Kobo can't read my ebooks

[SensualPoet]

Originally Posted by Aimon

I just bought my Kobo, and had similar problems (in uploading files).
However, I fixed the problem by dumping new files onto the root directory of the Kobo in Windows Explorer. As well as the EPUB file, I had to load on an associated JPEG file and OPF file (which came with the EPUB file). It seemed that the Kobo wouldn't just read the EPUB file without these other associated files.

Have you:

• installed the Kobo desktop installer that comes on the Kobo?
• run the software and created an account at kobobooks.com?
• purchased anything -- even a free ePub -- from Kobobooks and transfered it using that software to your Kobo ereader?
• installed ADE and registered your Kobo ereader with ADE?
• run ADE, loaded an ePub into it and tried to transfer an ePub?

All ePub files should be complete and self-contained packages; there is no need to locate additional jpg and opf files.

On the Kobo device itself, are you able to see a listing for the title under books or currently reading? If you do, does it not open at all? (I don't have the Kobo in front of me but you access these categories by pressing the Menu button on the side.)

There's absolutely no reason, ever, to be adding / deleting files from your Kobo directly through Windows Explorer.

[SensualPoet]

Originally Posted by wher7118

I have done all of your suggestion guys, but my Kobo still has the same problem. Just can't get it, how come it can not read its own content while ADE and Calibre can. Most likely there is a fault, so I will return it to the supplier.

What was the response from Kobo technical support?

[artificial]

Originally Posted by SensualPoet

There's absolutely no reason, ever, to be adding / deleting files from your Kobo directly through Windows Explorer.

You make it sound like something bad will happen if you drag/drop files to your Kobo Reader. I've done it and it works fine. That's all Calibre does, it copies each book to the root level of the Kobo Reader's file system, each book in its own folder. Though, books don't need to be in separate folders you can just dump them at the root level.

[SensualPoet]

Originally Posted by artificial

You make it sound like something bad will happen if you drag/drop files to your Kobo Reader. I've done it and it works fine. That's all Calibre does, it copies each book to the root level of the Kobo Reader's file system, each book in its own folder. Though, books don't need to be in separate folders you can just dump them at the root level.

No, I've tried that, and it worked fine for me, too. I fully endorse Calibre, too.

The point is, Kobo is not sold as an extension of Calibre, or with the intention that customers bypass the supplied tools to add / delete books with the Kobo Desktop Application or ADE for non-Kobo acquired titles. I am concerned that folks may embrace the notion that using the Kobo as it is sold doesn't work. In fact, it works as advertised. There are known font issues with ePubs not from Kobo -- which Kobo has acknowledged and says a fix is coming.

Kobo is sold as a basic reader: ePubs and PDFs, with a Kobo store for content; no music in the background, no dictionary, no note taking, no text to speech. The $149 price reflects the entry level capability. As much as I want it to deliver more, my main concern is it delivers on the initial promise. For my money, it does.

[artificial]

Originally Posted by SensualPoet

I am concerned that folks may embrace the notion that using the Kobo as it is sold doesn't work. In fact, it works as advertised.

Sure, I get where you're coming from. But I don't think the Kobo Reader is advertised as only being able to load books using the Kobo Desktop Application. It's just that they neglect to mention other methods of transferring books to the device!

It's fairly obvious why this is the case: Kobo want people to buy books using the Desktop Application so that they make money from your book purchases. And that's fair enough, but until I read this thread I was not aware of anyone being unable to use Calibre, ADE, or Windows Explorer to transfer books to the Kobo Reader, so I don't think it's fair to imply that wher7118 has tried to use the Kobo Reader in a manner for which it was not intended, or is in any way responsible for the device not reading ePubs.

That would be like saying that it is an unreasonable expectation that MP3s should work on an iPod, becase they weren't purchased from iTunes.

To me, it just sounds like wher7118 has a defective unit.

[anidel]

May be he's uploading DRMed books?
The PDF added via ADE (or any PDF for that matter) appear under Books in the Kobo

[Sankwee]

With ADE open and the imported book on the desktop double click on the new "book" download. It should promptly expand and appear on the bookshelf in ADE.

Hope this helps.

[3d0g]

Originally Posted by artificial

Sure, I get where you're coming from. But I don't think the Kobo Reader is advertised as only being able to load books using the Kobo Desktop Application. It's just that they neglect to mention other methods of transferring books to the device!

Not true. The kobo ereader user guide gives quite specific details on using the desktop app, drag-and-drop, ADE, and Calibre for managing books, and does a great job of explaining the DRM ramifications of each.

