After upgrading my Kobo Aura H2O fails to load in Calibre 3.48.0

[cgronier]

Hi all,

I run version 3.48.0 of Calibre which is the latest version of Calibre I can run on my MacBook Pro running Mac OS 10.11.6 (El Capitan).

My Kobo is an Aura H2O.
Recently it automatically upgraded to firmware 4.20.14622.

Since then I get an error when I connect the Kobo to Calibre :

calibre, version 3.48.0
ERREUR : Erreur: Erreur pendant la communication avec le périphérique

CorruptError: database disk image is malformed

Traceback (most recent call last):
File "site-packages/calibre/gui2/device.py", line 90, in run
File "site-packages/calibre/gui2/device.py", line 513, in _books
File "site-packages/calibre/devices/kobo/driver.py", line 1932, in books
File "src/cursor.c", line 236, in resetcursor
CorruptError: CorruptError: database disk image is malformed

What should I try now ?

[JSWolf]

The database is corrupt. Try logging out and logging back in. You will have to add your books back.

[cgronier]

Thanks for the help.
Unfortunately logging out and back in did not solve the problem.
One question : is version 3.48.0 of Calibre compatible with Aura H2O firmware 4.20.14622 ?
If not, what would be the most recent Aura H2O firmware I should install on the Kobo device (assuming I would be able to do downgrade the Kobo firmware).

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by cgronier

Thanks for the help.
Unfortunately logging out and back in did not solve the problem.
One question : is version 3.48.0 of Calibre compatible with Aura H2O firmware 4.20.14622 ?
If not, what would be the most recent Aura H2O firmware I should install on the Kobo device (assuming I would be able to do downgrade the Kobo firmware).

Are you still getting the same error message? If you are, then no version of calibre or the firmware will help. That error means that there is a problem with the database. Signing out of your Kobo account on the device should fix it as the removes the database and creates a new one. Occasionally, you need to do a full factory reset to fix the problem. And if that doesn't fix the problem, it could be a hardware issued. The internal SD cards (for the devices that have them) can fail and need to be replaced.

If you are getting a different error, what you do depends on what the error is. If it is the one about the version of the firmware or database, then you can safely follow the instructions in the message. These are the normal instructions for newer firmware until there is a calibre update to match.

I assume that you are running calibre 3.48 because the version of MAC OS that you are running cannot run the newer versions. The version/name rings a bell for that. But, there are occasional problems with MACs where they start mounting these devices as read-only. I don't think the error above would come from that, but, it is something to check.

[theducks]

3.48 Calibre implies you are a W7 user.
If you use W8 or W10, why not update Calibre?

Corrupt Database on the Kobo, usually needs the Kobo to rebuild it.

(Your device needs to be connected to the Internet for the steps to work)
If a simple Logoff - Logon did not do it. You may need a full device Reset.

Do wait for a Kobo Expert to speak up.

[cgronier]

Hi guys,

As I said in my initial post, calibre is running on a Mac and indeed the reason I am stuck to version 3.48 is because it is said on the calibre web site that with my current OS (10.11.6 -El Capitan) that is the most recent version of Calibre I can use.
And no, I can't install a more recent OS on my Mac.

So here is where I am now :
- I (painfully) managed to while out my Kobo device and install an older firmware on it.
Il installed firmware 4.15.12920 that was rereleased in May 2019.
Why this version ?
Because it was issued BEFORE the release of Calibre 3.48.
So I assume that the Calibre developers would have had the chance to implement the support of this particular Kobo firmware.

A side issue of this journey is that during all theses restarts of the Kobo it kept 'importing' stuff. I only discovered in the end that it was in fact rebuilding the database will all the books I have of the SD card...I should have removed the card before the wipe out and downgrade process...

Il will now try to connect Calibre to this newly installed Kobo ans see what happens.

Stay tuned

[JSWolf]

@davidfor, would it be possible to add in support for the new series feature of firmware 4.20.14622 to the Kobo driver for 3.48 as that's what a lot of people are stuck with (thanks Apple)?

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by cgronier

As I said in my initial post, calibre is running on a Mac and indeed the reason I am stuck to version 3.48 is because it is said on the calibre web site that with my current OS (10.11.6 -El Capitan) that is the most recent version of Calibre I can use.
And no, I can't install a more recent OS on my Mac.

So here is where I am now :
- I (painfully) managed to while out my Kobo device and install an older firmware on it.
Il installed firmware 4.15.12920 that was rereleased in May 2019.
Why this version ?
Because it was issued BEFORE the release of Calibre 3.48.
So I assume that the Calibre developers would have had the chance to implement the support of this particular Kobo firmware.

A side issue of this journey is that during all theses restarts of the Kobo it kept 'importing' stuff. I only discovered in the end that it was in fact rebuilding the database will all the books I have of the SD card...I should have removed the card before the wipe out and downgrade process...

