[Timboli]

I bought a Kobo Libra H20 some years ago, brand new.

For around the first year, I had no real problems with it.

Then it started having issues, where the only way I could resolve them, was to do a factory reset about every two months.

The main issue, is that after about two months it can no longer complete a sync.

The other really annoying issue, is that many of the covers don't show when browsing on the device, and even worse in a lot of cases, won't display when I put the device to sleep.

Sometimes I have been lucky, and the Repair option will fix things for a while, but not past another sync or two. Often the Repair option also gets stuck like Sync, and never completes.

I have several hundred ebooks on the device, mostly downloaded by wifi from Kobo, but also a good bunch of side-loaded ebooks gotten direct from authors or from Smashwords, BookFunnel, etc.

The side-loaded ebooks often show a wrong size cover (i.e. a small image inside a larger blank image). I've learnt how to replace such images (3 variants). I've even created a helper program to assist with that.

However, I have had no luck with adding images to my wifi downloaded ebooks, where the cover image is missing, even though the cover image actually exists in the epub file. Even checking the SQL Kobo database file doesn't help in regard to where the missing cover images should be.

I don't connect my Kobo ereader to my PC and calibre. In any case, my USB connection is at times flaky ... which seems to be the case after the device is fully charged.

I suspect I am not alone with these issues, though never confirmed that with anyone.

I have of course had many discussions with Kobo in my attempts to fix these issues. In the end I had to give up because I wasn't getting anywhere.

I am also fed up with reloading my ebooks onto my Kobo ereader. So no more factory resetting or repair attempts.

Instead, I just tolerate the issues and get around them best I can. For instance, to download a purchase from Kobo via Wifi, I pretend I want to read the ebook now, then after it downloads and opens I close it and reset to Unread.

I have contemplated doing another reset and then side-loading all my ebooks instead of using wifi, but I have on the few occasions I tested that, noticed that there is text formatting issues with my Kobo purchases, when added to the device in that manner.

Prior to buying the Kobo, I bought Kindle E-Ink devices and used them for many years (Keyboard Kindle and Paperwhite 2). I also have a 10" Samsung Tablet, which I use for ebooks with graphics.

I had several motivations for buying into the Kobo ecosystem, not least was a few issues with Amazon. I also wanted a device that would display the book cover of the ebook I was reading, when it goes to sleep. And I simply wanted to check out what a Kobo device was like, and the only option available to me was to buy one to do so. The Kobo Libra H20 appealed to me, so I took a leap of faith, and for the most part I am glad I did, because it is now my preferred ereader device, especially as I prefer using the page buttons.

All my ereaders (and tablet) have decent impact proof covers, front and back, much like an old leather hard cover novel. And I treat them all as something special.

I still use my Paperwhite Kindle regularly, because most of my prior purchases and the occasional new one are a Kindle format.

Generally, I will now purchase an ebook at Kobo instead of Amazon, unless Amazon is significantly cheaper or the ebook only exists at Amazon.

Anyway, I would appreciate any insights someone has ... if there are any.