Still safe to upgrade Kobo firmware if on Windows 8.1?

Noirtier · 08-20-2022, 02:25 PM

Hi all,

I've only just noticed that Calibre 6 has dropped compatibility for Windows 8 (or just support? Is it possible to make it work?). Apart from being very disappointed by that in general, my immediate concern is regarding maintaining support for the latest Kobo firmware. I see there was a new firmware release in July that Calibre added support for in version 6.2.1. So if I am stuck with version 5.44, is it safe to allow my Kobo Forma to update its firmware to the latest version, or will this mean that it will no longer work with Calibre?

Thanks!

Quoth · 08-20-2022, 02:47 PM

I was using 4.33.x most recent FW on a Libra with 5.44 on Linux till this week.

But at the minute the 4.32.x seems the most stable. I went back to that on the Sage.

Now 6.3.0 Calibre on all my Linux.

Comfy.n · 08-20-2022, 09:54 PM

https://www.technipages.com/download-orca-msi-editor

In the past I've used successfully that tool in order to have Calibre run on Windows 8, and it would run without any issues. Not sure if this is still possible/advisable.

davidfor · 08-21-2022, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noirtier

I've only just noticed that Calibre 6 has dropped compatibility for Windows 8 (or just support? Is it possible to make it work?). Apart from being very disappointed by that in general, my immediate concern is regarding maintaining support for the latest Kobo firmware. I see there was a new firmware release in July that Calibre added support for in version 6.2.1. So if I am stuck with version 5.44, is it safe to allow my Kobo Forma to update its firmware to the latest version, or will this mean that it will no longer work with Calibre?

There are no issues with using the "Attempt to support newer firmware" option in the driver with any released version of Kobo firmware. What the future will bring is another matter. I don't really expect there will be any issues in the near future. But, there probably will be something eventually. The bigger issue is new devices. They won't be supported by 5.44. There is a workaround, but, we'll see what happens when a device is released.

JSWolf · 08-21-2022, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noirtier

Hi all,

I've only just noticed that Calibre 6 has dropped compatibility for Windows 8 (or just support? Is it possible to make it work?). Apart from being very disappointed by that in general, my immediate concern is regarding maintaining support for the latest Kobo firmware. I see there was a new firmware release in July that Calibre added support for in version 6.2.1. So if I am stuck with version 5.44, is it safe to allow my Kobo Forma to update its firmware to the latest version, or will this mean that it will no longer work with Calibre?

Thanks!

The problem is that Qt6 does not work with Windows 8.1. You need at least a late enough version of Windows 10 or Windows 11 to run Qt6.

Windows 10 is still available as a free upgrade if you want to run Calibre 6. It's still a free upgrade.
https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/u...indows-10-free

JSWolf · 08-21-2022, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Comfy.n

https://www.technipages.com/download-orca-msi-editor

In the past I've used successfully that tool in order to have Calibre run on Windows 8, and it would run without any issues. Not sure if this is still possible/advisable.

Even if you get Calibre 6 to install on Windows 8, it won't run because Qt6 is not compatible with Windows 8. That's on purpose by those maintaining Qt6.

Quoth · 08-21-2022, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Windows 10 is still available as a free upgrade if you want to run Calibre 6. It's still a free upgrade.

It's not free. It's only sometimes sort of free. You need a particularly valid Windows key. Not all valid Windows 7 keys work. Fortunately my laptop's built into the BIOS key was really a Windows 10. It failed for the version of Win7 that came with the laptop. You also may need a utility to read key from bios (A Linux Live USB stick) or a program to decode a key from the Registry (Lenovo offers a vbs text file that works when run).

It's only a free download.

JSWolf · 08-28-2022, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quoth

It's not free. It's only sometimes sort of free. You need a particularly valid Windows key. Not all valid Windows 7 keys work. Fortunately my laptop's built into the BIOS key was really a Windows 10. It failed for the version of Win7 that came with the laptop. You also may need a utility to read key from bios (A Linux Live USB stick) or a program to decode a key from the Registry (Lenovo offers a vbs text file that works when run).

It's only a free download.

It is a free upgrade. About a year ago, I used the download to upgrade Windows 7 and I had no problem at all. It's no different to the upgrade that came from Windows Update.

Quoth · 08-29-2022, 04:21 AM

Microsoft says it's not a free upgrade for all legal installs of Win7 and 8 and that you may have to buy a licence.

I've seen that myself three times. But I'd go by what the supplier says on their public website, not by your or my small experiences.

JSWolf · 08-29-2022, 04:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quoth

Microsoft says it's not a free upgrade for all legal installs of Win7 and 8 and that you may have to buy a licence.

I've seen that myself three times. But I'd go by what the supplier says on their public website, not by your or my small experiences.

And I've posted links to reputable tech sites that also say the Windows 10 upgrade is free. Microsoft would rather you went with Windows 11 if possible.

