I think my brand new K2 is broken

4095 Views 35 Replies 21 Participants Last post by suicidepact, May 25, 2009

happyneedle

Discussion Starter · May 22, 2009

So my shiny new kindle 2 arrived. Except it wasn’t so shiny; it was actually kind of dirty. I cleaned it off and plugged it in. Nothing happened. No indicator light, zip, zilch, nada.

I called customer service but they said that it could take 8 hours for even the indicator light to come on. Everything I can find on the forums and here plus talking to my friends who own kindles tells me that that is CRAP.

So now I paid for 2 day shipping and all i can read is the ‘critical battery’ screen this weekend.

I am soooooo disappointed.
Anyone have any thoughts

1 - 20 of 36 Posts

Kathy

· #2 · May 22, 2009

Most charge within 3 hours. Mine was almost fully charged when I received it. How are you charging it, with the wall plug or through the computer. If the charger is plugged in you should see the yellow indicator light.

happyneedle

Discussion Starter · #3 · May 22, 2009

I have it plugged into the wall; I've also tried several outlets & tested them with a lamp, just to be sure that it wasn't an issue with the outlet.

I also tried doing the 'hold the slider power button for 15 seconds while not plugged in' reset thing. No luck.

Mine came with this message on it:
Critical Battery
Your battery is empty.
To continue using your Kindle, connect it to a power source.
It may take a few minutes of charging before your Kindle starts.

It has now been charging for over an hour and no changes and no indicator light.

Kathy

· #4 · May 22, 2009

This is the first time I have heard of a problem like this. Hope it isn't broken. Bummer.

Ann in Arlington

· #5 · May 22, 2009

happyneedle said:
It has now been charging for over an hour and no changes and no indicator light.

You should call CS. I have a K1 and when it is charging there's a yellow light and when it's finished the light goes out. I understood that the difference with the K2 is that the light turns green. If you have no light at all. . .well. . .that just seems wrong.

good luck!

Ethan

· #6 · May 22, 2009

Would a hard reset help?

happyneedle

Discussion Starter · #7 · May 22, 2009

Customer service told me to be patient and I should wait at least 8 hours before assuming it is broken. Which means too late to do anything about it today, of course. I've uploaded a photo of the screen:

My other friends are all perplexed too & think it's broken. sigh.

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Lynn

· #8 · May 22, 2009

Seems to me at least the light should be on indicating it is charging. I would call CS again anyway and talk to someone different or a supervisor. If they overnight it now you could possibly have it for the weekend. My 2cents.

Lynn L

pidgeon92

· #9 · May 22, 2009

Try charging it via USB, the power converter may be the problem.

Ethan

· #10 · May 22, 2009

And it that does not work, I'd be thinking Fist of Death!!!

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happyneedle

Discussion Starter · #11 · May 22, 2009

I tried the USB to charge; still no indicator light.

I tried the hard reset (15 seconds or more of holding the power button); no joy.

I sent the following email to CS:

I believe my brand new Kindle 2 that I received today is broken. When it arrived there was no clear plastic protective packaging over the device itself and actually it was kind of dirty and looks as though it has experienced some wear. I cleaned it off and plugged it in. Nothing happened. No indicator light, zip, zilch, nada.

It had the following screen:

Critical Battery
Your battery is empty.
To continue using your Kindle, connect it to a power source.
It may take a few minutes of charging before your Kindle starts.

Photo of this screen can be seen here: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2474/3555040510_4a14bf5a28_b.jpg

It looks nothing like the Kindle 2 shown here: http://www.obsessable.com/feature/amazon-kindle-2-unboxing-and-first-impressions/

I called customer service but they said that it could take 8 hours for even the indicator light to come on. Everything I can find on the forums here on Amazon and on KindleBoards plus talking to my friends who own kindles tells me that that is simply not true. I am under the distinct impression that the customer service rep did not want to deal with me and that is why he told me to wait 8 hours.

So now I paid for 2 day shipping and all I can read is the 'critical battery' screen this weekend.

If the CS rep "Henry" had not assured me that this item was NOT a refurb I would bet the entire cost of my Kindle that that was indeed what I had been sent.

Please tell me how we can work to resolve this situation and please credit my account for the 2-day shipping charge that I incurred.

I'll let you guys know what happens.
SOOOOO disappointed!!!

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Ethan

· #12 · May 22, 2009

Find out where "Henry" lives and tell him if you don't get some lovin' ASAP, his mojo gonna take a beatin'!!!

luvmy4brats

· #13 · May 22, 2009

Call back and speak to another CS rep.

Leslie

· #14 · May 22, 2009

luvmy4brats said:
Call back and speak to another CS rep.

Yes...use the call back option. Have them call you. Don't bother with email.

L

VictoriaP

· #15 · May 22, 2009

luvmy4brats said:
Call back and speak to another CS rep.

What she said. Some CS reps are idiots. Call again ASAP.

The only other things I could suggest would be to try wiggling the plug gently within the Kindle; sometimes there's a weak connection. This would still require replacement in my mind but if it worked, it might get you through this weekend.

And if any of the friends you mention are local to you, see if you can try one of their charger/cord combos.

Sorry you're having such bad luck so far!!!!

JetJammer

· #16 · May 22, 2009

I would also be sure I called Kindle customer service, not just the normal Amazon customer service number - I know they are different. Maybe you did that, but if not it might be worth a try. Now if I can just find the post with the numbers listed...

koolmnbv

· #17 · May 23, 2009

All 3 of the K2's in our household all could be powered on right out of the box, after charging for about an hour they were almost completely charged up and good to go.

This definitely sounds like a defective unit to me. I'd call back and ask for the kindle department and speak to a different CS rep. I've never heard of anyone's kindle having this problem and it should definitely be taken care of for you.

auntmarge

· #18 · May 23, 2009

koolmnbv said:
All 3 of the K2's in our household all could be powered on right out of the box, after charging for about an hour they were almost completely charged up and good to go.

This definitely sounds like a defective unit to me. I'd call back and ask for the kindle department and speak to a different CS rep. I've never heard of anyone's kindle having this problem and it should definitely be taken care of for you.

Ditto - I'd use the call-back button immediately. The Kindle should be clean, covered with protective plastic, and if not charged, should at least have the charge light come on within a second or two of being plugged in. CS reps can be either resistant or helpful. If you don't get a helpful response tell the rep you want to speak to a supervisor.

jazzi

· #19 · May 23, 2009

Or...you could let it charge for 8 hours and see what happens. Of course, I could be wrong.

Jill75

· #20 · May 23, 2009

Well, it seems all the possible suggestions to make it work have been done. You just have to wait for CS reply I guess... and this also the first time I have encountered this. Maybe a bad product that has slipped their quality control?

Hope you get it resolved.

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