UPDATED for 2.3 ~ K2 Font Hack Instructions As Easy As I can Get Them.....

[KindleKay (aka #1652)]

OK...my knowledge of the font hack is that you must install one individually and only the "newest" install works.  In other words, use the install...try it...use another install....etc etc until you find one that you like.  I installed the Hevelica 2 and have tried only that.  My experience is that it is WAY easy and I am sure that the uninstall will be equally as easy when I decide to try another font.

Does that make sense?

OK, so now we will walk through the install of a font.    

If you have tried my Screensaver Hack instructions, you will be familiar with the first few steps, as it is necessary to be able to see the "hidden" system folders....read on:

Don't read through and let it overwhelm you.  Just go step by step.  It really is easy!

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 font 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 LINK/HACK)https://sites.google.com/a/etccreations.com/kdesignworks/Home/font-install-files The uninstall files are found in here as well.
• (NEW LINK/HACK for 2.3)  Kindle Hacks page Choose the font that you would like to use, download it and then unzip it.  At this point be sure to choose the correct file for the Kindle you have!!  There is one file for K2, one file for K2i, and one file for DX. As well as uninstall files for K2, K2i and DX.  There is also a readme with instructions.
  
  

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Download the font that you want. Unzip it. Be sure to choose the correct file for your Kindle!  I find it easiest to download to your desktop for easy finding.

Now, download is done, go to the file (mine is on my desktop) and right click it and choose "Copy" (**Be sure you are copying the correct file for your type of Kindle: K2, K2i or DX)

OK....now, hook up your Kindle to your computer using the USB cord.

Go into My Computer and click on Kindle to open the "root" folder of the Kindle.

Right here among these folders, right click and choose "paste" to put that .bin file here

Now, remove Kindle from your computer.

On Kindle go to home>menu>settings>menu>Update Your Kindle

Wait for the restart...it does take a minute.

Once it restarts, go to your book you are reading and there you have it!  Your new font!

Easy Peasy  

Now keep in mind, if you don't like it, you can install a new font and the newest one will be the one that Kindle recognizes.

When you are ready to remove ALL the fonts (Because you have settled on your favorite one, perhaps?  Or you are OCD like me and don't want unnecessary files cluttering things up?) you need to FIRST uninstall ALL the fonts by following these steps with the update_uninstall.bin  Once you do that, and restart your Kindle, your Kindle will be back to your original Kindle fonts.  You can then delete all those .bin files in the root folder to clean it up all pretty like.  At this point, you can refollow these instructions with the font you want to use all the time!

I hope that this makes sense....please let me know if it does not or if something about my instructions are awry....

Let me know how it all goes!!!  

[kimmysue]

I am really looking forward to trying this.  I needed this to get brave enough to try it.  I'll let you know how it goes-probably have some time tomorrow.

Kim

[Ann in Arlington]

I have added links to this thread in a new post in the sticky FAQ K2 thread in this forum.  That will keep the thread easy to find. . .without adding more stuff to the top of the board.  If there are too many stickies, folks with small screens have to do a lot of scrolling to find the 'come and go' discussion threads!  This way, the link in the FAQ will always point here, even if it's several pages down.

[Susie Cube]

Thanks so much for posting.  I will give it a try. 

[KindleKay (aka #1652)]

Thank you for the link in the stickie, Ann!  Hopefully it will help someone! 

[Susie Cube]

Just did the hack and it worked great - very easy! Thanks.

[Tana928]

Thanks for these simple instructions.  Heleveta2 is a much better font than the original!

[KindleKay (aka #1652)]

Heleveta2 is what I am using, too!!  I haven't even tried anything else....YET!  Maybe this weekend....?

[corkyb]

does anyone have step by step for a mac?  I have a mac but am not too versed in where to find things.
thanks
Paula ny

[chilady1]

Can I just say THANK GOD for Kindle Boards.  Decided (don't ask me why) to change my font hack.  Probably was just time for something new.  Went in and placed the new font bin on the root directory like last time, but then made the dreaded mistake of using the slider bar not going into MENU and "updating my Kindle".   

Next thing you know my Kindle is flashing and I am breaking out in a cold sweat, watching $$$$ go flying out of the window.  Needless to say, I ran here to KB to find out if anyone had ever experienced this before and not surprisingly someone had and lead me right to a solution.  I gotta tell ya' this board is worth its weight in Gold.  I am happy to report, Kindle is fine, new font looks great and I am going to pour a big stiff drink to calm my nerves and try to stuff my heart back into my chest.  Thanks again Kindle Boards!

[KindleKay (aka #1652)]

Oh, chilady!!  How heart stopping!!! 

Folks, please keep in mind that you CAN'T slide the slider bar once you throw the hack file in...but if you do, DON'T freak!!  You can go to the above link (same one for the different font files) and there is easy to read instructions to help if you do it!  Your Kindle 2 will make it!! 

[chilady1]

KindleKay - what's really got me steamed is I knew not to use the slider bar.  I have used the font hacks several times so you would think I know better.  Just wasn't paying attention.  Thanks for the support, you just don't know where I was mentally about a half hour ago.  All is well.

[KindleKay (aka #1652)]

Ah- I betcha I do!    I have had one of "those" days.....

Sounds like you did, too!

[lynninva]

Thanks, Kindle_Kay!  I finally took the plunge & tried the font hack.  Yes, it was extremely easy.

I added the Georgia2 first, but that didn't feel quite right to me.  So I added the Helvetica2.  I like that one better.  I am going to use it for a couple of days before I try out any of the others.

[chevauchee]

Corkyb, it's actually easier on a Mac. Copying some stuff word for word from Kay, as I don't think I could explain the parts that are the same any more throughly. Kay, let me know if you want me to rephrase.

