New Fire HD 10 Unexpected Problems

[ronbo613]

I just got a Fire 10 HD for $100 Black Friday. I have the Fire 8. For the price, can't beat it.
Got the Fire 10 set up, dodging Amazon ads, necessary at this price, downloaded all the same apps as the Fire 8. Let the device format a SanDisc Ultra 128G for internal storage. Everything worked fine, restarted a few times to be sure.
This morning, the Fire 10 would not start and would not enter recovery mode. Amazon's canned response is to return it. Collect my personal data and information during the setup process, then send it back? I don't think so.
Anyone know how to unbrick these things? I've pulled the SD card but I'm sure the important stuff is internal storage. I'm going to see if I can use my laptop to delete files on the Fire.

 

[UsandThem]

This morning, the Fire 10 would not start and would not enter recovery mode. Amazon's canned response is to return it. Collect my personal data and information during the setup process, then send it back? I don't think so.

Your only other option (besides eating the $100 and smashing it with a hammer), you can try the steps in this guide and hope it works:
https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-factory-reset-kindle-fire/



Hopefully that previous reset works for you, but I'm not sure what customer service is supposed to tell you. If you have a defective one, and it won't start anymore, it seems logical to return it and get a refund/replacement.

How much personal data did you put on it in a week? Amazon and Google password? If you're concerned about that, change your password on a computer for those accounts, crisis averted.

 

[ronbo613]

I tried all that stuff. If it's not starting, none of the recovery or factory reset is available. As far as personal data goes, a lot of website passwords, a couple Google accounts, Amazon account, etc. More than a minor inconvenience. And it made the 128G Sandisk Ultra read only, Windows can't format.

 

[balloonshark]

I doubt it will help but I have an older fire 10" (2017?) that dies when the battery gets around 50% the night before. The battery gauge is just screwed up on mine so you could try throwing in on the charger for a bit and see if it turns on.

 

[ronbo613]

I doubt it will help but I have an older fire 10" (2017?) that dies when the battery gets around 50% the night before. The battery gauge is just screwed up on mine so you could try throwing in on the charger for a bit and see if it turns on.

I have a Kindle 8 so I'm familiar with the devices. I've tried everything to boot the device. It's been plugged in for hours, it should be charged. Basically, this Fire 10, as it sits, is a 32G storage device that can only be accessed by Amazon's proprietary system. Unfortunately, my account and personal information is on it.
For a company that requires a captcha code to access their website and two step verification to spend your money, they have a pretty cavalier attitude towards customer privacy.

 

[UsandThem]

For a company that requires a captcha code to access their website and two step verification to spend your money, they have a pretty cavalier attitude towards customer privacy.

Those are optional account security settings.

What would happen if you bought a Samsung or Apple tablet that was defective, and you had to return it?

I've had hard drives, computers, cell phones, etc. fail during the warranty period, and my only choice to get it replaced was to return it. I'm really not sure what else you expect a tech company to do when you get a defective device? The only thing I can think of is you want to keep the defective item, and have them mail you new one. That's not going to happen.

Basically, this Fire 10, as it sits, is a 32G storage device that can only be accessed by Amazon's proprietary system.

Maybe the internal storage is what is defective on your unit?

 

[balloonshark]

I have a Kindle 8 so I'm familiar with the devices. I've tried everything to boot the device. It's been plugged in for hours, it should be charged. Basically, this Fire 10, as it sits, is a 32G storage device that can only be accessed by Amazon's proprietary system. Unfortunately, my account and personal information is on it.
For a company that requires a captcha code to access their website and two step verification to spend your money, they have a pretty cavalier attitude towards customer privacy.

I figured it was a long shot since my model is older. Usually when I have a problem charging and/or holding the power button down for a long time clears it up.

FWIW I had an ssd go bad on me and I had no choice but to send it in so I could get a refurbished replacement. Either that or eat the $80 I spent on the drive.

 

[ronbo613]

Any other tablet from another manufacturer would be the same deal.
There should be a recovery mode or factory reset.
They will take this tablet, give it to a contractor that will scan the device, any data is theirs to do as they wish, device is back on the market as reconditioned.
I've enjoyed the Fire 8, it was working, I should have stuck with it. I'll probably eat the $150 and for sure cut out the Amazon. Online Xmas shopping is over.

 

[balloonshark]

Have you tried searching here or asking or help? https://www.amazonforum.com/forums/devices/fire-tablets

or here? https://forum.xda-developers.com/hd8-hd10/help

 

[ronbo613]

Because this is the latest version, most of the information on Amazon is outdated. Phone support clearly doesn't know much about it either. Posts on XDA look like previous versions as well. Not much opportunity to troubleshoot due to proprietary system files. Maybe with a Linux computer, I don't have one. I did discover that, when using a USB C-USB 3.0 adapter, the Fire 10 will read FAT 32 thumb drives but not exFAT micro SD card(in USB 3.0 adapter). The Kindle Fire 8 reads both. If a microSD card is designated extended internal storage, the card will be formatted with Amazon's read only format and cannot be used by Windows or Android devices.
I was hoping with the Fire 10 and bluetooth keyboard, I could actually get work done. I should have known better to jump on the bleeding edge. This is much cheaper than all those video cards.