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

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.

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]