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AlexBell · 07-08-2011, 03:12 AM

Welcome to MobileRead forums, Rene

I'm not at all sure at what level you are looking for an explanation - that is, whether you know much about the XML and XHTML files which make up an epub, or just want to get an idea where things have fallen down. So please forgive me if I appear to be talking down to you, or am talking over your head.

Firstly, it is extremely unlikely that not having an ISBN is the cause of the error. It is entirely possible to produce a valid ePub without entering an ISBN.

Secondly, the toc.ncx file is a complex file which sets the internal table of contents. It has to follow very strict rules. Below is part of the toc.ncx file for a book I've just finished preparing:

<navPoint id="navpoint-1" playOrder="1">
<navLabel><text>Cover page</text></navLabel>
<content src="Coverpage.html"/>
</navPoint>

It looks as though your ebook does not have a section like this in the file.

Now, why it doesn't have this section is still a mystery; either you haven't followed Smashword's instructions as closely as you thought you had, or the Smashwords Meatgrinder has messed up.

Do you have the ebook? Can you open it up to see what is in the toc.ncx file?

Hope this helps.

07-08-2011, 03:12 AM	#2
AlexBell Wizard Posts: 3,413 Karma: 13369310 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Launceston, Tasmania Device: Sony PRS T3, Kobo Glo, Kindle Touch, iPad, Samsung SB 2 tablet	Welcome to MobileRead forums, Rene I'm not at all sure at what level you are looking for an explanation - that is, whether you know much about the XML and XHTML files which make up an epub, or just want to get an idea where things have fallen down. So please forgive me if I appear to be talking down to you, or am talking over your head. Firstly, it is extremely unlikely that not having an ISBN is the cause of the error. It is entirely possible to produce a valid ePub without entering an ISBN. Secondly, the toc.ncx file is a complex file which sets the internal table of contents. It has to follow very strict rules. Below is part of the toc.ncx file for a book I've just finished preparing: <navPoint id="navpoint-1" playOrder="1"> <navLabel><text>Cover page</text></navLabel> <content src="Coverpage.html"/> </navPoint> It looks as though your ebook does not have a section like this in the file. Now, why it doesn't have this section is still a mystery; either you haven't followed Smashword's instructions as closely as you thought you had, or the Smashwords Meatgrinder has messed up. Do you have the ebook? Can you open it up to see what is in the toc.ncx file? Hope this helps. Last edited by AlexBell; 07-08-2011 at 03:14 AM.