PocketBook Ink Pad 840

[rkomar]

It has been a few weeks since I tried firmware 5.4 and ran koreader, but last I checked, it starts up its own file chooser so that you can pick a book to read. The "file chooser" in the system is the Library application. Deleting koreader should not affect the Library application.

To get rid of the koreader icon, you also have to delete the applications/koreader.app file. The reason you go back to the home screen when running koreader is that it fails to run because you've deleted the applications/koreader/ directory.

I don't know what advice to give on WindowsDefender since I don't use it. Perhaps it has a setting that allows you to tell it what filesystems to ignore when checking.

[p38lightning]

Thanks for the response.

I reinstalled KOR and once again have access to the files on the 840.

Will try the Library to see if that opens KOR.

Yes, WD has that option to exclude files and I will need to set it up. Would love to know what is triggering the malware warning, though!

So far, so (fairly) good reading both ePub and Mobi. Very inconsistent issues arise such as an occasional blank page that may or may not reappear with the missing text, blank pages with lines (usually part of the contents page) that will usually correct itself, occasional slow page changes.

Overall it works "Fairly" well.

Keeping in mind that I will be using this only for ePub and Mobi book reading, should I leave well enough alone with 5.4, redo with 4.4, or wait it out for the next software update that may (or may not) correct these reading issues.

If I do switch to 4.4, can I stay with the 840 reader or is Coolreader? the preferred option?

Also where do I find the step by step instructions for switching to 4.4 as I have already d/l that software from the Pocketbook site.

Thanks in advance.

PS: For anyone who wants to read from the 840 in either portrait or landscape mode hands free while it stands up, I am using my original Nook HD+ swivel cover! The 840 fits in the plastic internal swivel portion as snugly as if it were designed (width wise) for it. Of course there is vertical space left over so you can either center it, place it at the bottom, or at the top and it will stay securely in place. If you center it or place it at the bottom, you have full access to the on/off button and the cap for the usb and sd card.

[rkomar]

Originally Posted by p38lightning

I reinstalled KOR and once again have access to the files on the 840.

Will try the Library to see if that opens KOR.

...

Also where do I find the step by step instructions for switching to 4.4 as I have already d/l that software from the Pocketbook site.

Normally, file access takes place via the Library application, and applications are started via the Applications app. So, you should start koreader from Applications, and access files to read or manage from the Library. You don't need koreader to manage files. You can use it for that, but it's not necessary (especially since the devices don't come with koreader installed).

(I'm starting to remember that the new firmware UI doesn't have Library and Application icons on the home page, but rather chevrons at the top and bottom for that. Anyway, I think that applications and other files are grouped separately.)

You can read the instructions for applying firmware upgrades in the User Guide. It usually comes installed on the device, and can be found via the Library app (or koreader if it is installed). If you deleted the guide before, then you can get a new copy from the PocketBook International web site (under the Support section for each device). It's just a PDF file, and can be read anywhere.

As to whether you should downgrade to 4.4, why not just use the device as is for a while and see if it meets your needs. If not, maybe then consider downgrading. I'm used to the old UI, so I prefer sticking with version 4.4. If you've never used it, then the new one may be fine for you.

[p38lightning]

Will follow your advice and stick with 5.4 for the time being and see if the issues mentioned above smooth themselves out enough not to warrant making any software changes.

If you hear anything about the next update for the 840, please let us know.

I have switched off the auto update for now.

[hakim]

Originally Posted by p38lightning

Will follow your advice and stick with 5.4 for the time being and see if the issues mentioned above smooth themselves out enough not to warrant making any software changes.

That's pretty bad advice. You'll be missing a lot of things available in the older firmware and also you won't get fbreader which is much better reader than AdobeViewer.

[p38lightning]

Don't forget that my aim for the 840 is to use it as an e reader with everything else I do falling to my smartphone. At this point I am sideloading all of my books so I don't even use the wifi! While I have KOReader loaded, I still have no way of knowing whether I am using that or the included reader for my ePubs and Mobis.

However, the unit appears to be stabilized after a couple of factory resets and re-installing KOR . Both types of ebooks are working normally and without any problems including the earlier mentioned issue of blank pages.

According to Pocketbook, the next software update is scheduled for May so we will see how focused they are on correcting user issues and fine tuning the 840.

While what I am doing may not be aggressive enough for "power users", it works for me for the time being.

If I encounter issues or problems you can be sure I will quickly report back in here.

BTW, I have moved all of my books to the sd card and that works fine. Also, changing the shut off/start up image was quite a simple process.

[hakim]

Originally Posted by p38lightning

Don't forget that my aim for the 840 is to use it as an e reader with everything else I do falling to my smartphone. At this point I am sideloading all of my books so I don't even use the wifi! While I have KOReader loaded, I still have no way of knowing whether I am using that or the included reader for my ePubs and Mobis.

