Dealing with Kindle ebooks in calibre

[lkmiller]

Originally Posted by klaipeda

Can someone help me here. I am getting error message when trying to convert to epub that book is locked by DRM.

Please see log here:

https://pastes.fmhy.net/ddVt7Y

Looks like you moved the main book file out of its folder and that's preventing the KFX Input plugin from gathering needed files. If you need more assistance, start an issue at noDRM's github where you got the DeDRM plugin.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by klaipeda

Can someone help me here. I am getting error message when trying to convert to epub that book is locked by DRM.

Please see log here:

https://pastes.fmhy.net/ddVt7Y

Without trying to decypher the log, what format is the source eBook? How did you download it? Do you have the latest DeDRM? What version of calibre?

[klaipeda]

Success! Not sure why I moved the book out of the original folder but once I re-downloaded and imported the book into Calibre from the original folder it successfully converted the KFX to epub using KFX Input plugin.

[romulo_tranq]

Hello everyone,

Apologies if this issue has been addressed before—I’m a new member of this forum and still getting the hang of things.

I recently downloaded Kindle for Mac version 1.40.1 (65526), but when I try to download a book, I receive the following error message: "This app is no longer supported. To view this content, a new and improved Kindle for Mac is now available to download from the Mac App Store."

I’m not sure what I might be doing wrong. Could anyone provide some guidance or suggestions on how to resolve this issue? this is happening to any book in my kindle collection.

Thank you in advance for your help—I really appreciate it!

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by romulo_tranq

Hello everyone,

Apologies if this issue has been addressed before—I’m a new member of this forum and still getting the hang of things.

I recently downloaded Kindle for Mac version 1.40.1 (65526), but when I try to download a book, I receive the following error message: "This app is no longer supported. To view this content, a new and improved Kindle for Mac is now available to download from the Mac App Store."

I’m not sure what I might be doing wrong. Could anyone provide some guidance or suggestions on how to resolve this issue? this is happening to any book in my kindle collection.

Thank you in advance for your help—I really appreciate it!

You cannot install the version 1.40 on a Mac anymore. So you'll either have to buy a cheap, used eink Kindle device to use the Download & Transfer method, or install an old version of the Kindle app for Windows in a Virtual Machine or some similar setup. Read this post for details:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...35&postcount=1

[DNSB]

One acquaintance has complained about DeDRM not working anymore since he updated calibre to the latest preview version and the latest alpha version of DeDRM. This is on a Mac Mini. Has anyone else run into this as an issue?

[lkmiller]

If the books are from the Mac app, that's probably the issue.

[Wonder-Woman]

Hello,

Happy New Year to everyone. As the title to my post says, New Year but same questions.

First a suggestion. I would like to suggest that there be a pinned post with current information and instructions for attempting to set up Calibre to handle Kindle books, along with the steps (not guaranteed to work) to attempt to convert Kindle books using Calibre to PDF (or any other preferred format). If that is possible I think it should be posted on the front page of the forum.

Now for my questions. I prefer to read eBooks in PDF format. I get most of my eBooks from Amazon which means, Kindle with it's dratted DRM and format issues that make it a nightmare if not impossible to do any sort of DRM removal and conversion to alternate formats.

I have Calibre installed on my Desktop computer and I have an a really ancient Kindle Paperwhite. I am currently trying to charge it up for the first tiem in a couple of years to get the S/N and model information out of it. I need a refresher course in what plugin(s) I need to add to Calibre and how to set them up.

My additional question is since I do have an old device and will hopefully be able to retrieve the S/N off of it, would entering the S/N into any of the plugins or the Calibre program itself make it possible to convert Kindle eBooks to PDF? If yes, then how do I do that?

My last question is I have an existing eBook library that I have been keeping for several years. The library is categorized into folders and sub folders. The books themselves are mostly PDF format and have been obtained over the years from tons of different sources including ones that I have been able to convert from Kindle format (ahhhh.....!! The good old days when converting worked easily!!). I did also have them in a Calibre library which I may or may not be able to locate, I do know that I can definitely locate the categorized library though. I tried to figure out how to get Calibre to recognize or pull in my categorized library but it wouldn't work. I don't remember the error messages because I attempted this maybe a year ago give or take. Can someone help me figure out how to import my categorized library into Calibre?

Thank you for all replies, they are appreciated.

Sincerely,

Wonder-Woman

[Sirtel]

The current information is in the first post of this thread. There are links to the plugins as well. We cannot give detailed instructions about installing and using them, though - DRM removal is illegal in some jurisdictions, even for personal use.

As to importing your files to Calibre, just use the Add Books button in Calibre. If you right-click on it, there are several options to import from folders.

Note that you cannot retain your folder and subfolder system in a calibre library - that is not possible. In Calibre, you use metadata, tags, custom columns, virtual libraries and the like to sort and categorize your books, not folders.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by DNSB

One acquaintance has complained about DeDRM not working anymore since he updated calibre to the latest preview version and the latest alpha version of DeDRM. This is on a Mac Mini. Has anyone else run into this as an issue?

DeDRM still works on Windows just fine. But on a MAC, it won't work with the latest Kindle. The best way to get DeDRM to work on a MAC is to buy a cheap Kindle, register it, and use D&T. But you won't be able to download KU eBooks so the DRM can be removed unless the cheap Kindle does not support KFX.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

The current information is in the first post of this thread. There are links to the plugins as well. We cannot give detailed instructions about installing and using them, though - DRM removal is illegal in some jurisdictions, even for personal use.

As to importing your files to Calibre, just use the Add Books button in Calibre. If you right-click on it, there are several options to import from folders.

Note that you cannot retain your folder and subfolder system in a calibre library - that is not possible. In Calibre, you use metadata, tags, custom columns, virtual libraries and the like to sort and categorize your books, not folders.

And do not use any sort of cloud syncing with your calibre library as that could very well corrupt your library.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

And do not use any sort of cloud syncing with your calibre library as that could very well corrupt your library.

And not a networked drive either, as that could also corrupt your library.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

And not a networked drive either, as that could also corrupt your library.

I've been using a networked drive for many years without a problem. What I will not use is a NAS.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I've been using a networked drive for many years without a problem. What I will not use is a NAS.

And I've used Dropbox for many years without a problem.

[jhowell]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

…so the DRM can be removed unless the cheap Kindle does not support KFX.

I am not sure what you mean by that. Kindles that do not support KFX are a good option for obtaining files that work with DeDRM.

Even the newest Kindles that do not allow Download and Transfer can provide usable books though the results are generally not as good other methods can provide.