New version K2 Screensaver hack

[vlapinta]

Anyone?

If you use the screensaver hack for K2 to make custom screensavers does this mean you always have to update your kindle manually?


Vicki

[Christina]

You don't necessarily have to update it manually, you can restore the default screensavers, then wait for the update to download via Whispernet, but you WILL need to restore the default screensavers before it will update properly. Then, once it's updated, you can reapply the screensaver hack.

[vlapinta]

Thank you but can you explain exactly how I have to restore the default screen savers. I am a bit confused on how to do this.

Thanks again,
Vicki

[Forster]

Thank you but can you explain exactly how I have to restore the default screen savers. I am a bit confused on how to do this.

Thanks again,
Vicki

I believe there is a text file in the unzipped package that you can read that describes the process as well as the "update" to go back to the original screen savers.

Here it is:

To go back to the default Kindle2 screen savers:
------------------------------------------------
1) Plug your Kindle2 into your computer.
2) Copy "Update_kindle2_restore_default_screen_savers.bin" to the root of your
   Kindle2.
3) Unplug your Kindle2
4) Press the "Menu" button on your Kindle2 and select "Settings."
5) At the Settings page press "Menu" again and select "Update Your Kindle."
6) When the "update" is done your Kindle2 will reboot and you are done.

[Laurie]

Not dim at all. I also forgot to change my settings to make hidden folders visible, that's why you can't find the system folder.

Hopefully you can now see the system and screensaver folder.

I know how to view system files and I followed all the steps you mention, but my Kindle still shows nothing. I can't figure it out.

[LunarEarthMama]

I know how to view system files and I followed all the steps you mention, but my Kindle still shows nothing. I can't figure it out.

I know how to view system files and I followed all the steps you mention, but my Kindle still shows nothing. I can't figure it out.

I had some trouble as well.  I don't know exactly how I fixed it (after finally finding out I had to make the hidden folder visible), but the last thing I noticed was that the image I wanted as the screensaver was for some reason copying over as a shortcut (noticed by the icon having a little arrow in the corner of it).  When I fixed that, by saving the file straight to my kindle, it started showing up on the kindle. Out of frustration though, along with that, I went ahead and converted the file to png, and then gave it a number but I think how it was copying over as a shortcut may have been the problem.  If this doesn't help, I do hope you find out what is wrong. I was starting to think my kindle just couldn't do custom screensavers.

[moxy789]

I know how to view system files and I followed all the steps you mention, but my Kindle still shows nothing. I can't figure it out.

Strange. The only things I can suggest is to plug in your Kindle and try to create a new folder titled system in the root file. It should come back with an error to the effect that it can not be created because one already exists. That is how I knew I had improperly changed my hidden folders settings.

Otherwise, I don't really have any advice other than to suggest uninstalling and trying it from the beginning. Good luck!

[Jill75]

I thought I did. Sorry, here they are:

Kindle 2 Screensaver v.04 Hack

For those that have already downloaded v.03 see note at bottom

Download zip file and extract all files

Hook up Kindle to computer via USB cable.

Drag and drop Update_kindle2_user_screen_savers.bin to 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 from computer and go to home>menu>settings>menu>Update your Kindle

Hook Kindle up to computer via USB cable.

Go into system folder (may be hidden and you’ll have to unhide)

Open screen_saver folder

Add or delete images to/from this folder (yes, go ahead and delete Oscar..please)

Unhook from computer and go to home>menu>settings>menu>restart

Don’t forget to do the restart or you’ll be looking at a blank screen wondering what the heck you did wrong!

You have your screensavers.

Here’s the best part..you can choose which of the Kindle default screensavers you’d like. If you don’t want them, just delete them. You can also rename them if you want them in a different order. BUT, when you uninstall the Hack (you’ll need to for software updates…but it’s easy, so no worries) Anyway, after you uninstall the hack, they’re all back, no matter what you delete. So if you decide after a time that you really miss all those Amazon screensavers you deleted, it’s reversible.

