Libra micro-USB port issues: is this just me?

[DrChiper]

Originally Posted by DNSB

Use NickelMenu and add the USB connect entry to the menu. Saves having to unplug/plug to bring up the Connect/Cancel popup.

Will that be:
force_usb_connection - forces a usb connection dialog to be shown
or:
rescan_books_full - forces a full usb connect/disconnect cycle

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by DrChiper

Read "Often" as "Daily, multiple times". As calibre needs 2 attachments to store new added ebooks correctly in the Kobo ereader DB, that becomes the minimal plug/unplug sequence.

But I do the intermediate disconnect / reconnect on the easier to use USB-A host end. However it's a laptop usually with an external screen. I appreciate some people only disconnect the gadget end due to access.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by DrChiper

Will that be:
force_usb_connection - forces a usb connection dialog to be shown
or:
rescan_books_full - forces a full usb connect/disconnect cycle

This is what I use.

menu_item : main : USB : nickel_misc : force_usb_connection

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by DrChiper

Will that be:
force_usb_connection - forces a usb connection dialog to be shown
or:
rescan_books_full - forces a full usb connect/disconnect cycle

You want the "force_usb_connection - forces a usb connection dialog to be shown" menu item.

The second one you listed triggers the scan for new content that you will also see after disconnecting from an USB connect. I've used it when playing with transferring books over wireless.

[DrChiper]

To summarize: it all boils down to the current needed physical cable connection for charging/side-loading. To circumvent that, the following could be regarded:

• wireless charging
  would be great, but will not happen (for now) until Kobo decides otherwise;
• minimize USB connection/disconnection
  can be obtained as indicated above in previous posts via NickelMenu, and using the PC-side connector for the still needed connect/disconnect;
• wireless WIFI ebook transfer
  is already possible when buying/borrowing books, but not so much when side-loading ebooks (did I miss any homegrown solution here?);
• wireless Bluetooth ebook transfer
  currently not possible as bluetooth seems to be audio only, and is also available on selected ereader types only.

With the above "wireless" soulutions in place, Kobo would have even less troubles to make their devices water-proof (no connector gels needed inside and such)

Originally Posted by DNSB

I've used it when playing with transferring books over wireless.

So that sounds interesting indeed. Any elaboration possible on this part?

[John F]

Isn't wireless ebook transfer for newer devices possible, a la dropbox?

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by John F

Isn't wireless ebook transfer for newer devices possible, a la dropbox?

Yes, but, not for all the devices. And wireless transfer via the browser has been possible for a long time.

[DrChiper]

Originally Posted by John F

Isn't wireless ebook transfer for newer devices possible, a la dropbox?

True, but for instance dropbox is not supported everywhere.

[John F]

Originally Posted by davidfor

Yes, but, not for all the devices. And wireless transfer via the browser has been possible for a long time.

I assumed the Forma (wasn't that the first one to get dropbox) and all newer devices have dropbox support?

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by John F

I assumed the Forma (wasn't that the first one to get dropbox) and all newer devices have dropbox support?

No, Dropbox is only the Forma, Elipsa and Sage. I assume that they are presenting it as a "premium" feature.

[compurandom]

I've damaged a lot of usb micro ports, but luckily never on any of my kobos.

It's real easy to put weight on the usb cable, or worse, yank on it in the wrong direction. I've bent both cables and ports that way; while frequently not immediately fatal, it doesn't help at all.

It's also possible, especially with a worn or abused port, to misalign the cable, which could cause shorts on the pins. That shouldn't be possible, but like I said, with an abused port, it could happen.

It could also be that you have a bad cable. Maybe the tolerances on the cable are a bit off and it isn't fitting as well as it should, which could also allow pin misalignment.

[DrChiper]

Originally Posted by compurandom

It's also possible, especially with a worn or abused port, to misalign the cable, which could cause shorts on the pins. That shouldn't be possible, but like I said, with an abused port, it could happen.

I suspected the female port on the kobo was not completely to specs as the cable could easily be "wiggled", thus causing the pins to become misaligned, hence the shorting. I assume that about 12 months of usage did the rest.

Originally Posted by compurandom

It could also be that you have a bad cable. Maybe the tolerances on the cable are a bit off and it isn't fitting as well as it should, which could also allow pin misalignment.

I tried several, including the official Kobo provided ones and had the same issue. All now replaced because of the shorting carbonizing effect on the connector male part.

I'm looking to a reasonable prized magnetic cable as suggested in the postings above. The issue there is to get also multiple according spare tip sets as they are to be plugged in on the devices and remain there. Standard just 1 USB-C/1 micro-USB/ 1 iPhone tip included and no additional spare ones to be obtained. Amazon seems to offer cable bundles up to 3 sets with according tips so totaling to 3 tips of each type.