[eReader Wifi] Can this Kobo be saved?

LSH · 06-09-2020, 02:29 AM

I recently inherited a used Kobo eReader Wifi (N647), which was purchased new in 2014.

Initially, my library didn't show up in the Kobo software, but I assumed that was because I have a different email address than the previous user (this is my first ereader experience, so I wasn't sure what behavior to expect). It did show up in Calibre, but I was unable to add ebooks to it, though I was able to remove them. So I tried factory resets, from the Settings menu and also manually.

Now, when I plug it in to a computer, the (empty) device folder still pops up, indicating the computer recognizes it's connected. But when I try to connect it to Calibre, I get an "Error communicating with device" message. And when I try to set it up with the Kobo desktop app, I can't get past the "Please plug in your eReader" popup.

Is there anything I can do to fix this?

LSH · 06-15-2020, 09:25 PM

Still hoping someone can give me some pointers on troubleshooting this thing. If y'all don't have answers, I'm not sure where else to turn!

DNSB · 06-15-2020, 11:11 PM

You could post a request for a firmware image in the Kobo WiFi SD image thread in the Kobo Developer's Corner forum. This is likely to be the best route to go.

Check that you have private messaging enabled in your forum setup before posting.

For instructions, check the Memory Upgrade Mod Guide (With Pictures) . The instructions are for a Kobo Glo but the procedure is not that different for any of the Kobo models with removable internal storage.

davidfor · 06-16-2020, 05:09 AM

Apart for @DNSB's suggestion, can you access the device from the PC? Can you copy a book to the device through the USB connection? If the device can be seen, but, you cannot update it, it might be mounted as readonly. This isn't an uncommon problem for MACs, and has become more common.

LSH · 06-16-2020, 11:48 AM

@DSNB, thanks for responding. I will start reading up on this now.

@davidfor, when I connect the device either to a Windows or Linux computer, the file browser window pops up for the Kobo, and I have been able to add/delete files to it. But the files I've added in this way have not been recognized by the Kobo. Does that tell you anything about the problem?

DNSB · 06-16-2020, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LSH

@davidfor, when I connect the device either to a Windows or Linux computer, the file browser window pops up for the Kobo, and I have been able to add/delete files to it. But the files I've added in this way have not been recognized by the Kobo. Does that tell you anything about the problem?

Do you see any files or directories on the Kobo in the file browser window?

davidfor · 06-16-2020, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LSH

@davidfor, when I connect the device either to a Windows or Linux computer, the file browser window pops up for the Kobo, and I have been able to add/delete files to it. But the files I've added in this way have not been recognized by the Kobo. Does that tell you anything about the problem?

That's the symptom of a common problem with the last firmware release for the WiFi. The only fix that anyone has found was to restore an image to the internal SD card. I have sent you a PM with the link to the image. You need to take the SD card out, and write the image to it. You can use a bigger card, but, I'm not sure what the maximum size the WiFi can handle is. A 4GB works, but I'm not sure about an 8GB card.

06-09-2020, 02:29 AM	#1
LSH Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2020 Device: Kobo eReader Wifi (original)	[eReader Wifi] Can this Kobo be saved? I recently inherited a used Kobo eReader Wifi (N647), which was purchased new in 2014. Initially, my library didn't show up in the Kobo software, but I assumed that was because I have a different email address than the previous user (this is my first ereader experience, so I wasn't sure what behavior to expect). It did show up in Calibre, but I was unable to add ebooks to it, though I was able to remove them. So I tried factory resets, from the Settings menu and also manually. Now, when I plug it in to a computer, the (empty) device folder still pops up, indicating the computer recognizes it's connected. But when I try to connect it to Calibre, I get an "Error communicating with device" message. And when I try to set it up with the Kobo desktop app, I can't get past the "Please plug in your eReader" popup. Is there anything I can do to fix this?

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06-15-2020, 09:25 PM	#2
LSH Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2020 Device: Kobo eReader Wifi (original)	Still hoping someone can give me some pointers on troubleshooting this thing. If y'all don't have answers, I'm not sure where else to turn!

06-15-2020, 11:11 PM	#3
DNSB Bibliophagist Posts: 46,149 Karma: 168983734 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos	You could post a request for a firmware image in the Kobo WiFi SD image thread in the Kobo Developer's Corner forum. This is likely to be the best route to go. Check that you have private messaging enabled in your forum setup before posting. For instructions, check the Memory Upgrade Mod Guide (With Pictures) . The instructions are for a Kobo Glo but the procedure is not that different for any of the Kobo models with removable internal storage.

06-16-2020, 05:09 AM	#4
davidfor Grand Sorcerer Posts: 24,905 Karma: 47303824 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Sydney, Australia Device: Kobo:Touch,Glo, AuraH2O, GloHD,AuraONE, ClaraHD, Libra H2O; tolinoepos	Apart for @DNSB's suggestion, can you access the device from the PC? Can you copy a book to the device through the USB connection? If the device can be seen, but, you cannot update it, it might be mounted as readonly. This isn't an uncommon problem for MACs, and has become more common.

06-16-2020, 11:48 AM	#5
LSH Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2020 Device: Kobo eReader Wifi (original)	@DSNB, thanks for responding. I will start reading up on this now. @davidfor, when I connect the device either to a Windows or Linux computer, the file browser window pops up for the Kobo, and I have been able to add/delete files to it. But the files I've added in this way have not been recognized by the Kobo. Does that tell you anything about the problem?

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