[stoikoviro]

Originally Posted by davidfor

Also, looking at your first post, it doesn't sound like you have actually tried a manual factory reset. The pinhole doesn't do this, it just forces a restart. Try the last method on https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/Kobo_Reset:_Mini.

@Davidfor,
Wow your guidance helped! I followed your instructions -- the 3rd reset option and the Kobo seems to be reviving now. It's no longer just a blank screen. Now, it progressed to the Restoring screen, then it reached the point where we need to connect it via USB to a computer to set it up. But -- I've hit a snag, the Kobo and the Mac don't seem to connect, even after trying 3 USB cables and 2 computers. Kobo Desktop app keeps saying "Please plug in your eReader" but it is plugged alright. The Kobo is displaying "Connected and charging" when I have it plugged into the computer.

Any ideas?