PRS 505 Forever formatting then restarting

MrGordons · 06-16-2010, 05:01 PM

please help, i have had a sony PRS 505 ever since they were released, had no problems until now, sometimes while reading i click next page and the formatting icon shows and just sits there with the arrows turning, this proceeds for five to ten mins before the device shuts down and restarts, it also seems to drain battery life and also the device forgets what i was reading, usually reverting back to last weeks book in the continue reading tab, I have tried pretty much everything, i have trolled the forums and looked for similar stories and solutions, none of them have helped, I have also found that i can replicate the error by choosing to go to a specific page number and clicking enter, sits formatting and restarts. this reader is my life, if i can't fix this i don't know what I'll do. I'm in south africa so sending to mother ship is slightly out of the question. GO

sherman · 06-16-2010, 08:55 PM

Sorry, I can't help with your problem.

However, if you want answers, this is the wrong section of the forums to get help.

Either start a new thread in the Sony forum, or get s moderator to move this thread.

neilmarr · 06-17-2010, 03:24 AM

How are you charging your 505, MrGordons? Similar glitches I noticed are a thing of the past since I started to use a mains charger. Mind you, I hit this snag within the first month of using a 505 eighteen months or so ago. (I'm kinda grateful for the problem because trying to find a fix brought me to the excellent and addictive MR forums.) Good to have your company, by the way. I'm sure someone here (there are many 505 experts) will come up with the solution. Good luck and best wishes. Neil

MrGordons · 06-17-2010, 05:58 AM

Thanks, hopefully a moderator can move this :$ I wasn't sure how to post in the correct area, I pretty much charge exclusively via USB, and if it helps, most of my books are stored on a very fast SD card (currently the internal memory is clean after many wipes) Neilmarr, did you ever find a workable solution to your similar glitches?

MrGordons · 06-17-2010, 06:07 AM

ah, right mains charging, should have read your post better

MrGordons · 06-17-2010, 07:44 AM

Another recent issue, may be related. calibre has deleted all the info on my device, such as collections, my very meticulous Tags and sorting info is gone, and now almost every book has an issue with restarting the device while reading. im going to delete everything and use my backup to re-import from calibre with new tags and such, if it helps i shall let everyone know.

edbro · 06-17-2010, 10:50 AM

As long as you plan to delete everything anyways, I would opt for a format of internal memory. There is an option for that in the device's menu.

sony_fox · 06-17-2010, 11:00 AM

I did experience something similar to what you describe - which I attributed to full memory, and hasn't reappeared (*touch wood*) since adding an SD card. As you're already on SD card I guess this doesn't help much.

Maybe it is a specifically picture heavy large or long file that caused the problem.

MrGordons · 06-17-2010, 04:21 PM

I reformatted one of the books in LRF (From epub) and it works much better and faster, This is unfortunate as most of my collection is in epub (support for epub was added in the last -probably final- sony firmware update) not an ideal solution, but no solution is ever ideal is it?

ebookapps · 06-17-2010, 04:45 PM

To read ePub and many other formats on Sony PRS–505 effectively you need to download and install an alternative firmware from ebookapplications[dot]com. Installation requires only copying files to the eReader and when device starts it prompts user if he wants to load original or alternative firmware.

MrGordons · 06-17-2010, 06:17 PM

ebookapps, that website is amazing, if whats on offer works then you are a miracle worker, do you know if calibre plays fine with the alternate firmware?- thanks! looks good so far, download in progress

also, how does one browse books by tags or collections, surely the firmware hasn't removed that useful setting?

DoctorOhh · 06-17-2010, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrGordons

ebookapps, that website is amazing, if whats on offer works then you are a miracle worker, do you know if calibre plays fine with the alternate firmware?- thanks! looks good so far, download in progress

also, how does one browse books by tags or collections, surely the firmware hasn't removed that useful setting?

Before you try this firmware you should take the previous advice and do a format of your internal memory via the advance settings menu.

Don't forget that PRS+ is a rock solid firmware enhancement package that includes a bunch of added features.

Quote:

Enhanced firmware for Sony eBook reader. Project was founded as "Browse Folders", but has grown into something bigger. Currently only PRS-505 model is supported.

