Connect & disconnect reader from Windows computer?

[JJ Johnson]

I want to play around with different plugins, modifying books and loading them on my Kobo reader, see how they look, delete, repeat...

Can a player be connected to the computer, and then disconnected and reconnected again from software? Instead of physically plugging it in, ejecting, unplugging, then plugging it back in?

Windows 7, Kobo Libra.

[BetterRed]

I use a usb cable with an on/off switch for camera's and ticket scanners.

BR

[hobnail]

Originally Posted by JJ Johnson

I want to play around with different plugins, modifying books and loading them on my Kobo reader, see how they look, delete, repeat...

Can a player be connected to the computer, and then disconnected and reconnected again from software? Instead of physically plugging it in, ejecting, unplugging, then plugging it back in?

Windows 7, Kobo Libra.

I've never known a way to have a USB device reconnect without physically reconnecting it. Disconnecting is easy; right click on the USB icon in the lower right on the task bar, or in Calibre you can eject from there on the ereader's button. In order to avoid wear and tear on the ereader's USB connector I have an extension cable plugged into the USB port on my computer and then I plug the USB cable that's plugged into my ereader into the extension cable. When I'm finally done futzing around I unplug the USB cable from the ereader and leave its other end plugged into the USB extension cable.

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by JJ Johnson

I want to play around with different plugins, modifying books and loading them on my Kobo reader, see how they look, delete, repeat...

Can a player be connected to the computer, and then disconnected and reconnected again from software? Instead of physically plugging it in, ejecting, unplugging, then plugging it back in?

Windows 7, Kobo Libra.

You can eject the device, but, there is no way to that I have the device reconnect. You might be able to telnet to the device and issue a command to do a connect. I haven't tried this, but, I'm sure it has been mentioned in the Kobo developers forum.

The only other thing I have seen is a little device that sits between two USB cables and pressing the button disconnects the device. I have one and can use it to trigger the reconnect. But, it drops the voltage in the cable enough that at least one of my Kobo devices doesn't like it.

[hobnail]

You could reboot your ereader, but that's a bit drastic.

[AnotherCat]

I would have assumed that the Kobo is an MTP device (I don't have one so don't know)? If so there is no concept of "eject" as there is for a USB mass storage device and due to the "transaction" nature of MTP and its having no need for the computer to have exclusive access to storage means that ordinarily there is no need to connect or disconnect anything for data protection, the device can just be left connected. That would seem to cover needs of the type alluded to, in which case I wonder what the OP's special need is?

But if the Kobo is a USB mass storage device then as far as I am aware if a user ejects a mass storage device there is no means to reconnect it in Windows itself (and relying on the other posters, nor from Calibre either), however there are third party USB device management applications for Windows which claim to do so and a Google search should turn them up.

Another but. I know Calibre has an "Eject this device" menu option even when a MTP device is connected so it may have some selfish need of its own for the user to rid it of the presence of the MTP device. If so, then I think one is likely out of luck if one wants to reestablish data transfer between the computer and the device by software after doing so, unless that ability were to be built into Calibre itself. But I am happy to be schooled on that, I know nothing about Calibre's innards and selfish needs.

[hobnail]

Originally Posted by AnotherCat

I would have assumed that the Kobo is an MTP device (I don't have one so don't know)? If so there is no concept of "eject" as there is for a USB mass storage device and due to the "transaction" nature of MTP and its having no need for the computer to have exclusive access to storage means that ordinarily there is no need to connect or disconnect anything for data protection. That would seem to cover needs of the type alluded to which case I wonder what the OP's special need is?

But if the Kobo is a USB mass storage device then as far as I am aware if a user ejects the mass storage device there is no means to reconnect it in Windows itself (and relying on the other posters, nor from Calibre either) , however there are third party USB device management applications for Windows which claim to do so and a Google search should turn them up.

Another but. I know Calibre has an "Eject this device" menu option even when a MTP device is connected so it may have some selfish need of its own for the user to rid it of the presence of the MTP device. If so, then I think one is likely out of luck if one wants to reestablish data transfer between the computer and the device by software after doing so, unless that ability were to be built into Calibre itself. But I am happy to be schooled on that, I know nothing about Calibre's innards and selfish needs.

