NookColor Linux connection issues

DeanClemmons · 08-08-2011, 08:10 AM

I recently upgraded from a Nook v1 to a NookColor, and had major issues connecting it to my Linux PC (running Linux Mint Debian edition). I fixed this, and felt it might help someone else if I shared this. The problem was that the Nook wasn't recognized properly, and it was hit-or-miss to get either the internal memory or my 32Gb microsd card to mount. The simple fix was to use my old Nook v1 cable, although I suspect any generic USB-A to micro USB cable will work. Connection with that cable is smooth and instant. Without proof, I'll just say that the special cable with the charging light built in is most likely not seen properly by Linux - or at least LMDE. I spent most of an evening tracking this down, so I hope this saves others some time and troubleshooting. I tried using the Nook Color cable on a Windows system and it connects fine, so Linux drivers are the most likely culprit.

linux_author · 08-08-2011, 05:32 PM

thanks for the tip - it may definitely help someone

the whole micro-usb system is, IMHO, a mess... i have a separate cable for my Toshiba drive, Sony camera, Kodak camera, and now, the Nook Touch

ackpht!

note to manufacturers: detailed pinout specs may not help consumers, but would certainly help developers and tech folks

p.s. karma points to you!

taustin · 08-08-2011, 07:01 PM

Because of the need for more charging power than the standard USB spec allows, the nook Color cable is not a standard USB cable. The Linux drivers might be the culprit, but they have an accomplice. Good to know a standard USB cable operates to spec, though.

taosaur · 08-09-2011, 02:31 AM

You may also have a bad cable--there are a ridiculous amount of duds out there that either don't work properly or just fall apart (the plastic around the 'n' chips and crumbles away). You might want to try it out on some other machines if you can. If you do have a junk cable, B&N has been pretty good about replacing them.

GreenMonkey · 08-09-2011, 04:12 AM

I'd bet a bad cable - the cable is basically just a standard micro USB cable with a couple of extra pins to provide extra charging power.

DeanClemmons · 08-15-2011, 05:12 PM

Just to be sure I ordered an extra power cable from B&N and tried it on my Linux box, same issue. Lots of errors in dmesg, no connection. This cable ALSO connects fine in win7. I'd say this makes a pretty convincing case for this being a Linux-specific issue. Let me know if you're interested and I'll post the error messages. I also tried this on my web server (Ubuntu 10.04 server) and got a connection with both cables, which narrows this down to a Debian-specific issue. Unfortunately, I have a separate instance of Calibre on my server (dedicated to tech manuals) so I can't just shift everything there. But at least I kept my Nook v1 cable...

j.p.s · 08-20-2011, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeanClemmons

Unfortunately, I have a separate instance of Calibre on my server (dedicated to tech manuals) so I can't just shift everything there. But at least I kept my Nook v1 cable...

Set up a different user name on your server with the sole purpose of hosting a Calibre instance dedicated to books on your Nook?

fbrII · 08-21-2011, 08:44 PM

I have used a Kobo Touch USB cable without experiencing any problems. I loaded a couple of hundred books using calibre recently and noticed that not only did it work but it also recharged the battery as well. I believe the Nook Color's documentation states that the Nook cannot be charged via a USB connection to a computer - so I was quite surprised.

08-08-2011, 08:10 AM	#1
DeanClemmons Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 262 Join Date: Aug 2011 Device: NookColor	NookColor Linux connection issues I recently upgraded from a Nook v1 to a NookColor, and had major issues connecting it to my Linux PC (running Linux Mint Debian edition). I fixed this, and felt it might help someone else if I shared this. The problem was that the Nook wasn't recognized properly, and it was hit-or-miss to get either the internal memory or my 32Gb microsd card to mount. The simple fix was to use my old Nook v1 cable, although I suspect any generic USB-A to micro USB cable will work. Connection with that cable is smooth and instant. Without proof, I'll just say that the special cable with the charging light built in is most likely not seen properly by Linux - or at least LMDE. I spent most of an evening tracking this down, so I hope this saves others some time and troubleshooting. I tried using the Nook Color cable on a Windows system and it connects fine, so Linux drivers are the most likely culprit.

08-15-2011, 05:12 PM	#6
DeanClemmons Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 262 Join Date: Aug 2011 Device: NookColor	Update 8/15/11 Just to be sure I ordered an extra power cable from B&N and tried it on my Linux box, same issue. Lots of errors in dmesg, no connection. This cable ALSO connects fine in win7. I'd say this makes a pretty convincing case for this being a Linux-specific issue. Let me know if you're interested and I'll post the error messages. I also tried this on my web server (Ubuntu 10.04 server) and got a connection with both cables, which narrows this down to a Debian-specific issue. Unfortunately, I have a separate instance of Calibre on my server (dedicated to tech manuals) so I can't just shift everything there. But at least I kept my Nook v1 cable...

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08-08-2011, 05:32 PM	#2
linux_author Connoisseur Posts: 99 Karma: 55044 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Gulf of Mexico Device: Nook Touch, N800	thanks for the tip - it may definitely help someone the whole micro-usb system is, IMHO, a mess... i have a separate cable for my Toshiba drive, Sony camera, Kodak camera, and now, the Nook Touch ackpht! note to manufacturers: detailed pinout specs may not help consumers, but would certainly help developers and tech folks p.s. karma points to you!

08-08-2011, 07:01 PM	#3
taustin Wizard Posts: 1,358 Karma: 5766642 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: Nook	Because of the need for more charging power than the standard USB spec allows, the nook Color cable is not a standard USB cable. The Linux drivers might be the culprit, but they have an accomplice. Good to know a standard USB cable operates to spec, though.

08-09-2011, 02:31 AM	#4
taosaur intelligent posterior Posts: 1,562 Karma: 21295618 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ohiopolis Device: Kindle Paperwhite 2, Samsung S8, Lenovo Tab 3 Pro	You may also have a bad cable--there are a ridiculous amount of duds out there that either don't work properly or just fall apart (the plastic around the 'n' chips and crumbles away). You might want to try it out on some other machines if you can. If you do have a junk cable, B&N has been pretty good about replacing them.

08-09-2011, 04:12 AM	#5
GreenMonkey DRM hater Posts: 945 Karma: 2066176 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Michigan Device: Nook ST glow, Kindle Voyage	I'd bet a bad cable - the cable is basically just a standard micro USB cable with a couple of extra pins to provide extra charging power.

08-21-2011, 08:44 PM	#8
fbrII F. BluDevil Posts: 428 Karma: 1152548 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: St. Louis Missouri Device: Pocketbook Inkpad3 pro, Kobo Libra, Kindle Paperwhite	I have used a Kobo Touch USB cable without experiencing any problems. I loaded a couple of hundred books using calibre recently and noticed that not only did it work but it also recharged the battery as well. I believe the Nook Color's documentation states that the Nook cannot be charged via a USB connection to a computer - so I was quite surprised.

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