, sideloading, and EPUB? I like the e-ink because that old Sony PRS-350 is what I used to read outdoors. The device must be able to override CSS settings of the font size in the ebook and sideload books without extra software. Last edited by crankypants; 07-17-2017 at 04:42 PM.

07-17-2017, 09:01 PM	#7
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,975 Karma: 128903378 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	There's no need for page turn buttons. The touch screen is just that much better. Also, with eInk screens, you really don't get visible finger prints like you do on an LCD screen. also, buying a used Sony, you are taking a risk. The battery could be shot or almost on the way out. It's not worth it. The screen on a new Kobo is just so much nicer. I've seen the difference between my H2O and a T1 and it's not even close. The H2O is so much nicer. Plus, once you have a Reader with a front light, you won't want one without. Newer ADE on Kobo for much nicer typesetting. There is nothing going for a Sony Reader. Last edited by JSWolf; 07-17-2017 at 09:04 PM.

07-18-2017, 05:27 AM	#8
crankypants Hmm. Posts: 124 Karma: 2016606 Join Date: Oct 2015 Device: Android 4.2 Google Play Reader	@JSwolf, I see the Kobo Aura h2o is splashproof. That's a plus. I'll look into that. Do all Kobos support EPUB natively? My Kindle K3 (from about 2010) just doesn't support EPUB so there's not much point in using it since I mostly read EPUB. Last edited by crankypants; 07-18-2017 at 05:29 AM.

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07-17-2017, 08:51 AM	#2
Hemmi Grand Sorcerer Posts: 9,367 Karma: 15987608 Join Date: Apr 2015 Device: Sonys, Nooks, Kobo Libra, Forma, Mini, Paperwhite	At this point, it's probably the battery that's dead.

07-17-2017, 10:15 AM	#3
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,975 Karma: 128903378 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I have to go with the battery being shot. Given how old and slow the 350 is, I highly recommend getting a new Reader instead of trying ot replace the battery. It's just not worth it. Also given that most of your eBooks will be ePub, I suggest going with a Kobo Reader so you don't have to convert.

07-17-2017, 07:34 PM	#6
Hemmi Grand Sorcerer Posts: 9,367 Karma: 15987608 Join Date: Apr 2015 Device: Sonys, Nooks, Kobo Libra, Forma, Mini, Paperwhite	If you're in the US and feel like taking a chance, Sony readers can be had secondhand for pretty cheap. You never know if you're going to get one with a good battery and how long that battery will last though. I've bought most of my Sonys secondhand and have had great luck with them having good batteries. A Kobo is the next best thing but no page turn buttons on them. I tired one and didn't like that so I went back to Sonys.

07-18-2017, 08:47 AM	#10
Hemmi Grand Sorcerer Posts: 9,367 Karma: 15987608 Join Date: Apr 2015 Device: Sonys, Nooks, Kobo Libra, Forma, Mini, Paperwhite	Touch screens suck. They do not work for me at all. I can't tap or swipe correctly and never could get the hang of it. That's why I got rid of the Kobo Touch that I had. I also get fingerprints on an eink screen so a screen protector is a must to make the screen easier to clean. If you use Calibre, you can convert EPUB to whatever it is Kindles like and sideload books that way. At least it's a workaround until you get a new reader that likes EPUB.

07-19-2017, 03:58 AM	#12
janzen Member Posts: 15 Karma: 10000 Join Date: Jul 2011 Device: iLiad	I agree with Hemmi. Touch screens suck. I recently got a 2nd hand Sony PRS-T1 for cheap and I am very happy with it.

07-19-2017, 07:22 PM	#14
Hemmi Grand Sorcerer Posts: 9,367 Karma: 15987608 Join Date: Apr 2015 Device: Sonys, Nooks, Kobo Libra, Forma, Mini, Paperwhite	Touch screens do not work well for everyone, hence the necessity of page turn buttons. They are so much more convenient anyway. I have to use a stylus to get a touchscreen to work for me.

07-19-2017, 08:11 PM	#15
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,975 Karma: 128903378 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	There is no necessity for buttons. Buttons are going the way of the Dodo.

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