Forma Is my Kobo fried?

mikethep · 03-30-2025, 04:50 AM

Hello, I have a strange and unexpected problem with my Forma (bought 11/23).

I plugged it into my Mac Mini today via the Kobo cable and got an “Error communicating with device” message as follows:

calibre, version 7.21.0
ERROR: Error: Error communicating with device

CorruptError: database disk image is malformed

Traceback (most recent call last):
File "calibre/gui2/device.py", line 112, in run
File "calibre/gui2/device.py", line 566, in _books
File "calibre/devices/kobo/driver.py", line 2075, in books
File "src/cursor.c", line 240, in resetcursor
apsw.CorruptError: CorruptError: database disk image is malformed

I ejected the Kobo and after an updating process that took several minutes instead of the usual seconds I discovered that my entire library had disappeared from the Kobo and it had apparently reset to factory settings.

No problem, I thought, I’ll just redownload. Nope. I tried syncing both from the Kobo on wifi and via the Kobo desktop app. I got a sync complete message - but there were still no books in my library even though I saw a couple of titles supposedly downloading. I tried another cable with the same result, then went back to the original cable with no luck.

This is beginning to look like a rather fundamental problem. Does anybody have any ideas?

Thanks!

bluepeter · 03-30-2025, 05:39 AM

I note that you say that "... it had apparently reset to factory settings", but have you tried an actual factory reset?

mikethep · 03-30-2025, 06:08 AM

That was my assumption, but no, I haven’t tried that. I suppose I have nothing to lose, do I?

mikethep · 03-30-2025, 06:20 AM

Sorted! Thanks for that.

bluepeter · 03-30-2025, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikethep

Sorted! Thanks for that.

It's still a bit of a nuisance - especially if you have to reinstall any patches etc. - but at least your e-reader is again usable. I'm glad to hear it.

Sirtel · 03-30-2025, 08:10 AM

If it happens again, you could also try signing out of your Kobo account and back in. It often fixes the problem and is less radical than a full factory reset.

03-30-2025, 04:50 AM	#1
mikethep Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2025 Device: Kobo Libra	Is my Kobo fried? Hello, I have a strange and unexpected problem with my Forma (bought 11/23). I plugged it into my Mac Mini today via the Kobo cable and got an “Error communicating with device” message as follows: calibre, version 7.21.0 ERROR: Error: Error communicating with device CorruptError: database disk image is malformed Traceback (most recent call last): File "calibre/gui2/device.py", line 112, in run File "calibre/gui2/device.py", line 566, in _books File "calibre/devices/kobo/driver.py", line 2075, in books File "src/cursor.c", line 240, in resetcursor apsw.CorruptError: CorruptError: database disk image is malformed I ejected the Kobo and after an updating process that took several minutes instead of the usual seconds I discovered that my entire library had disappeared from the Kobo and it had apparently reset to factory settings. No problem, I thought, I’ll just redownload. Nope. I tried syncing both from the Kobo on wifi and via the Kobo desktop app. I got a sync complete message - but there were still no books in my library even though I saw a couple of titles supposedly downloading. I tried another cable with the same result, then went back to the original cable with no luck. This is beginning to look like a rather fundamental problem. Does anybody have any ideas? Thanks!

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03-30-2025, 05:39 AM	#2
bluepeter Addict Posts: 231 Karma: 1028440 Join Date: May 2024 Location: Salisbury, UK Device: Clara BW, Mini, Libra H2O, Kindle (11G), Paperwhite (10G), Boox Poke 5	I note that you say that "... it had apparently reset to factory settings", but have you tried an actual factory reset?

03-30-2025, 06:08 AM	#3
mikethep Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2025 Device: Kobo Libra	That was my assumption, but no, I haven’t tried that. I suppose I have nothing to lose, do I?

03-30-2025, 06:20 AM	#4
mikethep Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2025 Device: Kobo Libra	Sorted! Thanks for that.

03-30-2025, 08:10 AM	#6
Sirtel Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,062 Karma: 237062052 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Estonia Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2	If it happens again, you could also try signing out of your Kobo account and back in. It often fixes the problem and is less radical than a full factory reset.