[Bredisholm]

I'm having exactly the same problem as wher7118. I recently purchased mine. I tried using Calibre first, as a friend suggested. Despite it showing the book (epub format) had been transferred, it didn't show on the reader. I did manage to transfer some, but not all. Regularly had problem which gave me message re problems communicating (and yes, I did also try switching off my anti-virus software). When I get this message, if I go onto Windows Explorer, I see the Kobo device, but when I open it...nothing is there (until I disconnect and re-connect my Kobo). I've also tried ADE, and dragging files over using Windows Explorer. I've also carried out numerous factory resets, but they didn't help either.

I returned the first one to the shop, and was given a replacement. First time I tried transferring all my books over using Calibre, it looked like it had worked. However, as before, many hadn't. If I go into the Kobo folder using Window Explorer, I can see the books, but my Kobo Touch can't !!! They are in epub format. I've also created PDFs, and converted them to epub, but some of them have the same problem.

I've also had an error message (using ADE) that I don't have permission to copy the document to my Kobo (even the one's I created).

I've now spent hours trying to get this to work, to no avail. I'm no idiot when it comes to computers, I used to work with them, programming them etc, so feel there must be a design fault.

After checking the internet, there seem to be a lot of disgruntled owners, but so far only the same suggestions over and over again as to how to get it to work. I've tried them all, with no joy. Should I just get my money back ???

[timlegge]

Originally Posted by Bredisholm

I'm having exactly the same problem as wher7118. I recently purchased mine. I tried using Calibre first, as a friend suggested. Despite it showing the book (epub format) had been transferred, it didn't show on the reader. I did manage to transfer some, but not all. Regularly had problem which gave me message re problems communicating (and yes, I did also try switching off my anti-virus software). When I get this message, if I go onto Windows Explorer, I see the Kobo device, but when I open it...nothing is there (until I disconnect and re-connect my Kobo). I've also tried ADE, and dragging files over using Windows Explorer. I've also carried out numerous factory resets, but they didn't help either.

I returned the first one to the shop, and was given a replacement. First time I tried transferring all my books over using Calibre, it looked like it had worked. However, as before, many hadn't. If I go into the Kobo folder using Window Explorer, I can see the books, but my Kobo Touch can't !!! They are in epub format. I've also created PDFs, and converted them to epub, but some of them have the same problem.

I've also had an error message (using ADE) that I don't have permission to copy the document to my Kobo (even the one's I created).

I've now spent hours trying to get this to work, to no avail. I'm no idiot when it comes to computers, I used to work with them, programming them etc, so feel there must be a design fault.

After checking the internet, there seem to be a lot of disgruntled owners, but so far only the same suggestions over and over again as to how to get it to work. I've tried them all, with no joy. Should I just get my money back ???

Did you delete any books (ePubs not kobo format) with Calibre? I recently discovered a long standing bug that can prevent re-adding a book that you previously deleted. A fix for that issue will be in the next release of Calibre.

[Bredisholm]

I have, but I've also had the same problem with new ones that I've never transferred onto the Kobo. i just contacted Kobo, who were less than helpful. They basically said I would have to download from their site (surprise, surprise) !! Haven't heard of similar problems on the Kindle. Now considering returning my Kobo (if shop will accept it), and buy a Kindle. pity, as I liked what the Kobo had to offer. Also, the Kindle Touch isn't on sale in the UK, so this was the best option.

[PeterT]

If you have such intermittent connectivity issues it could be a bad USB cable, bad USB port on your PC or a faulty USB port on the Kobo.

Have you tried other ports on your PC and/or another USB cable?

[TonyToews]

Originally Posted by Bredisholm

Regularly had problem which gave me message re problems communicating (and yes, I did also try switching off my anti-virus software). When I get this message, if I go onto Windows Explorer, I see the Kobo device, but when I open it...nothing is there (until I disconnect and re-connect my Kobo). I've also tried ADE, and dragging files over using Windows Explorer.

I'm with Peter. I was having similar problems, although not as severe as yours, and it turned out to be my USB hub. All my other devices, including two external hard drives, were fine on that hub. So I've switched hubs anyhow and all is well now.

Especially if this is your second Kobo that is causing the problem. Although, of course, it's possible that two Kobo's could have the same problem, chances are unlikely.

Try a different USB port and cable.

(Side story. A card went bad on an $200K IBM minicomputer 30 years ago. The tech had a spare card but it was bad too. He went back to his office and got another spare card. But it too was bad with the same fault. Fortunately in the meantime he ordered the card out of Toronto just in case. And the third card worked just fine.)