Features implemented at the moment (for more details check the User Manual)

Browse Folders for books (sort by author, title, filename, author swapping surname/name)
localization (Catalan, Deutsch, Czech, English, French, ქართული, Русский, Spanish, 简体中文)
dictionary by Clemenseken & Lisac & m-land (to use it, put your dictionary files int /database/system/PRSPlus/dictionary. Dictionary files MUST have "dic" extension)
Book History by kravitz
option to set default zoom size, limit available zoom steps by kravitz
Menu Captions (aka Unified headers, always small, always big, sony default)
Page Index (page index style "1 of 100", "1/100", "1/100 (0%)" etc)
Clock (when to show, 24/12 hour modes, can be toggled on/off via hotkey configurable in Key Bindings)
Screenshot (allows to make screenshots)
Key Bindings
Switching between custom EPUB styles (custom epub css hack was integrated (path to custom css is: internal memory /database/system/PRSPlus/epub/style.css)

This enhancement includes 3 games - 5 Balls, Mahjong, and Sudoku and will include a scientific calculator soon.

Solitaire1 · 06-17-2010, 11:34 PM

One factor in this might be the format of your ebooks. I used to use RTF and sometimes an ebook would reformat, especially if I changed the font size. I now use PDF and my ebooks rarely reformat except when I change the font size.

MrGordons · 06-18-2010, 08:06 AM

ok, dwanthny i took your advice and did an internal format, all well, then i put the ebook applications software on. it works but its difficult to find the book you want to read as you can not sort via collections or anything, you can only browse the disk structure like a computer window. also, strangely, the 505 now freezes on pretty much any book format eventually (Only on this firmware) it can even be the sample book they included -oliver's Twist- it can be ten to twenty minutes and then the pages will refuse to turn and no other buttons work, only thing i can do is use the reset pin and slide off and on. I shall try the other firmware you suggested.

P(r)S : does it offer any different formats than normal? it doesn't need to as im fine with the reader's normal capabilities. its only that the other slightly freezy firmware offers a host of other files you can read.

MrGordons · 06-18-2010, 08:43 AM

ok need some gentle guidance now....HELP! how do I remove the PRSplus firmware. as much as I love it I loathe it, very slow and does the same format/restart trick but worse. i just want to get back to where I was, and the website has no removal instructions (That i can find)

06-16-2010, 05:01 PM	#1
MrGordons Member Posts: 10 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: PRS-505	PRS 505 Forever formatting then restarting please help, i have had a sony PRS 505 ever since they were released, had no problems until now, sometimes while reading i click next page and the formatting icon shows and just sits there with the arrows turning, this proceeds for five to ten mins before the device shuts down and restarts, it also seems to drain battery life and also the device forgets what i was reading, usually reverting back to last weeks book in the continue reading tab, I have tried pretty much everything, i have trolled the forums and looked for similar stories and solutions, none of them have helped, I have also found that i can replicate the error by choosing to go to a specific page number and clicking enter, sits formatting and restarts. this reader is my life, if i can't fix this i don't know what I'll do. I'm in south africa so sending to mother ship is slightly out of the question. GO

06-17-2010, 03:24 AM	#3
neilmarr neilmarr Posts: 7,233 Karma: 5881759 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Monaco-Menton, France Device: sony	How are you charging your 505, MrGordons? Similar glitches I noticed are a thing of the past since I started to use a mains charger. Mind you, I hit this snag within the first month of using a 505 eighteen months or so ago. (I'm kinda grateful for the problem because trying to find a fix brought me to the excellent and addictive MR forums.) Good to have your company, by the way. I'm sure someone here (there are many 505 experts) will come up with the solution. Good luck and best wishes. Neil __________________ BEWRITE BOOKS / BEWRITE BLOG

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06-16-2010, 08:55 PM	#2
sherman Addict Posts: 256 Karma: 6566 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New Plymouth - NZ Device: Sony PRS-505/SC, B&N Nook, Sony PRS-650/BC, Kobo Glo	Sorry, I can't help with your problem. However, if you want answers, this is the wrong section of the forums to get help. Either start a new thread in the Sony forum, or get s moderator to move this thread.

