Touch Used kobo won't activate via desktop app, should I sideload newer firmware somehow?

eeprom · 01-23-2014, 02:19 PM

Hello everyone,

First off, thanks for being such a definitive e-reader community. I've been lurking and trying to read up on this problem but couldn't seem to find a solution for it, other than to return the device (which I can't do, I bought it used). If you have any advice or links to other threads that might present a solution that'd be amazing.

On to my problem:

Bought a used Kobo Touch, did a factory reset, everything on the kobo touch itself is working fine (Model N905B). It's running a pretty old firmware - v 1.9.13 (r33944, 10/19/11). I've installed the kobo desktop software on both my macbook and two other windows computers and tried to connect to each one to no avail. The kobo itself recognizes it's connected - it displays the "connected and charging" message, but the kobo software never recognizes that it is connected. I've tried other usb cables, different ports, and leaving it connected to the computer for an hour, but nothing has worked.

At this point I'm willing to try anything to make this kobo work because it's of no use to me otherwise. My question is, is there a way I can sideload a newer firmware on to the internal microSD? My logic is that if I can update it to a newer firmware, perhaps it will finally get recognized by the kobo desktop software (I have the latest version, v3.5.0). Or, perhaps if I use an earlier version of the kobo desktop app the device might get recognized...I don't know, I'm gonna try to find that now.

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
-eeprom

PeterT · 01-23-2014, 02:54 PM

Does the device show up in Windows or the Mac as a removal disk? If not. that IS the first problem. Kobo Desktop only shows the device IF it recognizes it as a removable drive.

Have you tried a factory reset through the menus?

PeterT · 01-23-2014, 02:55 PM

And as to an early version of the desktop, there IS a catch-22. Sure you can install an older version, but when you launch it, it will look for an updated version and insist on downloading and install the new version of Desktop!

GeoffR · 01-23-2014, 02:58 PM

If everything has setup properly then you should be able to sync and it will automatically update to the current firmware (3.0.1 is current for the Touch). Don't plug the ereader into the computer, just sync via wifi.

If you need to do a factory reset in the future you can do the whole setup via wifi without connecting to the Kobo desktop software. In fact it is easier and probably more reliable to setup via wifi and avoid the desktop software altogether.

Edit: Sorry, I learned now that older devices may not have the ability to setup via wifi.

eeprom · 01-23-2014, 03:12 PM

Thanks for your prompt replies!

@PeterT - the device is NOT recognized as a removable disk on any of my computers, but when I remove the internal microSD and put it into my card reader, Finder shows a mounted partition called "KOBOeReader" and then disk utility shows two other linux partitions, which seems normal. I have a hunch that I need to somehow manually update the firmware on the internal microSD to make it work, any thoughts on that?

@GeoffR - I haven't been able to activate/setup the device at all, the Kobo desktop software won't acknowledge that it is connected. The reader itself just says "Please set up your eReader". Also I am unable to connect via wifi, my wireless network doesn't show up even though I am definitely in range of my router (I think this is because the wireless adapter is disabled until the device is activated through the desktop software perhaps?).

Is there anything I can do with the internal microSD card that might get this thing working? I made a backup disk image for it just in case. I was thinking sideloading a newer firmware might help but I don't really know how I'd go about doing that.

EDIT: Also, yes I have factory reset the device twice now from the menu system.

ALSO I wish I could activate the device without the desktop software, but I'm guessing that's only possible with a newer firmware, which I can't get yet! Catch 22...

eeprom · 01-23-2014, 03:18 PM

I wonder if a solution might be someone sending me a disk image of a newer Kobo Touch N905B firmware that I could put onto the internal microSD using my mac's disk utility? I was reading about that from another topic but I couldn't access it because it was sent to the guy through a PM. Any thoughts on that?

tshering · 01-23-2014, 03:59 PM

Since you can access the FAT partition, you should see there the folder .kobo, and in this folder the database file KoboReader.sqlite. I order to activate the device add to the table user (which has currently only one row) of this database file a second row with any content in each field.
As for updating to a newer FW, see this thread (the files go to the same .kobo folder).
You can do both activating and updating at the same time.
I am not sure whether this will make your USB connection work, but it is worth trying.

eeprom · 01-23-2014, 04:15 PM

@tshering - Funny, I just came across this page: http://uscoffings.net/clc/tech/embedded/kobo-touch/

For anyone else looking for a solution, all I had to do was download an SQLite3 editor for my mac, then open that KoboReader.sqlite on the FAT partition (on the internal microSD) and execute one line of code. Now my Kobo can connect to my wifi network and it automatically updated. I can finally use this device the way I want to, screw their proprietary activation software, nothing but a pain!

