Kobo still bricked

[Ivanovich]

My wife tried to upgrade her Kobo e-reader and followed the directions exactly. After the update when she tries to sync the unit it pops up a dialog claiming that it cannot sync. I examined the files in the unit and the Sqlite database was corrupted so I replaced it with a backup of the original database from my unit. I then retried syncing which seemed to proceed normally but the books are not visible anywhere. The actual firmware upgrade seems to have been succesful as far as the unit responding normally to reading the included books but it is still useless.

Now, when I try it sync it again the previous message apears:

"We are unable to update your device's database. Syncing could not be completed."

My wife is very upset. That means I am very upset. We do not have a Chapters outlet within 200 kilometres so that is not an option. Anybody have a suggestion how to proceed?

[sabredog]

I would suggest you install Calibre to see if the books are actually there. Calibre is the best way forward to transfer books to the Kobo as many Kobo owners are having issue with the Kobo/Borders desktop

[RedRoverJ]

Originally Posted by Ivanovich

My wife tried to upgrade her Kobo e-reader and followed the directions exactly. After the update when she tries to sync the unit it pops up a dialog claiming that it cannot sync. I examined the files in the unit and the Sqlite database was corrupted so I replaced it with a backup of the original database from my unit. I then retried syncing which seemed to proceed normally but the books are not visible anywhere. The actual firmware upgrade seems to have been succesful as far as the unit responding normally to reading the included books but it is still useless.

Now, when I try it sync it again the previous message apears:

"We are unable to update your device's database. Syncing could not be completed."

My wife is very upset. That means I am very upset. We do not have a Chapters outlet within 200 kilometres so that is not an option. Anybody have a suggestion how to proceed?

Just a thought.... If you updated your wife's Kobo with the original sqlite database from yours, did you set it up for her Kobo account before trying to sync it?

[timlegge]

Originally Posted by Ivanovich

My wife tried to upgrade her Kobo e-reader and followed the directions exactly. After the update when she tries to sync the unit it pops up a dialog claiming that it cannot sync. I examined the files in the unit and the Sqlite database was corrupted so I replaced it with a backup of the original database from my unit. I then retried syncing which seemed to proceed normally but the books are not visible anywhere. The actual firmware upgrade seems to have been succesful as far as the unit responding normally

My wife is very upset. That means I am very upset. We do not have a Chapters outlet within 200 kilometres so that is not an option. Anybody have a suggestion how to proceed?

If you used the original version of the data base you may need to change the version in the database. It is likely that the new firmware will only read the database with the correct version.

Tim

[Ivanovich]

Just a thought.... If you updated your wife's Kobo with the original sqlite database from yours, did you set it up for her Kobo account before trying to sync it?

Yes, I did. The cannot sync message was the same before and after I restored the database. My database hasn't been used or altered from new as I don't use it for books but only for personal data. Regardless, it made no difference.

I have the latest version of Calibre but that isn't an acceptable solution for my wife. It needs to work with the Kobo Desktop. I will have a look at the database to see if they are in there since it isn't encrypted.

If you used the original version of the data base you may need to change the version in the database. It is likely that the new firmware will only read the database with the correct version.

It reads the included books just fine.

[tomek weggemans]

Originally Posted by rcanthony

Same problems as the original poster... I lost ALL books and documents on the device, including the 100 built in books!!! I can still send books via Bluetooth, and KOBO stores them 'somewhere' but I can not do the following:
- Connect my KOBO to my WinXP machine with USB (device doesn't register)
- view any built in books
- reset to factory defaults (without having to hit reset)
- power off/on the KOBO
- Upgrade the KOBO with the method described above...

So I was glad to find this helpful workaround to force an upgrade but here is what happens for me....
I get my KOBO into Upgrade Mode (after over an hour of messing with it)
I download the software noted in the quoted instructions
I try the force update trick

In the final stage when KOBO looks like it might upgrade I get an error saying my KOBO disconnected and a phone number pops up prompting me to phone... no dice... workaround that SameerH doesn't work for me...

I have exaclty the same problem. I have looked around but can't seem find a solution. Would really like to try the method communicated to rcanthony by sameerh, seeing it resolved the problem. Does Anyone know?

