ebayed iliad arrived - need help

maynard · 04-22-2009, 07:11 PM

So the unit arrived sans a power adapter (though the ebay seller offered one in the sale). It seems stuck at a screen that says "Download History" and then under that: "etc" and "tmp". Attempts to power the unit on have failed. I've tried to reset it on the back to no luck.

Some questions:

Is it normal for a powered down device to display anything on the screen?

How do I connect this thing via USB? It doesn't appear to use a standard USB or miniUSB connector.

Is there any way for me to verify that this is the real unit and not a scam without being able to power up the unit?

Thanks for any advice offered,
--M

drew00149 · 04-22-2009, 07:28 PM

The power brick is what has the dongle that connects to the device. You then hook up a standard USB cable to the power brick.

This is someones ebay listing but you can see how it works.

Are you saying that the auction was supposed to include the power brick and didn't include it?

Also I don't know if the iLiad shuts down automatically when the power is low (my iLiad hopefully arrives tomorrow) but my 505 has died with a fixed image on the screen.

wallcraft · 04-22-2009, 07:32 PM

See Chargers and Travel Hubs, note that eReader Outfitters is in the US or buy from iRex here. The Travel Hub connects to the iLiad via the flat socket in the bottom of the device and provide powers, USB and Ethernet. The Charger connects to the Travel Hub to provide power.

It is normal for an EInk screen to retain its image without power.

To check that it is a supported device, see iLiads on eBay are not always the official version.

maynard · 04-22-2009, 07:35 PM

I received the unit, a leather carrying case, a stylus, and a 16GB card. The unit shows no activity when I attempt to power it on, nor when I hit the reset button in the back. I'm pretty sure it's a depleted battery, but there's no way to test that without a power adapter. And I can see that it uses a nonstandard connector to the device.

Yes, the ebay sale listed a power adapter as part of the sale. It did not arrive in the box. Depending on what the seller does, I may want to try to find someone in the Boston area with an iLiad who would let me power the unit up for a test before I attempt to buy a power adapter.

Thanks for your reply and photograph. Most helpful.

maynard · 04-22-2009, 07:39 PM

Wallcraft: Looks like I may have been burned. The model number on the back of my unit is: 01-0100-002-000-000.

EDIT: Good news, this thread says that my model number is for a V1 edition of the iLiad:

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44047

drew00149 · 04-22-2009, 07:59 PM

LOL you stole that iLiad from me. I raised it to 380 at the last like 30secs but then you outbid me and I was like well I don't want it that much.

Well anyway maybe he left it out of the package...

maynard · 04-22-2009, 08:08 PM

Yup. Sorry about that Drew. But you're absolutely right, that's the exact sale. And if it works and the seller ships a power adapter it would have been a reasonable price -especially with the 16GB card. But if it doesn't work, boy will I feel burned. I haven't bought from ebay in a long time. Perhaps I should have just paid retail.

drew00149 · 04-22-2009, 08:13 PM

Well I picked up one for the same day for $350 but then I had to buy a m-edge case for $40 and it has no CF card - so you did get a good deal.

If the dude just left it out he might ship it to you - if not either request a partial refund equivalent to the purchase of a new adapter or return it.

I hope the best for you.

maynard · 04-23-2009, 07:59 AM

The seller doesn't have a working charger after all. However, he is willing to pay for one if I submit an invoice (meaning I have to buy it and request reimbursement). Lovely. I take all the risk, since I don't know if the unit even works. However, it is nice that he has taken responsibility for listing an item that he didn't have on-hand.

One strange thing: the ereaderoutfitters.com website won't let me add the charger and travel hub to a shopping cart. Though it does let me add other items in the store. Think I'm going to have to call the company and try to buy over the phone.

Shaggy · 04-23-2009, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maynard

So the unit arrived sans a power adapter (though the ebay seller offered one in the sale). It seems stuck at a screen that says "Download History" and then under that: "etc" and "tmp". Attempts to power the unit on have failed. I've tried to reset it on the back to no luck.

It probably ran out of power on that screen, and it won't refresh until you can charge it and start it up.

Quote:

Some questions:

Is it normal for a powered down device to display anything on the screen?

If the power fails while it was on, yes. EInk does not need power to keep content on the screen. If power dies, then whatever was on the screen last will stay there. That's probably what's happened in your case.