But I’ve already downloaded v.03 and I can’t get the default pictures- You’ve got to uninstall the v.03 hack and remove the screen-saver file (just move it to your desktop and delete the one off the kindle) then restart, then follow the steps to install v.04. That should give you a screen_saver folder with the default images in it, and then just add yours to it.

Thanks this worked well for me..... especially the last part where I was trying to crack my head on the default pictures. Thanks for the update and clear instructions! 

[SimonStern2]

You don't necessarily have to update it manually, you can restore the default screensavers, then wait for the update to download via Whispernet, but you WILL need to restore the default screensavers before it will update properly. Then, once it's updated, you can reapply the screensaver hack.

I found that my Kindle was trying to update itself to 2.0.2, but couldn't because of the screen saver hack.  If I turned off Whispernet, it stopped trying, but that wasn't a very good fix.  I ended up uninstalling the screen saver hack, then the update to 2.0.2 went through by itself after about 15 mins.  Then I was able to reinstall the screen saver hack.

[Laurie]

Strange. The only things I can suggest is to plug in your Kindle and try to create a new folder titled system in the root file. It should come back with an error to the effect that it can not be created because one already exists. That is how I knew I had improperly changed my hidden folders settings.

Otherwise, I don't really have any advice other than to suggest uninstalling and trying it from the beginning. Good luck!

Tried again today and this time the system folder showed!! Don't know what the issue was yesterday, but everything was simple once the folder showed. I now have 40 screensavers and they don't include any dead ugly authors. Hooray!!

[mikefox]

I put in the V 0.3 screensaver hack and it worked well, but I like the new capabilities inv 0.4 such as changing the default images and removing troublesome files.  However, when I reviewed the text in v 0.4, it appears almost identical to V 0.3.  Is the new stuff contained in src.0.4.tar.gz?  How do you run that?

[SimonStern2]

The src file is the "Source Code."  Unless you plan to edit the code, I would ignore it.  There isn't MUCH different between 0.3 and 0.4 except ease of installation.  Once installed, they do basically the same thing.  If everything is working for you, leave it alone.

If you want to extract the default screen savers, then uninstall 0.3.  Delete the screen_saver folder (backing up your screen savers, of course) then install 0.4.  It will create the screen_saver folder for you, and the default screen savers will be in there.  From there, you can do with them what you will.

[GreenThumb]

Thank you all for this thread and the detailed instructions!  I now have loads of (much better) screensavers!

[sbell1]

How often is an update released where I would have to uninstall and then reinstall this program? Do you get a message on your Kindle 2 that an update cannot load and then know to uninstall the hack?

Thanks for all the great info!

[davem2bits]

How often is an update released where I would have to uninstall and then reinstall this program? Do you get a message on your Kindle 2 that an update cannot load and then know to uninstall the hack?

Thanks for all the great info!

Welcome to Kindleboards.  Stick around, you'll enjoy it here.

I didn't receive any notice on my K2 when a new release was available.  I read about the last update being available here, along with a web link to manually download it.  I then d/l'd the update, uninstalled the screensaver hack, installed the update, and then reinstalled the screensaver hack.  That is what you will have to do if you install the hack.  Or you could uninstall the hack, when you know there is an update available, wait for it to be installed by Amazon via WN, and then reinstall the hack.  But once you have the screensaver hack installed, you will not receive updates without removing the hack. 

Good luck.

[jaylynn]

Thanks to Luv and everyone else who does these great things for us.  I'm just waiting for someone to whisper to me, because I whisper it to myself all the time:  "why do you attempt to do things that you just. don't. get.?"

My latest dumb question:  I can't seem to uninstall version 3 of the hack from my Kindle.  Sometimes I think I've done it-- there are no screensavers; it's blank when asleep, but I never see the default savers.  The whole hack zip file is in the root file, including what looks like the restore file, but I never see the default savers.  When I try to install the v.4, I do get back my previous savers, but on "settings" it still says I have version 3.

