Can Kobo automatically 'connect to computer' ?

seajay1221 · 10-09-2020, 10:41 AM

Title, basically.

When connecting the Kobo to a computer via USB it asks if you'd like to 'connect to computer' and allow the Kobo's drive to be mounted on the computer. I'd love to bypass that and have it always say yes. Is there a tweak or firmware mod that allows for this? It's one of the few things about the Kindle OS that I preferred.

Ripplinger · 10-09-2020, 10:57 AM

Yes, there's a patch that will do that, one of the patches I wouldn't be without.

JSWolf · 10-09-2020, 11:20 AM

I think it's a bad idea to apply the patch because you don't have the choice not to connect. Some chargers seem like the Kobo is connecting to a computer and you then cannot use any of these chargers to be able to read while you charge.

Ripplinger · 10-09-2020, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I think it's a bad idea to apply the patch because you don't have the choice not to connect. Some chargers seem like the Kobo is connecting to a computer and you then cannot use any of these chargers to be able to read while you charge.

When I connect to a plugin wall charger, it's never once not let me also read (if I want, but I'll admit I never read while it's charging, it's just not convenient to try and hold with a limited length cord). It just shows the battery charging icon in the upper right with full access to the reader. I've used numerous wall chargers and never had it think it was connected to a computer.

So I've never run into that problem at all. When I connect to the computer, I'll never want to also read, so it was just a nuisance step to have to confirm I want to connect. And I was used to the Sony's instant connect to the PC without a nagging confirmation.

DNSB · 10-09-2020, 01:00 PM

For what it's worth, I've used that patch but have disabled it. My new pair of loveseats' USB charging ports are configured so they look like a computer making hard to read while charging. Also annoying since my iPhone had to be be unlocked to allow it to connect and charge. Sadly, the XYL won't let me dismantle the panel to see if they can be rewired.

PeterT · 10-09-2020, 01:11 PM

I've not tried it but NickelMenu does support a toggle for auto_usb_gadget that enables / disables automatic usb mass storage connection. Using that might provide the best of both worlds; the ability to autoconnect and the easy ability to disable the connection if required.

NiLuJe · 10-09-2020, 01:16 PM

Nickel should indeed be smart enough not to switch to USBMS if the device is connected to a plain power charger (as opposed to when the device is connected to a USB host).

I should know, I replicated that distinction myself here

.

----

And, as @PeterT mentioned, the behavior requested by the OP is available as a hidden Nickel setting, one that can be toggled via NickelMenu (which is a good thing, because I don't remember the name of the config key right now

).

Quoth · 10-09-2020, 02:21 PM

Isn't there also a setting in the config file?

Also you'd want a dedicated charger cable that has D+ and D- cut and tied with resistors to allow more than 100mA as some have already pointed out there are stupid chargers that pretend to be hosts.
Also useful for ANY phone or Tablet in a public charge point as malicious ones do exist.

harmtemolder · 10-09-2020, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quoth

Isn't there also a setting in the config file?

There is:

[DeveloperSettings]
AutoUsbGadget=True

(See Kobo Configuration Options )

JSWolf · 10-09-2020, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterT

I've not tried it but NickelMenu does support a toggle for auto_usb_gadget that enables / disables automatic usb mass storage connection. Using that might provide the best of both worlds; the ability to autoconnect and the easy ability to disable the connection if required.

Well spotted. I do think that's the best way to do it instead of an all of nothing patch.

Quoth · 10-10-2020, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harmtemolder

There is:

[DeveloperSettings]
AutoUsbGadget=True

(See Kobo Configuration Options )

A good thing to add just before the touch screen dies.

But you seriously need a charging only cable to complement that setting.

seajay1221 · 10-12-2020, 10:49 AM

Awesome, thanks everyone! I went with the DeveloperSettings option in the config.

