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#1 |
Banned
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Karma: 348455
Join Date: Oct 2015
Device: paperwhite pw2
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Serial Jailbreaking your fw >= 5.6.x Kindle for Dummies
This is how you jailbreak a Paperwhite or Voyage using windows software. Good luck, fellow kindlers!
These instructions were created on a Paperwhite 2. Physical differences aside, they will work on any kindle that:
A link to a Linux version of this can be found here. Like most things in life, this guide is probably full of mistakes. If you find any, please let me know so I can fix them. Part 1: Get what you need! 1. Your kindle! And its serial #. Write that down. (apparently you should hide your serial #. So i've hidden part of mine. Come @ me, haxors!) 2. USB -> Serial converter board. This is what most people use: Jim's Board because it's cheap & does the job. You want to specifically order option #3. This is necessary because your kindle uses 1.8v signals and if you use 3.3v or 5.0v, you can blow up your chips. 3. Two USB cables to connect to your Windows computer We are lazy, so it will be most convenient to be able to hook up the kindle + the serial converter board at the same time. If you are not using windows, then you are probably some ultra-smart linux pro who doesn't need a dummies guide anyways. 4. usb converter drivers Download and install the correct drivers from the ftdichip website. These are what will allow your computer to talk to the serial converter board. 5. Soldering iron, conductive glue, wires, clips, pins, magnifier, etc. Whatever you need to connect wires to tiny metal spots on the computer board. It's a delicate operation. 6. Small screwdrivers, thin knives, and some tupperware Whatever you need to break apart your kindle & get at the tasty goodness inside. The containers are essential to hold your parts so they don't get lost! 7. Python software Get python here. Install on your machine. I used version 3.5.0, but other versions should work fine. Don't worry, we're not going to write complex code! 8. PuTTy software Download PuTTy here.. This is the program that lets your computer talk to the kindle over the serial port. You don't need to install it; it just runs. 9. Mobileread Softwares Download and unzip all these awesome packages provided by Mobileread smartguys. Keep them handy, we'll come to them later.
Last edited by HarryT; 01-21-2018 at 07:17 AM. |
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#2 |
Banned
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Karma: 348455
Join Date: Oct 2015
Device: paperwhite pw2
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Part 2: The Physical Setup
Part 2: The Physical Setup
Voyage users: stupidhaiku has supplemental pictures & instructions to help you! Read his first post and his second post 1. Crack open the Kindle Peel off the front cover. It's held down with glue or tape. I prefer to heat it up with a hairdryer to soften the glue, and then I stick an exacto knife into the seam near the corner to start prying it up. In case you want more help, here is a blog from MaCXyLo with more detailed teardown instructions 2. Remove the screws There are 11 screws. The one in the middle is hidden underneath adhesive tape- don't miss it! Tiny screws are like children! They love to play hide & seek! So make sure you put them immediately into your previously-obtained plastic container so have no chance to escape your merciless screwdriver. 3. Remove the battery a. Pry the silver frame (which holds the screen) out of the black back cover. b. Flip it over and put it onto a tupperware lid so you don't get crumbs on the adhesive on the front. c. Remove the 3 screws holding the battery and pull out the battery. Put them all in your container'o'screw-storage for safekeeping. Play safe! It's dangerous to wield a soldering iron near lithium & live current 4. Unhook cables 1st cable: You don't want your delicate fragile cables getting in the way of mean mr. soldering iron
5. Connect the USB converter board! Use your soldering tools to do this work. You need to make these 4 connections: Code:
Converter Kindle Board On Diagram V TP1706 Blue Arrow GND (Any Ground) Purple Arrows RX Left Serial Red Arrow TX Center Serial Green Arrow Here is a close-up of my own soldering adventure: 6. Reconnect screen and battery Your kindle needs powah...! Reconnect:
I have taped my USB board to the frame because my soldering skills are weak and I didn't want to risk pulling things loose as I moved it around. BONUS: These other kindlers show off some great ideas on how to connect your serial port:
Last edited by grant2; 06-29-2017 at 10:24 PM. |
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#3 |
Banned
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Karma: 348455
Join Date: Oct 2015
Device: paperwhite pw2
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Part 3: Windows Computer Setup
Part 3: Windows Computer Setup