Regards,

Tomek

[fightertheif]

my aunts Kobo was bricked and the forced update worked to unbrick it. now about 3 days later she charged it overnight on her pc and today when we try to open a book its getting stuck at the loading screen. we get a charles dickens quote and the circle thingy in the top spins but after an hour of attempted opening of the book its still stuck. ok i tried a different book after restarting it and it was just the one book others are still opening, but the book origonaly opened just fine after the update and now it wont.

[SameerH]

Originally Posted by fightertheif

my aunts Kobo was bricked and the forced update worked to unbrick it. now about 3 days later she charged it overnight on her pc and today when we try to open a book its getting stuck at the loading screen. we get a charles dickens quote and the circle thingy in the top spins but after an hour of attempted opening of the book its still stuck. ok i tried a different book after restarting it and it was just the one book others are still opening, but the book origonaly opened just fine after the update and now it wont.

Is it something she loaded herself or one of the preloaded books? If it was side-loaded, and if it's unencrypted, please send it to me shasan at kobobooks dot com and I'll take a look and see why it could be.

[tomek weggemans]

Good to see you are still at the forum Sameer. I have emailed my problems to support monday, but as of yet have not provided any support. (Status has been: This request is currently being processed by our staff for 3 days)

The problem has evolved a bit, so I will describe it in full. After update:
-No books found (the prealoaded ones were the only books on the device)
-When plugged in, device only states that it is charging, computer does not find the device.
-Device enters sleep mode, but does not turns off, upon trying it hangs.
-Reset does not work when not plugged in, when plugged in it does respond.
-Restoring everything to factory settings did not do anything

Then I tried to upgrade again:
-After trying your forced re upgrade (using DPAD + RESET + MENU, only works when plugged in btw) the first 2 times got the message that the device was disconnected at step 6 (while it was not).
-Kept trying and succeeded in re updating, however the problems persist.

As asked by customer support: Xp sp3, no firewall/anti virus/sd card. Nothing on the device.

Do you have any idea what I can do?

Thanks in advance,
Tomek Weggemans (from the Netherlands)

ps my email is tomekweggemans at hotmail

[SameerH]

emailed.

[Ivanovich]

I submitted a request for help on my issue last week. I was told it would be forwarded to 2nd level support. I heard nothing back so a couple of days ago I checked on the status of the request. The status is that I cannot see the status because my help request ticket number has been deleted.

This is the original e-mail I received when I initiated the help ticket.

Thanks for getting in touch with us. Your request (#36748) has been received, and is being reviewed by the Kobo support team.

We'll keep in touch with you via email, but if you want to review the status of the request and add additional comments, follow the link below:
http://kobo.zendesk.com/tickets/36748

Have questions about your Kobo eReader?
Try our Frequently Asked Questions for the eReader:
http://kobo.zendesk.com/forums/16579...s-kobo-ereader
and our Troubleshooting Tips
http://kobo.zendesk.com/forums/16579...desktop-reader

(Hint: if you want to check on your request online, you will have to create a username and password for our Customer Care system - it is separate from your Kobo account. Or you can just sit back and we will send you email. Whatever works best for you!)



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi,

Thank you for contacting Kobo Customer Care. We have escalated the following issue to our level 2 support and we will have an update via email shortly.

After upgrade, ereader will not sync or enter upgrade mode. Tried all troubleshooting. Would like a copy of the restore package on SD card so does not have to return. Customer is very computer aware.

Sincerely,

The Kobo Team

[tomek weggemans]

received the sd card today it resolved the issues, brilliant. Thank you Sameer.

Good to know some people at kobo know what is going on, since the helpdesk is a complete mess. (I haven't had a single useful reply through the official channels.)

[sabredog]

That is a great result and proves that with a valid image on an SD card, all works well

[corona]

Props to the mother ship for having people here helping out. I'd be bummed if this had happened to me, but it's great to see SameerH et. al. on the scene.

[SameerH]

Originally Posted by Ivanovich

I submitted a request for help on my issue last week. I was told it would be forwarded to 2nd level support. I heard nothing back so a couple of days ago I checked on the status of the request. The status is that I cannot see the status because my help request ticket number has been deleted.

This is the original e-mail I received when I initiated the help ticket.

eesh. That is not good.

Ivanovich, please send me an email at shasan at kobobooks dot com. Get you taken care of asap.