Paperwhite Factory Reset gives me a brick

[mydogmuppet]

OK. I'm baffled.

New(ish) Paperwhite - 2017. Now on 5.9.6.1 Firmware.
Never registered with Amazon. Not even bothered with wireless connection.
Never any software updates or added Amazon bloatware.
A minimalist e-reader experience.

All books - 318 - donated by well meaning friends and loaded into Calibre with help from Apprentice Alf.
Every month or fortnight over the last year I'd add new books.
Calibre on patched W10 via USB to Paperwhite.

System worked flawlessly. Thank you Calibre, fabulous product (and free).

This morning I decided to delete all Paperwhite content (318) and put new books on the Kindle Paperwhite.

No Paperwhite ' Delete User Content ' button. So as a good Linux user I opted for the nuclear ' Factory Reset ' option.
After all I've no Updates to destroy...have I ?

Factory Reset.

BUT

Now no USB connectivity at all with W10 machines (x2).
Windows Explorer = Zero
Device Manager = Zero
Kindle was connected to wi-fi, registered & updated so now has Amazon bloatware.
BUT still no USB to W10 to Calibre connection

Left with expensive brick.

What do i do now ?

Muppet

[shalym]

Originally Posted by mydogmuppet

OK. I'm baffled.

New(ish) Paperwhite - 2017. Now on 5.9.6.1 Firmware.
Never registered with Amazon. Not even bothered with wireless connection.
Never any software updates or added Amazon bloatware.
A minimalist e-reader experience.

All books - 318 - donated by well meaning friends and loaded into Calibre with help from Apprentice Alf.
Every month or fortnight over the last year I'd add new books.
Calibre on patched W10 via USB to Paperwhite.

System worked flawlessly. Thank you Calibre, fabulous product (and free).

This morning I decided to delete all Paperwhite content (318) and put new books on the Kindle Paperwhite.

No Paperwhite ' Delete User Content ' button. So as a good Linux user I opted for the nuclear ' Factory Reset ' option.
After all I've no Updates to destroy...have I ?

Factory Reset.

BUT

Now no USB connectivity at all with W10 machines (x2).
Windows Explorer = Zero
Device Manager = Zero
Kindle was connected to wi-fi, registered & updated so now has Amazon bloatware.
BUT still no USB to W10 to Calibre connection

Left with expensive brick.

What do i do now ?

Muppet

I'm assuming you've tried all of the basics, right? Rebooting the Kindle, rebooting the computer, trying a different computer, trying a different cable, trying a different USB port.

You mention that you're a "good Linux user"...have you tried connecting the Kindle to a Linux box?

Shari