Actually, it is possible to update without wireless. You may indeed need a different USB cable, or if you have more than one USB input on your computer, try a different one. Directions for updating without wireless are here:
http://help.kobobooks.com/
"Issue: Some Literati customers don't have access to a Wi Fi network and therefore cannot complete any of the device upgrades.
Solution: Use the Literati USB connection and the following steps
1. Plug the eReader into a charger
2. Download v1.9 of the Literati or Lookbook firmware from -
http://download.kobobooks.com/firmwa...9/KoboRoot.tgz , and save the file somewhere you will remember
* NOTE: Some browsers will download the file and rename it to KoboRoot.tar. The upgrade will not work with the .tar extension. If this happened with your download, please rename the downloaded file to KoboRoot.tgz
3. Keeping the charger connected, connect the Literati or Lookbook to your computer through the provided USB cable
4. The eReader will appear on your computer as a mass storage device
ON A MAC:
1. Open mass storage device in Finder
2 . Click GO from the top menu
3. Click Go to folder
4. Type in .kobo (include the period).
5. .kobo folder will open
6. Transfer the KoboRoot.tgz file you downloaded to the .kobo folder
7. Once the file has transferred, safely eject the eReader
8. Turn off the eReader
9. Turn on the eReader
10. The eReader will take up to 10 minutes to start up, please be patient and do not reset or power off the eReader in any way.
11. Once the eReader restarts, it will have the latest version (v1.9) installed. You can verify this by pressing the menu button, selecting Settings and looking at the Version number.
ON A PC:
1. Open mass storage device in Windows Explorer
2. Ensure hidden folders are visible (different for different Windows versions)
XP: Go to My Computer > Tools menu > Folder Options > View Tab > Advanced Settings > Hidden Files and Folders > Show hidden files and folders. Press OK all the way out.
Vista and Windows 7: Start > Control Panel > Folder Options > View Tab > Click Show Hidden files and folders > OK
3. Open .kobo folder in the mass storage window
4. Transfer the KoboRoot.tgz file you downloaded to the .kobo folder
5. Once file has transferred, safely eject the eReader
6. Turn the eReader off
7. Turn the eReader on
8. The eReader will take up to 10 minutes to start up, please be patient and do not reset or power off the eReader in any way.
9. Once the eReader restarts, it will have the latest version (v1.9) installed. You can verify this by pressing the menu button, selecting Settings and looking at the Version number."