Thanks so much for your help everyone!! Can't wait to finally start reading!
-eeprom

PeterT · 01-23-2014, 04:38 PM

-------

eeprom · 01-23-2014, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterT

Dear eeprom. Please watch your language..... Just because your used device has an issue don't blame the manufacturer and their activation. Without a change in your attitude here don't expect me to waste MY time.

Hahahaha, change in my attitude? I just thanked everyone in this thread for their help you silly goose! Maybe you shouldn't waste your precious time lecturing strangers on the internet?

Here's some more free speech for you, since I know you'll probably waste more of your time reading it and I'm feeling rather ranty after all this trouble: Their desktop activation software sucks, as evidence from so many other similar posts from other users that have had similar problems to me with BRAND NEW Kobos as well. Why the hell would they make it so you can't simply update and activate your kobo from the device itself in the first place? Why should I be forced to use their desktop software on a wifi-enabled device? Why exactly are you defending a corporation that doesn't give two hoots about you?

P.S. The leafs suck! Enjoy your rustled jimmies

davidfor · 01-23-2014, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eeprom

Here's some more free speech for you, since I know you'll probably waste more of your time reading it and I'm feeling rather ranty after all this trouble: Their desktop activation software sucks, as evidence from so many other similar posts from other users that have had similar problems to me with BRAND NEW Kobos as well. Why the hell would they make it so you can't simply update and activate your kobo from the device itself in the first place? Why should I be forced to use their desktop software on a wifi-enabled device? Why exactly are you defending a corporation that doesn't give two hoots about you?

Personally, I don't think there are many posts here complaining that the desktop activation doesn't work. I have purchased for myself and other family members setup three Touch's and four Glo's. I did not have any problems activating them using the desktop activation. For my Touch and Glo, they have been through the factory reset and activation quite a few times with no problems.* The Touch was the last Kobo device that could only be setup using the desktop application. The later devices give you the choice of WiFi or desktop setup. I usually connect to the PC as I trust its network connection more than the WiFi in the devices.

To me, most of the posts about activation and the desktop app are how to avoid the activation. ie. How to avoid telling Kobo anything about the user. For someone who has no interest in using the Kobo shop, what you found is the way to do it. For anyone buying from the Kobo shop, logging in to a real Kobo user makes sense.

* And before you say something about the number of factory resets, most were by choice. I have reset both devices back to the factory firmware a lot of times to do some experiments. Plus there were a few due to my stupidity.

meeera · 01-23-2014, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eeprom

Why the hell would they make it so you can't simply update and activate your kobo from the device itself in the first place? Why should I be forced to use their desktop software on a wifi-enabled device?

Assuming that you mean "why wouldn't they make it [...]", the answer is, they did. Quite a while ago. But the factory software on your old secondhand Touch predates that change.

DNSB · 01-23-2014, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eeprom

Hahahaha, change in my attitude? I just thanked everyone in this thread for their help you silly goose! Maybe you shouldn't waste your precious time lecturing strangers on the internet?

Here's some more free speech for you, since I know you'll probably waste more of your time reading it and I'm feeling rather ranty after all this trouble: Their desktop activation software sucks, as evidence from so many other similar posts from other users that have had similar problems to me with BRAND NEW Kobos as well. Why the hell would they make it so you can't simply update and activate your kobo from the device itself in the first place? Why should I be forced to use their desktop software on a wifi-enabled device? Why exactly are you defending a corporation that doesn't give two hoots about you?

P.S. The leafs suck! Enjoy your rustled jimmies

Ummm.... your computer could not see the Kobo as a mounted drive. Without that, the Kobo desktop application will not be able to see the device. Exactly how does that make it an issue with the Kobo desktop application?

As for not being able to update and activate without the desktop software? While you were searching for the posts about issues with the desktop application, did you notice that there were a few more that mention that the newer firmware does allow doing everything over WiFi.

Sheeshh...

I take it you are waiting for the Leafs to do their annual nosedive out of the playoffs? To display their unbelievable talent for snatching defeat from the jaws of victory?

I must admit seeing that 7 of the top 10 are in the Western conference brings a smile to my face.

Regards,
David

01-23-2014, 02:19 PM	#1
eeprom Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2014 Device: Kobo Touch	Used kobo won't activate via desktop app, should I sideload newer firmware somehow? Hello everyone, First off, thanks for being such a definitive e-reader community. I've been lurking and trying to read up on this problem but couldn't seem to find a solution for it, other than to return the device (which I can't do, I bought it used). If you have any advice or links to other threads that might present a solution that'd be amazing. On to my problem: Bought a used Kobo Touch, did a factory reset, everything on the kobo touch itself is working fine (Model N905B). It's running a pretty old firmware - v 1.9.13 (r33944, 10/19/11). I've installed the kobo desktop software on both my macbook and two other windows computers and tried to connect to each one to no avail. The kobo itself recognizes it's connected - it displays the "connected and charging" message, but the kobo software never recognizes that it is connected. I've tried other usb cables, different ports, and leaving it connected to the computer for an hour, but nothing has worked. At this point I'm willing to try anything to make this kobo work because it's of no use to me otherwise. My question is, is there a way I can sideload a newer firmware on to the internal microSD? My logic is that if I can update it to a newer firmware, perhaps it will finally get recognized by the kobo desktop software (I have the latest version, v3.5.0). Or, perhaps if I use an earlier version of the kobo desktop app the device might get recognized...I don't know, I'm gonna try to find that now. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks! -eeprom