One reason for wanting to eject the ereader is because on the Kobo it adds the book to its database, or something; there's a progress gauge that pops up after you disconnect when you've transferred books to it. After that finishes then you can open the book. While it's connected you can't do anything with it via the buttons or screen.

[hobnail]

Originally Posted by AnotherCat

...

I also just remembered about the odd cable that came with my Forma; I think it can go in either way, i.e., it's not wider on one side even though the socket on the forma is. And that cable felt extremely fragile and break prone to me. Some of my USB cables work with the forma and some didn't, but I found one that goes in with a snug fit. So if the OP is like me and is concerned about that dodgy cable, I can understand.

[AnotherCat]

Oh, I see .

Then as the issue seems to be a selfish one of the Kobo's I can only suggest a USB cable with a switch as BetterRed has suggested, or it may be that a USB management application for Windows along the lines I mentioned may work but I have no knowledge as to their competence if an MTP device is attached to the computer's USB port.

Regarding switched USB cables I know they are used to switch the power conductors in the cable for when connected to a charger but it may take care to ensure buying one which switches the data lines as well, if that functionality is required by the Kobo - maybe BetterRed can elaborate - I just pull and replug cables myself.

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by AnotherCat

Then as the issue seems to be a selfish one of the Kobo's I can only suggest a USB cable with a switch as BetterRed has suggested, or it may be that a USB management application for Windows along the lines I mentioned may work but I have no knowledge as to their competence if an MTP device is attached to the computer's USB port.

Selfish???? Kobo, just like Kindle, tolino and I'm pretty sure all of the other dedicated ereaders, do something to get the book known to the interface once the device is disconnected. And all of these are mounting as USB mass storage devices.

Regarding switched USB cables I know they are used to switch the power conductors in the cable for when connected to a charger but it may take care to ensure buying one which switches the data lines as well, if that functionality is required by the Kobo - maybe BetterRed can elaborate - I just pull and replug cables myself.

The device I have just interrupts the power conductors. It is fine, except that it drops the power just enough that I need to use short cables. And one of my ereaders doesn't like it. It connects but drops out under a bit of access load.

[BetterRed]

I don't connect devices to calibre, that's far too elaborate for my simple needs. I drag files I want onto the device and delete them from the device when I'm done with them.

The main reason I have the cables is so I can turn off the data lines when charging devices at places I don't trust (e.g. airports, cafes, telephone boxes etc), saves carrying multiple cables.

No idea if it would work with a Kobo attached to calibre, just buy a cable and try it. Any decent electronics components outlet will have them - make sure you get the ones that switch the data and power lines - some only switch the power lines and drop the data lines. Shouldn't have to pay more than USD5.00.

David could try one of these from Core Logic ==>> USB Extension Cable with Data/Charge Sync Switch Australia

BR

[BetterRed]

would the Smart Eject plugin help?

BR

[JJ Johnson]

Originally Posted by hobnail

In order to avoid wear and tear on the ereader's USB connector I have an extension cable plugged into the USB port on my computer and then I plug the USB cable that's plugged into my ereader into the extension cable. When I'm finally done futzing around I unplug the USB cable from the ereader and leave its other end plugged into the USB extension cable.

I think I may go this route and get a short cable to keep connected when I'm "futzing around".

[JJ Johnson]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

I don't connect devices to calibre, that's far too elaborate for my simple needs. I drag files I want onto the device and delete them from the device when I'm done with them.

I never really knew you could do that. I assume you have to do something to get the eReader to update itself when you add or subtract files. Does it require a reboot to get it to rescan the file system?

[hobnail]

Originally Posted by JJ Johnson

I never really knew you could do that. I assume you have to do something to get the eReader to update itself when you add or subtract files. Does it require a reboot to get it to rescan the file system?

davidfor is the author of one or more of Calibre's Kobo plugins; he can probably explain the advantages of using Calibre for managing books on your Kobo. With my luck I'd probably screw something up if I fiddled with the files on the Kobo, while Calibre makes it dead simple.