Troubleshooting Kindle Voyage memory malfunction

ledres · 06-04-2022, 12:42 PM

Hello,

my Kindle Voyage started malfunctioning recently. It seems that the state of the device's memory is not remembered between restarts.
If I upload new books to the Kindle via USB (to the "documents" folder) or delete old ones, these changes are not visible after the device restarts.
The reading progress of the books is not remembered between restarts as well.
It is not possible to reset the device to factory settings - choosing this option results in an ordinary restart of the Kindle.
Uploading the "DO_FACTORY_RESTORE" file to the device's root folder and restarting also does not work (probably because the file disappears when restarting).
I even tried formatting the flash memory using the OS tools on my laptop and that does not work either - the memory appears to be empty until the Kindle is restarted, afterwards the contents from before the format are visible again.

Can something be done to repair this malfunction? I really like the Voyage's form factor, so I don't want to exchange it for another model. Besides, I have been taking good care of it, so it is basically in perfect condition apart from this issue, therefore I would not like to throw it away.

Google says that this is a malfunction that does occur sometimes, caused by a hardware issue with the flash memory, and that it cannot be fixed. I wonder if it wouldn't be possible to:

1. Buy a new memory chip and replace the old one - I opened the device, the memory chip is SDIN7DP2-4G. There are some chips like that available on AliExpress. This would of course require some soldering, which I'm not able to do, but I could pay someone to do it for me. I do wonder about some issues here though:
- does the chip have to be exactly the same make and model, or is eMMC standardized enough so that any chip would do?
- would the reader even boot with a new empty memory chip installed, or does it need some bootloader data to be loaded on it beforehand?

2. Buy a used Kindle Voyage (preferably with a damaged screen, as it wold be cheaper) and scavenge its motherboard. This would probably be easier, as it would require no soldering and I could probably do it myself. On the other hand, the device (even damaged) would be more expensive than just the memory chip, and the availability of Kindle Voyages is not that great.

What do you guys think? Any suggestions appreciated.

eddie.t.h · 06-05-2022, 09:51 AM

If you are not able to solder bga yourself, probably the option with the replacement of the motherboard will be better. Even if it turns out to be blocked by Amazon, you will replace the serial numbers from your reader.

ledres · 06-05-2022, 04:14 PM

Thanks for your answer.

Yeah, looking at the other post about memory replacement
(https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=271750), this seems like a lot of trouble. If I understand correctly, besides soldering the memory chip, I'd also have to solder connections to serial pins on the Voyage's motherboard...

Could you please expand on the second part of your answer though? You say "even if it turns out to be blocked by Amazon" - what could possibly be blocked by them? The new motherboard? Why would that be, and is it possible to check for that in advance?

And what exactly do you mean with "you'll replace the serial numbers from your reader"?

Sorry for the newb questions, till now I was just a normie ebook consumer

eddie.t.h · 06-06-2022, 04:31 AM

I suspect that you will not buy a new motherboard only a used one. It may be on Amazon's so-called blacklist. This means that you will not be able to register such a reader in your account. It is possible to replace serial numbers with those from your reader, which in total you would have to do by mounting a new memory. Connecting to a serial port will be necessary in this case.

ledres · 06-06-2022, 10:04 AM

I see.
I'll probably just look for a used reader, as they're more common than separate motherboards. I hope it won't be blacklisted, but even if it is, I can still use it without registering it to my account, right? I mean just loading books via USB etc.

eddie.t.h · 06-06-2022, 10:22 AM

Yes, if registration is not important to you and you do not use your Amazon account to purchase or transfer books to the reader, you can use the reader normally.

p.s. If you don't mind shipping to Poland, I could fix your reader for you. Send me a private message if you are interested.

ledres · 06-06-2022, 12:33 PM

Of course I don't mind shipping to Poland, especially since I AM in Poland

I'll PM you.