06-17-2010, 05:58 AM	#4
MrGordons Member Posts: 10 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: PRS-505	Thanks, hopefully a moderator can move this :$ I wasn't sure how to post in the correct area, I pretty much charge exclusively via USB, and if it helps, most of my books are stored on a very fast SD card (currently the internal memory is clean after many wipes) Neilmarr, did you ever find a workable solution to your similar glitches?

06-17-2010, 06:07 AM	#5
MrGordons Member Posts: 10 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: PRS-505	ah, right mains charging, should have read your post better

06-17-2010, 07:44 AM	#6
MrGordons Member Posts: 10 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: PRS-505	Another recent issue, may be related. calibre has deleted all the info on my device, such as collections, my very meticulous Tags and sorting info is gone, and now almost every book has an issue with restarting the device while reading. im going to delete everything and use my backup to re-import from calibre with new tags and such, if it helps i shall let everyone know.

06-17-2010, 10:50 AM	#7
edbro Warthog Driver Posts: 617 Karma: 4911 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Grapevine, TX Device: iPad4	As long as you plan to delete everything anyways, I would opt for a format of internal memory. There is an option for that in the device's menu.

06-17-2010, 11:00 AM	#8
sony_fox Connoisseur Posts: 99 Karma: 84 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Manchester Device: Sony 505	I did experience something similar to what you describe - which I attributed to full memory, and hasn't reappeared (touch wood) since adding an SD card. As you're already on SD card I guess this doesn't help much. Maybe it is a specifically picture heavy large or long file that caused the problem.

06-17-2010, 04:21 PM	#9
MrGordons Member Posts: 10 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: PRS-505	I reformatted one of the books in LRF (From epub) and it works much better and faster, This is unfortunate as most of my collection is in epub (support for epub was added in the last -probably final- sony firmware update) not an ideal solution, but no solution is ever ideal is it?

06-17-2010, 04:45 PM	#10
ebookapps Enthusiast Posts: 49 Karma: 432 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: USA Device: Sony PRS–300, Sony PRS-505	To read ePub and many other formats on Sony PRS–505 effectively you need to download and install an alternative firmware from ebookapplications[dot]com. Installation requires only copying files to the eReader and when device starts it prompts user if he wants to load original or alternative firmware.

06-17-2010, 06:17 PM	#11
MrGordons Member Posts: 10 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: PRS-505	ebookapps, that website is amazing, if whats on offer works then you are a miracle worker, do you know if calibre plays fine with the alternate firmware?- thanks! looks good so far, download in progress also, how does one browse books by tags or collections, surely the firmware hasn't removed that useful setting?

06-17-2010, 11:34 PM	#13
Solitaire1 Samurai Lizard Posts: 3,959 Karma: 10493428 Join Date: Nov 2009 Device: NookColor & Kobo Touch eReader	One factor in this might be the format of your ebooks. I used to use RTF and sometimes an ebook would reformat, especially if I changed the font size. I now use PDF and my ebooks rarely reformat except when I change the font size.


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06-18-2010, 08:06 AM	#14
MrGordons Member Posts: 10 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: PRS-505	ok, dwanthny i took your advice and did an internal format, all well, then i put the ebook applications software on. it works but its difficult to find the book you want to read as you can not sort via collections or anything, you can only browse the disk structure like a computer window. also, strangely, the 505 now freezes on pretty much any book format eventually (Only on this firmware) it can even be the sample book they included -oliver's Twist- it can be ten to twenty minutes and then the pages will refuse to turn and no other buttons work, only thing i can do is use the reset pin and slide off and on. I shall try the other firmware you suggested. P(r)S : does it offer any different formats than normal? it doesn't need to as im fine with the reader's normal capabilities. its only that the other slightly freezy firmware offers a host of other files you can read.

06-18-2010, 08:43 AM	#15
MrGordons Member Posts: 10 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: PRS-505	ok need some gentle guidance now....HELP! how do I remove the PRSplus firmware. as much as I love it I loathe it, very slow and does the same format/restart trick but worse. i just want to get back to where I was, and the website has no removal instructions (That i can find)