Touch Problems with KT firmware and downgrading *pulling my hair out*

VirgoGirl · 12-31-2013, 06:32 PM

Hello!

Today my KT running firmware 2.4.0 (which I overlaid onto the newer firmware) crashed.

I went to update the firmware, it downloaded 3. something - I only got a quick look at the version before it freaked out on me. I tried powering off, but it would not respond, so I did a paperclip in the back. When it powered back on, it did the on cycling on thing (happy book cover with small dots) for 5 minutes, then a screen came up and said "critical failure: restore to original firmware" or something similar.

So I did that, then tried to overlay the old 2.4.0 firmware on top of the latest version - attaching to Kobo desktop, downloading the newest version, replacing the KoboRoot.tgz file adding the manifest.md5sum file (which was not there) and adding the upgrade folder - but it stuck on the cycling on screen (taunting happy book cover with little squares underneath) until I tried the paperclip in the back, which DID NOTHING. After 20 minutes of trying to do the hard factory rest (paperclip/home button), I FINALLY got it back to the original 1.9.6 firmware, which I am currently using.

*taking a deep breath* is there SOME way to now roll back to 2.4.0 firmware - which was fine - from 3.whatever they threw at me? There was no "upgrade" folder, or "manifest.md5sum" file to overwrite. I'd go straight from 1.9.6 to 2.4.0 except for the need to sign in to use the Kobo.

Happy New Year! It's New Years Eve and I'm going to get smashed on champagne and glare at the KT.

Ken Maltby · 12-31-2013, 06:54 PM

There is a way to not have to "sign-in to Kobo" and still use your reader, but you will need to edit the KoboReader.sqlite database file. To do so you will need to download the free "SQLite Database Browser". Then use these instructions:

Anyway,
in order to initialize the reader without registering you can add a new line to the "user" table of the database. Fill in any fitting values. Depending on your reset firmware version, the number of values varies.
Example for FW 1.9.12:

Code:
INSERT INTO user VALUES ("0", "0", "0", "0", "0");Example for FW 2.5.0:

Code:
INSERT INTO user VALUES ("0", "0", "0", "0", "0", "0","false")

I think you use the SQLite Database Browser. Right? Open the database file "KoboReader.sqlite". Select "Browse Data" and choose the table "user". Look at line 1 and try to establish whether the values of one of the two examples might fit or whether you have to make some modifications. I guess the second example might be correct for the Mini. Choose Execute SQL, enter the command "INSERT INTO user VALUES ..." and press "Execute query".
I can only confirm that the values work for FW 1.9.12. I did not try it with more recent firmwares. If the reader does not accept your values, you can try replacing them by others (maybe the email address must look like an email address, e.g. name@xmail.com, or something like that).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
tshering

Then you should be able to go from 1.9.6 to 2.4.0, or any other FW that works in your device. You will not be asked to login to a Kobo account.

Luck;
Ken

davidfor · 12-31-2013, 07:54 PM

VirgoGirl: You cannot go from the 3.x.x firmware to 2.4.0 without a factory reset. As you are at 1.9.6, you should:

- Connect the device to the PC
- Start the Kobo application
- Let it do the update but DO NOT disconnect.
- Close the Kobo application
- Open the disk for the device
- Go to the ".kobo" directory
- Remove the "upgrade" folder and the files "manifest.md5sum" "KoboRoot.tgz".
- Unpack the 2.4.0 firmware zip file
- Copy the contents to the ".kobo" directory of the device
- Eject the device

The device should restart and install 2.4.0.

Ken Maltby · 12-31-2013, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidfor

VirgoGirl: You cannot go from the 3.x.x firmware to 2.4.0 without a factory reset. As you are at 1.9.6, you should:

- Connect the device to the PC
- Start the Kobo application
- Let it do the update but DO NOT disconnect.
- Close the Kobo application
- Open the disk for the device
- Go to the ".kobo" directory
- Remove the "upgrade" folder and the files "manifest.md5sum" "KoboRoot.tgz".
- Unpack the 2.4.0 firmware zip file
- Copy the contents to the ".kobo" directory of the device
- Eject the device

The device should restart and install 2.4.0.

Won't she get the 3.1.0 pushed onto her Touch whenever she turns her WiFi on?

Luck;
Ken

davidfor · 12-31-2013, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Maltby

Won't she get the 3.1.0 pushed onto her Touch whenever she turns her WiFi on?

The only time you get an update pushed via WiFi is during a sync. You can use the browser, Pocket or the shop without an update happening. But, a sync will check for an update and download it without prompting. I have never actually tried, but it wouldn't surprise me if using the fake id would still do the update check if a sync was tried. The update is done before any part of the sync. And, from memory, if you do a logout, it checks for updates of the firmware before asking you to login.

RangoX · 12-31-2013, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Maltby

Won't she get the 3.1.0 pushed onto her Touch whenever she turns her WiFi on?

Luck;
Ken

She can enable WiFi (to browse the web for example) but she can't use the Sync feature or the device will be updated.