Mac version

Go on the internet to this address: 
https://sites.google.com/a/etccreations.com/kdesignworks/Home/font-install-files

On this page are all of the install files and the one uninstall file.  There are pictures on this page of the different fonts so you can get a feel for what each of them look like.  Since we are pretending to download the Hevelica 2 install, I am going with that.

Find on this page the update_helvetica2_install.bin and click to download it.  Hit save and put it somewhere you can find it.  I find it easiest to download to your desktop for easy finding.

Now, download is done, go to the file (mine is on my desktop) and hold control while clicking it and choose "Copy"

OK....now, hook up your Kindle to your computer using the USB cord.

Select 'Kindle' from the left bar menu in your finder window.

Control click the main folder window (with Documents and Music folders in it) and select "Paste."

Now, remove Kindle from your computer by ejecting it from finder.

On Kindle go to home>menu>settings>menu>Update Your Kindle

Wait for the restart...it does take a minute.

Once it restarts, go to your book you are reading and there you have it!  Your new font!

[KindleKay (aka #1652)]

All sounds good to me!  I just want to help non-computer people see that it really is pretty easy to do and since I don't have a Mac, anything you can say will help! 

[corkyb]

Corkyb, it's actually easier on a Mac. Copying some stuff word for word from Kay, as I don't think I could explain the parts that are the same any more throughly. Kay, let me know if you want me to rephrase.

Mac version

Thanksso much for taking the time to answer!  I can't wait to try it.
Paula ny

Go on the internet to this address: 
https://sites.google.com/a/etccreations.com/kdesignworks/Home/font-install-files

On this page are all of the install files and the one uninstall file.  There are pictures on this page of the different fonts so you can get a feel for what each of them look like.  Since we are pretending to download the Hevelica 2 install, I am going with that.

Find on this page the update_helvetica2_install.bin and click to download it.  Hit save and put it somewhere you can find it.  I find it easiest to download to your desktop for easy finding.

Now, download is done, go to the file (mine is on my desktop) and hold control while clicking it and choose "Copy"

OK....now, hook up your Kindle to your computer using the USB cord.

Select 'Kindle' from the left bar menu in your finder window.

Control click the main folder window (with Documents and Music folders in it) and select "Paste."

Now, remove Kindle from your computer by ejecting it from finder.

On Kindle go to home>menu>settings>menu>Update Your Kindle

Wait for the restart...it does take a minute.

Once it restarts, go to your book you are reading and there you have it!  Your new font!

[corkyb]

Corkyb, it's actually easier on a Mac. Copying some stuff word for word from Kay, as I don't think I could explain the parts that are the same any more throughly. Kay, let me know if you want me to rephrase.

Mac version



Go on the internet to this address: 
https://sites.google.com/a/etccreations.com/kdesignworks/Home/font-install-files

On this page are all of the install files and the one uninstall file.  There are pictures on this page of the different fonts so you can get a feel for what each of them look like.  Since we are pretending to download the Hevelica 2 install, I am going with that.

Find on this page the update_helvetica2_install.bin and click to download it.  Hit save and put it somewhere you can find it.  I find it easiest to download to your desktop for easy finding.

Now, download is done, go to the file (mine is on my desktop) and hold control while clicking it and choose "Copy"

OK....now, hook up your Kindle to your computer using the USB cord.

Select 'Kindle' from the left bar menu in your finder window.

Control click the main folder window (with Documents and Music folders in it) and select "Paste."

Now, remove Kindle from your computer by ejecting it from finder.

On Kindle go to home>menu>settings>menu>Update Your Kindle

Wait for the restart...it does take a minute.

Once it restarts, go to your book you are reading and there you have it!  Your new font!

OK, thanks for this, but I think I screwed it up.  I got to the paste part but there was no "main" folder to the right of the kindle.  It listed audible, music, documents and system I think.  I somehow pasted it into it's ownfolder.  Went the the menu, settings, etc. and "update my kindle" is grayed out.  what now?  Please help.
thanks
Paula ny

[KindleKay (aka #1652)]

It doesn't need to be in it's own folder.  Just paste it to kindle/[thatfile}

[Deman]

Be very careful using this hack I think I just bricked my new Kindle 2! Installed ComicSans font as per instructions. Didn't like so tried ArialRndNrw. Didn't like. Used update_uninstall.bin to revert back to Default font and FAIL! Screen hung at Software Update Screen, went to Kindle Restart Screen goes back to Software Update, flash black screen 3 times then goes back to Software Update. It seems to be caught in a loop. I guess I'll wait for the battery to die, recharge, and see what happens. Unless someone got a better solution? Oh yeah tried to hard reset, no help. Thanks.

[KindleKay (aka #1652)]

You do have something better to do....go to the link for the font website and there is instructions on what to do if that loop starts going.  There is a fix!!!

[Deman]

LIFESAVER KindleKay!!! Now for some Scotch to calm my nerves!! Thanks a bunch!!

[MrTsMom]

The instructions for doing this on a Mac were great. I'm having just one, little problem. The "update you Kindle" option is grayed out. I googled it, but can't find a way to un-gray it (for lack of a better term). Has anyone been able to figure this out?

[corkyb]

that's what happened to me.  It is grayed out and I now have that helvetica2bin file in about four places on my mac.  It's worrisome and I was hoping someone could walk me through it.  glad I'm not the only one though.
Paula ny

[pidgeon92]

Install the hack again. The option will not be greyed out if the hack is installed properly. It needs to be in the top directory of the Kindle (that is, not in any of the folders).

Paula: You have it installed on 4 places on your MAC (not Kindle)? Just delete them. If you meant Kindle, as I noted above, it should only be in the top directory.