Read-only USB port: Error communicating with device

ErichSt · 12-28-2021, 01:14 PM

When working on a Windows machine where USB ports are read-only by policy, Calibre issues error "Error communicating with device" and doesn't connect.

It would be nice if connecting to a device and read-only operations from the device, like copying books from the device to Calibre, still worked in this case.

The full message is:
calibre, version 5.34.0
ERROR: Error: Error communicating with device

Failed to access files in the main memory of your device. You should contact the device manufacturer for support. Common fixes are: try a different USB cable/USB port on your computer. If you device has a "Reset to factory defaults" type of setting somewhere, use it. Underlying error: [Errno 13] Permission denied: 'D:\\driveinfo.calibre'

Traceback (most recent call last):
File "calibre\devices\usbms\driver.py", line 162, in get_device_information
File "calibre\devices\usbms\driver.py", line 134, in _update_driveinfo_file
PermissionError: [Errno 13] Permission denied: 'D:\\driveinfo.calibre'

The above exception was the direct cause of the following exception:

Traceback (most recent call last):
File "calibre\gui2\device.py", line 87, in run
File "calibre\gui2\device.py", line 472, in _get_device_information
File "calibre\devices\eb600\driver.py", line 89, in get_device_information
File "calibre\devices\usbms\driver.py", line 171, in get_device_information
File "calibre\devices\usbms\driver.py", line 152, in raise_os_error
OSError: Failed to access files in the main memory of your device. You should contact the device manufacturer for support. Common fixes are: try a different USB cable/USB port on your computer. If you device has a "Reset to factory defaults" type of setting somewhere, use it. Underlying error: [Errno 13] Permission denied: 'D:\\driveinfo.calibre'

Quoth · 12-28-2021, 01:43 PM

Talk to your Windows machine administrator.
USB should be R/W or disabled!
Read only allows HID based malware.

Presumably it's a business computer and it's purely to stop people stealing office files via USB, otherwise it's stupid.

No doubt copying the files via Explorer to somewhere works and then you can have Calibre use that directory as a "device".

theducks · 12-28-2021, 03:00 PM

Quoth is correct.

Calibre needs RW as it writes (and later, reads) 2 files to the to the root of the device. this keeps track of what books are there without having to do a device scan (can really take time).

If this is a work computer, it begs the question as to if Company Policy even allows installation of foreign (to IT) software. Places I worked that had that policy was a quick way to the unemployment line.

ErichSt · 12-30-2021, 10:03 AM

The point of my post isn't about if/why USB ports are read-only, but to politely ask for an enhancement to Calibre to not stop communicating to a device just because it is read-only.

Maybe it could just handle it if it were a new, so far unknown device each time.
Read what's there (even if it takes some time) and gracefully accept that it cannot write back to it.

kovidgoyal · 12-30-2021, 10:11 AM

I'm afraid I have no interest in adding a readonly device mode to calibre. Simply disable the relevant driver plugin in preferences->plugins if the error message bothers you.

DNSB · 12-30-2021, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErichSt

When working on a Windows machine where USB ports are read-only by policy, Calibre issues error "Error communicating with device" and doesn't connect.

It would be nice if connecting to a device and read-only operations from the device, like copying books from the device to Calibre, still worked in this case.

Spoiler:

Speaking as someone who does manage corporate machines some of which are very locked down due to privacy requirements, setting USB ports to read-only is not my preferred option. Totally disabled is my preference.

In my environment, attempting to install an unauthorized program such as calibre on a secured corporate computer without permission would be a crash landing. Security would be escorting you out of the building and your next stop would be the unemployment line.

JSWolf · 12-30-2021, 03:33 PM

I suggest you very quickly uninstall Calibre and delete the Calibre settings directory. DO you want to risk getting fired for trying to use Calibre at work when you really are not allowed to? Because the USB is read only, there's nothing you can do. It makes using Calibre useless.

Just use your computer at home instead.

