Updating Kindles

[Jawloms]

So I found out the other day that the school has Kindles (which I've never touched before here or anywhere else) and has had since before I started. They need updating. We have a "Kindle Keyboard (Wi-Fi,) (3rd Generation)" and a "Kindle Wi-Fi, 6" E Ink Display (4th and 5th Generation)". Neither will connect to our Wi-Fi as the both say the password is wrong and it isn't. You also can't specify a PROXY in either device and we require one. I figured I'll update them via USB. I've gone to http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=200203720 and downloaded the correct (I believe) files but I can't get either of my Kindles to update. "Update Your Kindle" remains grayed out. Do I extract the file which I download? The e-ink is currently on 4.1.1 so I tried going to 4.1.2 and 4.1.3 with the same amount of success. Any suggestions please? I may just take it home and try there.....

 

Thank you

 

Stuart

[RichCowell]

We had major issues with the Kobo e-readers someone decided to get here without checking... They bought 12, and unless I created a rule bypassing all scanning and filtering completely, we couldn't get them working at all... and as I think they had a very basic web-browser, I didn't want to do that... So they were sent back...

 

I've heard someone saying they had similar issues with Kindles, but can't remember quite what...

 

They don't get updates often, so I'd recommend tethering to a mobile or doing it out of school (or maybe creating a rule in your firewall for their IPs and see if that works, just for updating).

[ITBadger]

I agree with @RichCowell - I've told the people that bought them (without my input or knowledge) that they'll need to take them home to update them (after signing them out on the asset register of course). It may not make them think twice when ordering next time, but it makes me feel better.

[Jawloms]

These weren't purchased without the knowledge of the IT department, just purchased before I started here. They're a pig though aren't they? Guess I'll be taking them home......

[cburrows]

Our kindles had the update greyed out, (3 5thGen and 1 3rd Gen)

I logged into Amazon and found our devices, then after a little looking around I found the software versions available and downloaded them.

All I had to do was simply copy and paste the download file onto a kindle, then when in settings find the update kindle option which was greyed out, it should now be a visable option.

select it and the kindles rebooted and updated.

[Jawloms]

Our kindles had the update greyed out, (3 5thGen and 1 3rd Gen)

I logged into Amazon and found our devices, then after a little looking around I found the software versions available and downloaded them.

All I had to do was simply copy and paste the download file onto a kindle, then when in settings find the update kindle option which was greyed out, it should now be a visable option.

select it and the kindles rebooted and updated.

 

That's the route I've taken, but it remains greyed out for me.

[cburrows]

hmmm, I can send you our files we downloaded if you like to see if that works, I can Zip them up for you and email them?

[GeekyPete]

Someone just bought a batch for world book day here (been and gone), You can't set them on USB, you need a wifi connection. They won't even work with our Transparent proxy. last I heard they were sat on the teacher's kitchen Table until she gets round to setting them up. Se la vie.

[Jawloms]

@cburrows - That would be very much appreciated. I'll PM you.

[JackCPickup]

Are you just trying to do the latest update? You have to do them in stages. Copy the update into the root of the Kindle when it's connected by USB, disconnect and update should be available. Plug back in and do the next one etc.

[Jawloms]

Are you just trying to do the latest update? You have to do them in stages. Copy the update into the root of the Kindle when it's connected by USB, disconnect and update should be available. Plug back in and do the next one etc.

 

I'm trying to do it in stages.

[JackCPickup]

Are you copying across an old enough update? I had to do about 5 on some 5th gens, can't find the page now with all the different version downloads

[Jawloms]

I thought I was, but apparently I wasn't. @cburrows has now sent me some useful stuff.

[JackCPickup]

Someone just bought a batch for world book day here (been and gone), You can't set them on USB, you need a wifi connection. They won't even work with our Transparent proxy. last I heard they were sat on the teacher's kitchen Table until she gets round to setting them up. Se la vie.

 

I think you can set them up through Kindle software on a PC, and you can do the updates via USB manually.

[Jawloms]

With some help from @cburrows I have now managed to upgrade them. Thanks to all for your input.

[SpuffMonkey]

I think you only need to update if you're using the Kindle store

[6Foot2]

Bumping this thread as I only found the information from Amazon on the web today. I made sure that my son's kindle was updated today as the deadline is approaching [22^nd is Teusday]

[Arthur]

Bumping this thread as I only found the information from Amazon on the web today. I made sure that my son's kindle was updated today as the deadline is approaching [22^nd is Tuesday]

If you miss the deadline it's still possible to download the software updates manually from the following link...

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=200529680

 

Fortunately, you won't be entirely out of luck if you forget to update your device (hello readers who search for this article months from now). You'll just have to do it manually by downloading the update file from Amazon's website and transferring it to your Kindle via a USB cable. For more detailed instructions, select your device on this help page. Of course, if it's not March 22nd, 2016 yet, just connect to Wi-Fi and do it the easy way right now. A full list of affected Kindle devices follow.

 

• Kindle 1st Generation (2007)
  
• Kindle 2nd Generation (2009)
  
• Kindle DX 2nd Generation (2009)
  
• Kindle Keyboard 3rd Generation (2010)
  
• Kindle 4th Generation (2011)
  
• Kindle 5th Generation (2012)
  
• Kindle Touch 4th Generation (2011)
  
• Kindle Paperwhite 5th Generation (2012)
  

 

Source: www.theverge.com/2016/3/20/11271880/amazon-kindle-emergency-update-unable-to-connect-at-this-time