Kobo Desktop 3.9.0 install problem

[zaphod42]

This is an issue I've come across before with applications built with Microsoft Visual Studio 2012 or newer. In order to work on Windows XP, the application has to be built with the correct profile, and I guess the Kobo app team forgot to do this.

This seems to be part of Microsoft's "subtle" attempt to encourage people to upgrade from XP.

[PeterT]

I'm led to believe by Kobo that support for Windows/XP was removed from Desktop 3.9.0, and that it should not have been pushed as an upgrade to XP computers; that XP was meant to remain on 3.8.0.

If I hear more I will update.

[Lucas Malor]

But XP can't remain on 3.8.0, since the program forces you to update it :P

PS: the app is temporarily unavailable from the Kobo site.

[PeterT]

The intention is that the upgrade would not be offered to XP. I know, I have my doubts too.

[Chris_Snow]

I got a reply...

Dear Customer.

Thank you for contacting Kobo Customer Care. It was our pleasure assisting you today.

You contacted us today regarding that you are experiencing issues with Kobo setup. Please be advised that Kobo App for windows only works on windows 7 and new versions of windows.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you.

Should you have further concerns, you may visit our HELP section online at www.kobobooks.com/help or call us anytime at Kobo Customer Care.

This reply seems to say they are not going to support o/s' below Win7. Obviously, they have such a huge supply of customers that they can afford to kick the millions who still run XP.

Must be time to switch to a kindle!

[RZetlin]

I tried it on my Windows XP and same issue.

Looks like Windows XP is not supported anymore?

[meeera]

Do you mind if I ask what you're using the Kobo Desktop for? I haven't opened it for months, except briefly to test something for someone else.

[AnemicOak]

It comes in handy for books that are kePub only, but that's the only thing I use it for.

[murg]

Originally Posted by Chris_Snow

This reply seems to say they are not going to support o/s' below Win7. Obviously, they have such a huge supply of customers that they can afford to kick the millions who still run XP.

Must be time to switch to a kindle!

So, anyone without WiFi and with Windows XP isn't going to get firmware updates...

[cybmole]

Originally Posted by murg

So, anyone without WiFi and with Windows XP isn't going to get firmware updates...

well if Microsoft no longer support XP, why should anyone else bother ?

having said that I'd be surprised if the firmware installers cannot be found elsewhere online, then copied to device via USB.

or just take your e-reader into the nearest starbucks, or library, or station or whatever has free public wi-fi & update via that.

[Lucas Malor]

Man, Windows XP is already used by 25% of the people... and wifi on the Kobos is very unstable.

I confide in Tier 2.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by cybmole

well if Microsoft no longer support XP, why should anyone else bother ?

having said that I'd be surprised if the firmware installers cannot be found elsewhere online, then copied to device via USB.

or just take your e-reader into the nearest starbucks, or library, or station or whatever has free public wi-fi & update via that.

Because lots of people who aren't Microsoft still support XP. Google, Mozilla both support XP in the browser zone. Oracle says Java 7 will continue to receive all patches, even though they won't be targeted at XP specifically. (They did say Java 8 will not support XP.)

Heck, even Microsoft still supported XP after EOL, when push came to shove: http://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonke...ter-stupidity/

And of course, there is still Server 2003 updates via this hack: http://www.infoworld.com/t/microsoft...in-arms-243183

Personally, my opinion on the whole issue is that no company is required to explicitly provide XP support -- but they should still allow XP systems to receive updates that should be compatible, since there is no benefit in refusing them. Just like Oracle is doing.

[cybmole]

Originally Posted by Lucas Malor

Man, Windows XP is already used by 25% of the people... and wifi on the Kobos is very unstable.

I confide in Tier 2.

I'm not defending Kono, just saying that if you stick with a 10+ years old ,insecure & unsupported O/S then you have to expect this.

Otherwise what next: complaints that there's no Windows 95 /98 versions, need it to run in DOS... make a version for my Commodore Amiga... how far back should a vendor have to go?

XP has been superseded 3 times already : Vista, 7, 8

& I gave 3 easy work-arounds.

I also dispute your stat of 25% - i bet that for personal use , as in indivuiduals who also also person e-readers, & excluding big corporates who can't be arsed/ cant justify cost of upgrading , we are at more like 1% of the Kobo user base.
Even so, a smart company should not p**s off 1% of its customers!

[samaya]

1- Uninstall the Kobo Deskotp
2- Restart the computer
3- Install the Kobo Desktop 3.8

You can download the Kobo Desktop version 3.8 and will still work with XP: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...ilds/XP3.8.exe

-had to do the set twice, and another factory reset, then setup again, and working now

[Sharkus]

Would it be at all possible for anyone experiencing the problem to post their exact system version by following these steps;

Click the Start button, click Run, type winver, and then press Enter.

It should display a small window with system information, here's an example of what I see on one of my machines:

Microsoft® Windows
Version 5.1 (Build 2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.101209-1647 : Service Pack 3)

In addition, could you also go to whatsmyuseragent.com and then copy and paste the result please.