Onyx Boox n96ml doesn't start

[sdegtyarev]

Hello,
I have an old onyx boox n96ml and yesterday it stopped starting.
The blue indicator is constantly on.
When charging, the indicator is pink.
When I press the power button for 10 seconds the screen blinks and the start image appears.

I tried charging from a different charger but that didn't help. The battery is not swollen, the fully charge lasts almost three days.
I'm afraid that the problem is in the hardware.

What else can I try to bring the book to life?

[Renate]

That's an old Rockchip model, isn't it?
If you connect it to a desktop is it detected as being alive?

[sdegtyarev]

Originally Posted by Renate

That's an old Rockchip model, isn't it?

oh, I don't know what's there

Originally Posted by Renate

If you connect it to a desktop is it detected as being alive?

Connected to a notebook (OS ubuntu 22.04) - changed only indicator. From blue to pink. I don't see any new device of folders.

[Renate]

Originally Posted by sdegtyarev

Connected to a notebook (OS ubuntu 22.04) - changed only indicator. From blue to pink. I don't see any new device of folders.

I wasn't expecting files. I just wanted to see if there were any loaders visible.
With it plugged in can you see anything when you type lsusb -v ?

[sdegtyarev]

Originally Posted by Renate

I wasn't expecting files. I just wanted to see if there were any loaders visible.
With it plugged in can you see anything when you type lsusb -v ?

lsusb -v &> lsusb.output && cat lsusb.output | wc -l
There is a same output before and after plug a book.

[Renate]

Have you tried power reset and various buttons?
If you can't reach normal system or recovery and nothing shows on USB...
"EDL cables" could be tried. Although this is probably not actually EDL it's a popular technique for test modes/loader.
If you look below at "Similar threads" there might be some nuggets for you.
Me, I'd probably take it apart and look for test points and which processor.

[sdegtyarev]

Renate, thanks for reply
I'll continue to figure it out, try to remove and charge the battery and see what kind of chip it is

[sdegtyarev]

Last updates

I have no idea why but I was able to start my boox. I disassembled it, disconnected the battery several day ago and only yesterday came back and assemble it back. I connected the same usb-cable, waited for a several minutes and just pushed power button and it started.

[Arconte]

Good for you to have the N96ML back to life!

I had this eReader 6 years ago, if I am correct. It was aesthetically well design and it was a good eReader for it's time. I need fast and modern eReaders, so didn't keep it much time, but I like how some people make old tech lasts.

If it happens again, it would be good to test if fastboot recognizes it when it doesn't wake up. To check both ADB and fastboot it is the process, and maybe try to find if there is a "Downloader mode" button combination.

I don't know if a battery can also stop working without being non-swollen. That would be interesting to know, but as it seems it is alive again it doesn't seems the case.

Let's see if it lasts! Hope so!

[sdegtyarev]

Last update

I replaced a battery - seems like everything is ok. The boox started without any troubles.