Glo Database problem with Digital Editions and Library books

ssholloway · 03-10-2016, 03:54 PM

I'm new to the Kobo world, having used a Kindle for several years. I bought a Glo HD to read public library books that are only available in ePub format. However, I'm having problems when I transfer a library book from Digital Editions to my Kobo. After ejecting the Kobo correctly from my Mac, I often get a DRM "not authorized" error when I try to open the book. If I do a reset (pushing the recessed button), the book will open without problem. So I assume this is some kind of database processing error that is fixed by the reset. One thing I have noticed is that if, after I eject the Kobo, I see a "processing content" message the book will open without having to reset. If I don't see that message, then I have to reset to open the book. I've tried ejecting when Digital Editions is open and when it is not, but that doesn't make a difference. One other thing is that the problem books always show up with a black cover on the home page, even though the cover png is in the thumbnail directory. The correct cover usually, but not always, shows up after a reset. I tried searching on the forum but didn't find anything particularly relevant.

So, my questions are:
1. How can I force the database to update without doing a reset?
2. Why are some of the covers still black even through the cover image is available?
3. What should I do differently to make sure the content is always processed after ejecting?

Further info: Kobo firmware 3.19.5761, Adobe Digital Editions 2.0.1 (I have the same problem on all versions of 3 and 4 as well)

Thanks for any help/insight you can give.

davidfor · 03-10-2016, 11:50 PM

The short answer to this is that the database on the device is probably corrupt. The fix is to signout of the Kobo account and then back in. If you have a backup of the database, you can try that.

The longer answer with the details I can think of that might be affecting this...

Firstly, the device should look for changes in the books every time it is disconnected from the PC. If it detects changes (books added, books removed, size of existing books changed), then the processing happens. That means there is a step that is always done, but the actual book processing is shown after this. If the book processing completes successfully, the book will be in the database and hence in the library. If the book processing is not happening, it either because the device is not seeing the new books, or the processing is failing earlier enough that the black processing screen is not shown.

For books with Adobe DRM, the device needs to be authorised. This is usually done from ADE when you the device is connected. If you put a book a DRM protected book on the device and the device is not authorised to the same account, you will get the black cover and the "not authorised" error you are seeing. The cover in an Adobe DRM'd book is encrypted. The black cover in the library list on the device is a sign that the cover couldn't be decrypted. That usually means an authorisation problem.

I'm surprised that after pressing the pinhole reset, that these books are seen properly. Usually this makes things worse if there are database problems. Or at least it makes it more obvious what is happening. When you hit the reset, the database isn't saved and an old version is used when the device is restarted. If there are any problems with the database, these can show up at this time. One of the common problems seen is losing the latest reading position for the book being read or any recent bookmarks.

Are you a calibre user? If so, I recommend using my Kobo Utilities plugin to do a check of the database. Otherwise, any SQLite database management application will have a function to check the database for problems.

The only other thing I can think of, and would be consistent with the restart fixing problems, is that the Adobe host service on the device is crashing. This is used to decrypt the books when being processed and read. If this has crashed or otherwise return an error, then the error and the black cover makes sense. Restarting the device would restart the service and solve this problem.

The only thing I can think of that might cause this is a bad book. And this doesn't have to be a DRM protected book. I am pretty sure that the Adobe host service is used for some functions for all epubs and PDF. So, if one of those crashes the service, it would affect other books. The possibility here is that you put several books on the device and the processing started. Some are added to the database. Then one causes a problem, crashes the service and stops any more from being added. Until the device is restarted, there will be some problems processing books or with Adobe DRM protected epubs.

If this is what is happening, there might be some log files in the ".kobo" directory. These have a stack dump when the crash happened. From memory, the name looks like "stack_nn.log" where "nn" are two numbers. These can be sent to Kobo to help debug the problem.

With all this, what do I suggest:

- Check the database. If it is corrupted, you need to fix that.
- When you put books on the device, watch for the processing. If it doesn't happen, or seems to short, check the library list on the device to see if the books are there. If books are missing, power off and on (that's better than the reset button), connect to the PC and see what happens when you disconnect.
- If you get the black cover for DRM'd books, restart the device, check again and if there is still a problem, resend the books.

