UPDATED for 2.3 ~ K2 Screensaver Hack Instructions as easy as I can get them...

[ldidge]

This what I've done up to when I can not get the Kindle to udate........


First, what operating system do you use?  (Windows XP?  Windows Vista?  Mac/Apple?)  This is important because before you start, you HAVE to make sure that you are able to view your "hidden" files and folders.  I use Windows XP and the way to make sure that I can view hidden stuff is this:

Start

Control Panel

Folder Options

Click "View" tab (at top)

Scroll down the list: where is says "Hidden Files and Folders"     make sure that "Show hidden files and folders" is selected"

Scroll down a bit more and UNcheck the one that says "Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)"

Click OK

This makes sure that you can SEE the folder you need for your screensaver hack.  Unless you restore your computer, you only need to do this step once.

OK, now close out of all that and go on the internet to this address: 

    * (OLD HACK) http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showpost.php?p=400528&postcount=150   ***This will not work with 2.3 Update!  I am leaving it here because you will find the uninstall file here: the "kindle2 screen saver hack-0.4.zip" download.  In this zip you will find the uninstall file for versions prior to 2.3 Here you will find the uninstall file for any version prior to 2.3
    * (NEW HACK) Here is the link to find the hack for version 2.3: Kindle Hacks page  Choose Screensaver hack. Once you unzip, BE SURE TO CHOOSE CORRECT FILE to continue on with these instrucitons. There are 6 files and a readme.  K2, K2i and DX install files, K2, K2i and DX UNinstall files. 


I download this to my desktop for easy finding.

Open the download when done.

On Windows XP, you have to unzip it and extract the files.

Find the file for your Kindle (K2, K2i or DX .bin file) and right click then select copy.

Now, onto business!!!

Hook up Kindle to computer via USB cable.

In My Computer, double click on your kindle to open it.  After opening Kindle, right click and paste your Kindle version .bin file here.  This is the "root file" (Don’t create any folders or put it in an of the folders. The root file is the one that contains the documents, music, and Audible folders)

Unhook Kindle from computer

On Kindle go to home>menu>settings>menu>Update your Kindle and wait for update to complete.  (It takes a minute)

My  kindle doesn't do the update, can't even choose it, it's in gray, not black.

[NogDog]

So, after you copy the hack file to your Kindle, when viewing the Kindle on your PC, you should see the file in the top-level directory something like this. If it's not there, then there will be nothing detected by the Kindle to indicate that there is an update to be run. If it is there but you are not getting that option enabled, then I would suspect something is wrong with the Kindle.



PS: I believe that the Kindle OS is Linux, which is case-sensitive with regard to file names, so make sure that the file name ends in a lower-case ".bin".

[geoffthomas]

On your computer, when you connect to the Kindle, you may need to modify the Kindle folder properties to "show hidden files". In Windoze 7, with the Kindle connected, at the Kindle navigation window, click the Organize -> Folder and Search Options menu option. In the "View" tab, select the "Show hidden files, folders and drives" radio button. Other version of Windoze will be essentially the same, though the exact menu option names may have been changed to make life difficult for us. 

Nog,
I run Vista Ultimate (like it a lot).
Explorer-Toos-Folder Options-View.
There is a show hidden files and folders check-off and a Hide Protected System Operating Files check-off.
You need both.

Did it.
Works.
Thanks.

[lovesangelrn]

Initially, I was afraid to install the screensaver hack because I was afraid I would mess up my new baby, or void the warranty should my kindle develop any problems down the road.  Thanks to kindleboards and reviews by many people concerning the hack, my fears were put to rest and I downloaded the hack today.  I had absolutely no problems thanks to the step-by-step instuctions on the first page of this thread.  Thanks so much.....now back to looking at all the screensaver pics on other threads

[911jason]

Now that you've taken the screensaver hack first step, might I recommend you look into the font hack? It's the single best thing I've done for my Kindle... (I used Georgia 2)

[908tracy]

Was hoping to find an update from Ididge.....that is exactly what happened to me last night when I tried the screensaver hack. =( That darn link is gray for me too. (update) I think I clicked on restart after (by accident) and when it did it said update was unsuccessful and to call customer service. YIKES! Everything seems okay with it though and those darn old dead authors are still lurking inside

[NogDog]

Was hoping to find an update from Ididge.....that is exactly what happened to me last night when I tried the screensaver hack. =( That darn link is gray for me too. (update) I think I clicked on restart after (by accident) and when it did it said update was unsuccessful and to call customer service. YIKES! Everything seems okay with it though and those darn old dead authors are still lurking inside

Make sure you're using the correct update file for your Kindle if it's a Kindle 2: US or International. I believe all new K2's are now "International" (global wireless).

