Hacks Kindle PW2

Alterstalin · 07-25-2014, 05:13 AM

Hello,

I am interested in buying this ebook reader (my first one) but, I have some questions. I surfed the internet for some hours to search for the perfect ebook reader for me (that is the one who only let's me read ebooks) and I didn't find it. One reader that was close was the trekstors pyrus mini because of his simplicity but the software needed some upgrade. So, I think the PW2 is the best for me, but after i change some things in it. The question is, can I?

I have heard about jailbreaking the kindle, installing custom screensavers, removing ads etc. but I want to change the OS, namely, I would want to eliminate some features like share on social networks, the kindle store (I don't buy ebooks) and the experimental browser. I would want a browser on a ebook reader only to search words and definitions and the kindle has an option for that. I have seen people who have installed Debian on their kindle so I hope my question isn't too ridiculous

.

Have a nice day and thank you for your time!

HarryT · 07-25-2014, 05:56 AM

I'm afraid I completely fail to see the reason why you would need to remove these features. If you don't want to use them, then the answer is simple: don't use them. None of them is obligatory.

Alterstalin · 07-25-2014, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I'm afraid I completely fail to see the reason why you would need to remove these features. If you don't want to use them, then the answer is simple: don't use them. None of them is obligatory.

Well, yeah, that's the easy way. But, if it can be done...

Also, I forgot to ask, can I use my Kindle unregistered?

HarryT · 07-25-2014, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alterstalin

Also, I forgot to ask, can I use my Kindle unregistered?

Yes, but some of its features will be unavailable to you - eg you won't be able to create or use collections. Easiest thing to do is to register and then, if you wish, leave WiFi turned off.

Doitsu · 07-25-2014, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alterstalin

I would want to eliminate some features like share on social networks, the kindle store (I don't buy ebooks) and the experimental browser.

Switching the PW2 to airplane mode will take care of all of these issues. However, you won't be able to set up collections on an unregistered Kindle.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alterstalin

So, I think the PW2 is the best for me, but after i change some things in it. The question is, can I?

Note that there's no jailbreak for the latest 5.4.5 firmware. If you're buying a new PW2 make sure to install the jailbreak before updating the firmware. If the PW2 already has firmware 5.4.5 installed you won't be able to jailbreak it.

Alterstalin · 07-25-2014, 07:03 AM

So, in airplane mode those features will not be visible? (I ask in case a child wants to use the kindle - I know there is parental control)

And, am I able to downgrade the firmware?

Doitsu · 07-25-2014, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alterstalin

So, in airplane mode those features will not be visible? (I ask in case a child wants to use the kindle - I know there is parental control)

They're still visible but won't work.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alterstalin

And, am I able to downgrade the firmware?

AFAIK, the jailbreak developers haven't released a 5.4.5 downgrade tool yet and it's uncertain whether they'll be able to do so.

dsmid · 07-25-2014, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alterstalin

And, am I able to downgrade the firmware?

It should be is possible to downgrade but no one has reported a successful downgrade yet.

kristalana · 07-25-2014, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alterstalin

So, in airplane mode those features will not be visible? (I ask in case a child wants to use the kindle - I know there is parental control)

And, am I able to downgrade the firmware?

The FreeTime feature disables all the features you're talking about.

Doitsu · 07-25-2014, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsmid

It should be is possible to downgrade but no one has reported a successful downgrade yet.

Unfortunately, your method does not work, at least not under Windows.
The downgrade fails with: UPDATE ERROR: 11

Has anybody actually tested this?

EDIT: I used the wrong firmware. Downgrading to 5.4.3.2 does work.

dsmid · 07-25-2014, 12:51 PM

Today a friend of mine reported successful downgrade from 5.4.5 to 5.4.3.2 using this method.
Maybe you didn't wait long enough before rebooting?

Doitsu · 07-25-2014, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsmid

Today a friend of mine reported successful downgrade from 5.4.5 to 5.4.3.2 using this method.
Maybe you didn't wait long enough before rebooting?

Downgrading to 5.4.3.2 does indeed work. (Downgrading to 5.4.4 didn't.)

NiLuJe · 07-25-2014, 01:13 PM

@Doitsu: That's because 5.4.4 is a PW1 FW

.

Good to know, though, I'll update the JB thread.

Thanks to dsmid for convincing me to try again, I was fairly sure that wouldn't work (and the last time we used this trick, it was over USBNet, where we had greater control of what to do)

.

07-25-2014, 05:13 AM	#1
Alterstalin Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2014 Device: none	Kindle PW2 Hello, I am interested in buying this ebook reader (my first one) but, I have some questions. I surfed the internet for some hours to search for the perfect ebook reader for me (that is the one who only let's me read ebooks) and I didn't find it. One reader that was close was the trekstors pyrus mini because of his simplicity but the software needed some upgrade. So, I think the PW2 is the best for me, but after i change some things in it. The question is, can I? I have heard about jailbreaking the kindle, installing custom screensavers, removing ads etc. but I want to change the OS, namely, I would want to eliminate some features like share on social networks, the kindle store (I don't buy ebooks) and the experimental browser. I would want a browser on a ebook reader only to search words and definitions and the kindle has an option for that. I have seen people who have installed Debian on their kindle so I hope my question isn't too ridiculous . Have a nice day and thank you for your time!

07-25-2014, 12:51 PM	#11
dsmid Linux devotee Posts: 598 Karma: 2069047 Join Date: Feb 2011 Device: Kindle 3, Kindle 4B, Kindle PW2	Today a friend of mine reported successful downgrade from 5.4.5 to 5.4.3.2 using this method. Maybe you didn't wait long enough before rebooting? Last edited by dsmid; 07-25-2014 at 12:54 PM.

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07-25-2014, 05:56 AM	#2
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I'm afraid I completely fail to see the reason why you would need to remove these features. If you don't want to use them, then the answer is simple: don't use them. None of them is obligatory.

07-25-2014, 07:03 AM	#6
Alterstalin Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2014 Device: none	So, in airplane mode those features will not be visible? (I ask in case a child wants to use the kindle - I know there is parental control) And, am I able to downgrade the firmware?

07-25-2014, 01:13 PM	#13
NiLuJe BLAM! Posts: 13,506 Karma: 26047190 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Paris, France Device: Kindle 2i, 3g, 4, 5w, PW, PW2, PW5; Kobo H2O, Forma, Elipsa, Sage, C2E	@Doitsu: That's because 5.4.4 is a PW1 FW . Good to know, though, I'll update the JB thread. Thanks to dsmid for convincing me to try again, I was fairly sure that wouldn't work (and the last time we used this trick, it was over USBNet, where we had greater control of what to do) .

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