I had to do the downgrade myself, version 3 is terrible for Kobo Touch, I don't know how the released such a disastrous version

VirgoGirl · 12-31-2013, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidfor

VirgoGirl: You cannot go from the 3.x.x firmware to 2.4.0 without a factory reset. As you are at 1.9.6, you should:

- Connect the device to the PC
- Start the Kobo application
- Let it do the update but DO NOT disconnect.
- Close the Kobo application
- Open the disk for the device
- Go to the ".kobo" directory
- Remove the "upgrade" folder and the files "manifest.md5sum" "KoboRoot.tgz".
- Unpack the 2.4.0 firmware zip file
- Copy the contents to the ".kobo" directory of the device
- Eject the device

The device should restart and install 2.4.0.

Hi!

Thanks for the replies! When I upgraded to 3.X.X, there was no "upgrade" folder, nor a "manifest.md5sum" file. I overwrote the "KoboRoot.tgz" file and added both the upgrade folder and "manifest.md5sum", but it when I powered on it put it into a perpetual "powering on" loop.

I went form 1.9.6 to 3.x.x but didn't see those folders.

I'll have to look into sqlite, but that looks a bit more complex than I can usually manage.

VirgoGirl · 12-31-2013, 11:58 PM

BTW, I NEVER use the wifi connection, I'm a drag and drop girl.

PeterT · 12-31-2013, 11:59 PM

Funny; I'm quite happy with 3.0.1 on the Touch!

davidfor · 01-01-2014, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VirgoGirl

Hi!

Thanks for the replies! When I upgraded to 3.X.X, there was no "upgrade" folder, nor a "manifest.md5sum" file. I overwrote the "KoboRoot.tgz" file and added both the upgrade folder and "manifest.md5sum", but it when I powered on it put it into a perpetual "powering on" loop.

I went form 1.9.6 to 3.x.x but didn't see those folders.

I'll have to look into sqlite, but that looks a bit more complex than I can usually manage.

If you didn't see the files and folders, then you were looking at the wrong time. The time to look is after the Kobo desktop has done its thing and before ejecting the device. If you eject, the files get processed and the device is updated. If you remove them and eject, no update is done. If you put other versions on in their place, the update is to that version.

Looking at my copies of the firmware, the 3.0.0 and 3.0.1 upgrades for the Touch only had the "KoboRoot.tgz" and "manifest.md5sum" files. And the latter might not have been used by the update using the Kobo desktop.

davidfor · 01-01-2014, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RangoX

I had to do the downgrade myself, version 3 is terrible for Kobo Touch, I don't know how the released such a disastrous version

It is off topic for this thread, but why? 3.0.1 worked well on my Touch. There were a couple of nuisances, but nothing I that made me consider downgrading. I have 3.1.1 on the Touch now and that works very well.

RangoX · 01-01-2014, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidfor

It is off topic for this thread, but why? 3.0.1 worked well on my Touch. There were a couple of nuisances, but nothing I that made me consider downgrading. I have 3.1.1 on the Touch now and that works very well.

The power button didn't work well for me, I had to long-press it or press it several times to make it sleep or wake up, playing sudoku caused the kobo to crash, overall I didn't feel to kobo as responsive or fast when turning pages or opening a book (side-loaded books). I downgraded to 2.6 and works like a charm. Mi kobo's hardware is version B.

VirgoGirl · 01-01-2014, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidfor

If you didn't see the files and folders, then you were looking at the wrong time. The time to look is after the Kobo desktop has done its thing and before ejecting the device. If you eject, the files get processed and the device is updated. If you remove them and eject, no update is done. If you put other versions on in their place, the update is to that version.

Looking at my copies of the firmware, the 3.0.0 and 3.0.1 upgrades for the Touch only had the "KoboRoot.tgz" and "manifest.md5sum" files. And the latter might not have been used by the update using the Kobo desktop.

I'm not doubting what you are saying, but I did look at the files inside the .kobo folder during the whole process. At no time did I see any other files other than the "KoboRoot.tgz" file, even after it was done updating. I did not eject, I just closed the desktop application and examined the files inside the .kobo folder.

I will work up the nerve to try again, I am pretty much resigned to having to get a Kindle this new year sometime anytway, particularly if it refused to do the paperclip/home reset if borked.

If I cannot get it to update that way, how would I do the update from 1.9.6 (which is still pretty good firmware although it takes FOREVER to process files and I can't read and charge) to 2.4.0 modifying the database so I don't have to log in? DO I modify the file before I eject from the machine? DO I just drag all the contents of the .zip file to the .kobo folder using 1.9.6 or do I have to do something else?

3.X.X just killed the Kobo, "critical failure".

tshering · 01-01-2014, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VirgoGirl

DO I just drag all the contents of the .zip file to the .kobo folder using 1.9.6 or do I have to do something else?

You are right. Connect the reader to your PC. Modify the database KoboReader.sqlite. Drag the content of the zip file to the .kobo folder. Eject the reader and disconnect it.

VirgoGirl · 01-01-2014, 03:56 PM

Thank you for the info.

I'm trying the downgrade one more time. If that does not work, I'll try the database modification, hopefully with help from my husband.

