[Kobo] calibre displays 'error communicating with device'

[goldy123456]

calibre displays an error message when I try to connect my kindle. I tried the options provided in other threads like resetting my device but it didn't work. I tried different ports and cables but it didn't work.

calibre, version 3.26.1
ERROR: Error: Error communicating with device

Failed to access files in the main memory of your device. You should contact the device manufacturer for support. Common fixes are: try a different USB cable/USB port on your computer. If you device has a "Reset to factory defaults" type of setting somewhere, use it. Underlying error: [Errno 13] Permission denied: 'H:\\driveinfo.calibre'

Traceback (most recent call last):
File "site-packages\calibre\gui2\device.py", line 87, in run
File "site-packages\calibre\gui2\device.py", line 470, in _get_device_information
File "site-packages\calibre\devices\usbms\driver.py", line 153, in get_device_information
IOError: Failed to access files in the main memory of your device. You should contact the device manufacturer for support. Common fixes are: try a different USB cable/USB port on your computer. If you device has a "Reset to factory defaults" type of setting somewhere, use it. Underlying error: [Errno 13] Permission denied: 'H:\\driveinfo.calibre'



when I try to transfer a book, the following error is displayed:

calibre, version 3.26.1
ERROR: Error: Error communicating with device

[Error 5] Access is denied: 'H:\\documents\\Taleb, Nassim Nicholas'

Traceback (most recent call last):
File "site-packages\calibre\gui2\device.py", line 87, in run
File "site-packages\calibre\gui2\device.py", line 591, in _upload_books
File "site-packages\calibre\devices\usbms\driver.py", line 314, in upload_books
File "site-packages\calibre\devices\usbms\device.py", line 1011, in create_upload_path
File "os.py", line 157, in makedirs
WindowsError: [Error 5] Access is denied: 'H:\\documents\\Taleb, Nassim Nicholas'


What should I do?

[kovidgoyal]

Those are permissions denied errors -- iether you device is being mounted readonly or something like an antivirus is blocking calibre from accessing the files. https://manual.calibre-ebook.com/faq...n-denied-error

[LivresInOz]

I received an error and am wondering if its similar or different.
NOTE: I am able to send books to the device just fine using 'save to disk' and all names are correct (tho still sometimes tiny covers)
Any ideas, Brains Trust?
_____________________________________________

calibre, version 5.20.0
ERROR: Error: Error communicating with device

Failed to access files in the main memory of your device. You should contact the device manufacturer for support. Common fixes are: try a different USB cable/USB port on your computer. If you device has a "Reset to factory defaults" type of setting somewhere, use it. Underlying error: [Errno 13] Permission denied: 'I:\\driveinfo.calibre'

Traceback (most recent call last):
File "calibre\devices\usbms\driver.py", line 153, in get_device_information
File "calibre\devices\usbms\driver.py", line 135, in _update_driveinfo_file
PermissionError: [Errno 13] Permission denied: 'I:\\driveinfo.calibre'

During handling of the above exception, another exception occurred:

Traceback (most recent call last):
File "calibre\gui2\device.py", line 89, in run
File "calibre\gui2\device.py", line 475, in _get_device_information
File "calibre\devices\kobo\driver.py", line 1518, in get_device_information
File "calibre\devices\usbms\driver.py", line 155, in get_device_information
OSError: Failed to access files in the main memory of your device. You should contact the device manufacturer for support. Common fixes are: try a different USB cable/USB port on your computer. If you device has a "Reset to factory defaults" type of setting somewhere, use it. Underlying error: [Errno 13] Permission denied: 'I:\\driveinfo.calibre'

[kovidgoyal]

Something is preventing calibre from writing to I:\driveinfo.calibre either the permissions are incorrect on that file or soething is blocking calibre, or there are too many files in the root of I:

[LivresInOz]

Thanks for your great kindness Kov!

I haven't changed anything except updated the Kobo to latest and make the irrelevant files hidden. I unhid the calibre file you refer to but same problem remains...

Screenshot attached.
Happy to provide anything else.

[LivresInOz]

I deleted the wrongly-placed book above ("al, Creyke") and the error msg is now:

calibre, version 5.20.0
ERROR: Error: Error communicating with device

[Errno 13] Permission denied: 'I:\\metadata.calibre'

Traceback (most recent call last):
File "calibre\gui2\device.py", line 89, in run
File "calibre\gui2\device.py", line 515, in _books
File "calibre\devices\kobo\driver.py", line 2032, in books
File "calibre\devices\usbms\driver.py", line 457, in sync_booklists
File "calibre\devices\usbms\driver.py", line 454, in write_prefix
PermissionError: [Errno 13] Permission denied: 'I:\\metadata.calibre'

[LivresInOz]

Well well well! It looks like it doesn't like the files to be marked HIDDEN.
After unhiding all the calibre files, it now works without error msgs and showing in Calibre all the books that are 'On Device' !

Thanks for your help!

[LivresInOz]

While I have you, I was wondering if this is the only solution for books that display on the Kobo with a tiny cover...

EDIT THE BOOK and add the part in bold:

<image width="1027" height="1499" xlink:href="cover.jpeg" style="height:100%; text-align:center;"/>
Then save and close Edit Book. The new corrected book's cover will be seen in full size on your Kobo.

[LivresInOz]

One thing I just found out:
sometimes you may need to restart Kobo for a cover to appear.

Also, if the device is getting full, it wont show quite a few covers.