Noirtier · 11-13-2022, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidfor

There are no issues with using the "Attempt to support newer firmware" option in the driver with any released version of Kobo firmware. What the future will bring is another matter. I don't really expect there will be any issues in the near future. But, there probably will be something eventually. The bigger issue is new devices. They won't be supported by 5.44. There is a workaround, but, we'll see what happens when a device is released.

Thank you David, that sounds like exactly what I need to hear! For the benefit of others I have managed to find that option now under:
Preferences → Plugins → search for "Kobo" → Kobo Reader Device Interface... → Customise plug-in → Extra customisation → Attempt to support newer firmware (last check box list)

So to clarify – now that I have enabled that option I can safely update the firmware on my Forma for the time being without any risk of it breaking compatibility with Calibre 5.44? But is there any risk of this happening with any future Kobo firmware update? And if so, would I be able to roll-back the Kobo firmware? Or should I rather check somewhere that it is still supported before going ahead with a firmware update?

Many thanks again!

Noirtier · 11-13-2022, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Comfy.n

https://www.technipages.com/download-orca-msi-editor

In the past I've used successfully that tool in order to have Calibre run on Windows 8, and it would run without any issues. Not sure if this is still possible/advisable.

Thanks for the link. From the comments it appears that that is a very outdated version of that software, and I think this would be very much a last ditch option for me to try if I was really stuck. But good to know thanks in case it ever does come in handy.

Noirtier · 11-13-2022, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The problem is that Qt6 does not work with Windows 8.1. You need at least a late enough version of Windows 10 or Windows 11 to run Qt6.

Windows 10 is still available as a free upgrade if you want to run Calibre 6. It's still a free upgrade.
https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/u...indows-10-free

Thanks for the info. I had looked into this issue when Calibre 6 first appeared and my understanding was that Windows 8.1 is no longer a supported platform with the release of Qt6. This is rather different to it not working in practice. For example, I also use Caesium, which also uses Qt6, but does support Windows 8.1+, and works perfectly on my system.

And I have no interest at all in changing my system to Windows 10 thank you very much.

Windows 8.1 is faster, far more efficient, and significantly less problematic overall. In the longer term I am more likely to move to Linux. But I expect to get quite a few more years service still from my current setup.

georgemk · 11-13-2022, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noirtier

Thank you David, that sounds like exactly what I need to hear!

Unfortunately David will not be able to answer this question as he sadly passed away a few days after that post.
There is a news thread at https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=348925
You are probably best off reading the Kobo Reader forum threads to see what others are saying about your model of reader and the firmware upgrades.
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=223

08-20-2022, 02:25 PM	#1
Noirtier Member Posts: 17 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2021 Device: Kobo Forma	Still safe to upgrade Kobo firmware if on Windows 8.1? Hi all, I've only just noticed that Calibre 6 has dropped compatibility for Windows 8 (or just support? Is it possible to make it work?). Apart from being very disappointed by that in general, my immediate concern is regarding maintaining support for the latest Kobo firmware. I see there was a new firmware release in July that Calibre added support for in version 6.2.1. So if I am stuck with version 5.44, is it safe to allow my Kobo Forma to update its firmware to the latest version, or will this mean that it will no longer work with Calibre? Thanks!

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Is it safe to upgrade to 5?	Rellwood	Calibre	27	11-02-2020 07:27 PM
Kobo not seen after windows 10 upgrade	mikeywilliams25	Devices	20	08-13-2016 12:47 AM
Why can’t I complete the Kobo Touch firmware upgrade or Desktop upgrade?	DarrellAtKobo	Kobo Reader	31	08-31-2012 10:45 PM
Kobo problems after 1.8.3 firmware upgrade	balbados	Kobo Reader	14	07-24-2012 12:10 AM
Firmware Upgrade Bricked my Kobo	jml78	Kobo Reader	3	04-04-2011 04:09 AM

08-20-2022, 02:47 PM	#2
Quoth the rook, bossing Never. Posts: 11,173 Karma: 85874891 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Ireland Device: All 4 Kinds: epub eink, Kindle, android eink, NxtPaper11	I was using 4.33.x most recent FW on a Libra with 5.44 on Linux till this week. But at the minute the 4.32.x seems the most stable. I went back to that on the Sage. Now 6.3.0 Calibre on all my Linux.

08-20-2022, 09:54 PM	#3
Comfy.n want to learn what I want Posts: 1,012 Karma: 6422750 Join Date: Sep 2020 Device: Calibre E-book viewer	https://www.technipages.com/download-orca-msi-editor In the past I've used successfully that tool in order to have Calibre run on Windows 8, and it would run without any issues. Not sure if this is still possible/advisable.

08-29-2022, 04:21 AM	#9
Quoth the rook, bossing Never. Posts: 11,173 Karma: 85874891 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Ireland Device: All 4 Kinds: epub eink, Kindle, android eink, NxtPaper11	Microsoft says it's not a free upgrade for all legal installs of Win7 and 8 and that you may have to buy a licence. I've seen that myself three times. But I'd go by what the supplier says on their public website, not by your or my small experiences.