PeterT · 10-12-2020, 11:42 AM

I've just added the option to my NickelMenu setup (and as someone who doesn't apply any patches or 3rd party add-ons) that must say something

JSWolf · 10-12-2020, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seajay1221

Awesome, thanks everyone! I went with the DeveloperSettings option in the config.

You would be best to go with the NickelMenu solution as you can have an option to toggle this on or off.

10-09-2020, 10:41 AM	#1
seajay1221 just a guy Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2020 Device: Kobo Libra H2O	Can Kobo automatically 'connect to computer' ? Title, basically. When connecting the Kobo to a computer via USB it asks if you'd like to 'connect to computer' and allow the Kobo's drive to be mounted on the computer. I'd love to bypass that and have it always say yes. Is there a tweak or firmware mod that allows for this? It's one of the few things about the Kindle OS that I preferred.

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10-09-2020, 10:57 AM	#2
Ripplinger 350 Hoarder Posts: 3,574 Karma: 8281267 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Midwest USA Device: Sony PRS-350, Kobo Glo & Glo HD, PW2	Yes, there's a patch that will do that, one of the patches I wouldn't be without.

10-09-2020, 11:20 AM	#3
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 74,015 Karma: 129333114 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I think it's a bad idea to apply the patch because you don't have the choice not to connect. Some chargers seem like the Kobo is connecting to a computer and you then cannot use any of these chargers to be able to read while you charge.

10-09-2020, 01:00 PM	#5
DNSB Bibliophagist Posts: 35,464 Karma: 145525534 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver Device: Kobo Sage, Forma, Clara HD, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos	For what it's worth, I've used that patch but have disabled it. My new pair of loveseats' USB charging ports are configured so they look like a computer making hard to read while charging. Also annoying since my iPhone had to be be unlocked to allow it to connect and charge. Sadly, the XYL won't let me dismantle the panel to see if they can be rewired.

10-09-2020, 01:11 PM	#6
PeterT Grand Sorcerer Posts: 12,168 Karma: 73448616 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Device: Nexus 7, Clara, Touch, Tolino EPOS	I've not tried it but NickelMenu does support a toggle for auto_usb_gadget that enables / disables automatic usb mass storage connection. Using that might provide the best of both worlds; the ability to autoconnect and the easy ability to disable the connection if required.

10-09-2020, 01:16 PM	#7
NiLuJe BLAM! Posts: 13,477 Karma: 26012494 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Paris, France Device: Kindle 2i, 3g, 4, 5w, PW, PW2, PW5; Kobo H2O, Forma, Elipsa, Sage, C2E	Nickel should indeed be smart enough not to switch to USBMS if the device is connected to a plain power charger (as opposed to when the device is connected to a USB host). I should know, I replicated that distinction myself here . ---- And, as @PeterT mentioned, the behavior requested by the OP is available as a hidden Nickel setting, one that can be toggled via NickelMenu (which is a good thing, because I don't remember the name of the config key right now ).

10-09-2020, 02:21 PM	#8
Quoth the rook, bossing Never. Posts: 11,164 Karma: 85874891 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Ireland Device: All 4 Kinds: epub eink, Kindle, android eink, NxtPaper11	Isn't there also a setting in the config file? Also you'd want a dedicated charger cable that has D+ and D- cut and tied with resistors to allow more than 100mA as some have already pointed out there are stupid chargers that pretend to be hosts. Also useful for ANY phone or Tablet in a public charge point as malicious ones do exist.

10-12-2020, 10:49 AM	#12
seajay1221 just a guy Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2020 Device: Kobo Libra H2O	Awesome, thanks everyone! I went with the DeveloperSettings option in the config.

10-12-2020, 11:42 AM	#13
PeterT Grand Sorcerer Posts: 12,168 Karma: 73448616 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Device: Nexus 7, Clara, Touch, Tolino EPOS	I've just added the option to my NickelMenu setup (and as someone who doesn't apply any patches or 3rd party add-ons) that must say something