I finally have the Kobo WiFi N647 1.9.12 firmware.

[bizzybody]

I bought another N647 on eBay, this seller was happy to check the firmware version.

Got it yesterday, took it apart around 1:00 AM today. Made a backup copy of the card as-is as a backup in case the thing corrupted itself like my first N647 did.

Put the card back in and it got to the welcome screen. I rebooted it and waited for it to get to the setup screen then I powered it off. Unplugged the battery before removing the card.

I used both Vconsole.com USB Duplicator Image Creator and USB Image Tool from alexpage.de to make images of the clean card.

So, where can this backup be put for other people to get for their Kobo Wifi N647?

I do not know if it will work with the N647B. Could try writing it to a 2GB or larger card and putting it into one of that model.

Why did I spend around $50 buying two old Kobo e-readers, one that arrived with a busted display and firmware 1.9 and this one with the power and D-pad gone all gummy and gooey, but with the final firmware version?

Because Rakuten's total abandonment to the point of not even providing the last firmware really p!$$ed me off. Try and stop people from getting this firmware? Not happening.

Now my plan is to swap the buttons and d-pad from my original thrift store find pink and white device to this latest all black one.

There's a 3D printable D-pad file available but not one for the power button. Perhaps I'll design one.

[DNSB]

No, the N647 and N647B are different hardware and the firmware image from one will not work on the other.

If you want to place the image online temporarily and PM me a link to the image file, I can add it to my image collection with known firmware versions.

[bizzybody]

Now I just need to find the broken screen one to transplant the rubber bits over, and buy a couple of 32 gig micro SD cards and I'll have two expanded old Kobos.

[MysticMUTT]

Will this firmware help me make use of the Kobo N647 I just purchased from eBay? it's my first eReader and I was so excited to find one affordable and in great condition. I haven't been able to transfer books to it no matter what I do and I'm heartbroken. I live off-grid and have to ration my data useage and screen time overall, so trying to troubleshoot has been difficult. I knew this was an old and unsupported model, but I never imagined I wouldn't be able to manually transfer files onto it. I also tried Calibre with all the Kobo plugins, but it can't access my Kobo's database. There's no .kobo folder in it. Still digging through old forums here but haven't found an answer that works for me yet.

[MysticMUTT]

I believe my post disappeared? test

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by MysticMUTT

I believe my post disappeared? test

Your post should be visible now. The image referred to by the original poster in this thread was for the 647 and should work on your 647. OTOH, that you do not see a .kobo directory in the root of the exposed storage is not a good sign. Have you tried a manual reset using the pinhole or a forced power off/on by holding the power button for 30 or so seconds and then toggle it to power back on. There is also a forced factory reset which if I remember correctly involved forcing the Kobo off by holding the power button and then powering it back on while holding the home button.

[bizzybody]

Originally Posted by MysticMUTT

Will this firmware help me make use of the Kobo N647 I just purchased from eBay? it's my first eReader and I was so excited to find one affordable and in great condition. I haven't been able to transfer books to it no matter what I do and I'm heartbroken. I live off-grid and have to ration my data useage and screen time overall, so trying to troubleshoot has been difficult. I knew this was an old and unsupported model, but I never imagined I wouldn't be able to manually transfer files onto it. I also tried Calibre with all the Kobo plugins, but it can't access my Kobo's database. There's no .kobo folder in it. Still digging through old forums here but haven't found an answer that works for me yet.

You need to use the Calibre software with these older Kobo models since they're no longer supported by Rakuten. They will not connect to Kobo Desktop.

Go to Menu then down to Settings. What does it have for Software version?

If it's 1.9.12 then you don't need to do anything with it. If it's not that version and you want the last version then you need to look up how to take the reader apart, remove the card, make a backup, then get the image from DNSB and write it to the card.

Before you do that, if you have books on it you want to keep, use Calibre to back them up.

You can take the opportunity to upgrade to a larger internal card. A faster one (with a U rating) might make the thing work a bit quicker.

[bizzybody]

Originally Posted by MysticMUTT

Will this firmware help me make use of the Kobo N647 I just purchased from eBay? it's my first eReader and I was so excited to find one affordable and in great condition. I haven't been able to transfer books to it no matter what I do and I'm heartbroken. I live off-grid and have to ration my data useage and screen time overall, so trying to troubleshoot has been difficult. I knew this was an old and unsupported model, but I never imagined I wouldn't be able to manually transfer files onto it. I also tried Calibre with all the Kobo plugins, but it can't access my Kobo's database. There's no .kobo folder in it. Still digging through old forums here but haven't found an answer that works for me yet.

What I have experienced with this model Kobo is it flat out does not work with some USB ports. On my desktop I have the built in motherboard ports and some add in cards. I haven't done a comprehensive test to figure out which ports it will and will not work with, and the brand/model of controller and/or hub chips.

If Calibre can't detect it, try a different port. If it works with none of your ports, get a USB card or try a hub (preferably a powered one) between your computer and the Kobo.