Kindle 2 Hacks

The Kindle 2 was released in early 2009 and is one of many e-ink based readers. The e-ink technology is currently only capable of displaying grey-scale representation of media.

Kindle 2 is based on a ARM6 processor and is running Linux with a Java-based front-end. Wireless connectivity is provided by a cellular network, including roaming for international use of the device.

Tricks

Recovery mode

To enable the recovery mode, reboot and hold the Home-botton when the screen is flashing from black to white.

Connect via USB to a computer and manage the files on the device. Press R to reboot.

Reference:

• Kindle 2 Recovery mode
• Kindle2 Hack List Top 25

Log dump

When a custom package is installed (see below) it has to be removed else a firmware update will exit with an error. Use the commands below to create a log file on the USB-drive with information about the error.

Press HOME and any keyboard key to bring up the search field, enter the following:

;debugOn 
;dumpMessages

Connect via USB to a computer and check the log file.

An example:

ota_install: C def:patch:patchinfo="/opt/amazon/ebook/config/netfront.ini":checksum failure

References:

• Uninstall packages - thread

Force reboot

Sometimes it's not possible to use the menu to reboot the Kindle. Hold the slider for 15 seconds to force a reboot of the device.

Hacks

A note about hacks, firmware updates performs a checksum on vital system files and if one fails the update will halt. Therefore an uninstall package is usually also available together with the main installer.

USB Network

A USB-network makes it possible to send the data traffic over the USB-cable to a computer and further out to the Internet. And also access to the Amazon book store if the Kindle is pre-registered via the cellular network.

Works on Kindle 1, Kindle 2, Kindle 2 International, and Kindle DX.

References:

• USBNetwork package by ebs and jyavenard - thread

Downloads:

• usbnetwork v0.7 - Includes installer and uninstaller
• usbnetwork (for 2.3) v0.9 - Includes installer and uninstaller
• usbnetwork (for 2.3) v0.10 - Includes installer and uninstaller

Savory Document Processor

This background daemon will automatically convert any pdf, rtf, file into mobi format that the Kindle can display.

Screensaver Hack

This changes the default screensaver and makes it possible to display a custom PNG image.

Install the package and put the images into the new /system/screen_saver/ directory.

Downloads:

• Kindle2 Screen Saver Hack v0.3
• Kindle2 Screen Saver Hack v0.4
• KindleDX Screen Saver Hack v0.4

References:

• Kindle DX Screen Saver Hack v0.1

Firmwares

Official firmwares:

• Kindle2 v2.3 update - US 2.0, 2.0.1, 2.0.2, 2.0.3, and 2.0.4
• Kindle2 v2.3 update - Global 2.2, 2.2.1, and 2.2.2
• KindleDX v2.3 update

References:

• http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=200226050 Kindle1 1.2 Instructions]
• http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=200324680 Kindle2 2.3 Instructions]