Hi everyone - a kindle queery.

[teedee]

Hi,

I recently bought a Kindle 3 [UK edition] and registered it to amazon.co.uk - I registered it on the UK site from Germany. I am still in Germany.

I tried registering it via the device, but I couldn't as it asked me for a WiFi connection...I have the 3G version [keyboard], and it doesn't show on my screen that it is connected to 3G, neither does it say on my kindle that it is registered, it also says "my kindle" in the top left corner. I have tried downloading books to it via wireless whispernet but to no avail.

I've tried restarting, restore factory setting and deregistering it - nothing worked. Is it a dud? Should I just send it back for a replacement? It was bought from tesco [supermarket chain].

Help would be greatly appreciated!

Kind regards,

Trystan

[Morf]

If it's asking for a wifi connection that's because it can't make a 3G connection.

First check is to make sure you've actually got a 3G version - check the serial number (printed on the back and in "Device Info" on the settings screen) begins with B00A, and that underneath the serial number on the settings screen it says "Network Capability: WiFi and 3G".

The Kindle 3G provider for the UK is Vodafone. You need to make sure you are in an area with good coverage from whoever Vodafone's partner is in Germany.

Final option, from the settings screen, type 311 (ALT+E ALT+Q ALT+Q) will bring up a dialog box which lets you force it to rescan for network providers, this might help you to find the right service.

It is possible it is faulty, but I'd test all those options first.

[teedee]

Thanks for the reply.

It's a Kindle wifi+3g. It says so under device info, plus on the box it came in.

I tried the thing about 311 from the setting screen but nothing at all happened.

I can't get access to any sort of wireless, no whispernet or 3g. I could connect to wifi but i have no wifi in my flat at the moment.

When at the homescreen and press menu it doesn't let me sync my kindle.

It's a UK kindle and I'm in Germany...maybe that's the problem? Parhaps I should buy a German one but I thought 3g/whispernet works globally?

[Morf]

I'm afraid I don't know the complexities of the roaming with 3G, as far as I understand you are meant to be able to take a UK Kindle and use it abroad in certain countries at least, but I don't know whether there is something that means it has to connect in the UK first or something like that.

Do you live in the UK? Will you be back here soon? If you will, then it might be you'll just have to try it again here. Alternatively, you could try contacting Amazon Kindle Customer Support http://www.kindleboards.com/index.php/topic,73465.msg1181468.html#msg1181468 and see if they can help.

Before you contact them, make sure you've taken the Kindle out and about and tried to get a signal somewhere besides your flat - just like a mobile phone, the signal strength varies by location and so this will be the first test they'll ask you to carry out.

Be warned, though, that they expect you to have the right sort of Kindle for where you live. If you are a UK resident and are temporarily in Germany, that would be fine and I'm sure they'll help. If, however, you are a German resident and you bought a UK Kindle despite this not being your "official" Kindle for your location (perhaps because, of pricing or the range of books) then they may not be able to help you much.