Kobo Desktop App Never Works...Should I Stop Using It?

pokee · 10-11-2011, 12:31 PM

I bought a new book on the Kobo website last night. Then I loaded the desktop app to copy the book to my Kobo. Every time I do this (lately, it's been about once every few weeks) I get a message to install a new version of the Desktop App (ummm...how often do they update this thing???). AND, as usual, there was a problem with my new book appearing on my Kobo, even after I synched several times, deleted the book from my desktop APP and then re-syching again and again.

This happened to me a few weeks ago when I bought a book, so then I decided to side-load it through ADE, and then my Kobo crashed (everything on the Kobo disappeared) and I had to do a factory re-set.

This time, I figured side-loading my new book was the only choice, so I got brave and sideload it again (this time, I logged out and closed the desktop app prior to that, in the hopes that I wouldn't have to do another factory reset).

I downloaded/opened my book directly from the Kobo bookstore/website into ADE and then copied it into my Kobo from there - and it worked. Phew!

So - the real question here: Should I do this every single time and just skip the Kobo desktop app? It seems SOOOO unstable and causes problems each time I use it!!! Let me know what you think!

kiwipippa · 10-11-2011, 02:27 PM

I see you have a kobo wifi - can you not download the book wirelessly?

pokee · 10-11-2011, 03:29 PM

I gave up on downloading wirelessly a while ago, because my Kobo kept having difficulties with my encryption code for my router, and it would take me a while to get it to work/troubleshoot it. I've had success adding it a couple of times, but because I've been doing some factory re-sets lately, it's a pain to have to add it/troubleshoot it all over again - so I didn't bother.

SOOOO much easier to just sideload it from ADE. ADE seems to be the only stable software I can use with my Kobo!!!

PeterT · 10-11-2011, 04:15 PM

what version of desktop? current is 2.1.2.

digiSara · 10-11-2011, 05:52 PM

I gave up on the desktop a while ago (note, I haven't tried again since it's been updated) - the couple times I used it, I had problems with loading books onto my Kobo Wifi, with me having to factory reset a few times before it was resolved.

I load Kobo bought books over the Wifi, and sideload other books with Calibre.

pokee · 10-11-2011, 06:07 PM

Good to know, thanks Sara. Maybe I'll get my WiFi going again and then use that alone when I purchase books. I have downloaded Calibre, but haven't used it yet. I've found ADE does the job when I need it to.

HarleyB · 10-11-2011, 09:21 PM

The desktop app has given me nothing but problems so I use Calibre and ADE for all my books. I find it much easier that way.

The Terminator · 10-11-2011, 10:02 PM

I rarely ever use the desktop app.

MorganM · 10-11-2011, 10:12 PM

I just stick to Calibre now. The desktop stopped working on my linux system so I deleted it and if I really must use it I use the desktop on my laptop. ADE is on my laptop as well and I just use that when I need to put a library book on my KT.

pokee · 10-13-2011, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterT

what version of desktop? current is 2.1.2.

BTW, this is the version I have of the desktop app. that doesn't work - 2.1.2. It's a rotten POS and I am not using it anymore. Why did they have to make something so complicated (like 'Synching')? Why not just have a library you can drag and drop books from, just like ADE or Calibre???

taming · 10-13-2011, 07:35 AM

ADE and Calibre do not have to sync across devices--a necessity for folks who read on a tablet, the reader, a phone etc. My desktop app works just like it ought to.

PeterT · 10-13-2011, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pokee

BTW, this is the version I have of the desktop app. that doesn't work - 2.1.2. It's a rotten POS and I am not using it anymore. Why did they have to make something so complicated (like 'Synching')? Why not just have a library you can drag and drop books from, just like ADE or Calibre???

I hate to sound like a broken record, but have you made any attempt to reach out officially to Kobo support?

OneandonlyDoc · 10-13-2011, 10:27 AM

I use the desktop app all the time, but back when I first got my Kobo, it didn't work at all--it would freeze/crash and was generally useless.

It turns out that my PCTools virus scanner/protection system was to blame. Some shoddy code in it basically rendered the kobo desktop app (and the reskinned Borders app before it) completely useless. I haven't had a problem since I swapped to a different security protocol on my machine.

The Terminator · 10-13-2011, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taming

ADE and Calibre do not have to sync across devices--a necessity for folks who read on a tablet, the reader, a phone etc. My desktop app works just like it ought to.

That is a point to take into consideration, and the desktop app does that very well. But for the rest of us that don't read on a Tablet and/or Laptop it isn't needed very much.

pokee · 10-13-2011, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterT

I hate to sound like a broken record, but have you made any attempt to reach out officially to Kobo support?

Nope. I don't have time to log tickets with them that will just get ignored. Tried that a couple of times when I first got my Kobo and wanted to blow my friggen brains out. To reduce my stress level, I solve all of my problems myself or with the wise people on this forum...I get much more prompt and knowlegable service from the smart folks here.

