Firmware 2.6.1: New Features and Bugs

[GeoffR]

Originally Posted by ionode

I am new to this forum, but active user of the Kobo Glo

After the last upgrade (to 2.6.1b) i noticed the following and was wondering if others can confirm or if it is just me:

When I open a sideloaded epub, i can't change the font. If I open a kebup I can change the font.
I was able to change also the fonts of my sideloaded one until this firmware version.

I can still change fonts with 2.6.1b on my Glo, in both epubs and kepubs. There may be certain books which force a particular font to be used, but that is not new to this firmware version. If you use Calibre to sideload the book then it is usually fairly easy to fix those books (e.g. by using the Modify ePub pligin to strip embedded fonts).

[paola]

Originally Posted by GeoffR

The "Previous Location" link still appears and works correctly on my Glo, for both sideloaded epubs and store-bought kepubs. Could this be a prblem with a specific book, or due to sideloading kepubs?

my Mini updated, and yes, I have the "previous location" too.
Nightmode and Kobo launcher have been fixed to work with 2.6.1, while Tweaks is still broken under the new firmware.

[Baldrian]

Originally Posted by PinkET

I will just revert to a previous FW. I was happy with 2.5.0.

Please, please, please, tell me how to to that, or direct me to a board where it is explained in simple terms. After good experiences with previous updates, I allowed the update of my Kobo Glo to version 2.6.1 and am totally devestated by the new surface. Especially the home screen drives me crazy. To add insult to injury, my Kobo now reacts extremely sluggish to my fingers. Normally, I would simply reset to factory settings, but then I would loose the chess game as well, and I really love that. I was desperate enough to consider sacrificing it anyway, when I came across your post. Please, how do I revert my Kobo to the previous version? Any explanation would be most appreciated.

Edit: I downloaded the file kobo-update-2.5.2.zip - but have no clue what to do with it. Never done a manual update, and I am somewhat reluctant to experiement any further.

[PeterT]

It's fully described in the firmware thread.

Originally Posted by murg

Installation Instructions for Direct Zip Files

1. Get a zip file.
2. Unzip the zip file.
3. If going to a previous version, you may want to do a Factory Reset.
4. Connect your deviceto the computer and select Connect on the device (if asked). Make sure that the Kobo Desktop is not running.
5. Copy the entire contents of the zip file to the .kobo directory on the device.
6. Disconnect the device.
7. The Touch will now install the new software.

The zip file contains the following:

• \Upgrade directory and subdirectories - Linux boot and kernal
• manifest.md5sum - md5 hashes for the \Upgrade directory
• KoboRoot.tgz - this is the firmware

[meeera]

...and one more step for a downgrade: Keep wifi turned off thenceforth.

[Ripplinger]

It used to be also that editing the version file to the current firmware would prevent it from updating, but that no longer works for me since the last time I did a factory restore. So I sometimes connect by wifi but never use the sync button, or else I get the firmware update.

[Baldrian]

Originally Posted by PeterT

It's fully described in the firmware thread.

Thanks. I did that, and the Kobo updated. Was beginning to feel happy. Unfortunately since then the the Kobo is showing me the 5 small boxes in the middle (looking a bit like a progress bar) without end, while the green light blinks continuously. After half an hour of waiting I decided to do something - probably the second mistake after the update itself. Tried the on/off for 20secs - worked, but after I turned it back on screen was back to the 5 boxes. Turned it off that way, connected it to the PC - 5 boxes again without end. Tried the paperpin reset - Kobo immediately shows the 5 boxes again. What now?

[tshering]

Baldrian,
point 3 of the instruction recommends the factory reset when downgrading. Did you do this? I think tis is is absolutely necessary when downgrading from 2.6.1. Do the factory reset now (on/off for 20 secs, then press the light button and push the power button while still holding the ligth button until the led stars to blink).

Edit: Is there anywhere a description of the factory reset for all Kobo readers? Would be nice if there were a post one could refer to in such situations.

[tshering]

Originally Posted by Ripplinger

It used to be also that editing the version file to the current firmware would prevent it from updating, but that no longer works for me since the last time I did a factory restore. So I sometimes connect by wifi but never use the sync button, or else I get the firmware update.

This post might be of interest for you. See also the two posts that follow it.

[Baldrian]

Originally Posted by tshering

Baldrian,
point 3 of the instruction recommends the factory reset when downgrading. Did you do this? I think tis is is absolutely necessary when downgrading from 2.6.1. Do the factory reset now (on/off for 20 secs, then press the light button and push the power button while still holding the ligth button until the led stars to blink).