However, the unit appears to be stabilized after a couple of factory resets and re-installing KOR . Both types of ebooks are working normally and without any problems including the earlier mentioned issue of blank pages.

While what I am doing may not be aggressive enough for "power users", it works for me for the time being.

If you install 4.4, you'll be able to change the reader application on the fly using context menu without any need to manually edit extensions config file (FBReader (preinstalled in 4.4), Cool Reader, KoReader and AdobeViewer will be available for you).

KoReader might be a good choice for PDF files, but for epub and mobi books imho FBReader and CoolReader are much better choices. Blank page issue and terrible lag in AdobeViewer will not disappear just because you reset your reader.

Even if you only use the reader for reading books (just like most of the people do), I would still recommend downgrading which is pretty easy to do.

[p38lightning]

Well for the time being, if it continues to function as well as it currently is, I will leave well enough alone. I did download the v.4.4 firmware so I have it available if I decide to switch if problems arise.

However I have lost track of the directions for downgrading...could you direct me to that link, please/

Thanks in advance.

[hakim]

Originally Posted by p38lightning

Well for the time being, if it continues to function as well as it currently is, I will leave well enough alone. I did download the v.4.4 firmware so I have it available if I decide to switch if problems arise.

However I have lost track of the directions for downgrading...could you direct me to that link, please/

Thanks in advance.

It's the same as upgrading. See page 88 in user guide (Firmware update -> manual update).

[Nate the great]

Originally Posted by pugs466

Thanks Nate for instructions on how to downgrade the firmware from 5.4 to 4.4. The 4.4 firmware is lot better.

You're welcome. I like that firmware as well.

[p38lightning]

Thanks!

Now that I have it apparently stabilized, I am really enjoying the 840 as my primary medium for ebook reading.

[john__doe]

Hi, got Inkpad since 2 weeks ago, bought it for reading mainly pdfs for which it is great but I noticed some issues and dont know if it is normal so please tell me your experience and opinions. It is also my first e-reader so I don't really have anything to compare it with properly, also I have not seen the issue adressed once in this thread. So here it goes (btw got fw 5.4 preinstalled on it):

When reading doc file the battery runs out at least 5 (or more like 10) times faster than when reading pdf, when reading epub the battery runs out just as fast as .doc maybe a bit faster. Now I left e-reader in sleep mode (in the middle of epub book) with 40% battery left and in 3 hours it indicates it needs to recharge, 0% battery. Now when reading pdf I could let it in sleep mode or even on all night and it would take just 1% at most.

Now the battery could drain faster because of more page turns in doc and epub than in pdf (is this assumption legitimate? i mean on the other hand in pdf it has to picture much more text on 1 page, pdfs are larger etc.) but that fast? Also the 40% drain in sleep mode on epub...whats up with that? Could it be that the displayed amount of remaining battery was false also with false display of speed of draining battery while reading pdf so that it actually drained faster than shown?

Anyway if the battery drains as fast as shown when reading pdf then I think it is close to the manufacturer-stated battery life. The doc and epub drain is laughable and I refuse to believe it is meant to drain that fast.

Bad FW? Bad unit? Used unit by seller (it came already on 99% battery, though in the manual it states before first use to fully charge it)? "Normal" thing?

And one last question - how long does it take you to fully charge it via usb on PC?

[hakim]

Originally Posted by john__doe

When reading doc file the battery runs out at least 5 (or more like 10) times faster than when reading pdf, when reading epub the battery runs out just as fast as .doc maybe a bit faster. Now I left e-reader in sleep mode (in the middle of epub book) with 40% battery left and in 3 hours it indicates it needs to recharge, 0% battery. Now when reading pdf I could let it in sleep mode or even on all night and it would take just 1% at most.

With v5 firmware I had similar issue where it kept refreshing the page on its own when the reader was in sleep mode and wasn't being used thus draining battery life really fast.
My suggestion would be to turn off the reader when it's not used instead of using sleep mode.

[p38lightning]

Update:

Finally switched to v 4.4 software (quite easy to do). Tried the v 5.4 for two weeks without any real issues. Re-read some of the discussions regarding the two versions and decided to give 4.4 a try. I definitely prefer it to 5.4 and it works like a charm for both Mobi and ePub books. Battery life is quite impressive. The 840 is a keeper! Now if they would bring out a "Goldilocks" sized at 8.7-8.9 all would be well with my world!!! BTW, if you are wondering about the 8.7-8.9, that approximates the size of a trade paper/oversized paperback page and the 8.9 is the size of my semi-retired Nook HD+.

[john__doe]

Originally Posted by hakim

With v5 firmware I had similar issue where it kept refreshing the page on its own when the reader was in sleep mode and wasn't being used thus draining battery life really fast.
My suggestion would be to turn off the reader when it's not used instead of using sleep mode.

Almost an hour I was writing here my weekend testing experience and when I want to post I am "not logged in" anymore...

So Ill make it short now, thanks for the advice, hakim. Shame nobody could respond to the other questions though.