diy

Repairing Kindle DX

Lukasz

13 Feb 2025 • 3 min read

I was able to buy for 20 EUR a damaged Kindle DX with a large 9.7" eInk screen and a Amazon Whispernet, global 2G/3G cellular network (no WiFi). The screen was shattered and the case was cracked in two places, there was no information if the Kindle worked or not.

Before ordering new screen, I ensured the Kindle is operational by checking its serial port for any data.

Case was held by many screws. Visible also a GSM modem card.

Connecting the mainboard serial port to the PC

After seeing bootloader and Linux kernel messages, there's a high chance everything will work.

Kindle DX bootloader and Linux boot messages

Time to order a replacement display from AliExpress, there are several compatible display types:

ED097OC1 - OK
ED097OC4 - better
ED097TC2 - the best

The difference is the contrast between the white (which is not really white) and black; it's marginal but visible when having two screens one by one.

The cost is between 50 and 60 EUR.

Displays arrived well packaged and in one piece.

Can you tell the difference? Left: ED097TC2, right: ED097OC4. Note: photo not made for proper comparison of the displays (non uniform lightning).

Testing the display.

Now the repair of the case.

Using resin based transparent glue to repair cracked case

Cleaned and assemble Kindle.

Early versions of Kindles had keyboards and speakers for speech synthesis

Costs of repair: 80 EUR. 60 EUR for the display and 20 EUR for the battery (which turned out to be old-new-stock and not hold much charge).