01-23-2014, 02:58 PM	#4
GeoffR Wizard Posts: 3,821 Karma: 19162882 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Te Riu-a-Māui Device: Kobo Glo	If everything has setup properly then you should be able to sync and it will automatically update to the current firmware (3.0.1 is current for the Touch). Don't plug the ereader into the computer, just sync via wifi. If you need to do a factory reset in the future you can do the whole setup via wifi without connecting to the Kobo desktop software. In fact it is easier and probably more reliable to setup via wifi and avoid the desktop software altogether. Edit: Sorry, I learned now that older devices may not have the ability to setup via wifi. Last edited by GeoffR; 01-24-2014 at 03:35 AM. Reason: older devices may not have ability to set up via wifi

01-23-2014, 03:12 PM	#5
eeprom Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2014 Device: Kobo Touch	Thanks for your prompt replies! @PeterT - the device is NOT recognized as a removable disk on any of my computers, but when I remove the internal microSD and put it into my card reader, Finder shows a mounted partition called "KOBOeReader" and then disk utility shows two other linux partitions, which seems normal. I have a hunch that I need to somehow manually update the firmware on the internal microSD to make it work, any thoughts on that? @GeoffR - I haven't been able to activate/setup the device at all, the Kobo desktop software won't acknowledge that it is connected. The reader itself just says "Please set up your eReader". Also I am unable to connect via wifi, my wireless network doesn't show up even though I am definitely in range of my router (I think this is because the wireless adapter is disabled until the device is activated through the desktop software perhaps?). Is there anything I can do with the internal microSD card that might get this thing working? I made a backup disk image for it just in case. I was thinking sideloading a newer firmware might help but I don't really know how I'd go about doing that. EDIT: Also, yes I have factory reset the device twice now from the menu system. ALSO I wish I could activate the device without the desktop software, but I'm guessing that's only possible with a newer firmware, which I can't get yet! Catch 22... Last edited by eeprom; 01-23-2014 at 03:14 PM.

01-23-2014, 03:59 PM	#7
tshering Wizard Posts: 3,489 Karma: 2914715 Join Date: Jun 2012 Device: kobo touch	Since you can access the FAT partition, you should see there the folder .kobo, and in this folder the database file KoboReader.sqlite. I order to activate the device add to the table user (which has currently only one row) of this database file a second row with any content in each field. As for updating to a newer FW, see this thread (the files go to the same .kobo folder). You can do both activating and updating at the same time. I am not sure whether this will make your USB connection work, but it is worth trying. Last edited by tshering; 01-23-2014 at 04:09 PM.

01-23-2014, 04:38 PM	#9
PeterT Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,381 Karma: 78877538 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Device: Libra H2O, Libra Colour	------- Last edited by PeterT; 01-23-2014 at 07:23 PM.

01-23-2014, 02:54 PM	#2
PeterT Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,381 Karma: 78877538 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Device: Libra H2O, Libra Colour	Does the device show up in Windows or the Mac as a removal disk? If not. that IS the first problem. Kobo Desktop only shows the device IF it recognizes it as a removable drive. Have you tried a factory reset through the menus?

01-23-2014, 02:55 PM	#3
PeterT Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,381 Karma: 78877538 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Device: Libra H2O, Libra Colour	And as to an early version of the desktop, there IS a catch-22. Sure you can install an older version, but when you launch it, it will look for an updated version and insist on downloading and install the new version of Desktop!

01-23-2014, 03:18 PM	#6
eeprom Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2014 Device: Kobo Touch	I wonder if a solution might be someone sending me a disk image of a newer Kobo Touch N905B firmware that I could put onto the internal microSD using my mac's disk utility? I was reading about that from another topic but I couldn't access it because it was sent to the guy through a PM. Any thoughts on that?

01-23-2014, 04:15 PM	#8
eeprom Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2014 Device: Kobo Touch	@tshering - Funny, I just came across this page: http://uscoffings.net/clc/tech/embedded/kobo-touch/ For anyone else looking for a solution, all I had to do was download an SQLite3 editor for my mac, then open that KoboReader.sqlite on the FAT partition (on the internal microSD) and execute one line of code. Now my Kobo can connect to my wifi network and it automatically updated. I can finally use this device the way I want to, screw their proprietary activation software, nothing but a pain! Thanks so much for your help everyone!! Can't wait to finally start reading! -eeprom

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