12-28-2021, 01:14 PM	#1
ErichSt Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2021 Device: Tolino Shine	Read-only USB port: Error communicating with device When working on a Windows machine where USB ports are read-only by policy, Calibre issues error "Error communicating with device" and doesn't connect. It would be nice if connecting to a device and read-only operations from the device, like copying books from the device to Calibre, still worked in this case. The full message is: calibre, version 5.34.0 ERROR: Error: Error communicating with device Failed to access files in the main memory of your device. You should contact the device manufacturer for support. Common fixes are: try a different USB cable/USB port on your computer. If you device has a "Reset to factory defaults" type of setting somewhere, use it. Underlying error: [Errno 13] Permission denied: 'D:\\driveinfo.calibre' Traceback (most recent call last): File "calibre\devices\usbms\driver.py", line 162, in get_device_information File "calibre\devices\usbms\driver.py", line 134, in _update_driveinfo_file PermissionError: [Errno 13] Permission denied: 'D:\\driveinfo.calibre' The above exception was the direct cause of the following exception: Traceback (most recent call last): File "calibre\gui2\device.py", line 87, in run File "calibre\gui2\device.py", line 472, in _get_device_information File "calibre\devices\eb600\driver.py", line 89, in get_device_information File "calibre\devices\usbms\driver.py", line 171, in get_device_information File "calibre\devices\usbms\driver.py", line 152, in raise_os_error OSError: Failed to access files in the main memory of your device. You should contact the device manufacturer for support. Common fixes are: try a different USB cable/USB port on your computer. If you device has a "Reset to factory defaults" type of setting somewhere, use it. Underlying error: [Errno 13] Permission denied: 'D:\\driveinfo.calibre'

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Aura One: Input/Output error - Error communicating with device	bearymore	Devices	2	07-13-2020 12:37 PM
Error communicating with device, Cannot write to file, Unspecified error	sunishun	Devices	6	02-04-2019 09:37 PM
calibre, version 0.8.8 ERROR: Error: Error communicating with device no such column:	e-bookuser	Devices	1	07-03-2011 04:09 PM
ver 0.6.3 error: Error communicating with device PRS-505	scripo	Calibre	4	08-01-2009 10:38 PM
USB port for charging another device?	The GreatGonzo	iRex	6	02-29-2008 07:58 AM

12-28-2021, 01:43 PM	#2
Quoth Still reading Posts: 14,016 Karma: 105092227 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Ireland Device: All 4 Kinds: epub eink, Kindle, android eink, NxtPaper	Talk to your Windows machine administrator. USB should be R/W or disabled! Read only allows HID based malware. Presumably it's a business computer and it's purely to stop people stealing office files via USB, otherwise it's stupid. No doubt copying the files via Explorer to somewhere works and then you can have Calibre use that directory as a "device".

12-28-2021, 03:00 PM	#3
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 31,047 Karma: 60358908 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	Quoth is correct. Calibre needs RW as it writes (and later, reads) 2 files to the to the root of the device. this keeps track of what books are there without having to do a device scan (can really take time). If this is a work computer, it begs the question as to if Company Policy even allows installation of foreign (to IT) software. Places I worked that had that policy was a quick way to the unemployment line.

12-30-2021, 10:03 AM	#4
ErichSt Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2021 Device: Tolino Shine	The point of my post isn't about if/why USB ports are read-only, but to politely ask for an enhancement to Calibre to not stop communicating to a device just because it is read-only. Maybe it could just handle it if it were a new, so far unknown device each time. Read what's there (even if it takes some time) and gracefully accept that it cannot write back to it.

12-30-2021, 10:11 AM	#5
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,345 Karma: 27182818 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	I'm afraid I have no interest in adding a readonly device mode to calibre. Simply disable the relevant driver plugin in preferences->plugins if the error message bothers you.

12-30-2021, 03:33 PM	#7
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,745 Karma: 145864619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I suggest you very quickly uninstall Calibre and delete the Calibre settings directory. DO you want to risk getting fired for trying to use Calibre at work when you really are not allowed to? Because the USB is read only, there's nothing you can do. It makes using Calibre useless. Just use your computer at home instead.

Advert

Advert