HELP! Mobi conv. prob. in Kindle for PC--big issue

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

convert from the calibre produced mobi to something else and use the debug option. in the debug directory you'll find a single html file in the input subdirectory. And the people at Amazon are morons.

I might just love you (I'm a chick). Edit that: I do love you AND Calibre. I agree about the people at Amazon, but my clients are, rightfully (in their own way) having sh*tfits.

I'll try that, as the epub-via-KindleGen isn't quite working for me due to TOC issues.

Hitch

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by wallcraft

kindlegen does support epub input. It may not like all legal ePubs, but it should produce a 100% compatible MOBI for Amazon (essentially by definition).

If the Sigil ePub does not convert cleanly to MOBI using mobigen, what I would try next is:

a) Convert from ePub to MOBI using Calibre, then
b) convert from MOBI to ePub using Calibre, then
c) convert from ePub to MOBI using kindlegen.

This is a very round about way to get a Kindle MOBI, but Amazon can hardly blame Calibre if kindlegen is what creates the MOBI.

My problem thus far is that the Sigil-epub-to-KindleGen hasn't produced a TOC. I'll try it, because at this point I'd try almost bloody anything. AFTER I try Kovid's excellent method to find the single html file...just in case. ;-)

I am really, really, REALLY hating Amazon today, those @sswipes.

EDIT: UPDATE: This procedure, mind-blowingly, works. I deleted my Sigil-created epub from the Calibre library (as I was somewhat unsure of the overwriting protocols) and converted my mobi BACK to epub, then drag-n-dropped that sucker right onto KindleGen, and, bobs-yer-uncle, it worked.
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hitch

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

convert from the calibre produced mobi to something else and use the debug option. in the debug directory you'll find a single html file in the input subdirectory. And the people at Amazon are morons.

Oh, and, yes, Kovid:

Thank you, thank you, thank you for this trick. Saved me no end of aggravation, and I've sent it on to my client for his own library, in case I get run over by a car or what-have-you.

And thanks for Calibre. You don't get thanked enough.

Hitch

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

convert from the calibre produced mobi to something else and use the debug option. in the debug directory you'll find a single html file in the input subdirectory. And the people at Amazon are morons.

@Kovid, FWIW, here's their latest:

In our initial research, we've found that the files created by Calibre do not have enough space in their headers to accommodate the DRM that is applied when the content is downloaded to the Kindle. To fix this situation, re-create your content using our conversion tools (MobiPocket or KindleGen) and upload it to DTP.

Hope this is helpful.

Hitch

[kovidgoyal]

Thanks, that gives me something concrete to go on.

[Hitch]

BTW, the Sigil-epub-to-Calibre-mobi-to-Calibre-epub to KindleGen works fine. It's a bit bizarre, and I have to watch myself, because I end up with similarly-named files in different directories, but it does work and produce what, thus far, appears to be a .mobi. I've uploaded the first one that will go through Amazon's DRM....when it goes live I'll download a K4PC copy and see what happens. If that works, and it would help you, Kovid, I could then send you copies of the original mobi that didn't work and the Kindle-gen'ed one that does. Let me know if that would be useful.

[kovidgoyal]

Yes, that would help