Il will now try to connect Calibre to this newly installed Kobo ans see what happens.

There have been very few changes to the firmware over the years that have meant needed real changes to the driver. But, because there is a potential for it to happen, the driver does have a maximum firmware version that I update after testing each release for changes. The driver also has an option to ignore this, the "support newer firmware" option. This is intended to allow full function of the driver until the update to the supported version can be made and is released.

For those stuck on calibre version 3.48, it is safe to use this option to support the released versions of the Kobo firmware. And probably will be for the foreseeable future. Kobo tend to keep things backwardly compatible. But, the 4.20.x firmware was the first for a long time that had something in it that needed a driver change. This is the Series tab. To see sideloaded book in this, what the driver needs to set on the device changed. Older versions of the calibre, and hence the driver, will continue to work, but, sideloaded books won't be shown in the Series tab.

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

@davidfor, would it be possible to add in support for the new series feature of firmware 4.20.14622 to the Kobo driver for 3.48 as that's what a lot of people are stuck with (thanks Apple)?

Exactly how am I supposed to update the driver in the released version of the calibre and get it onto all of those peoples machines out there? Yes, there is a way to arrange support, but, so far there hasn't been any demand for it. I did do this for 1.48, and, the number of users appears to have been tiny. I'm not sure it is worth it. Users of calibre 3.48 can still safely use the later versions of the firmware, they just don't get the full benefit of the Series tab. If I get some request from the people who need it, I'll reconsider.

And Jon, considering how you keep telling people to update their computers to use the later versions of calibre, it's a bit inconsistent of you to be asking this question.

[cgronier]

Hi guys ,

If I understand you, it seems that my problem has nothing to do with the compatibility of my current Calibre version (3.48) and the latest Kobo Aura H2O firmware (4.20.14622) as long as I activate the the "support newer firmware" optionin Calibre.

However, considering the time I spent troubleshooting my problem (one full day), I will stay with my current downgrade of 4.15.12920 Kobo firmware since all seems to be working OK.
I deactivated WIFI on the device so I should not have any more unsolicited upgrade happening on the Kobo.

Do you think this is a good status quo or should I tempt the devil and upgrade the firmware Kobo believing that my problem came from something else (SD card I/O issue, etc.) ?

Also, can someone answer this simple question :
What is the most recent Aura H2O firmware that has been tested (taken in account) by Calibre version 3.48 ?

Thanks to all who stood up to help me !

Gronier

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by davidfor

Exactly how am I supposed to update the driver in the released version of the calibre and get it onto all of those peoples machines out there? Yes, there is a way to arrange support, but, so far there hasn't been any demand for it. I did do this for 1.48, and, the number of users appears to have been tiny. I'm not sure it is worth it. Users of calibre 3.48 can still safely use the later versions of the firmware, they just don't get the full benefit of the Series tab. If I get some request from the people who need it, I'll reconsider.

After thinking on this, those on 3.48 can run use the series feature by using Kobo Utilities to update the database.But that's something that should be posted in the Kobo forum and stickied.

And Jon, considering how you keep telling people to update their computers to use the later versions of calibre, it's a bit inconsistent of you to be asking this question.

I got the idea from someone running a MAC that cannot be updated to the latest OSX. Apple's idea of end-of-lifing computers is not a good idea (IMHO). It should be up to the user if they want to run the newer OS as long as it runs well enough.

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by cgronier

If I understand you, it seems that my problem has nothing to do with the compatibility of my current Calibre version (3.48) and the latest Kobo Aura H2O firmware (4.20.14622) as long as I activate the the "support newer firmware" optionin Calibre.

However, considering the time I spent troubleshooting my problem (one full day), I will stay with my current downgrade of 4.15.12920 Kobo firmware since all seems to be working OK.
I deactivated WIFI on the device so I should not have any more unsolicited upgrade happening on the Kobo.

Do you think this is a good status quo or should I tempt the devil and upgrade the firmware Kobo believing that my problem came from something else (SD card I/O issue, etc.) ?

Also, can someone answer this simple question :
What is the most recent Aura H2O firmware that has been tested (taken in account) by Calibre version 3.48 ?

Sorry, but, have you read my posts through? They are written with intimate knowledge of the driver and the firmware. This is because I am the person who maintains the driver. So, I test all firmware with calibre and work out what needs to be done to support. And I am on the Kobo firmware beta list, so I get to check it as it is coming out. I always post a statement about this in the new firmware thread in the Kobo forum as soon as possible after the firmware is released.

So, when I say that calibre 3.48 will work with all currently released firmware, I mean it. If calibre complains about the firmware version, then turn on the "support newer firmware". It is completely safe.

And if Kobo releases an up date where this is no longer true, I will be announcing it as soon as I am allowed to.