Troubleshooting Images Look Weird on my Kindle 5th Gen

[Vak]

Hi all,

Let me preface this with the fact that I am completely new to kindles and e-readers in general.
I bought a used Kindle 5th gen off eBay a few days ago. It displays text well enough (The screen is a bit washed out but I knew this going in) but my main problem has been with the way it displays images, they look like they are missing much of the 'greyscale' in screensavers and barely show up at all within books. Is this a software bug? Is my screen damaged? Is this normal operation for a Kindle of this vintage?
I have attached some images of it displaying screensavers and one of it trying to display an image in the center of the screen (Note how it just shows the text from the previous page mixed up with parts of the image)

The attachment tool for this forum didn't work for me so I've attached pasteboard links, lmk if the aren't working:

https://pasteboard.co/JS8cI9b.jpg
https://pasteboard.co/JS8cngu.jpg
https://pasteboard.co/JS8e239.jpg

Furthermore, I was wondering if there is any cool homebrew software that you all could recommend to me?

Thanks.

[JSWolf]

Given that the 3rd photo is of text. I would say the problem is the screen controller is not working properly. You may want to call Amazon and report this to them and see what they can do for you. It may be time to replace your Kindle.

[Vak]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Given that the 3rd photo is of text. I would say the problem is the screen controller is not working properly. You may want to call Amazon and report this to them and see what they can do for you. It may be time to replace your Kindle.

Do you think they would do anything for me? It's very old and I bought it second hand. Also, I'm not sure what you mean by 'of text' the 3rd photo contains an image of a desktop program (or should) it's just that that image is overlaid with the text of the previous page.

[eddie.t.h]

Looks like cheap Chinese screen replacement. You would probably need to select the correct waveform file and vcom voltage now.

[Vak]

Originally Posted by eddie.t.h

Looks like cheap Chinese screen replacement. You would probably need to select the correct waveform file and vcom voltage now.

Is this possible to do with something like a jailbreak?

[Sirtel]

Given that you got it cheap, I would ditch it rather than start to mess with replacing the screen. I have the same Kindle model from years ago and in no way does it display either text or images like yours does. Sorry to say this but your screen looks thoroughly messed up.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by Vak

Also, I'm not sure what you mean by 'of text'

The text on a normal Kindle screen, even if the Kindle is as old as yours, never looks this washed out.

Edit: here is the photo of the same model I took a year ago, just in comparison.

[eddie.t.h]

Originally Posted by Vak

Is this possible to do with something like a jailbreak?

Jailbreak and usbnetwork, possibly via the serial port of the reader. Check out this threads https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=294174

You can also try a factory reset. If it's not the cheapest non-eeprom replacement, chances are it has the right driver for your Kindle to load. But if you have a model with no memory then the reader will get stuck. The risk is on your side.

BTW, can't you just return it to the seller? It doesn't look like a fair deal.