Normally when you "turn off" the device, it will blank the screen before it shuts down. That's to help make it less confusing, so that you know the device has been turned off.

Quote:

How do I connect this thing via USB? It doesn't appear to use a standard USB or miniUSB connector.

The power adapter that you're missing connects to that "weird" plug on the bottom of the iLiad. The adapter has three plugs on it, one for power, one for USB, and one for ethernet. Getting the adapter will fix both your power and USB problem.

You should be able to order a new power adapter from iRex (or one of their distributors, like eReader Outfitters in the US). Either that or try and follow up with the Ebay seller to see why it wasn't included. Maybe they just forgot to put it in the box?

Shaggy · 04-23-2009, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drew00149

Also I don't know if the iLiad shuts down automatically when the power is low (my iLiad hopefully arrives tomorrow) but my 505 has died with a fixed image on the screen.

It usually does, but not always. Sometimes the calibration can get off a little bit and it'll run out of power slightly before the iLiad thinks it's going to run out. That will cause it to just die with a fixed image. Normally it'll pop up a screen warning you that your power is getting low, and then (I think) automatically shutdown (which blanks the screen) if you ignore it long enough. It's been a long time (and probably a couple firmware updates) since the last time I deliberately let it run out, so I'm not 100% what the current behavior is.

maynard · 04-23-2009, 04:13 PM

The seller has agreed to pay for a new power adapter and travel hub. I've bought them from ereader outfitters and expect delivery in the next few days. I'll keep the list updated on progress with the iLiad once I have a charger to perform the test with.

Shaggy · 04-23-2009, 04:17 PM

Hopefully everything will work out. The biggest concern I would have with an iLiad from Ebay is that the screen is not broken. If that were the case though, it would be very obvious. There would be all sorts of weird lines running through it, and making it nearly impossible to read. Since you mentioned that the screen has data on it, but didn't say anything about it looking funny, I assume it's alright.

drew00149 · 04-23-2009, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maynard

The seller has agreed to pay for a new power adapter and travel hub. I've bought them from ereader outfitters and expect delivery in the next few days. I'll keep the list updated on progress with the iLiad once I have a charger to perform the test with.

Hopefully I'll get my iLiad by then... We're like new used v1 iLiad buddies.

maynard · 04-24-2009, 03:27 PM

The seller just paid me back for the charger and travel hub ordered from ereaderoutfitters. I have to admit, I honestly wasn't sure the seller would be this honest. But if the unit works I'll have to give accolades in the ebay feedback to the effect that the seller did everything possible to make this sale work.

That's a pretty damn cool thing to do.

04-22-2009, 07:11 PM	#1
maynard Connoisseur Posts: 78 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2009 Device: iPhone, PRS-505, iLiad, Entourage Edge	ebayed iliad arrived - need help So the unit arrived sans a power adapter (though the ebay seller offered one in the sale). It seems stuck at a screen that says "Download History" and then under that: "etc" and "tmp". Attempts to power the unit on have failed. I've tried to reset it on the back to no luck. Some questions: Is it normal for a powered down device to display anything on the screen? How do I connect this thing via USB? It doesn't appear to use a standard USB or miniUSB connector. Is there any way for me to verify that this is the real unit and not a scam without being able to power up the unit? Thanks for any advice offered, --M

04-22-2009, 07:39 PM	#5
maynard Connoisseur Posts: 78 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2009 Device: iPhone, PRS-505, iLiad, Entourage Edge	Wallcraft: Looks like I may have been burned. The model number on the back of my unit is: 01-0100-002-000-000. EDIT: Good news, this thread says that my model number is for a V1 edition of the iLiad: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44047 Last edited by maynard; 04-22-2009 at 07:55 PM.

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04-22-2009, 07:28 PM	#2
drew00149 Connoisseur Posts: 52 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Florida Device: PRS-505, iRex iLiad, HTC Kaiser	The power brick is what has the dongle that connects to the device. You then hook up a standard USB cable to the power brick. This is someones ebay listing but you can see how it works. Are you saying that the auction was supposed to include the power brick and didn't include it? Also I don't know if the iLiad shuts down automatically when the power is low (my iLiad hopefully arrives tomorrow) but my 505 has died with a fixed image on the screen.