Lastly, the subject says "Library books". I assume you mean books you have borrowed. If you are having the same problem with books you have bought, then I recommend stripping the DRM before putting them on the device.

ssholloway · 03-12-2016, 02:44 AM

Thank you, davidfor, for taking the time to give me such a detailed explanation.

Here's some more information based on the points you made.

For books with Adobe DRM, the device needs to be authorized. -- The Glo is authorized with the same Adobe ID as my computer. I've checked this and have also unauthorized the Glo and even the computer and then reauthorized them several times. That often allows me to transfer a book successfully, but the problem will reoccur.

When you hit the reset, the database isn't saved and an old version is used when the device is restarted. If there are any problems with the database, these can show up at this time. -- Interesting, I've also done power off/on and didn't realize there was a difference.

Are you a calibre user? If so, I recommend using my Kobo Utilities plugin to do a check of the database. -- Yes, I do use Calibre and I did check the DB using your plugin and it said the DB was OK.

The only other thing I can think of, and would be consistent with the restart fixing problems, is that the Adobe host service on the device is crashing. If this has crashed or otherwise returns an error, then the error and the black cover makes sense. Restarting the device would restart the service and solve this problem. -- Hmmm. That seems to be the best theory so far.

The only thing I can think of that might cause this is a bad book. -- This seems unlikely given that I get the "unauthorized" message on every book I transfer until a reset allows me to open them.

If this is what is happening, there might be some log files in the ".kobo" directory. -- I can't check this right now but I will tomorrow.

With all this, what do I suggest:

- Check the database. If it is corrupted, you need to fix that. -- done

- When you put books on the device, watch for the processing. If it doesn't happen, or seems too short, check the library list on the device to see if the books are there. If books are missing, power off and on (that's better than the reset button), connect to the PC and see what happens when you disconnect. -- I also tried power off/on and then reconnecting and often the processing will happen when I eject the second time. However, it may be that it fails to process when I reconnect/eject after doing the pinhole reset, I just don't remember at this point.

- If you get the black cover for DRM'd books, restart the device, check again and if there is still a problem, resend the books. -- I've done that and I still have a black cover but I'll try again using power off/on since I'm not sure if I did power off/on or pinhole reset before resending.

Lastly, the subject says "Library books". I assume you mean books you have borrowed. -- Correct; I've changed the title to say "Public Library books." I rely on Alf when I purchase a book so I don't have to deal with Adobe, thank heavens. Having to use Digital Editions to transfer books is a huge kludge!

ssholloway · 03-12-2016, 02:39 PM

Following-up:

I have tried something that seems to be working. I noticed that after I transferred a borrowed book to my Glo in Digital Editions, when I clicked on the Glo icon in DE, the book had a "new" banner instead of a banner showing the days remaining on the loan. So I opened the book on the Glo through DE and when I closed it, the correct banner appeared. So far, if I do that with each new book, the content processing happens correctly upon eject and I don't have the "unauthorized" message and I do have the correct cover. I assume that by opening the book on the Glo in DE, I'm forcing the Adobe host service on the Glo to do something while the device is still connected to my Mac. I will continue to experiment with not opening the book on the Glo through DE, but for the moment, I can at least transfer books successfully with this procedure.

BTW, there are no log files in .kobo.

PeterT · 03-12-2016, 03:15 PM

When the Kobo is attached via USB, it is impossible for software on the device to access the partition where books are stored; that partition has been dismounted from the Kobo as a part of the USB connection.

ssholloway · 03-12-2016, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterT

When the Kobo is attached via USB, it is impossible for software on the device to access the partition where books are stored; that partition has been dismounted from the Kobo as a part of the USB connection.

Interesting. Then I guess it must be Digital Editions that is changing the banner on the book on the Glo when I open it. Thanks for the information.

