Kobo Can't See My Books - I'm Going Nuts!

Corpsegoddess · 07-29-2011, 10:35 PM

Hey all---brand new Kobo owner and I'm about to pull my hair out. I bought a Black Kobo Touch yesterday, got it all set up and good to go. Here's what I've been experiencing.

I downloaded books from The Gutenberg Project in the .epub format. I have tried to add them to my Kobo using Calibre, Adobe Digital Editions, and the drag-and-drop method of Windows Exlplorer. All three methods show the files physically on my Kobo; however, when I disconnect my device and go to my library, none of the books show up in my books list. I have tried several factory resets, tried deleting the books and adding them again, and nothing works. I borrowed one .acsm book from my local library and was able to successfully add that at the beginning, but after the first factory reset, that book is now no longer showing up on my Kobo either. I've done extensive searches on the internet and cannot find a solution to my problem. Any thoughts?

I'm so frustrated right now, because I JUST WANT TO READ! *sigh*

Joe563 · 07-29-2011, 10:48 PM

Some forum members have reported problems when using Calibre to add books to their Touch. Try using only Adobe Digital Editions or Windows Explorer and see whether that solves the problem.

Also, a factory reset deletes all books from your Touch, except those on a SD card, so that is why you no longer see your library book.

Corpsegoddess · 07-29-2011, 11:12 PM

Hi there...

Thanks for the reply. I did try Adobe and Windows Explorer, and neither of them work, either. And my library book does not show up on subsequent attempts, either. I've tried all three methods multiples times, and none of them work. The library book worked the first time using Adobe, but the other .epub books never worked, and never have.

Joe563 · 07-29-2011, 11:19 PM

Since you have used Calibre, you should do a factory reset to start with a clean slate and then only use the other two methods to transfer books to your Kobo.

Corpsegoddess · 07-29-2011, 11:59 PM

I saw a post where someone had mentioned that the KoboReader.sqlite file was causing problems, and they had removed it---and then they were able to load and see their books with no problems. Is this a valid method to try? If not, then I'll simply try the factory reset again, with the Adobe program.

Joe563 · 07-30-2011, 12:07 AM

A factory reset should fix any sqlite problems. Deleting that database will probably only lead to more problems. If you want to experiment, you can find the two files on the Touch that have the word calibre in the name and delete them using Windows Explorer. Finally, power the reader off and on. If your books do not appear then go the factory reset route.

PeterT · 07-30-2011, 12:17 AM

I am really confused here... The Kobo itself does NOT read ANY of the Calibre files; all they contain is the Device ID that Calibre associates with the Touch, and a copy of the metadata for the books from Calibre.

kiwipippa · 07-30-2011, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe563

If you want to experiment, you can find the two files on the Touch that have the word calibre in the name and delete them using Windows Explorer. Finally, power the reader off and on. If your books do not appear then go the factory reset route.

This worked for me but I don't know why. Without calibre open, I deleted the two .calibre files from the touch using Windows Explorer, ejected the touch, plugged it in again, then opened calibre and transferred the books to the KT. I could then see the books on the kobo. There is a thread on here about it, try post 3 here (which is where I got it from):

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=143654

Corpsegoddess · 07-30-2011, 12:36 AM

You were absolutely right, Joe---it was Calibre that was causing the issues. I deleted those files you mentioned, opened up Adobe and was able to move the books over using that. You can't imagine how happy I was to finally SEE them there on my Kobo!

Thank you all so much for your help and patience! Off I go to read!

edit: okay, it appears I spoke too soon. I managed to get *one* book on there, and now none of the other ones are showing up. Adobe says they're on there, I can see them when I open up the Kobo as a drive, they're in a folder, but none of the rest of them are showing up in my books list. What am I doing wrong?

I guess I'll try the reset again and start from scratch. Fingers crossed.

kiwipippa · 07-30-2011, 02:12 AM

I've just logged a "bug" with calibre on this, hopefully someone will look at it.

Corpsegoddess · 07-30-2011, 05:11 AM

*sigh* And that didn't work, either. Did the factory restart, used Adobe, dragged the books into Kobo. They copied over, according to the Adobe program--I watched them do it. I could see the .epub files there in the Kobo when I opened it as a drive in Windows---and I can't see them when I use my Kobo at all.

I'm trying very hard not to get frustrated, but this is so discouraging. The main reason I bought this was because of the Gutenberg Project--there are so many books on there I want to read. I don't understand what it is I'm doing wrong. I've found tutorial videos on how to load books onto my Kobo--with Calibre, Adobe and just drag-and-drop. Everything they say to do I've done.

With that one book I succeeded in getting on there tonight--I dragged the single book into the Kobo in the Adobe program, I disconnected the Kobo to see if it worked, and it did. I then reconnected it to do the other books and that's when nothing else showed up. That one book remained on there, but that was it.

