Using Kindle 2 while charging via USB connection

[Luvmy4brats]

When the Kindle2 is plugged in to the computer via USB it says  "If you want to use your Kindle and continue charging, please eject your Kindle from your computer"

I went to the little safely remove hardware icon and closed the Kindle, but it's not ejecting. Is there another way to eject it?

Tried restarting my computer and it hasn't changed it.

[Luvmy4brats]

No error message, the screen of the Kindle doesn't change.

According to the screen, I should be able to read while my Kindle2 is plugged into the computer if I eject it. I try, but can't read

Nothing I have to fix tonight. Bella and I are headed to bed shortly. I just haven't heard anybody else mention it (I've heard other USB probs though)

[Luvmy4brats]

CS couldn't help. They've escalated the problem and should get back to me shortly.

Forgot to say computer says hardware ejected safely and I can remove hardware. Kindle screen doesn't change though. The way I understand it is once I eject, I should go back to my home screen and stay plugged in to computer for charging.

[pidgeon92]

Have you reset the Kindle? Mine frozen up the first time I turned it on.

[Luvmy4brats]

Yes. I did a reset and restart. Customer service just called back. I tried it on my daughter's laptop and it worked fine so it appears to be a Vista issue and not a problem with my kindle.

While I was on the phone I also mentioned my desire for folders or tags of some sort. 

[knit4keeps]

so it appears to be a Vista issue and not a problem with my kindle.

Just another reason I love Vista...

Guess I'll only use the Kindle attached to my desktop computer (XP) and not my laptop (Vista).

[mlkri]

Just wanted to update that I am having the same issue with my new K2 and Vista. I cannot eject mine either and further I cannot see the storage of the Kindle as a drive, the windows explorer freezes every time.

The drivers seem to load fine, the computer said everything was ready to go, then when I tried to view the storage to add my files, windows explorer freezes. Everything else on the computer works fine while WE is frozen (I am writing this while it is doing it). I cannot then eject the Kindle from the USB using the computer it simply doesn't do it - no error message just nothing -the little circle signifying it's "working" just goes on and on.

If I simply pull out the USB the windows explorer immediately returns to working normally and the kindle 2 is fine also.

I spoke with Amazon CS last night and they couldn't help but did take all the information and are bumping it up, I am hopefully going to hear back soon.

Just for added info - the K1 works fine with both Windows XP and Vista here, and the K2 works fine with the XP computer - so I was able to transfer my old files... BUT... hopefully they will come up with something soon.

I just want to post this as I didn't know if others were having this issue using Vista (32 bit version) or if luvmy4brats (the OP) is having this additional trouble with trying to view the Kindle as a storage drive or just in the ejecting the USB

[Luvmy4brats]

No, I'm not. I can get into the files just fine. Just won't eject. It works fine on my daughter's XP though.

I have heard of others having that problem though.

[mlkri]

Thanks for that confirmation. I did tell CS that I knew at least one other person was having the non eject issue using Vista from seeing it on these boards. Glad to know yours is working as far as seeing files! If they give me a solution for the other I will post it.

[Andra]

I was able to connect the K2 to my Vista box and add content to it today.
But when I did the "Safely Remove Hardware" and it said that I could remove the device, the USB Drive Mode is still on the screen of the K2 and nothing that I press will remove it.  So I guess I am having the same problem.
I have Vista Business with Service Pack 1.

[Leslie]

I connected my K2 to my laptop (Vista) and got the same message as Luv. Windows Explorer worked and I was able to transfer files. I used the "safely remove hardware" icon to remove it and that was fine. But while connected to the computer, I could only see the "eject" screen.

L

[BurBunny]

Add me to the list of K2 users with Vista (32 Business) which doesn't eject it properly to be able to read when plugged into USP port.  I'll watch this thread to see what CS says on the already-open service tickets before I bother them with yet another report.

[DawnOfChaos]

I thought I'd make a note in here too with my Vista eject experience.

I have Vista Ultimate and when I go to Eject, I get the message:

Kindle (K:) is currently in use. Save any open files on this disk and then close the files or programs using the files before trying again. If you choose to continue, the files will be closed, which may cause data to be lost.

