Kobo database version not supported

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by DNSB

I updated my Clara HD to 4.36.21095 and the database version was bumped to 174.

Using the Kobo11 / Elipsa 2 version or some other source?

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by Quoth

Using the Kobo11 / Elipsa 2 version or some other source?

Using the Elipsa 2E version. The KoboRoot.tgz tends to be hardware agnostic with the hardware updates in the Upgrades directory.

[jackie_w]

Originally Posted by DNSB

This is getting very interesting (for certain values of interesting ) since none of my devices on 4.35.20400 are showing 174 as the database version yet we now have at least two cases where that has been the case after a recent update to 4.35.20400. There would probably be more cases except for the probability that quite a few people have checked Attempt to support newer firmware and never unchecked it.

I may have some more info.

I have a Libra2 which was updated to fw 4.35.20400 back in Dec 2022. Because of your other post, Kobo mandatory update, I decided to connect it to Kobo Desktop (Windows). I took a backup of various files before and after the connection. The database version (DbVersion table in KoboReader.sqlite) got changed.
Before connection: 171
After connection: 174

There were also some changes to the config file, Kobo eReader.conf, which I'll summarise in the other thread when I've had a closer look.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by jackie_w

I may have some more info.

I have a Libra2 which was updated to fw 4.35.20400 back in Dec 2022. Because of your other post, Kobo mandatory update, I decided to connect it to Kobo Desktop (Windows). I took a backup of various files before and after the connection. The database version (DbVersion table in KoboReader.sqlite) got changed.
Before connection: 171
After connection: 174

There were also some changes to the config file, Kobo eReader.conf, which I'll summarize in the other thread when I've had a closer look.

URL to the other thread please. Thanks.

[JSWolf]

What's going to happen if the Kobo drivers need to be updated to support the new database version or to support new features?

[DNSB]

After davidfor left us, PeterT was taking care of bumping the database version. Since he has not been on MobileRead in months and Kovid volunteered, he will do the 174 database version update. I suspect we will need to get someone else to handle this in future.

As for the KoboTouch driver and KoboUtilities? I am hoping that if we need updates, someone with Python experience will step up to take care of the issues. Much as someone took care of updating the KoboBooks metadata plugin.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

URL to the other thread please. Thanks.

Sheesh... Try the Kobo mandatory update thread in the Kobo forum.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by DNSB

Sheesh... Try the Kobo mandatory update thread in the Kobo forum.

Thanks. It was late and I wasn't thinking of that thread.

[chaley]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

What's going to happen if the Kobo drivers need to be updated to support the new database version or to support new features?

I can make driver changes if someone tells me what needs to happen. For example, if the database schema changes and someone gives me the changes (SQL is fine) and what they are for then I can change the built-in KoboTouch driver to accommodate them. I have changed the driver before and have a good understanding of its structure.

The Kobo Utilities plugin is another story. I haven't touched it, nor do I understand a lot of what it does.

I am not particularly interested in building expertise on Kobo device internals, which is why the "someone else" is required.

[RonaldP]

Originally Posted by DNSB

Actually, this is getting very odd. I updated my Clara HD to 4.36.21095 and the database version was bumped to 174. I then downgraded to 4.35.20400 and, as expected, the database version remained at 174. This leaves me wondering if @RonaldP manually updated to 4.36.21095 and then downgraded to 4.35.20400.

Kovid: please bump the version number in the driver since @PeterT hasn't been around MobileRead for quite a while.

The problem first arose when I was forced to update the Kobo version as per messages from Kobo. I don't use wifi on the Kobo, so updated through the Kobo app on my desktop. The problem arose after that update, and I thought would be resolved when I updated to the current version of Calibre. The firmware version installed and not subsequently modified is 4.35.20400. Calibre reports that the device database version is 174.

I just now added new books to the Kobo successfully, but got that same error message. I remain unable to delete books through Calibre.

I'm not familiar with the intricacies of Calibre/Kobo firmware and software. I'm not sure I'd want to risk a factory reset of my Kobo if I try to force the attempt to support newer firmware/database. Would a factory reset set everything back to what it was originally? Remember, I'm told that the update to the Kobo firmware was necessary to support all continuing functionality. Resetting to factory values may have some risk.

[RonaldP]

The required firmware update per the Kobo communication included the various Aura versions, Clara, Forma, Glo and Touch. I don't know if that is all of them. This is the text of the message:

"You will need to perform a mandatory software update for your Kobo eReader by May 25, 2023.

We are releasing a critical update to stay aligned with global Internet security standards. Without this update, your Kobo eReader will no longer be able to exit the setup process after a factory reset is performed."

Hence my concern about avoiding a factory reset.

[theducks]

Originally Posted by RonaldP

Note that the required Firmware update was specific to older models of Kobo; I don't think it applied to the Aura.

Aura's have different firmware depending on Serial numbers.

Be sure you used the correct one.
I also place the the extracted Zip into the .kobo folder using explorer as instructed, using Windows explorer (and not the Kobo PC app0

https://pgaskin.net/KoboStuff/kobofirmware.html

[RonaldP]

I used the Kobo app, which presumably used the correct firmware. I was mistaken about which versions the update was required for. It was several, including all the Auras it seems. Mine is an Aura.

R.