1. Get your Kindle's password Python can magically turn your serial number into your kindle's password. We will need the password to do tricky things with it. Open a command prompt Run "Python" and execute these commands: import hashlib print("fiona%s"%hashlib.md5("<your kindle serial number with no spaces and all capital letters>\n".encode('utf-8')).hexdigest()[13:16]) What pops out is your root password! "fionaxxx" Hint: If you cannot run python it means you did not install it properly 2. Set up your COM port Now we need configure your computer to talk to the USB converter board. Plug board into your computer. Open "Device Manager" and find the "USB Serial Port (COM3)" item which is now available Hint: If this device isn't showing in windows, it means you didn't install the drivers correctly! Right-click the item and edit its properties Click "Port Settings" and set everything like below: 3. Set up PuTTy Putty is the program that will talk to your kindle. Open the program, create, and save a new connection with these settings: - Connection Type = "Serial" - Serial line = "COM3" or whatever COM # this shows up as in device manager - Speed = "115200" Navigate to "Connection" -> "Serial" and set up the options to match what you set up in device manager Save the session again (sometimes putty forgets stuff...) and then open the session: A new blank, black window will appear. This is the window which lets us talk to the kindle. |
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#4 |
Banned
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Karma: 348455
Join Date: Oct 2015
Device: paperwhite pw2
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Part 4: Hackery stuff
Part 4: Hackery stuff
This is the most confusing part of the whole jailbreak process. Don't fret! There's lots of pictures so even someone as slow as me can get through things. 1. Get into the diagnostics boot Turn on your kindle, and watch the blank putty window you have open. As soon as text starts appearing in the window, begin tapping keys on your keyboard. Text will keep scrolling until the boot is interrupted Hint: If you you miss the chance to interrupt, and your kindle starts normally, you can "restart" your kindle from its menus and try again Once the booting is interrupted, the screen will say "uboot >", type this command: bootm 0xE41000 This makes the kindle boot to "diagnostics", which is a place where we can unlock access to the main kindle stuff. When the diags menu displays, type "d" On the next menu type "l" ("L") finally, type "q" Enter these login credentials: kindle login: root password: <the password you got from running python, e.g. fionaxxx> Hint: the password won't show on the screen while you are typing it Hint: If the password isn't working, you probably copied down your serial # incorrectly. You can cut & paste the serial number from your putty window into the python command and run it again to get the correct password. you are now logged in! 2. Edit the password file vi is a funny little program that edits text files. Linux users prefer to use confusing programs so they can keep dummies like us out of their way... but in this case I'll show you how to sneak through Run these 3 commands to edit the password file: Code:
mkdir /tmp/main mount /dev/mmcblk0p1 /tmp/main vi /tmp/main/etc/passwd The Vi program will load and put the password file on the screen Use the arrow keys to move the cursor over the "x" (it might be a "!" instead) which is right after "root:". Press "x" to delete the x Hint: The "delete" key doesn't actually delete characters in this program. Just roll with it. The file now looks like this Removing the "x" is telling the system that the main root account doesn't need a password. Type ":w" to save the file & exit the editor The text editor will close, but the file will still appear on the screen. Don't be afraid of that, it's ok. Type "reboot" to restart the kindle 3. Run the jailbreak Now we get to the meat of the matter! Let's make it rain! Wait for your kindle to finish booting. It will appear as a storage device on your computer. Copy all of the files from the jailbreak .ZIP to the base directory on the kindle "Eject" the kindle from your computer and unplug it. Warning: Leave the USB serial converter plugged in! In your putty window, press "Enter" This will display the login prompt Type root to log in Type these 2 commands: Code:
cd /mnt/us sh jb.sh The jailbreak will do its business Hint: If you are watching the screen, you will see the word "**** JAILBREAK ****" appear at the bottom When the PuTTy screen has stopped scrolling, reboot your kindle again: Wait for the kindle to finish rebooting Plug your kindle into the computer and look at the Kindle storage in windows You will see new directories have been made by the jailbreaking 4. Protect your jailbreak Amazon is sneaky, even sneakier than those tiny little screws which will try to escape your tupperware! If we are not careful, they will secretly upload new software to your kindle and ruin everything! Hint: Keep your kindle in "airplane mode" all the time. This keeps your precious device safe from Amazon poking at it. BUT: If you must connect to the internet (e.g., to register your device) We will also set up a little protection to make sure no updates are snuck in under your nose On your kindle create a new directory called: "update.bin.tmp.partial" This directory will confuse silly Amazon and stop them from uploading any software Congratulations! You are now Jailbroken!