I click on Continue, and the screen on my Kindle goes from the "USB in Use" screen back to whatever I was doing when I plugged it in, along with charging the Kindle.

[madaise]

I  didn't realize what everyone meant by being able to dismount it from the computer and read while it charges.   Now I understand - and I can't do it either - laptop is vista, which luv explains now. 

So here's my hand raised in a "me too".

[mlkri]

Update - my Kindle 2 just updated to version 2.0.1 (303870012) and now my Vista (Home Premium, 32 bit) computer recognizes it as a drive so I can move files -YEA!!

BUT I still get nothing when I try to "safely remove hardware". I choose the proper drive to eject but nothing happens and the screen on the Kindle still shows as if it is plugged into USB. The drive no longer shows on the computer but the Kindle still thinks it's connected so it is charging and cannot be used, even while the computer doesn't think it is still attached.

So one of my problems has been fixed but not the other. Oh and Amazon 2nd tier support never called me back, which I thought they were supposed to. But I guess this is the fix they were working on? 1/2 done.

[mlkri]

Whoops sorry I didn't try this first before posting last.

Now that my Kindle 2 IS appearing as a drive in my Windows Explorer (Vista Home) I can right click the drive in Windows Explorer and rather than choose "safely Remove hardware" I choose EJECT and it does "eject" the Kindle so the main home screen comes back yet the computer is still charging the Kindle.

So Kindle can be used for reading etc. while still charging from the computer.

Safely Remove Hardware doesn't give any indication that it safe to remove hardware or not and I assume not as the kindle screen is still saying it is connected when doing it that way.

[Van in Arlington]

My Kindle 2 connects properly via USB and provides computer access to the Kindle 2 files.  While using the USB connection, the Kindle screen displays the USB Drive Mode screen and the following message:  "If you want to use your Kindle and continue charging, please eject your Kindle from your computer."  After I eject the drive using my computer, the USB Drive Mode screen continues to display.  This occurs with Vista.  Does anyone know how I can clear the USB Drive Mode screen so I can use the Kindle while it continues to charge via the USB connection?

[Ann in Arlington]

Fed. . . I'm going to move this thread to Tips Tricks and Troubleshooting. . .it might get more eyeballs there.

Ann

[Leslie]

My Kindle 2 connects properly via USB and provides computer access to the Kindle 2 files.  While using the USB connection, the Kindle screen displays the USB Drive Mode screen and the following message:  "If you want to use your Kindle and continue charging, please eject your Kindle from your computer."  After I eject the drive using my computer, the USB Drive Mode screen continues to display.  This occurs with Vista.  Does anyone know how I can clear the USB Drive Mode screen so I can use the Kindle while it continues to charge via the USB connection?

This seems to be a Vista problem. The same thing happens to me and I believe a few other Vista users have reported on this too. I think someone even contacted customer service but I haven't heard of a solution, yet.

L

[Luvmy4brats]

It is a Vista problem. I called Customer Service about it shortly after I recevied min. They're still working on it.

[mlkri]

This may help as I have the same issue. We'd been talking about it at thread http://www.kindleboards.com/index.php/topic,4346.0.html

I have Vista Home (32 bit) and the same problem, but if you go to Windows explorer where you can view the Kindle as a drive and you right click and choose eject instead of safely remove it will eject it so you can use it but still charge it. This at least worked for me.

[Leslie]

I am going to merge the two threads on this topic together...thanks, everyone.

L

[Leslie]

So, thanks mlkri, it seems like you have found a solution. To summarize:

On computers with Vista, when you plug in the USB, you get a screen to eject if you want to keep reading. In order to eject, open Windows explorer, right click on the drive, and choose the option to "Eject." The option for "Safely remove hardware" (which is what I am used to using) won't work to clear the screen so that you can read while the Kindle is connected to the computer, and thus charging through the USB.

L

[Van in Arlington]

Thanks mlkri.  That did the trick on my Vista machine.  Interesting that Safely Remove Hardware doesn't work, but your solution is just what I need.

[patrisha w.]

I haven't tried connecting to my computer as yet but I do have some books I want to put on Serenity.

However, I have a Mac. Anyone had any problem with a Mac?

Patricia