06-04-2022, 12:42 PM	#1
ledres Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2022 Device: Kindle Voyage	Kindle Voyage memory malfunction Hello, my Kindle Voyage started malfunctioning recently. It seems that the state of the device's memory is not remembered between restarts. If I upload new books to the Kindle via USB (to the "documents" folder) or delete old ones, these changes are not visible after the device restarts. The reading progress of the books is not remembered between restarts as well. It is not possible to reset the device to factory settings - choosing this option results in an ordinary restart of the Kindle. Uploading the "DO_FACTORY_RESTORE" file to the device's root folder and restarting also does not work (probably because the file disappears when restarting). I even tried formatting the flash memory using the OS tools on my laptop and that does not work either - the memory appears to be empty until the Kindle is restarted, afterwards the contents from before the format are visible again. Can something be done to repair this malfunction? I really like the Voyage's form factor, so I don't want to exchange it for another model. Besides, I have been taking good care of it, so it is basically in perfect condition apart from this issue, therefore I would not like to throw it away. Google says that this is a malfunction that does occur sometimes, caused by a hardware issue with the flash memory, and that it cannot be fixed. I wonder if it wouldn't be possible to: 1. Buy a new memory chip and replace the old one - I opened the device, the memory chip is SDIN7DP2-4G. There are some chips like that available on AliExpress. This would of course require some soldering, which I'm not able to do, but I could pay someone to do it for me. I do wonder about some issues here though: - does the chip have to be exactly the same make and model, or is eMMC standardized enough so that any chip would do? - would the reader even boot with a new empty memory chip installed, or does it need some bootloader data to be loaded on it beforehand? 2. Buy a used Kindle Voyage (preferably with a damaged screen, as it wold be cheaper) and scavenge its motherboard. This would probably be easier, as it would require no soldering and I could probably do it myself. On the other hand, the device (even damaged) would be more expensive than just the memory chip, and the availability of Kindle Voyages is not that great. What do you guys think? Any suggestions appreciated.

06-06-2022, 10:22 AM	#6
eddie.t.h Addict Posts: 201 Karma: 123456 Join Date: Jan 2018 Device: Too Much Kindle :-)	Yes, if registration is not important to you and you do not use your Amazon account to purchase or transfer books to the reader, you can use the reader normally. p.s. If you don't mind shipping to Poland, I could fix your reader for you. Send me a private message if you are interested. Last edited by eddie.t.h; 06-06-2022 at 12:01 PM.

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06-05-2022, 09:51 AM	#2
eddie.t.h Addict Posts: 201 Karma: 123456 Join Date: Jan 2018 Device: Too Much Kindle :-)	If you are not able to solder bga yourself, probably the option with the replacement of the motherboard will be better. Even if it turns out to be blocked by Amazon, you will replace the serial numbers from your reader.

06-05-2022, 04:14 PM	#3
ledres Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2022 Device: Kindle Voyage	Thanks for your answer. Yeah, looking at the other post about memory replacement (https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=271750), this seems like a lot of trouble. If I understand correctly, besides soldering the memory chip, I'd also have to solder connections to serial pins on the Voyage's motherboard... Could you please expand on the second part of your answer though? You say "even if it turns out to be blocked by Amazon" - what could possibly be blocked by them? The new motherboard? Why would that be, and is it possible to check for that in advance? And what exactly do you mean with "you'll replace the serial numbers from your reader"? Sorry for the newb questions, till now I was just a normie ebook consumer

06-06-2022, 04:31 AM	#4
eddie.t.h Addict Posts: 201 Karma: 123456 Join Date: Jan 2018 Device: Too Much Kindle :-)	I suspect that you will not buy a new motherboard only a used one. It may be on Amazon's so-called blacklist. This means that you will not be able to register such a reader in your account. It is possible to replace serial numbers with those from your reader, which in total you would have to do by mounting a new memory. Connecting to a serial port will be necessary in this case.

06-06-2022, 10:04 AM	#5
ledres Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2022 Device: Kindle Voyage	I see. I'll probably just look for a used reader, as they're more common than separate motherboards. I hope it won't be blacklisted, but even if it is, I can still use it without registering it to my account, right? I mean just loading books via USB etc.

06-06-2022, 12:33 PM	#7
ledres Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2022 Device: Kindle Voyage	Of course I don't mind shipping to Poland, especially since I AM in Poland I'll PM you.

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