Firmware 3.17.3 Discussion

[frostschutz]

Originally Posted by Anak

Exactly, and that is why I don't understand why a Kobo reader can't detect if it is connected with a computer (data) or a charger (power only).

It does detect that, but it only works with specific chargers. For example the one of my Samsung Galaxy S works - you can charge, yet Kobo does not ask for PC connection.

[Anak]

Originally Posted by frostschutz

It does detect that, but it only works with specific chargers. For example the one of my Samsung Galaxy S works - you can charge, yet Kobo does not ask for PC connection.

I didn't know that there are a few chargers out there that do work.
I have tried many chargers that worked fine with almost all usb devices. Those device were able to detect the difference between a data connection and charging connection but not my Kobos.

Maybe, Kobo should also include a proper wall charger, then? As Kobo devices seem quite picky. It would cost them less or no more than a dollar to do so.
Or cheaper option might be to fix the 'detection routine' in the firmware. Replace it with a better one.

[frostschutz]

Originally Posted by Anak

Or cheaper option might be to fix the 'detection routine' in the firmware. Replace it with a better one.

That's probably easier said than done. It can certainly be done in some way, but ... just because you can do it does not mean you want to.

It may be a bit of a hen-and-egg issue. The PC does not see a Kobo _at all_ - until you give the OK on the Kobo itself. That's because the Kobo does not even load USB modules, it does not communicate over USB. Only when you say 'Connect' does it load its USB modules and the "Kobo Inc." device appears on the PC. In order to detect whether there is a PC or not it probably would have to connect to USB first (and see if the other side replies) before you allow it to connect.

My smartphone actually does it differently, it exposes its drives via USB even before you give the confirmation. It exposes them as "empty drive" and does a "media change" when you confirm the USB connection. Unfortunately there are cases where the system misses this media change so the filesystem does not appear right away.

So in a way Kobo's method works better for me.

[rebaco]

hi guys,

just updated my kobo aura hd to fw 3.17.3
I added a new ebook from calibre and it says that it has been transferred and I can see it in the kobo folder on my pc when kobo is connected but nothing on the device. the ebook is not showing anywhere. I have the latest calibre version

does anyone know why this is happening?

[Nick_1964]

Some chargers have a common negative, the negative (minus) is connected with the negative of the dataline, when connected the device thinks there is a computer on the other side.
When you open the usb cable and disconnect the two inner wires, it will just charge.
there are also chargers with 2 connectors, if I attach one of the outlets to my tablet,the device says it finds a computer,when I disconnect the tablet, it doesn't.
So it is the charger that let the device "think" there is a computer because the connector of the charger short cirquit minus of charging and minus of data to each other.
My old Sony works the other way around, when it detects that both minus of voltage and minus of data are connected in the charger internally, it says "no charger" and stops charging.
That is the best way,because it is never a good idea to connect data wires to charging wires, even when it is only the zero,it can leak current over the dataline,which can damage the reader.

[PeterT]

Originally Posted by rebaco

hi guys,

just updated my kobo aura hd to fw 3.17.3
I added a new ebook from calibre and it says that it has been transferred and I can see it in the kobo folder on my pc when kobo is connected but nothing on the device. the ebook is not showing anywhere. I have the latest calibre version

does anyone know why this is happening?

Is the time / date correct on your device?

[compurandom]

Originally Posted by Anak

Exactly, and that is why I don't understand why a Kobo reader can't detect if it is connected with a computer (data) or a charger (power only).
Even my very old basic reader and many other usb devices are able to detect this difference.

Perhaps if you read the (250 page!!) usb charging specifications, you'd know why.

To save you some time, I'll summarize my guess from the portion of the spec I've read so far.

When you plug in a usb charger, you can have a dumb charger or a smart charger. If it is a smart charger, it negotiates with the device what the power supply current and voltage will be. If the device is using an older version of the charging spec than the charger, it might not know if it is negotiating with a smart charger or a computer, but it will still work.

[eenk]

Throw in the particular USB IP that got into the SoC and it even multiplies further in terms of what can go wrong with just four wires and a protocol on top.

[thp1017]

Originally Posted by rebaco

hi guys,

just updated my kobo aura hd to fw 3.17.3
I added a new ebook from calibre and it says that it has been transferred and I can see it in the kobo folder on my pc when kobo is connected but nothing on the device. the ebook is not showing anywhere. I have the latest calibre version

does anyone know why this is happening?

I've been running 3.17.3 for a couple of weeks now, and this has been happening to me on and off (just doing file copies, though, not through calibre) - got worse yesterday, which is why I came looking :P Seems like if I keep copying the file over, it eventually sticks, but it is annoying.

I pretty much always clean up and standardize books before transferring them over, so I'm pretty sure it isn't 'bad' books - and they do eventually seem to work. So far I haven't noticed any particular pattern, other than the last couple have been the same author - but I tried copying other unedited books over, and they just disappeared to. Very annoying bug, whatever it is!

[micione20]

have you ever experienced confortlight fickle on a kobo glo hd?
i have 3.17.3, some patches,
and sometimes its light decreases and increases lightly (maybe 2-3%) up and down.

also i've noticed a sort of energy saver: remaining still on a page more than 50-70 secs (i don't remember) light has decreased, when i touched to change it it tooked two touches:
one to bring back at normal set light level, and another to change page.
(like other smartphone/ipad devices)
it is normal or it is bug?

Thanks

[Nick_1964]

Originally Posted by micione20

have you ever experienced confortlight fickle on a kobo glo hd?
i have 3.17.3, some patches,
and sometimes its light decreases and increases lightly (maybe 2-3%) up and down.


Thanks

I have seen this behaviour only on my normal Glo, but it disappears when you put the slider a little bit higher or lower, like the leddriver can't keep it stable at that point.
But the second Glo,didn't do it at the same value.
I think it is hardware related.. the second problem you have, I have never noticed.
Also on my now current Glo HD's I didn't see it, that will not say that it isn't there,but once set, I never adjust my light settings.
It is on 60% (I never read in the dark) on both of them.
My Girlfriend has one of my other Glo's and she never complain about the disco light.. for me it looks a bit like a tube light that is almost on break down, but as I said, it disappered when i put the slider a bit from the problem area.

[micione20]

it is not as disco light, but quite light variations , more noticeable on night with total dark.
at sunlight i never experienced that.

i'll try to deactivate patch wich allows fin tuning on light (1% steps)

[Nick_1964]

Originally Posted by micione20

it is not as disco light, but quite light variations , more noticeable on night with total dark.
at sunlight i never experienced that.

i'll try to deactivate patch wich allows fin tuning on light (1% steps)

The "disco light" is offcourse much overreacted, but it is visible,and visible enough to notice.. the Glo I am talking about that does the same,was unpatched, just a small change on the slider was enough tot stop it, I didn't "record" the value where it happens,because I don't think that it happens with all devices on the same value as it doesn't happen at the second device.

[micione20]

i've unpatched, removed bookerly fonts, and re installed 3.17.3 clean. i'll do more tests tonite. by now it works perfectly, tomorrow i'll come back with news.

i don't remember too light value of this malfunction

[Nick_1964]

Originally Posted by micione20

i've unpatched, removed bookerly fonts, and re installed 3.17.3 clean. i'll do more tests tonite. by now it works perfectly, tomorrow i'll come back with news.

i don't remember too light value of this malfunction

I just think that your light slider is now at another position as it was.. if you "record" the old setting,remove the slider to that point and wait.
I don't believe that a installed or uninstalled font will triggers the light to flicker.