calibre portable and kindle

ktj · 12-13-2011, 04:00 PM

I think this is more a hardware question that either a calibre or kindle question - but here goes.

I have my book library on a memory stick (calibre portable). Seems like when i plug in my kindle my pc fails to recognise both devices at the same time. This means I can't export from my calibre library direct to my kindle. instead i have to copy my mobi file to the hard drive, then connect the kindle and then i can copy it across.

So do you think this is a kindle, calibre or hardware problem?

pidgeon92 · 12-13-2011, 05:10 PM

I think I don't understand why you're bothering with the memory stick. I can understand it being a backup source, but not as your main ebook library.

The Terminator · 12-13-2011, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pidgeon92

I think I don't understand why you're bothering with the memory stick. I can understand it being a backup source, but not as your main ebook library.

They might be trying to save space on their hard drive.

pidgeon92 · 12-13-2011, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Terminator

They might be trying to save space on their hard drive.

If were were still living in a world where 20GB hard drive was considered large, I'd consider this as a possibility. Thumb drives fail often, I really hope the OP has a backup.

mikeschr · 12-14-2011, 03:13 AM

One reason you might want to use Calibre portable would be to access the Calibre library on any computer. There could be lots of other reasons.

To answer the original question, it sounds like a problem with your PC. I have no problem using my Kindle and another external drive at the same time. If you could try using both in another PC, that might provide some useful info for you.

wallcraft · 12-14-2011, 04:43 AM

The problem is obviously with your computer and/or operating system, since two external "drives" on two USB ports should be ok.

Have you tried first connecting the Kindle, then plugging in the USB stick, then starting up Calibre? The starting up Calibre would only be called for it your computer recognizes both drives when connected in this order. Alternatively, if your computer has a built in external SD card slot, you could put Calibre on a SD card.

mikeschr · 12-14-2011, 01:04 PM

You could also run Portable Calibre from Dropbox, if your library isn't too large, and not need the memory stick.

ktj · 12-16-2011, 04:29 AM

sorry, i haven't had a chance to respond to this.

I prefer keeping my library on a memory stick as it gives me the flexibility to move from pc to pc (i spend a lot of time tidying my library). I do have space on my main pc and indeed have a backup library on it.

I don't think i have an SD slot and have tried connecting both devices in different orders but as soon as both are it seems the kindle takes precedence and the memory stick disappears.

I guessed it was probably a computer problem and will endeavour to find out. Thanks for the comments.

geeksquadofun · 12-16-2011, 07:04 AM

When Amazon launched the Personal Documents feature, I simply stopped using Calibre as I had no need anymore.

I now send all my personal documents to my Kindle email address, they show on my Kindle in seconds and I have a spare 'in the Amazon cloud', maahvelous....

emalvick · 12-20-2011, 12:35 PM

How many USB ports do you have?

I wonder if it isn't related to the power output of your USB ports? Have you tried various USB ports on your computer? For instance, on many desktops, the front USB ports have lower power output than rear ones. I've had cases where my external hard-drive doesn't not get recognized or work correctly when plugged into a front of box port. Since the Kindle is a device that will try to pull 0.7A, that could be a problem?

I know USB ports are only supposed to supply 0.5A, but I'm not sure the quality control guarantees this will occur. Some external USB devices will not regulate power well. Some USB adapters for charging will have 2 ports where using one port will supply 1A, but as soon as 2 items are plugged in, will split it to 0.5A. I've never had those types of devices work very reliably.

I know this is a lot of rambling, but they are things to be aware of.

12-13-2011, 04:00 PM	#1
ktj Member Posts: 12 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2011 Device: laputa on android	calibre portable and kindle I think this is more a hardware question that either a calibre or kindle question - but here goes. I have my book library on a memory stick (calibre portable). Seems like when i plug in my kindle my pc fails to recognise both devices at the same time. This means I can't export from my calibre library direct to my kindle. instead i have to copy my mobi file to the hard drive, then connect the kindle and then i can copy it across. So do you think this is a kindle, calibre or hardware problem?

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12-13-2011, 05:10 PM	#2
pidgeon92 Wizard Posts: 3,144 Karma: 8426142 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Device: Kindle PW2, Kindle Voyage, Kindle DXG, Boox M90, Kobo Aura HD	I think I don't understand why you're bothering with the memory stick. I can understand it being a backup source, but not as your main ebook library.

12-14-2011, 03:13 AM	#5
mikeschr Connoisseur Posts: 63 Karma: 60 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Portland Device: Scribe, Oasis, Clara	One reason you might want to use Calibre portable would be to access the Calibre library on any computer. There could be lots of other reasons. To answer the original question, it sounds like a problem with your PC. I have no problem using my Kindle and another external drive at the same time. If you could try using both in another PC, that might provide some useful info for you.

12-14-2011, 04:43 AM	#6
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,977 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	The problem is obviously with your computer and/or operating system, since two external "drives" on two USB ports should be ok. Have you tried first connecting the Kindle, then plugging in the USB stick, then starting up Calibre? The starting up Calibre would only be called for it your computer recognizes both drives when connected in this order. Alternatively, if your computer has a built in external SD card slot, you could put Calibre on a SD card.

12-14-2011, 01:04 PM	#7
mikeschr Connoisseur Posts: 63 Karma: 60 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Portland Device: Scribe, Oasis, Clara	You could also run Portable Calibre from Dropbox, if your library isn't too large, and not need the memory stick.

12-16-2011, 04:29 AM	#8
ktj Member Posts: 12 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2011 Device: laputa on android	sorry, i haven't had a chance to respond to this. I prefer keeping my library on a memory stick as it gives me the flexibility to move from pc to pc (i spend a lot of time tidying my library). I do have space on my main pc and indeed have a backup library on it. I don't think i have an SD slot and have tried connecting both devices in different orders but as soon as both are it seems the kindle takes precedence and the memory stick disappears. I guessed it was probably a computer problem and will endeavour to find out. Thanks for the comments.

12-16-2011, 07:04 AM	#9
geeksquadofun Member Posts: 23 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: Kindle 3	When Amazon launched the Personal Documents feature, I simply stopped using Calibre as I had no need anymore. I now send all my personal documents to my Kindle email address, they show on my Kindle in seconds and I have a spare 'in the Amazon cloud', maahvelous....

12-20-2011, 12:35 PM	#10
emalvick Groupie Posts: 166 Karma: 5358 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Davis, CA Device: Kindle 3	How many USB ports do you have? I wonder if it isn't related to the power output of your USB ports? Have you tried various USB ports on your computer? For instance, on many desktops, the front USB ports have lower power output than rear ones. I've had cases where my external hard-drive doesn't not get recognized or work correctly when plugged into a front of box port. Since the Kindle is a device that will try to pull 0.7A, that could be a problem? I know USB ports are only supposed to supply 0.5A, but I'm not sure the quality control guarantees this will occur. Some external USB devices will not regulate power well. Some USB adapters for charging will have 2 ports where using one port will supply 1A, but as soon as 2 items are plugged in, will split it to 0.5A. I've never had those types of devices work very reliably. I know this is a lot of rambling, but they are things to be aware of.

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