i am waiting for my son to bring ours back for a day then I plan to test all the suggestions.
I will look for any firmware updates available for the device, and I will see if connecting via a USB hub makes any difference . I will also try out the browser, to locate my calibre content server and or shared folders/ and or dropbox
so lots to try, even without buying a micro SD card
I am hoping to diagnose whether it is actaully an iffy USB port connect on the device or just general " don't much like each other " going on between kobo & latest windows usb protocols.
All my PC USB ports are good with other devices so I't very unlikely to be those.
Longer term, I may just work on persuading him to switch to a Kindle for less hassle
with a Kindle I could use send to... email to save him a physical trip with the device