I'm thinking that no matter what happens, I'm buying a Kindle Paperwhite to supplement the Kobo. I just want something to read on, and if it weren't for 1.9.6 taking FOREVER to process new ebooks I would stay with it. Shelves are nice, but not at the expense of my sanity. :s

12-31-2013, 06:32 PM	#1
VirgoGirl "Why is it doing that?" Posts: 322 Karma: 725344 Join Date: Sep 2011 Device: Black Kobo Touch & Glo, responsible for 2 PaperWhites	Problems with KT firmware and downgrading pulling my hair out Hello! Today my KT running firmware 2.4.0 (which I overlaid onto the newer firmware) crashed. I went to update the firmware, it downloaded 3. something - I only got a quick look at the version before it freaked out on me. I tried powering off, but it would not respond, so I did a paperclip in the back. When it powered back on, it did the on cycling on thing (happy book cover with small dots) for 5 minutes, then a screen came up and said "critical failure: restore to original firmware" or something similar. So I did that, then tried to overlay the old 2.4.0 firmware on top of the latest version - attaching to Kobo desktop, downloading the newest version, replacing the KoboRoot.tgz file adding the manifest.md5sum file (which was not there) and adding the upgrade folder - but it stuck on the cycling on screen (taunting happy book cover with little squares underneath) until I tried the paperclip in the back, which DID NOTHING. After 20 minutes of trying to do the hard factory rest (paperclip/home button), I FINALLY got it back to the original 1.9.6 firmware, which I am currently using. taking a deep breath is there SOME way to now roll back to 2.4.0 firmware - which was fine - from 3.whatever they threw at me? There was no "upgrade" folder, or "manifest.md5sum" file to overwrite. I'd go straight from 1.9.6 to 2.4.0 except for the need to sign in to use the Kobo. Happy New Year! It's New Years Eve and I'm going to get smashed on champagne and glare at the KT.

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12-31-2013, 06:54 PM	#2
Ken Maltby Wizard Posts: 4,466 Karma: 6900052 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: The Heart of Texas Device: Boox Note2, AuraHD, PDA,	There is a way to not have to "sign-in to Kobo" and still use your reader, but you will need to edit the KoboReader.sqlite database file. To do so you will need to download the free "SQLite Database Browser". Then use these instructions: Anyway, in order to initialize the reader without registering you can add a new line to the "user" table of the database. Fill in any fitting values. Depending on your reset firmware version, the number of values varies. Example for FW 1.9.12: Code: INSERT INTO user VALUES ("0", "0", "0", "0", "0");Example for FW 2.5.0: Code: INSERT INTO user VALUES ("0", "0", "0", "0", "0", "0","false") I think you use the SQLite Database Browser. Right? Open the database file "KoboReader.sqlite". Select "Browse Data" and choose the table "user". Look at line 1 and try to establish whether the values of one of the two examples might fit or whether you have to make some modifications. I guess the second example might be correct for the Mini. Choose Execute SQL, enter the command "INSERT INTO user VALUES ..." and press "Execute query". I can only confirm that the values work for FW 1.9.12. I did not try it with more recent firmwares. If the reader does not accept your values, you can try replacing them by others (maybe the email address must look like an email address, e.g. name@xmail.com, or something like that). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- tshering Then you should be able to go from 1.9.6 to 2.4.0, or any other FW that works in your device. You will not be asked to login to a Kobo account. Luck; Ken

12-31-2013, 07:54 PM	#3
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	VirgoGirl: You cannot go from the 3.x.x firmware to 2.4.0 without a factory reset. As you are at 1.9.6, you should: - Connect the device to the PC - Start the Kobo application - Let it do the update but DO NOT disconnect. - Close the Kobo application - Open the disk for the device - Go to the ".kobo" directory - Remove the "upgrade" folder and the files "manifest.md5sum" "KoboRoot.tgz". - Unpack the 2.4.0 firmware zip file - Copy the contents to the ".kobo" directory of the device - Eject the device The device should restart and install 2.4.0.

12-31-2013, 11:58 PM	#8
VirgoGirl "Why is it doing that?" Posts: 322 Karma: 725344 Join Date: Sep 2011 Device: Black Kobo Touch & Glo, responsible for 2 PaperWhites	BTW, I NEVER use the wifi connection, I'm a drag and drop girl.

12-31-2013, 11:59 PM	#9
PeterT Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,521 Karma: 78910202 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Device: Libra H2O, Libra Colour	Funny; I'm quite happy with 3.0.1 on the Touch!

01-01-2014, 03:56 PM	#15
VirgoGirl "Why is it doing that?" Posts: 322 Karma: 725344 Join Date: Sep 2011 Device: Black Kobo Touch & Glo, responsible for 2 PaperWhites	Thank you for the info. I'm trying the downgrade one more time. If that does not work, I'll try the database modification, hopefully with help from my husband. I'm thinking that no matter what happens, I'm buying a Kindle Paperwhite to supplement the Kobo. I just want something to read on, and if it weren't for 1.9.6 taking FOREVER to process new ebooks I would stay with it. Shelves are nice, but not at the expense of my sanity. :s

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