And can you point me to the newest firmware update download so that after I uninstall (IF I ever figure it out), I can update my Kindle?  Thanks.... I just feel like I should have left my Kindle alone and lived with the default savers.  Sigh.

[ladynightshade]

Okay, I'm being slow. I can rewrite vista to work well but I can't get this to install. can I get some step by step?

[Scheherazade]

Is it normal to have the three files still in the root directory of the Kindle after uninstalling the .04 hack?  It looks like I have the two files that the hack initially put on as well as the file I installed in order to remove it, but it seems like the custom screensavers are gone.  Is it okay to just delete these or would that be a bad thing?  If not, is it okay to allow it to update even with these files present?  One more question... since the file for the removal is there, I assume at least that one needs to be deleted in order to install them again, right?  Thanks in advance

[Elena]

I posted this on the "Update 2.0.3 (Kindle 2)" thread in the Let's Talk Kindle Board:

OK, I'm trying to uninstall my screensaver hack from my Kindle.  I did all the steps (copied the "Update_kindle2_restore_default_screen_savers.bin" to the root of my Kindle2, then went to the "Settings" page) until I got to the part where I press "Update Your Kindle".  That selection was just grayed out.  So now I just have that file sitting on my Kindle, the hack can't (hasn't) be uninstalled.  What do I do?

 

Can anyone offer any advice? I would really appreciate it.  Thanks.

[Shizu]

I posted this on the "Update 2.0.3 (Kindle 2)" thread in the Let's Talk Kindle Board:

OK, I'm trying to uninstall my screensaver hack from my Kindle.  I did all the steps (copied the "Update_kindle2_restore_default_screen_savers.bin" to the root of my Kindle2, then went to the "Settings" page) until I got to the part where I press "Update Your Kindle".  That selection was just grayed out.  So now I just have that file sitting on my Kindle, the hack can't (hasn't) be uninstalled.  What do I do?

 

Can anyone offer any advice? I would really appreciate it.  Thanks.

I just uninstall my screensaver hack. I didn't have any problem. Maybe restart the Kindle and "Update Your Kindle" might show up?

[Luvmy4brats]

Elena, I can't recreate your problem. I'm sorry. Try a restart and see if it shows up, otherwise, try deleting the uninstall file and reinstalling it.

[Elena]

Whoo hooo!  I figured it out!    I found that the original file "Update_kindle2_user_screen_savers.bin" was still located in my Kindle, so I guess since I put the other file in too, it was just canceling itself out.  I trashed the original file and the uninstall went through!  Phew!  This was was too much worrying for me to handle, I have decided not to continue hacking my Kindle anymore.  I want to keep it healthy and happy.  Cheers!

[Luvmy4brats]

I figured out what was going on and why people have been having some difficulty removing the screen saver hack. My Kindle was acting funny today. It wouldn't go to sleep on it's own...Hhmmm it's never done that before. So I hooked up my Kindle to the computer and sure enough, the update was there, but it couldn't update itself becasue of the hack. I left the update on there and tried to add the screensaver restore file...it wouldn't work. So I moved the update to my desktop and deleted it from my Kindle. Then I ran the restore (YIKES..Edgar Allen Poe!). When I restarted it, the update was back on there..weird. I was able to go in and click the update my Kindle. It worked like a charm.

I've got to go get ready for work, but I'll add the font hack and the screensaver hack back on to my Kindle when I get home.

[ear]

I removed the hack, installed the update and then restored the hack.  At the same time, I added some new photos.   But, for some reason, I can't get any of the new images to show up.  I did a total restart of the kindle thinking that would help but it hasn't.    Is there a trick to adding new photos?

[Forster]

I removed the hack, installed the update and then restored the hack.  At the same time, I added some new photos.   But, for some reason, I can't get any of the new images to show up.  I did a total restart of the kindle thinking that would help but it hasn't.    Is there a trick to adding new photos?

I'm not sure how you restarted your Kindle, but anytime I add new screensavers to my kindle folder I do the following to get them to show up.

go to home>menu>settings>menu>restart