KOBO insisting on resetting from new

[kangxi]

My Kobo is acting up. First it changed how the search function worked. (it used to search automatically within the book I was reading, then lately changed to choosing the current book via a series of drop down menus). Then it couldn't find anything I searched for. Last night it wouldn't open any book at all claiming DRM problems. Finally it shut right down and on trying to switch on it went into what looks like a boot sequence and will only open as if totally new, demanding I first choose a language then set up my wifi. During all of this my wifi was switched off so if it got any outside upgrade then I don't know how, and I assume it's all an internal problem. I cant remember which model it is - it says Rakuten Kobo on the back, the whole thing is 160 x 110 mm and the screen is 120 x 90 mm.

[kangxi]

I reinstalled the whole thing to find inevitably that my loaded library has vanished. As I have it all on Calibre that's no big deal. But it leaves me with a nagging doubt: how often does this happen to Kobos?

[DNSB]

One possibility is your Kobo's database was corrupted. Not safely ejecting before unplugging the USB cable is one of the major causes. Another possibility is that if you have a Kobo with an internal µSD card that is failing. Either of those can trigger a factory reset.

From your information, you have a 6 inch/152mm screen. There are quite a few Kobo models that have external measurements close to the 110x160mm dimensions you gave. The N249 Clara HD is the closest but several others are in the same range. The Clara BW & Clara Colour, for example, are 112x160mm

What is the model number shown by your Kobo? More => Settings => Device Information. The first 4 characters of the serial number are the model number (i.e. N249 for a Clara HD). Below Device Information in the More menu should be an About entry which also gives the name of the model (i.e. About Kobo Clara HD).

[meeera]

Originally Posted by kangxi

My Kobo is acting up. [...] Finally it shut right down and on trying to switch on it went into what looks like a boot sequence and will only open as if totally new, demanding I first choose a language then set up my wifi.

Which Kobo?

I agree about the possible database corruption.

Also, when you turned it on, is it possible you held the buttons for a long time, or accidentally held a button combination? I have seen people trigger the manual factory procedure accidentally. Look up the procedure for your device to avoid doing that.

[kangxi]

Many thanks DNSB & meeera:
It's a N365 Clara BW.
You may well be write about not safely ejecting. I normally leave everything connected until after I've powered down the desktop but I could have unplugged without ejecting. I'll take greater care in future. I think it's rather more likely I held the button for far too long. Time to read the manual. I recall from my telecomms days many years opening a rarely opened technical manual for a certain piece of obscure kit to find, hand written on the title page: "When in doubt read the manual. If you'd read the manual in the first place you wouldn't have been in doubt."

[Dal Bhat]

As I have it all on Calibre that's no big deal.

Why not create the habit of ejecting it in Calibre? As a mnemonic device/safeguard.