The update worked! My Cybook *is* un-bricked!

[delphidb96]

So I'll be writing that review I was mentioning now.



Derek

[NatCh]

Glad you got it working again!

[jbenny]

What did you do to un-brick it? We may need this knowledge later (hopefully not).

[delphidb96]

Originally Posted by jbenny

What did you do to un-brick it? We may need this knowledge later (hopefully not).

It's quite simple. the tech wizards at Bookeen gave me a version of the updated firmware which forces a re-format of the firmware memory *before* installing itself. That flushed out all the badness I'd managed to put into my Cybook. It's *my* firmware update, I tell you. Mine! All mine! None of you can have any!!!

Derek

[NatCh]

In case it hadn't occurred to you, and I want to be helpful (and not at all because I'm an obnoxious git :wink2), you might want to consider testing any other "undocumented" formats via memory card, rather than loading them into main memory.

[delphidb96]

Originally Posted by NatCh

In case it hadn't occurred to you, and I want to be helpful (and not at all because I'm an obnoxious git :wink2), you might want to consider testing any other "undocumented" formats via memory card, rather than loading them into main memory.

I'll keep that in mind. However, the good news is that the sample pdb files sent to me by the Wizards of Bookeen work flawlessly on the Cybook. I'll have to find out which software they used to create them.

Derek

[CommanderROR]

It's nice to hear that your device is working again! However, it's quite strange that a few books can stop the Gen3 from even booting properly...I guess that needs to be fixed urgently before release...

[delphidb96]

Originally Posted by CommanderROR

It's nice to hear that your device is working again! However, it's quite strange that a few books can stop the Gen3 from even booting properly...I guess that needs to be fixed urgently before release...

It's *VERY* strange. I must note that when I was converting txt, html and rtf files into pdb for my Axim's copy of eReader Pro, I used eReader's ebook studio software. I only took the plain-vanilla rtf copy of my 2006 entry into NaNo and ran it through BD with output of Palmreader Pro format pdb in order to test whether the current version of the firmware would open/read these files. I've never used BD to create pdbs before. And, no, I included *no* images into the file, nor any funny fonts. Plus the version of BD I was using was the 7/30/2007 update.

However, several sample pdb files sent to me by Bookeen have transferred and opened flawlessly. Both on the Cybook *AND* in eReader Pro on my x51v. Go figure. Note that last comment, the Cybook opens and reads PDB files. I'm tempted to download a set of ebooks in palm pdb from Usenet to see if they'll open if I put them on the SD card. (Note that I'm taking the advice of another poster and leaving the questionable files on the SD card rather than trying to transfer them to the Cybook.) I'll try tranferring my rtf file to the SD card as well.

And I'll be asking Bookeen which software they're using to create their PDB files.

Derek

[NatCh]

Originally Posted by delphidb96

Note that last comment, the Cybook opens and reads PDB files.

There's PDB files and then there's PDB files -- as I understand it, the PDB part is only a wrapper, one could have a number of different file types inside it.

That, of course, begs the question of what kind of PDB files did Bookeen send you?

Anyone know enough about them to suggest a way to tell? 'Cause I don't.

[delphidb96]

Originally Posted by NatCh

There's PDB files and then there's PDB files -- as I understand it, the PDB part is only a wrapper, one could have a number of different file types inside it.

That, of course, begs the question of what kind of PDB files did Bookeen send you?

Anyone know enough about them to suggest a way to tell? 'Cause I don't.

I don't know which format they were. I only know that I'm staying away from BD's PDB output until I know which version works and which doesn't. I did take some time and download several pdbs from Usenet as a test. And they worked just fine on the SD card - able to see their titles and open/read them. Haven't tested any rtf files at this point.

Derek

[penty]

I tried RTF the other day. No Luck, although Bookeen has stated it is a format they will add in the future.

[mcdaniel]

Derek,
Your mention of rtf files caught my attention. I thought that Bookeen's site said that their current software doesn't yet support rtf, but that it would be supported in the final/shipping version.
Robert

[delphidb96]

Originally Posted by mcdaniel

Derek,
Your mention of rtf files caught my attention. I thought that Bookeen's site said that their current software doesn't yet support rtf, but that it would be supported in the final/shipping version.
Robert

Their website also mentioned .pdb but the 0.91 firmware release that came installed on the Cybook didn't support it. As of 0.98, the firmware supports .pdb. I've got several .rtf files to play around with - all from Baen, which I'll be testing - using my SD card, of course.

Derek

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by NatCh

There's PDB files and then there's PDB files -- as I understand it, the PDB part is only a wrapper, one could have a number of different file types inside it.

That, of course, begs the question of what kind of PDB files did Bookeen send you?

Anyone know enough about them to suggest a way to tell? 'Cause I don't.

Yes I know. But its a secret . Just kidding. I have documented it all on my web site in the ebook article. Hasn't everyone read it yet? I also placed in on the mobileread wiki so just look for PDB.

Dale

[jbenny]

Originally Posted by delphidb96

It's *my* firmware update, I tell you. Mine! All mine! None of you can have any!!!

Derek

The pressure must be getting to him