I'm out of ideas. Is it possible I might have gotten a defective device or something?

sonyreaderfan · 07-30-2011, 05:29 AM

Seriously, if a device is causing you to go nuts, my recommendation is to just return it and forget about it altogether. Get another brand of reader. (I'm NOT advocating Sony Reader here.) Life is too short. No one should put up with losing their mind over a gadget.

Corpsegoddess · 07-30-2011, 07:30 AM

Well, "go nuts" might be a bit strong. But I'm really disappointed right now.

As far as getting another reader--I decided on the Kobo after a lot of thought and comparisons, and for a variety of reasons it's really the only one that suits me right now. I've put in a ticket to the Kobo Zen Help Desk thingie--if I can't get any assistance with them via email, I'll probably return this particular device to the store next week and get a replacement one, and give that a try.

danskmacabre · 07-30-2011, 07:37 AM

I think I had similar problems that you did, but I found if when using Calibre, import the ebook into caliblre, convert to epub (if it's not already.
Then right click on the ebook and on the menu select send specific format to device and onteh sub menu , send to main memory or attached storage (whatever you prefer) works for me all the time.
Do this instead of using windows explorer and you're good to go.

Corpsegoddess · 07-30-2011, 07:47 AM

Okay...I think I may have figured out what the problem is, and why one book worked, but then things stopped working.

There may be a corrupted book file from one of the ones I downloaded. I just tried downloading one book, ejecting, seeing if it was there--it was. I reconnected, added a second book, did the same thing. Second book was there. So I guess I just need to go through my list until I find whatever book it is that's causing the problem. Although I can't imagine what glitch in the .epub file would cause all the other books to become "invisible" to the Kobo when the corrupted book is added. That's just bizarre.

Ah, technology. Making our lives easier...

07-29-2011, 10:35 PM	#1
Corpsegoddess Groupie Posts: 190 Karma: 168826 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Vancouver, BC Device: Kobo Aura One	Kobo Can't See My Books - I'm Going Nuts! Hey all---brand new Kobo owner and I'm about to pull my hair out. I bought a Black Kobo Touch yesterday, got it all set up and good to go. Here's what I've been experiencing. I downloaded books from The Gutenberg Project in the .epub format. I have tried to add them to my Kobo using Calibre, Adobe Digital Editions, and the drag-and-drop method of Windows Exlplorer. All three methods show the files physically on my Kobo; however, when I disconnect my device and go to my library, none of the books show up in my books list. I have tried several factory resets, tried deleting the books and adding them again, and nothing works. I borrowed one .acsm book from my local library and was able to successfully add that at the beginning, but after the first factory reset, that book is now no longer showing up on my Kobo either. I've done extensive searches on the internet and cannot find a solution to my problem. Any thoughts? I'm so frustrated right now, because I JUST WANT TO READ! sigh

07-30-2011, 12:36 AM	#9
Corpsegoddess Groupie Posts: 190 Karma: 168826 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Vancouver, BC Device: Kobo Aura One	You were absolutely right, Joe---it was Calibre that was causing the issues. I deleted those files you mentioned, opened up Adobe and was able to move the books over using that. You can't imagine how happy I was to finally SEE them there on my Kobo! Thank you all so much for your help and patience! Off I go to read! edit: okay, it appears I spoke too soon. I managed to get one book on there, and now none of the other ones are showing up. Adobe says they're on there, I can see them when I open up the Kobo as a drive, they're in a folder, but none of the rest of them are showing up in my books list. What am I doing wrong? I guess I'll try the reset again and start from scratch. Fingers crossed. Last edited by Corpsegoddess; 07-30-2011 at 03:53 AM.

07-30-2011, 07:30 AM	#13
Corpsegoddess Groupie Posts: 190 Karma: 168826 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Vancouver, BC Device: Kobo Aura One	Well, "go nuts" might be a bit strong. But I'm really disappointed right now. As far as getting another reader--I decided on the Kobo after a lot of thought and comparisons, and for a variety of reasons it's really the only one that suits me right now. I've put in a ticket to the Kobo Zen Help Desk thingie--if I can't get any assistance with them via email, I'll probably return this particular device to the store next week and get a replacement one, and give that a try. Last edited by Corpsegoddess; 07-30-2011 at 07:41 AM.

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07-29-2011, 10:48 PM	#2
Joe563 Never spit into the wind. Posts: 328 Karma: 23499 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New Westminster, BC Device: Kobo Original, Kobo Touch, Kobo Android(smartphone & tablet)	Some forum members have reported problems when using Calibre to add books to their Touch. Try using only Adobe Digital Editions or Windows Explorer and see whether that solves the problem. Also, a factory reset deletes all books from your Touch, except those on a SD card, so that is why you no longer see your library book.