At this point you can remove the USB Serial Connector & put your Kindle back together Or you can leave it until you have installed some tools to confirm everything is working right Last edited by grant2; 11-15-2015 at 06:08 PM. |
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#5 |
Banned
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Karma: 348455
Join Date: Oct 2015
Device: paperwhite pw2
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Part 5: Install some goodies
Part 5: Install some goodies
We will put some basics onto your kindle now that it's been uncaged 1. Install KUAL KUAL provides a GUI to manage other programs on your kindle Copy the "azw2" file from the KUAL zip to the "Documents" directory of your kindle Eject the kindle from your computer "Restart" your kindle from the screen menu When your kindle is restarted, you will see the "Kindle Launcher" is now available 2. Install KUAL Helper This helps KUAL be better than ever. (I think it lets your goodies appear in the KUAL menus) Connect your kindle to your computer Copy the "Helper" directory from the KUAL Helper zip into the "Extensions" directory on your kindle Eject the kindle from your computer "Restart" your kindle from the screen menu Hint: I am not certain that ejecting & restarting the kindle is necessary, but I do it anyways 3. Install KUAL MRInstaller This is an add-on for KUAL that allows add-on packages to be installed very easily. I think it needs KUAL helper which is why we are doing it 3rd Copy the 2 directories from the MRInstaller zip to the root of your kindle. This means a new directory called "MRInstaller" will be created inside extensions, and another directory called "mrpackages" will be created in the root" 4. Install Screensaver hack This will let you change which screensavers appear when your kindle is sleeping. Perfect to show your spouse, children, pets, or cars that they super special to you! Copy the .bin file from the Screensaver Hack .ZIP to the "mrpackages" directory on your kindle Eject the kindle & unplug it Open the "Kindle Launcher" (KUAL) book on your kindle Select "Helper+" menu option Select "Install MR Packages" menu option The MR Installer program will do some stuff and will tell you when it's done Reconnect the Kindle to your computer Upload the pictures you want to be your screensavers into the "\linkss\screensavers" directory on your kindle Hint: On the Paperwhite 2, the pictures should be '.png' format, 758x1024 size, in greyscale Hint: You can use a website like resize.it to convert your pictures to the best kindle format. Hint: You can upload any filenames you want, but the hack will automatically rename your pictures when you reboot. Eject and restart your kindle When your kindle restarts, press the power button to activate your screensaver Congratulations! You used a hack only available to jailbroken kindles!
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#6 |
Banned
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Karma: 348455
Join Date: Oct 2015
Device: paperwhite pw2
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Part 6: Credits
Part 6: Credits
These threads helped me a lot: noismaster - https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=3137590 raz572 - https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=257646 volkaoth - https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3029470 dennish - https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=267474 hondamarlboro - https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=247480 Special thanks to these users for giving so much advice & support in these forums: KNC1, NiLuJe, twobob, and all the other developers who write awesome tools for us to use. |
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#7 |
Addict
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Device: Kobo Libra 2, Forma and Aura One; Kindle Voyage; Galaxy Note 10
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What a great and clear tutorial! Thank you so much -- it tempts me to get a Kindle Voyage and give it a go. One piece of clarification -- in the "edit password" section, I presume those are 3 separate commands to run in sequence? And are there some spaces in the entries? -- it's a bit hard to tell.
But amazing job (I'm assuming it works!) |
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#8 |
Banned
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Karma: 348455
Join Date: Oct 2015
Device: paperwhite pw2
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roger, i've updated that section to use "code" tags so they're clear. Thanks for the questions!
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#9 |
BLAM!
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Paris, France
Device: Kindle 2i, 3g, 4, 5w, PW, PW2, PW5; Kobo H2O, Forma, Elipsa, Sage, C2E
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As I mentioned in DennisH's thread, you can use KindleTool for the password, and the latest JB from the snapshots should behave properly from diags.
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#10 |
Going Viral
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Karma: 18210809
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Central Texas
Device: No K1, PW2, KV, KOA
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That is a lot of work there.
(And I thought I wrote long posts.) It should probably get an entry in the "Master Index". Also, perhaps one of our moderators will sticky this one in place of the one that is already there. |
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#11 |
Ex-Helpdesk Junkie
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Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity
Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)
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knc1 -- we have several serial jailbreak guides now, so it's difficult to choose which one should be stickied.
![]() ...This one looks pretty good, I think I'll swap them out. ![]() @grant2 -- your serial number (first post, first image) doesn't look hidden to me... Also, nice job! |
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#12 |
Junior Member
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Karma: 10
Join Date: Oct 2015
Device: kindle paperwhite3
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Thank you for sharing,but it is too difficult for me
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#13 |
Enthusiast
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Karma: 10
Join Date: Oct 2015
Device: Kindle pw2, NST
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Awesome guide!
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#14 | |
Going Viral
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Karma: 18210809
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Central Texas
Device: No K1, PW2, KV, KOA
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Quote:
I am not sure when I'll be able to find the time myself - - So if anyone wants to beat me to it ... (its a wiki, anyone can edit it) |
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#15 |
Addict
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Central US
Device: k1 - KAO2, ipads, h2o, KA1, inkBOOK, T80s, Mars, Nova Pro
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This is wonderful! Can we assume it will work the same for a Voyage with 5.6.5?
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serial jailbreak |
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Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
How much would people pay for easy serial jailbreaking their paperwhite? | coplate | Kindle Developer's Corner | 3 | 02-21-2018 12:45 PM |
Serial Jailbreaking FW >= 5.6.1.1 | knc1 | Kindle Developer's Corner | 6 | 08-14-2017 08:38 AM |
Need help jailbreaking this kindle that i have | wizo | Kindle Developer's Corner | 5 | 11-15-2012 07:50 AM |
Free (Kindle) A Little Bit of Everything For Dummies | arcadata | Deals and Resources (No Self-Promotion or Affiliate Links) | 1 | 11-23-2011 10:51 AM |
Which Kindle do I need for jailbreaking? | chas0039 | Kindle Developer's Corner | 6 | 11-10-2010 10:04 PM |