Forma Stuck in Boot Cycle

alanfw · 08-15-2023, 07:53 PM

My partner's Forma has been having battery issues even though it is little more than a year old. It is now stuck in a cycle where, when it is plugged in to a USB power source, it restarts (which takes a while because I think it is trying to update), reaches the home screen, does nothing for a while (appears unresponsive), then does the same thing over and over again. I'm assuming there is insufficient battery power to complete the update process.

The only way I can stop this process is to plug it into the computer USB port and connect it to the computer. In this case, it goes to the screen "Connected and charging". I left it in this position overnight with the computer turned on but this morning it still does exactly the same thing when I safely remove from USB port, and it still shows low battery.

While searching for a solution I found a thread on this forum that mentioned images so I was wondering if it was possible to reimage the Forma rather than just put an update in the .kobo folder. If yes, can anyone tell me where I can find an image? If no, can anyone suggest a solution?

DNSB · 08-15-2023, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanfw

While searching for a solution I found a thread on this forum that mentioned images so I was wondering if it was possible to reimage the Forma rather than just put an update in the .kobo folder. If yes, can anyone tell me where I can find an image? If no, can anyone suggest a solution?

The Forma uses an eMMC storage chip which is not removable. So no hope of rewriting the image.

Have you tried the manual factory reset? See Manual reset your Kobo Sage, Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Forma or Kobo Libra H2O for more information.

One minor correction is that if your Forma does not go to the power off screen when you are holding the power button, just hold the button for around 30 seconds.

alanfw · 08-15-2023, 10:08 PM

Managed to get a manual factory reset done and it is no longer in the endless boot cycle. But it doesn't seem to be charging: battery indicator shows charging, and charge light is on with the Kobo in sleep mode, but the charge level has been on zero% for the last 90 minutes.
I really must say the Kobo has been a MASSIVE disappointment. Plagued by bugs and failures. Mine was replaced under warranty and even the replacement was plagued with bugs until I reverted to an old firmware. Now Kobo has forced us to sync to be able to read our books and both are now experiencing problems. Beats me how they manage to stay in business if my experience is common!

Aleron Ives · 08-15-2023, 10:32 PM

It's not true that you have to sync to be able to read your books. You can download all your books from the Kobo website using ADE and sideload them without ever syncing, if you wish. Sideloading is especially useful for avoiding buggy firmware releases, as there is sadly no reliable method of blocking firmware updates, except by never syncing.

alanfw · 08-16-2023, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aleron Ives

It's not true that you have to sync to be able to read your books. You can download all your books from the Kobo website using ADE and sideload them without ever syncing, if you wish. Sideloading is especially useful for avoiding buggy firmware releases, as there is sadly no reliable method of blocking firmware updates, except by never syncing.

Can this be done when using books from the Overdrive library? (The ability to read books from the library was the main reason I bought a Kobo over a Kindle.)

I'm not sure what ADE is. Do you know a good source for instructions?

It absolutely infuriates me that Kobo can roll out these updates that cause problems leading to total battery or device failure and take NO responsibility for it.

John F · 08-16-2023, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanfw

...

I'm not sure what ADE is. Do you know a good source for instructions?

...

ADE - Adobe Digital Edition

Check your local library for documentation.

Aleron Ives · 08-16-2023, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanfw

Can this be done when using books from the Overdrive library?

Yes, and the process is the same. When you download a book from your Kobo account, you'll get an ACSM file, which you redeem with Adobe Digital Editions. Most libraries also allow you to access your loans the same way. It's less convenient, but it does work.

DNSB · 08-16-2023, 05:46 PM

Or if you are a calibre user, you can add the DeACSM (renamed to ACSM) plugin which will allow you to import .acsm directly into calibre. It saves a couple of steps.

Aleron Ives · 08-16-2023, 06:11 PM

Yes, but you need to be careful with library books, since you don't have the right to keep them indefinitely, and adding them to your Calibre library may be a recipe for confusing them with the books you own.