03-10-2016, 03:54 PM	#1
ssholloway Connoisseur Posts: 99 Karma: 280 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: iPhone6, iPadMiniRetina, KindlePW3, KoboGloHD	Database problem with Digital Editions and Public Library books I'm new to the Kobo world, having used a Kindle for several years. I bought a Glo HD to read public library books that are only available in ePub format. However, I'm having problems when I transfer a library book from Digital Editions to my Kobo. After ejecting the Kobo correctly from my Mac, I often get a DRM "not authorized" error when I try to open the book. If I do a reset (pushing the recessed button), the book will open without problem. So I assume this is some kind of database processing error that is fixed by the reset. One thing I have noticed is that if, after I eject the Kobo, I see a "processing content" message the book will open without having to reset. If I don't see that message, then I have to reset to open the book. I've tried ejecting when Digital Editions is open and when it is not, but that doesn't make a difference. One other thing is that the problem books always show up with a black cover on the home page, even though the cover png is in the thumbnail directory. The correct cover usually, but not always, shows up after a reset. I tried searching on the forum but didn't find anything particularly relevant. So, my questions are: 1. How can I force the database to update without doing a reset? 2. Why are some of the covers still black even through the cover image is available? 3. What should I do differently to make sure the content is always processed after ejecting? Further info: Kobo firmware 3.19.5761, Adobe Digital Editions 2.0.1 (I have the same problem on all versions of 3 and 4 as well) Thanks for any help/insight you can give. Last edited by ssholloway; 03-12-2016 at 02:41 PM. Reason: clarify type of books

03-12-2016, 02:44 AM	#3
ssholloway Connoisseur Posts: 99 Karma: 280 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: iPhone6, iPadMiniRetina, KindlePW3, KoboGloHD	Thank you, davidfor, for taking the time to give me such a detailed explanation. Here's some more information based on the points you made. For books with Adobe DRM, the device needs to be authorized. -- The Glo is authorized with the same Adobe ID as my computer. I've checked this and have also unauthorized the Glo and even the computer and then reauthorized them several times. That often allows me to transfer a book successfully, but the problem will reoccur. When you hit the reset, the database isn't saved and an old version is used when the device is restarted. If there are any problems with the database, these can show up at this time. -- Interesting, I've also done power off/on and didn't realize there was a difference. Are you a calibre user? If so, I recommend using my Kobo Utilities plugin to do a check of the database. -- Yes, I do use Calibre and I did check the DB using your plugin and it said the DB was OK. The only other thing I can think of, and would be consistent with the restart fixing problems, is that the Adobe host service on the device is crashing. If this has crashed or otherwise returns an error, then the error and the black cover makes sense. Restarting the device would restart the service and solve this problem. -- Hmmm. That seems to be the best theory so far. The only thing I can think of that might cause this is a bad book. -- This seems unlikely given that I get the "unauthorized" message on every book I transfer until a reset allows me to open them. If this is what is happening, there might be some log files in the ".kobo" directory. -- I can't check this right now but I will tomorrow. With all this, what do I suggest: - Check the database. If it is corrupted, you need to fix that. -- done - When you put books on the device, watch for the processing. If it doesn't happen, or seems too short, check the library list on the device to see if the books are there. If books are missing, power off and on (that's better than the reset button), connect to the PC and see what happens when you disconnect. -- I also tried power off/on and then reconnecting and often the processing will happen when I eject the second time. However, it may be that it fails to process when I reconnect/eject after doing the pinhole reset, I just don't remember at this point. - If you get the black cover for DRM'd books, restart the device, check again and if there is still a problem, resend the books. -- I've done that and I still have a black cover but I'll try again using power off/on since I'm not sure if I did power off/on or pinhole reset before resending. Lastly, the subject says "Library books". I assume you mean books you have borrowed. -- Correct; I've changed the title to say "Public Library books." I rely on Alf when I purchase a book so I don't have to deal with Adobe, thank heavens. Having to use Digital Editions to transfer books is a huge kludge! Last edited by ssholloway; 03-12-2016 at 02:50 AM.

