Touch How To update (manually) the firmware of your Kobo ereader

karlcow · 08-02-2011, 09:24 PM

A series of commande to update manually a firmware on the Kobo Touch. (Do at your own risk, do not do it if you are not comfortable with a shell)

This is was done on MacOSX 10.6. The most difficult part was to find the actual address of the firmware. After magical incantations and observing the clouds, we found the current firmware url

Code:

    curl -o ~/kobo3-upgrade-1.9.9.zip http://download.kobobooks.com/firmwares/kobo3/kobo3-upgrade-1.9.9.zip

The terminal will display.

Code:

      % Total    % Received % Xferd  Average Speed   Time    Time     Time  Current
                                     Dload  Upload   Total   Spent    Left  Speed
    100 23.4M  100 23.4M    0     0  1007k      0  0:00:23  0:00:23 --:--:-- 1071k

You can see the content of the file with:

Code:

    unzip -l kobo3-upgrade-1.9.9.zip

which will display

Code:

    Archive:  kobo3-upgrade-1.9.9.zip
      Length     Date   Time    Name
     --------    ----   ----    ----
     22906325  07-28-11 15:55   KoboRoot.tgz
          102  07-28-11 15:57   manifest.md5sum
            0  07-11-11 15:23   upgrade/
      1862596  07-28-11 15:56   upgrade/uImage
       117252  07-28-11 15:56   upgrade/u-boot.bin
     --------                   -------
     24886275                   5 files

Plug the Kobo ereader. Do not start the desktop application
In the shell, it is possible to access the device directory.
On the macintosh

Code:

    cd /Volumes/KOBOeReader

to list all directories including those starting with a dot (hidden unix files)

Code:

    ls -al

There is a .kobo/ directory

Code:

    ls -al .kobo

will list the content of the system

Code:

   total 2000
    drwxrwxrwx  1 karl  karl   4,0K  2 aoû 19:33:02 2011 ./
    drwxrwxrwx  1 karl  karl   4,0K 24 jul 14:58:04 2011 ../
    drwxrwxrwx  1 karl  karl   4,0K 22 jul 02:08:20 2011 Kobo/
    -rwxrwxrwx  1 karl  karl   1,9M  2 aoû 21:35:40 2011 KoboReader.sqlite*
    -rwxrwxrwx  1 karl  karl   3,3K 22 jul 02:42:22 2011 Trolltech.conf*
    -rwxrwxrwx  1 karl  karl    31B  2 aoû 19:33:04 2011 affiliate.conf*
    -rwxrwxrwx  1 karl  karl    75B 22 jul 02:08:20 2011 device.salt.conf*
    drwxrwxrwx  1 karl  karl    52K  4 jul 01:05:40 2011 images/
    drwxrwxrwx  1 karl  karl   4,0K  4 jul 01:05:40 2011 kepub/
    -rwxrwxrwx  1 karl  karl    83B 22 jul 02:08:18 2011 version*

We want to unzip the zip file, we downloaded into the .kobo directory.
To be sure to have a security backup, I did before a compressed archive of the full volume.

Code:

   tar zcvf ~/kobo-bkp.tar.gz /Volumes/KOBOeReader/

Now let's proceed on unzipping

Code:

   unzip ~/kobo3-upgrade-1.9.9.zip -d /Volumes/KOBOeReader/.kobo/

The terminal displays:

Code:

   Archive:  kobo3-upgrade-1.9.9.zip
      inflating: /Volumes/KOBOeReader/.kobo/KoboRoot.tgz  
      inflating: /Volumes/KOBOeReader/.kobo/manifest.md5sum  
       creating: /Volumes/KOBOeReader/.kobo/upgrade/
      inflating: /Volumes/KOBOeReader/.kobo/upgrade/uImage  
      inflating: /Volumes/KOBOeReader/.kobo/upgrade/u-boot.bin

If we display again the content of .kobo directory, we get

Code:

   total 24388
    drwxrwxrwx  1 karl  karl   4,0K  2 aoû 21:07:36 2011 ./
    drwxrwxrwx  1 karl  karl   4,0K  2 aoû 21:09:44 2011 ../
    -rwxrwxrwx  1 karl  karl   4,0K  2 aoû 21:07:36 2011 ._KoboRoot.tgz*
    -rwxrwxrwx  1 karl  karl   4,0K  2 aoû 21:07:36 2011 ._manifest.md5sum*
    drwxrwxrwx  1 karl  karl   4,0K 22 jul 02:08:20 2011 Kobo/
    -rwxrwxrwx  1 karl  karl   1,9M  2 aoû 21:35:40 2011 KoboReader.sqlite*
    -rwxrwxrwx@ 1 karl  karl    22M 28 jul 15:55:54 2011 KoboRoot.tgz*
    -rwxrwxrwx  1 karl  karl   3,3K 22 jul 02:42:22 2011 Trolltech.conf*
    -rwxrwxrwx  1 karl  karl    31B  2 aoû 19:33:04 2011 affiliate.conf*
    -rwxrwxrwx  1 karl  karl    75B 22 jul 02:08:20 2011 device.salt.conf*
    drwxrwxrwx  1 karl  karl    52K  4 jul 01:05:40 2011 images/
    drwxrwxrwx  1 karl  karl   4,0K  4 jul 01:05:40 2011 kepub/
    -rwxrwxrwx@ 1 karl  karl   102B 28 jul 15:57:02 2011 manifest.md5sum*
    drwxrwxrwx  1 karl  karl   4,0K  2 aoû 21:07:36 2011 upgrade/
    -rwxrwxrwx  1 karl  karl    83B 22 jul 02:08:18 2011 version*