Edit: Is there anywhere a description of the factory reset for all Kobo readers? Would be nice if there were a post one could refer to in such situations.

Hallelujah! That reset worked and my Kobo has resetted. I didn't use this method - I did not even know it exists. I used the paperclip hole method (no other method is described in the manual I have).



EDIT: Okay now, how do I proceed to get back to any previous version (factory version or anything before 2.6.1)??? I managed the factory reset (thanks again!), I copied the new files into the directory, and the Kobo updated to 2.5.2. The Kobo then restarts and requires activation. I have two options: wireless or computer setup (i.e. Kobo Desktop). Either way, the 2.6.1 is forcably installed and I am back to square one. With the thankful difference that the Kobo technically still works of course (just with that horrible 2.6.1 interface). There is no way to just enter e-mail and password, is there? How can activate the Kobo without the forced update to 2.6.1? I cannot find the files specified in the link above anywhere on my Kobo.

[Ripplinger]

Originally Posted by tshering

This post might be of interest for you. See also the two posts that follow it.

I took a look at that, but once an update is installed, aren't all those files removed from the reader? At least they're no longer on my reader. And once that happens, the next time you plug in the reader and try to sync, won't you get the update at that point?

[Uschiekid]

Originally Posted by Baldrian

Hallelujah! That reset worked and my Kobo has resetted. I didn't use this method - I did not even know it exists. I used the paperclip hole method (no other method is described in the manual I have).



EDIT: Okay now, how do I proceed to get back to any previous version (factory version or anything before 2.6.1)??? I managed the factory reset (thanks again!), I copied the new files into the directory, and the Kobo updated to 2.5.2. The Kobo then restarts and requires activation. I have two options: wireless or computer setup (i.e. Kobo Desktop). Either way, the 2.6.1 is forcably installed and I am back to square one. With the thankful difference that the Kobo technically still works of course (just with that horrible 2.6.1 interface). There is no way to just enter e-mail and password, is there? How can activate the Kobo without the forced update to 2.6.1? I cannot find the files specified in the link above anywhere on my Kobo.

I believe once you have got to 2.5.2 and it tries to update to 2.6.1, if you are doing it on desktop, after downloading the update, delete the update files, if you are doing it via wifi, say "install later" and connect to your computer and delete update files. There are 3 files and someone will tell you there names, I'm sure.

[tshering]

Originally Posted by Ripplinger

I took a look at that, but once an update is installed, aren't all those files removed from the reader? At least they're no longer on my reader. And once that happens, the next time you plug in the reader and try to sync, won't you get the update at that point?

After you make the described modifications, update packages will be downloaded to the reader but not installed. Drawback is that the reader will download the update package with every sync and this increases the traffic. Since I sync only very seldom it is no problem for me.
Note: In order to install hacks that use the update mechanism, you have to rename the KoboRoot.tgz (which is provided by the hack) to xKoboRoot.tgz. Make sure to delete the "upgrade" folder before renaming the KoboRoot.tgz (of the hack).

[MacEachaidh]

Hi all,
Well, finally took the plunge and bought an Aura. (In the same week info leaked on Kobo's new device. Of course.) Love the screen, and love the front light.

This is a small thing, but I needed to set up my Kobo account on my Aura, and of course that means it upgraded to 2.61.

No great dramas, except: I find every time I open the Library, the books are sorted by Title. I much prefer them sorted by Author. On my Touch, with F/W 2.51, it remembers the setting — sort by Author, close the Library, and next time I come back to it it's still sorted by Author. Just what I wanted. But on the Aura, under 2.61, it reverts to sorting by Title every time I open the Library. It's not a big thing, but a bit irritating, nonetheless. Is this an Aura thang, or a 2.61 thang?

More to the point, is there any way to make it comply like it used to?

[GeoffR]

Originally Posted by MacEachaidh

Is this an Aura thang, or a 2.61 thang?

it worked correctly on my Glo with 2.6.1b, and still works with 2.8.1. It could be an Aura thing (someone else will have to check), but maybe it is a problem with your configuration file. The current setting should be saved in .kobo/Kobo/Kobo eReader.conf:

LastLibrarySorter_books_filterByMine%28%29=sortByAuthor()

If there is a problem with that file then maybe the setting isn't able to be written or read back.