03-12-2016, 02:39 PM	#4
ssholloway Connoisseur Posts: 99 Karma: 280 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: iPhone6, iPadMiniRetina, KindlePW3, KoboGloHD	Following-up: I have tried something that seems to be working. I noticed that after I transferred a borrowed book to my Glo in Digital Editions, when I clicked on the Glo icon in DE, the book had a "new" banner instead of a banner showing the days remaining on the loan. So I opened the book on the Glo through DE and when I closed it, the correct banner appeared. So far, if I do that with each new book, the content processing happens correctly upon eject and I don't have the "unauthorized" message and I do have the correct cover. I assume that by opening the book on the Glo in DE, I'm forcing the Adobe host service on the Glo to do something while the device is still connected to my Mac. I will continue to experiment with not opening the book on the Glo through DE, but for the moment, I can at least transfer books successfully with this procedure. BTW, there are no log files in .kobo. Last edited by ssholloway; 03-12-2016 at 02:46 PM.

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03-10-2016, 11:50 PM	#2
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	The short answer to this is that the database on the device is probably corrupt. The fix is to signout of the Kobo account and then back in. If you have a backup of the database, you can try that. The longer answer with the details I can think of that might be affecting this... Firstly, the device should look for changes in the books every time it is disconnected from the PC. If it detects changes (books added, books removed, size of existing books changed), then the processing happens. That means there is a step that is always done, but the actual book processing is shown after this. If the book processing completes successfully, the book will be in the database and hence in the library. If the book processing is not happening, it either because the device is not seeing the new books, or the processing is failing earlier enough that the black processing screen is not shown. For books with Adobe DRM, the device needs to be authorised. This is usually done from ADE when you the device is connected. If you put a book a DRM protected book on the device and the device is not authorised to the same account, you will get the black cover and the "not authorised" error you are seeing. The cover in an Adobe DRM'd book is encrypted. The black cover in the library list on the device is a sign that the cover couldn't be decrypted. That usually means an authorisation problem. I'm surprised that after pressing the pinhole reset, that these books are seen properly. Usually this makes things worse if there are database problems. Or at least it makes it more obvious what is happening. When you hit the reset, the database isn't saved and an old version is used when the device is restarted. If there are any problems with the database, these can show up at this time. One of the common problems seen is losing the latest reading position for the book being read or any recent bookmarks. Are you a calibre user? If so, I recommend using my Kobo Utilities plugin to do a check of the database. Otherwise, any SQLite database management application will have a function to check the database for problems. The only other thing I can think of, and would be consistent with the restart fixing problems, is that the Adobe host service on the device is crashing. This is used to decrypt the books when being processed and read. If this has crashed or otherwise return an error, then the error and the black cover makes sense. Restarting the device would restart the service and solve this problem. The only thing I can think of that might cause this is a bad book. And this doesn't have to be a DRM protected book. I am pretty sure that the Adobe host service is used for some functions for all epubs and PDF. So, if one of those crashes the service, it would affect other books. The possibility here is that you put several books on the device and the processing started. Some are added to the database. Then one causes a problem, crashes the service and stops any more from being added. Until the device is restarted, there will be some problems processing books or with Adobe DRM protected epubs. If this is what is happening, there might be some log files in the ".kobo" directory. These have a stack dump when the crash happened. From memory, the name looks like "stack_nn.log" where "nn" are two numbers. These can be sent to Kobo to help debug the problem. With all this, what do I suggest: - Check the database. If it is corrupted, you need to fix that. - When you put books on the device, watch for the processing. If it doesn't happen, or seems to short, check the library list on the device to see if the books are there. If books are missing, power off and on (that's better than the reset button), connect to the PC and see what happens when you disconnect. - If you get the black cover for DRM'd books, restart the device, check again and if there is still a problem, resend the books. Lastly, the subject says "Library books". I assume you mean books you have borrowed. If you are having the same problem with books you have bought, then I recommend stripping the DRM before putting them on the device.

03-12-2016, 03:15 PM	#5
PeterT Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,511 Karma: 78910202 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Device: Libra H2O, Libra Colour	When the Kobo is attached via USB, it is impossible for software on the device to access the partition where books are stored; that partition has been dismounted from the Kobo as a part of the USB connection.

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