Dealing with Kindle for PC/Mac 1.19 and KFX in calibre

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by Blue2u

Spoiler:

First I want to thank all the hard work people put into trying all the various fixes and time to help, I really appreciate it!

I just tried a couple of things from the first post.
I'm very tech challenged so please keep that in mind.

Method 1, I couldn't get it to work. No matter what instructions I followed, it kept updating from 1.17 to 1.3

Method 2a, I'm using Kindle for PC 1.14.1 because it was the 'one' that never updated automatically for me. However, the KFX_begone4.bat file trick still doesn't allow me to download the newer books [that I'm assuming are KFX because when I try to download them it gives me the error "Your kindle requires an app to view this content.."
I also tried it with 1.17, but I can't get that version to stop updating.

So my question is, I just want to understand if the above fixes work for everyone, and it's something I'm doing wrong, or if they only work sometimes.
Not wanting to take anything away from the hard work people put into all of this, I just want to know if it's me.

You can't download new books (published in 2023) with any old version of Kindle for PC, either 1.14 or 1.17. To remove the DRM from the books published in 2023, you'll need to use methods 3 or 6.

[unicornzvi]

I just received a kindle book I actually want to read, and found out the old Kindle 4 PC 1.17 installed via play4Linux no longer works (or rather, it shows the book as delivered, but pops up a message I need to upgrade it to view the book).

Any suggestions on getting Kindle books over to Calibre? I don't have and don't intend to get any Kindle device, but the book doesn't have DRM so at least that's not an issue.

[Quoth]

KFX always has DRM, even if publisher requests DRM free. I think K4PC now only downloads KFX, so a DRM free Amazon ebook is only DRM free if you have an eink Kindle and use Webpage Download and Transfer for USB option, because direct download into a Kindle also uses KFX, unless it's really old (older than a PW3 at least).

Buying books with or without DRM on Kobo is simpler on Linux. The DRM free ones are just a download and the ones with DRM are no problem with a suitable plug-in. No Kobo ereader needed.

[lkmiller]

Originally Posted by unicornzvi

I just received a kindle book I actually want to read, and found out the old Kindle 4 PC 1.17 installed via play4Linux no longer works (or rather, it shows the book as delivered, but pops up a message I need to upgrade it to view the book).

Any suggestions on getting Kindle books over to Calibre? I don't have and don't intend to get any Kindle device, but the book doesn't have DRM so at least that's not an issue.

I take it that it's a book published this year. See method 6 in the first post of this thread.

[Blue2u]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

You can't download new books (published in 2023) with any old version of Kindle for PC, either 1.14 or 1.17. To remove the DRM from the books published in 2023, you'll need to use methods 3 or 6.

[unicornzvi]

Originally Posted by lkmiller

I take it that it's a book published this year. See method 6 in the first post of this thread.

Yah, new book. Thanks, I missed method 6.

[Spun]

hi guys, new there,
i am struggling to me able to transform a kindle book into pdf
this one: https://www.amazon.es/gp/product/B07RN2Q79F

I have calibre 5.x in windows 8.1 and installed the DRM plugins and downloaded the file with Kindle PC 1.17 and also 1.26 versions,
both return diferent files,
1.17 a single file
and 1.26 a total of 3 files (one *.azw and two *.azw.res)
but i dont success with Calibre to transform it into pdf,

anyone can pointme into the method if any?

thanks a lot

[jhowell]

Originally Posted by Spun

i am struggling to me able to transform a kindle book into pdf

What exactly is going wrong, including any error messages?

If the problem appears to be DRM related you will need to ask for help at the place where you obtained the DRM removal plugin since detailed assistance with DRM removal is not allowed here on MobileRead.

[romad]

OK, I've been limited to downloading many Kindle books via the Download and Transfer via USB route as I'm told the Kindle for Mac application needs to be updated but when I try, I'm told it won't run on my MacOS version. The last makes sense because miMac is maxed out at MacOS 10.13.6 (High Sierra).

However, when I tried to download a book I bought today, instead of the normal booktitle.azw3 file, I get this "FSDownloadContent" with no file extension which won't load. However, I discovered that by adding the .azw3 extension, then I can at least add the book to Calibre.

But I'm curious if anyone knows what FSDownloadContent means exactly.

[Manolis]

I don't know "FSDownloadContent" but I use "High Sierra" with Kindle version 1.20.2 to download pre: 2023 books successfully. Yes, it can't be updated (which is a good thing).

For 2023 books I download to my Kindle, connect to my Mac via USB and drag the file across.

[romad]

Interesting. When I went to check for a K4M update, I was told it was version 2.something and that it would not run on High Sierra. Now after that, I'm being asked to update to version 1.31, but that will only download KFX books. Since I can get non-KFX versions via the USB download & transfer path I use it for books published after 6 Jan 23 and will continue to use K4M 1.19 for the earlier published books. With the former, I download to a folder on my iMac labeled "Kindle via USB" and then import into Calibre.

Out of curiosity, doesn't K4M 1.20.2 also only download KFX books?

[jhowell]

Originally Posted by romad

Out of curiosity, doesn't K4M 1.20.2 also only download KFX books?

See "Method 2B - Disable KFX support in Kindle for PC/Mac" in the first post of this thread.

[Shykat]

In Calibre, how can you tell what version of de drm you are using?

I recently updated to 6.16 and then have tried to edit the metadate on a file. Yes, it's one after 1/3/23. It's in epub format.

I am able to load it into Calibre and actually can View the book. BUT......

Once I edit any of the metadata into my preferred format, I no longer can view the book in Calibre and it will not convert so the metadata is saved.

My worry is that it's caught in the major glitch with Amazon's new format.... though I got the book from "elsewhere"

Suggestions????

[theducks]

Originally Posted by Shykat

In Calibre, how can you tell what version of de drm you are using?

I recently updated to 6.16 and then have tried to edit the metadate on a file. Yes, it's one after 1/3/23. It's in epub format.

I am able to load it into Calibre and actually can View the book. BUT......

Once I edit any of the metadata into my preferred format, I no longer can view the book in Calibre and it will not convert so the metadata is saved.

My worry is that it's caught in the major glitch with Amazon's new format.... though I got the book from "elsewhere"

Suggestions????

Preferences:get plugins: Select Installed. The list shows version Only works for official ones.
Peferencs: Plugins: User installed list shows the versions

[Shykat]

Originally Posted by theducks

Preferences:get plugins: Select Installed. The list shows version

Thank you.

Found it. The plugin was there and the correct version. I've sense updated to Calibre 6.17 and am still having problems.

It's almost like, every time I edit the metadata, I get errors. I can load the book and view it from within Calibre just fine and then click on convert and things seem okay. When I edit the metadata and then attempt to save the chances, that's when I start running into errors.

Yes, I've posted over in the Calibre area and am keeping my fingers crossed that Kovid or anyone else over there can help.