Furthermore, some libraries require you to return loans from ADE, so if the Calibre plugin doesn't support that, then you have no way to return a loaned book after you finish it so that other patrons can read it sooner. You'll just have to wait for the loan period to expire before the next person in line can get it.

*edit*

After doing a little reading, it appears the plugin does support returning library books. Huzzah!

alanfw · 08-16-2023, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John F

ADE - Adobe Digital Edition

Check your local library for documentation.

Ahhh yes. I HAVE used Adobe Digital Editions before to put books on my Kobo. Back then I was thinking that these downloads were causing problems with my Kobo, but now I think it was the firmware updates instead.

JSWolf · 08-17-2023, 08:23 AM

The Kobo Forma is almost 5 years old. The battery could have been sitting there with not enough charge or no charge.

08-15-2023, 07:53 PM	#1
alanfw Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2023 Device: Kobo Forma	Forma Stuck in Boot Cycle My partner's Forma has been having battery issues even though it is little more than a year old. It is now stuck in a cycle where, when it is plugged in to a USB power source, it restarts (which takes a while because I think it is trying to update), reaches the home screen, does nothing for a while (appears unresponsive), then does the same thing over and over again. I'm assuming there is insufficient battery power to complete the update process. The only way I can stop this process is to plug it into the computer USB port and connect it to the computer. In this case, it goes to the screen "Connected and charging". I left it in this position overnight with the computer turned on but this morning it still does exactly the same thing when I safely remove from USB port, and it still shows low battery. While searching for a solution I found a thread on this forum that mentioned images so I was wondering if it was possible to reimage the Forma rather than just put an update in the .kobo folder. If yes, can anyone tell me where I can find an image? If no, can anyone suggest a solution?

08-16-2023, 06:11 PM	#9
Aleron Ives Wizard Posts: 1,689 Karma: 16307824 Join Date: Sep 2022 Device: Kobo Libra 2	Yes, but you need to be careful with library books, since you don't have the right to keep them indefinitely, and adding them to your Calibre library may be a recipe for confusing them with the books you own. Furthermore, some libraries require you to return loans from ADE, so if the Calibre plugin doesn't support that, then you have no way to return a loaned book after you finish it so that other patrons can read it sooner. You'll just have to wait for the loan period to expire before the next person in line can get it. edit After doing a little reading, it appears the plugin does support returning library books. Huzzah! Last edited by Aleron Ives; 08-16-2023 at 06:13 PM.

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08-15-2023, 10:08 PM	#3
alanfw Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2023 Device: Kobo Forma	Managed to get a manual factory reset done and it is no longer in the endless boot cycle. But it doesn't seem to be charging: battery indicator shows charging, and charge light is on with the Kobo in sleep mode, but the charge level has been on zero% for the last 90 minutes. I really must say the Kobo has been a MASSIVE disappointment. Plagued by bugs and failures. Mine was replaced under warranty and even the replacement was plagued with bugs until I reverted to an old firmware. Now Kobo has forced us to sync to be able to read our books and both are now experiencing problems. Beats me how they manage to stay in business if my experience is common!

08-15-2023, 10:32 PM	#4
Aleron Ives Wizard Posts: 1,689 Karma: 16307824 Join Date: Sep 2022 Device: Kobo Libra 2	It's not true that you have to sync to be able to read your books. You can download all your books from the Kobo website using ADE and sideload them without ever syncing, if you wish. Sideloading is especially useful for avoiding buggy firmware releases, as there is sadly no reliable method of blocking firmware updates, except by never syncing.

08-16-2023, 05:46 PM	#8
DNSB Bibliophagist Posts: 46,210 Karma: 168983734 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos	Or if you are a calibre user, you can add the DeACSM (renamed to ACSM) plugin which will allow you to import .acsm directly into calibre. It saves a couple of steps.

08-17-2023, 08:23 AM	#11
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,756 Karma: 145864619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	The Kobo Forma is almost 5 years old. The battery could have been sitting there with not enough charge or no charge.