[908tracy]

You are one smart man NogDog! Was coming back to update hoping it might help OP. I was using just the k2 hack, when in fact I needed the k2i. Worked like a charm! Thanks! (now the only problem is that some of the ss I've copied from here only show up as thumbnails)

[geoffthomas]

Yeah I got the thumbnails on some also.
Some of the posts here include only thumbnails, so if you drag and drop from the thread to your folder - thumbnail.
You have to double click on the thumbnail in the thread, so that it links you to the full-sized image.
Then drag that image to the folder and voila - you have a good screen saver.
It took me a couple times to get it right.
Just sayin.....

[908tracy]

Wonderful! Thanks Geoff! BTW, the ss you made for me looks amazing!!!! =)

[geoffthomas]

That is probably Geoffrey that did it.

I was wondering when someone would mix our names up.

No harm/No foul.

Was glad to help with this issue, though.

Just sayin.....

[908tracy]

Oops! Leave it to me to be the first to mess yous up! =P Sorry! Thank you for your help with these thumbnails issue.

[geoffthomas]

You are most welcome.
And we are a terrific group here and truly enjoy each other's company.
So it is a compliment to be confused with anyone here at KB.

[brandydandy]

Quick question, my DH did the hack for me, and was going to save the old images in a folder, but somehow he placed them in the recycle bin, and Vista deleted them??  Anyway if I ever need to remove the hack with the old images be there?  Did I just mess up my Kindle?

[NogDog]

Quick question, my DH did the hack for me, and was going to save the old images in a folder, but somehow he placed them in the recycle bin, and Vista deleted them??  Anyway if I ever need to remove the hack with the old images be there?  Did I just mess up my Kindle?

I don't think that actually deleted the original images; rather, they were copied by the hack into that screensaver folder. (I'm not 100% positive about that, but somewhere in the 90's. )

[bobthehamster]

Very cool! Thanks for the excellent instructions.

[Shara]

  I am trying to add the hacks and am getting the 'grayed out' update kindle option.  I have a K2 (refurb), so not sure if the 'international' download is the answer.  I have tried both.  The folder is showing up at E:, I have unzipped (i think) with PeaZip and put the folder on my desktop.  I know I'm missing one key step but I can't figure it out.  I am running windows XP.   

[Granvillen]

Followed the instructions, but the new screen savers do not appear when I continually slide the switch back and forth.  However, the new screen savers are in the screen saver folder when I connect the Kindle to the computer.  Any suggestions, Thanks

[NogDog]

Followed the instructions, but the new screen savers do not appear when I continually slide the switch back and forth.  However, the new screen savers are in the screen saver folder when I connect the Kindle to the computer.  Any suggestions, Thanks

You need to do a Menu -> Settings -> Menu -> Restart any time you change the contents of the screensaver folder in order for them to take effect.

[Granvillen]

I have done the settings, restart upwards to 6 times.  I am going to delete the new ones and reinstall.  Maybe that will work

[Granvillen]

I deleted the new screen savers, re-copied them into the screen saver folder and restarted and they are there.  Whatever, it worked.  Thanks

[segsurfer]

Forgive me if this has already been asked, but does the hack void the warranty?
-segsurfer

[pidgeon92]

Forgive me if this has already been asked, but does the hack void the warranty?

No.

[NogDog]

Forgive me if this has already been asked, but does the hack void the warranty?
-segsurfer

No.

No, as in you do not forgive Segsurfer, or as in it does not void the warranty?

(Just kidding, I'm pretty sure Pidgeon92 meant the latter.)

[Ann in Arlington]

Amazon has unofficially said that adding the custom sleep pictures or custom fonts will not void the warranty.  However, it might be technically against terms of service.

I've never heard of anyone to whom Amazon has given any grief about it when returning a damaged device, nor have they ever refused to replace a device that's gone bad on account if it having had the sleep picture or font add-ons.