04-22-2009, 07:32 PM	#3
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,977 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	See Chargers and Travel Hubs, note that eReader Outfitters is in the US or buy from iRex here. The Travel Hub connects to the iLiad via the flat socket in the bottom of the device and provide powers, USB and Ethernet. The Charger connects to the Travel Hub to provide power. It is normal for an EInk screen to retain its image without power. To check that it is a supported device, see iLiads on eBay are not always the official version.

04-22-2009, 07:35 PM	#4
maynard Connoisseur Posts: 78 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2009 Device: iPhone, PRS-505, iLiad, Entourage Edge	I received the unit, a leather carrying case, a stylus, and a 16GB card. The unit shows no activity when I attempt to power it on, nor when I hit the reset button in the back. I'm pretty sure it's a depleted battery, but there's no way to test that without a power adapter. And I can see that it uses a nonstandard connector to the device. Yes, the ebay sale listed a power adapter as part of the sale. It did not arrive in the box. Depending on what the seller does, I may want to try to find someone in the Boston area with an iLiad who would let me power the unit up for a test before I attempt to buy a power adapter. Thanks for your reply and photograph. Most helpful.

04-22-2009, 07:59 PM	#6
drew00149 Connoisseur Posts: 52 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Florida Device: PRS-505, iRex iLiad, HTC Kaiser	LOL you stole that iLiad from me. I raised it to 380 at the last like 30secs but then you outbid me and I was like well I don't want it that much. Well anyway maybe he left it out of the package...

04-22-2009, 08:08 PM	#7
maynard Connoisseur Posts: 78 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2009 Device: iPhone, PRS-505, iLiad, Entourage Edge	Yup. Sorry about that Drew. But you're absolutely right, that's the exact sale. And if it works and the seller ships a power adapter it would have been a reasonable price -especially with the 16GB card. But if it doesn't work, boy will I feel burned. I haven't bought from ebay in a long time. Perhaps I should have just paid retail.

04-22-2009, 08:13 PM	#8
drew00149 Connoisseur Posts: 52 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Florida Device: PRS-505, iRex iLiad, HTC Kaiser	Well I picked up one for the same day for $350 but then I had to buy a m-edge case for $40 and it has no CF card - so you did get a good deal. If the dude just left it out he might ship it to you - if not either request a partial refund equivalent to the purchase of a new adapter or return it. I hope the best for you.

04-23-2009, 07:59 AM	#9
maynard Connoisseur Posts: 78 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2009 Device: iPhone, PRS-505, iLiad, Entourage Edge	The seller doesn't have a working charger after all. However, he is willing to pay for one if I submit an invoice (meaning I have to buy it and request reimbursement). Lovely. I take all the risk, since I don't know if the unit even works. However, it is nice that he has taken responsibility for listing an item that he didn't have on-hand. One strange thing: the ereaderoutfitters.com website won't let me add the charger and travel hub to a shopping cart. Though it does let me add other items in the store. Think I'm going to have to call the company and try to buy over the phone.

04-23-2009, 04:13 PM	#12
maynard Connoisseur Posts: 78 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2009 Device: iPhone, PRS-505, iLiad, Entourage Edge	The seller has agreed to pay for a new power adapter and travel hub. I've bought them from ereader outfitters and expect delivery in the next few days. I'll keep the list updated on progress with the iLiad once I have a charger to perform the test with.

04-23-2009, 04:17 PM	#13
Shaggy Wizard Posts: 4,293 Karma: 529619 Join Date: May 2007 Device: iRex iLiad, DR800SG	Hopefully everything will work out. The biggest concern I would have with an iLiad from Ebay is that the screen is not broken. If that were the case though, it would be very obvious. There would be all sorts of weird lines running through it, and making it nearly impossible to read. Since you mentioned that the screen has data on it, but didn't say anything about it looking funny, I assume it's alright.

04-24-2009, 03:27 PM	#15
maynard Connoisseur Posts: 78 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2009 Device: iPhone, PRS-505, iLiad, Entourage Edge	The seller just paid me back for the charger and travel hub ordered from ereaderoutfitters. I have to admit, I honestly wasn't sure the seller would be this honest. But if the unit works I'll have to give accolades in the ebay feedback to the effect that the seller did everything possible to make this sale work. That's a pretty damn cool thing to do.

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