let's come back to our home folder

Code:

   cd ~

Let's eject the volume KOBOeReader from the desktop.
unplug the reader from the computer. The Kobo should display a screen saying "Updating your Software" for a while, then a "Update Successful". Finally the device will reboot with your home screen giving a message about the version number. In our case 1.9.9

Benjamin Buford · 08-17-2011, 07:56 AM

It can also be done via drag-and-drop, no need for the Terminal if someone should be afraid of it

:

Quote:

Originally Posted by rashkae

It's easy to manually update the firmware. And works like a charm. Just download the firmware.

http://download.kobobooks.com/firmwa...rade-1.9.9.zip

Unpack the zip file into the .kobo directory on the Kobo, eject and unplug, and the Kobo should update itself.

The only difference for a Mac OS user is that the .kobo folder is hidden (because it is supposed to be, the . does that).

In the Finder, go to the Kobo's memory ("KOBOeReader"), then in the menu bar select "Go / Go to Folder ..." (or press "shift+cmd+G"), type .kobo into the pull-down and press enter. Voilà, you are inside KOBOeReader/.kobo/

Then proceed as described by rashkae.

Benjamin Buford · 11-27-2011, 05:34 AM

Kobo has pulled the old firmware versions and seems to be not putting the new one up anymore, at least not at the URL that was mentioned above. 1.9.12 is still available though, for whatever reason.

Does anyone have a new URL for firmware releases?

I prefer updating my Touch manually, because the automatic sync of the Desktop application can not be disabled.

markemark · 11-27-2011, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benjamin Buford

Does anyone have a new URL for firmware releases?

http://download.kobobooks.com/firmwa...ate-1.9.14.zip

Quote:

I prefer updating my Touch manually, because the automatic sync of the Desktop application can not be disabled.

Sounds like you'd like them to add a checkbox to enable/disable automatic updates. A good idea I think.

rashkae · 11-27-2011, 10:07 AM

Thiis is no longer as useful as it used to be. If you have to do a factory reset, the Kobo with .14 firmware now completely refuses to work as an epub reader until you go through the desktop applicatoin set-up. (otherwise, it refuses to load any new books you sideload, and instead pops up a message that you have to dowloand/install/run setup on your pc before you can add books).

ndr76 · 11-27-2011, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rashkae

Thiis is no longer as useful as it used to be. If you have to do a factory reset, the Kobo with .14 firmware now completely refuses to work as an epub reader until you go through the desktop applicatoin set-up. (otherwise, it refuses to load any new books you sideload, and instead pops up a message that you have to dowloand/install/run setup on your pc before you can add books).

Yes I'm having the same problem.
It might be possible that the state of whether the setup has been done or not is saved in the .kobo folder. So once you have set it up just make a copy of all its flash content, including the .kobo folder.
After a factory reset, all you will have to do is just restore all the content (delete the 2 pre-existing folders beginning with '.' first).
I have't tried it yet, but I will as soon as I get my hands on a Windows machine.

Geeky · 11-27-2011, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ndr76

I have't tried it yet, but I will as soon as I get my hands on a Windows machine.

If you need a Windows machine because of the Kobo Desktop software, it can be done using Wine&Winetricks as well. Winetricks offers the Kobo software in it's app section (sorted under Borders, not Kobo). It installs 2.1.2, which upgrades itself later on to the latest version (2.1.5?). Anyway, after changing the device type of the KOBOeReader from auto to floppy everything worked, which left me kind of baffled, tbh.. Check out the last posts:

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...=82378&page=18

BTW, downloading the Kobo desktop binary and trying to install it didn't work, only the winetricks with the offered "Borders" app worked for me. Go figure.

The Terminator · 11-27-2011, 09:53 PM

Of course if you don't like command terminals you can just drag and drop the .zip file into .kobo and unpack.

much more simple in my opinion.

PhunkyBob · 12-02-2011, 03:47 AM

Good day,

I downloaded the
http://download.kobobooks.com/firmwa...ate-1.9.14.zip

file, and unpacked all the files as described in the first post.

