How do you reflash

sounds like you are going to have to reflash the kindle to fix it, there is a tiny hole on one side, push a straightened out paper clip in the hole and hold and power the kindle on, if you don't feel comfortable doing that, send email to amazon cust support for help

shut down running apps in background

If you're locked out, the only way to unlock it is to reflash the tablet. Since the manufacturer, Southern Telecom, has not yet released an image to do this to the general public, you'd have to return the tablet to them for reflashing.

They may mean re-installing the operating system software

Shut the device off then pull the SD card from the top slot.
Download the firmware from Velocity's page (download a new one even if you did it to make sure it wasn't somehow corrupted).link: http://cruzsupport.velocitymicro.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=5758
Copy the new firmware to the SD card and replace the existing file that has the same name. Make sure that the file doesn't have (1) after it or anything it should appear just as it does on the page from Velocity.
Eject the card when its finished copying and put it back into your tablet.
Start the tablet launching it into the ROM flashing mode: hold the power and volume up button at the same time.CONTINUE holding these buttons down together to launch the new firmware.
Once the installation begins you can let go and you should be reflashed back to the initial set-up.
This is the same process you'd use to flash to a customized ROM (lets you do a lot more with the device and is worth looking into MACHO and JGM are two of the best. Vanilla is also good if you're not looking for the android market).
If this doesn't work you can try pressing the reset and doing the same process.
If none of it works try it a bunch of times (reflashing). I thought I bricked my device before and kept trying eventually being about to reflash and fixing it so don't give up if you're not successful right away.
Finally if nothing else works try returning the device. Hopefully you're under warranty and you will be able to get a replacement.

If I helped show it!
Goodluck

sounds like you wiped everything you will need to reflash the device
how did you delete contents and settings?

Hi, when this happens it usually means the operating system is corrupt, the best thing to do is to reflash your Archos, you obtain the required software and then plug into the USB port and then using the proprietary software to reflash the internal memory on the Archos to replace the operating system, and restore it to functionality, if you ONLY copy over the system files you will keep all you old settings.
You need to go to the Archos website to obtain the Firmware also there is s "How to" reflash your Archos 7.

http://forums.techarena.in/operating-systems/1150953.htm
Above is a "How To" link...
www.archos.com/support/support_tech/firmware.html?...g... -
Support link above.

Isnt your battery drain ?
Have the same behaviour on mine ... I can reflash the system with supply on , but it wont stay long before reboot ..

you need to have the firmware on the phone reflash to correct this error.

try master resetting the phone if that does not work then reflash the phone firmware.