07-29-2011, 11:12 PM	#3
Corpsegoddess Groupie Posts: 190 Karma: 168826 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Vancouver, BC Device: Kobo Aura One	Hi there... Thanks for the reply. I did try Adobe and Windows Explorer, and neither of them work, either. And my library book does not show up on subsequent attempts, either. I've tried all three methods multiples times, and none of them work. The library book worked the first time using Adobe, but the other .epub books never worked, and never have.

07-29-2011, 11:19 PM	#4
Joe563 Never spit into the wind. Posts: 328 Karma: 23499 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New Westminster, BC Device: Kobo Original, Kobo Touch, Kobo Android(smartphone & tablet)	Since you have used Calibre, you should do a factory reset to start with a clean slate and then only use the other two methods to transfer books to your Kobo.

07-29-2011, 11:59 PM	#5
Corpsegoddess Groupie Posts: 190 Karma: 168826 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Vancouver, BC Device: Kobo Aura One	I saw a post where someone had mentioned that the KoboReader.sqlite file was causing problems, and they had removed it---and then they were able to load and see their books with no problems. Is this a valid method to try? If not, then I'll simply try the factory reset again, with the Adobe program.

07-30-2011, 12:07 AM	#6
Joe563 Never spit into the wind. Posts: 328 Karma: 23499 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New Westminster, BC Device: Kobo Original, Kobo Touch, Kobo Android(smartphone & tablet)	A factory reset should fix any sqlite problems. Deleting that database will probably only lead to more problems. If you want to experiment, you can find the two files on the Touch that have the word calibre in the name and delete them using Windows Explorer. Finally, power the reader off and on. If your books do not appear then go the factory reset route.

07-30-2011, 12:17 AM	#7
PeterT Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,471 Karma: 78880114 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Device: Libra H2O, Libra Colour	I am really confused here... The Kobo itself does NOT read ANY of the Calibre files; all they contain is the Device ID that Calibre associates with the Touch, and a copy of the metadata for the books from Calibre.

07-30-2011, 02:12 AM	#10
kiwipippa Fanatic Posts: 578 Karma: 613022 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: New Zealand Device: kobo glo, kobo touch (dead), kindle touch, android phone	I've just logged a "bug" with calibre on this, hopefully someone will look at it.

07-30-2011, 05:11 AM	#11
Corpsegoddess Groupie Posts: 190 Karma: 168826 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Vancouver, BC Device: Kobo Aura One	sigh And that didn't work, either. Did the factory restart, used Adobe, dragged the books into Kobo. They copied over, according to the Adobe program--I watched them do it. I could see the .epub files there in the Kobo when I opened it as a drive in Windows---and I can't see them when I use my Kobo at all. I'm trying very hard not to get frustrated, but this is so discouraging. The main reason I bought this was because of the Gutenberg Project--there are so many books on there I want to read. I don't understand what it is I'm doing wrong. I've found tutorial videos on how to load books onto my Kobo--with Calibre, Adobe and just drag-and-drop. Everything they say to do I've done. With that one book I succeeded in getting on there tonight--I dragged the single book into the Kobo in the Adobe program, I disconnected the Kobo to see if it worked, and it did. I then reconnected it to do the other books and that's when nothing else showed up. That one book remained on there, but that was it. I'm out of ideas. Is it possible I might have gotten a defective device or something?

07-30-2011, 05:29 AM	#12
sonyreaderfan Groupie Posts: 182 Karma: 203167 Join Date: Apr 2011 Device: Sony Reader Prs 950, iPad	Seriously, if a device is causing you to go nuts, my recommendation is to just return it and forget about it altogether. Get another brand of reader. (I'm NOT advocating Sony Reader here.) Life is too short. No one should put up with losing their mind over a gadget.

07-30-2011, 07:37 AM	#14
danskmacabre Guru Posts: 733 Karma: 3593438 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Glo. Galaxy Tab S 8.4	I think I had similar problems that you did, but I found if when using Calibre, import the ebook into caliblre, convert to epub (if it's not already. Then right click on the ebook and on the menu select send specific format to device and onteh sub menu , send to main memory or attached storage (whatever you prefer) works for me all the time. Do this instead of using windows explorer and you're good to go.

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07-30-2011, 07:47 AM	#15
Corpsegoddess Groupie Posts: 190 Karma: 168826 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Vancouver, BC Device: Kobo Aura One	Okay...I think I may have figured out what the problem is, and why one book worked, but then things stopped working. There may be a corrupted book file from one of the ones I downloaded. I just tried downloading one book, ejecting, seeing if it was there--it was. I reconnected, added a second book, did the same thing. Second book was there. So I guess I just need to go through my list until I find whatever book it is that's causing the problem. Although I can't imagine what glitch in the .epub file would cause all the other books to become "invisible" to the Kobo when the corrupted book is added. That's just bizarre. Ah, technology. Making our lives easier...