When I unplug the Kobo, the update is not happening.
I switched off the Kobo, and when turning it on again, it directly go to the library, without updating.
I'm still in 1.9.12 version.

Did I miss something ?

rashkae · 12-02-2011, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhunkyBob

Good day,

file, and unpacked all the files as described in the first post.

When I unplug the Kobo, the update is not happening.
I switched off the Kobo, and when turning it on again, it directly go to the library, without updating.
I'm still in 1.9.12 version.

Did I miss something ?

You did not unpack the files to the right place.. They have to go in the .kobo directory.

Question for you though. If you are using an unregistered kobo, installing this update will disable the device until you do the Kobo Desktop software setup procedure. So why not update that way?

PhunkyBob · 12-09-2011, 03:34 AM

Quote:

You did not unpack the files to the right place..

Yes I did...

Quote:

installing this update will disable the device until you do the Kobo Desktop software setup procedure.

I didn't knew that...

rashkae · 12-09-2011, 10:36 AM

Welcome to the brave new world of Kobo. Wish I could help, but I've ditched the turkey in favor of Sony.

spindlegirl · 12-09-2011, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rashkae

Welcome to the brave new world of Kobo. Wish I could help, but I've ditched the turkey in favor of Sony.

I still have my Kobo Touch, and will likely give it to my husband but I too, am making fluttery eyelashes in Sony T1's direction.

I'm avoiding the Christmas Rush and saving up for whatever the cost will be later. Maybe for Valentine's day, or for Birthday in the spring, will be a better time for me to get one. Then my husband will likely get the KT as he has been the fixer of it every time I've had to do a factory reset.

Julien Pham · 12-09-2011, 04:32 PM

I have seen the Sony, the Kobo, and the Cybook Odyssey before choosing the Kobo, mostly because I found the Kobo the most pretty of the three

Sony plastic looks like cheap material, I don't like the Sony look and feel, and the Cybook was only in dark gray, don't find this pretty.

The Kobo's white color and clean shape was better for me

Canorka · 12-23-2011, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhunkyBob

Good day,

I downloaded the
http://download.kobobooks.com/firmwa...ate-1.9.14.zip

file, and unpacked all the files as described in the first post.

When I unplug the Kobo, the update is not happening.
I switched off the Kobo, and when turning it on again, it directly go to the library, without updating.
I'm still in 1.9.12 version.

Did I miss something ?

I'm having the name problem. Reboot does nothing at all.

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11-27-2011, 05:34 AM	#3
Benjamin Buford Nameless Being	Kobo has pulled the old firmware versions and seems to be not putting the new one up anymore, at least not at the URL that was mentioned above. 1.9.12 is still available though, for whatever reason. Does anyone have a new URL for firmware releases? I prefer updating my Touch manually, because the automatic sync of the Desktop application can not be disabled.

11-27-2011, 10:07 AM	#5
rashkae Wizard Posts: 1,255 Karma: 5935030 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ontario, Canada Device: Kobo Aura HD	Thiis is no longer as useful as it used to be. If you have to do a factory reset, the Kobo with .14 firmware now completely refuses to work as an epub reader until you go through the desktop applicatoin set-up. (otherwise, it refuses to load any new books you sideload, and instead pops up a message that you have to dowloand/install/run setup on your pc before you can add books).

11-27-2011, 09:53 PM	#8
The Terminator Retired Posts: 2,552 Karma: 37638420 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Vancouver Island Canada Device: Kobo Touch, Optimus One (2.3), Nexus 7 (4.2)	Of course if you don't like command terminals you can just drag and drop the .zip file into .kobo and unpack. much more simple in my opinion.

12-02-2011, 03:47 AM	#9
PhunkyBob Enthusiast Posts: 33 Karma: 110 Join Date: Nov 2009 Device: none	Good day, I downloaded the http://download.kobobooks.com/firmwa...ate-1.9.14.zip file, and unpacked all the files as described in the first post. When I unplug the Kobo, the update is not happening. I switched off the Kobo, and when turning it on again, it directly go to the library, without updating. I'm still in 1.9.12 version. Did I miss something ?

12-09-2011, 10:36 AM	#12
rashkae Wizard Posts: 1,255 Karma: 5935030 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ontario, Canada Device: Kobo Aura HD	Welcome to the brave new world of Kobo. Wish I could help, but I've ditched the turkey in favor of Sony.

12-09-2011, 04:32 PM	#14
Julien Pham Connoisseur Posts: 99 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2011 Device: Kobo Touch	I have seen the Sony, the Kobo, and the Cybook Odyssey before choosing the Kobo, mostly because I found the Kobo the most pretty of the three Sony plastic looks like cheap material, I don't like the Sony look and feel, and the Cybook was only in dark gray, don't find this pretty. The Kobo's white color and clean shape was better for me

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