My warranty is almost up, so if it dies soon, I may buy a more reliable product. I really want to stick with my Kobo because I love Chapters, and the manager of my local store is awesome, but the Kobo customer support just sucks ass so badly, it's not even worth the aggravation...

10-11-2011, 12:31 PM	#1
pokee Fanatic Posts: 569 Karma: 199759 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Vancouver, BC Device: Kobo WiFi, Kobo Glo, Kobo Vox, Samsung Galaxy S4, Samsung Tab2	Kobo Desktop App Never Works...Should I Stop Using It? I bought a new book on the Kobo website last night. Then I loaded the desktop app to copy the book to my Kobo. Every time I do this (lately, it's been about once every few weeks) I get a message to install a new version of the Desktop App (ummm...how often do they update this thing???). AND, as usual, there was a problem with my new book appearing on my Kobo, even after I synched several times, deleted the book from my desktop APP and then re-syching again and again. This happened to me a few weeks ago when I bought a book, so then I decided to side-load it through ADE, and then my Kobo crashed (everything on the Kobo disappeared) and I had to do a factory re-set. This time, I figured side-loading my new book was the only choice, so I got brave and sideload it again (this time, I logged out and closed the desktop app prior to that, in the hopes that I wouldn't have to do another factory reset). I downloaded/opened my book directly from the Kobo bookstore/website into ADE and then copied it into my Kobo from there - and it worked. Phew! So - the real question here: Should I do this every single time and just skip the Kobo desktop app? It seems SOOOO unstable and causes problems each time I use it!!! Let me know what you think! Last edited by pokee; 10-11-2011 at 12:36 PM.

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10-11-2011, 02:27 PM	#2
kiwipippa Fanatic Posts: 578 Karma: 613022 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: New Zealand Device: kobo glo, kobo touch (dead), kindle touch, android phone	I see you have a kobo wifi - can you not download the book wirelessly?

10-11-2011, 03:29 PM	#3
pokee Fanatic Posts: 569 Karma: 199759 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Vancouver, BC Device: Kobo WiFi, Kobo Glo, Kobo Vox, Samsung Galaxy S4, Samsung Tab2	I gave up on downloading wirelessly a while ago, because my Kobo kept having difficulties with my encryption code for my router, and it would take me a while to get it to work/troubleshoot it. I've had success adding it a couple of times, but because I've been doing some factory re-sets lately, it's a pain to have to add it/troubleshoot it all over again - so I didn't bother. SOOOO much easier to just sideload it from ADE. ADE seems to be the only stable software I can use with my Kobo!!!

10-11-2011, 04:15 PM	#4
PeterT Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,285 Karma: 78869092 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Device: Libra H2O, Libra Colour	what version of desktop? current is 2.1.2.

10-11-2011, 05:52 PM	#5
digiSara Groupie Posts: 158 Karma: 153344 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: Kobo wifi	I gave up on the desktop a while ago (note, I haven't tried again since it's been updated) - the couple times I used it, I had problems with loading books onto my Kobo Wifi, with me having to factory reset a few times before it was resolved. I load Kobo bought books over the Wifi, and sideload other books with Calibre.

10-11-2011, 06:07 PM	#6
pokee Fanatic Posts: 569 Karma: 199759 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Vancouver, BC Device: Kobo WiFi, Kobo Glo, Kobo Vox, Samsung Galaxy S4, Samsung Tab2	Good to know, thanks Sara. Maybe I'll get my WiFi going again and then use that alone when I purchase books. I have downloaded Calibre, but haven't used it yet. I've found ADE does the job when I need it to.

10-11-2011, 09:21 PM	#7
HarleyB Fanatic Posts: 565 Karma: 1113286 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sunshine Coast Australia Device: Kobo (RIP), iPad, iPhone 4, Kobo Touch x2, Kobo Glo	The desktop app has given me nothing but problems so I use Calibre and ADE for all my books. I find it much easier that way.

10-11-2011, 10:02 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)	I rarely ever use the desktop app.

10-11-2011, 10:12 PM	#9
MorganM Fanatic Posts: 563 Karma: 1089963 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Libra H2o	I just stick to Calibre now. The desktop stopped working on my linux system so I deleted it and if I really must use it I use the desktop on my laptop. ADE is on my laptop as well and I just use that when I need to put a library book on my KT.

10-13-2011, 07:35 AM	#11
taming Trying for calm & polite Posts: 4,012 Karma: 9455193 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mostly in Canada Device: kobo original, WiFI, Touch, Glo, and Aura	ADE and Calibre do not have to sync across devices--a necessity for folks who read on a tablet, the reader, a phone etc. My desktop app works just like it ought to.

10-13-2011, 10:27 AM	#13
OneandonlyDoc Fearless Writer Posts: 210 Karma: 375317 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: In a mitten! Device: Kobo Wifi	I use the desktop app all the time, but back when I first got my Kobo, it didn't work at all--it would freeze/crash and was generally useless. It turns out that my PCTools virus scanner/protection system was to blame. Some shoddy code in it basically rendered the kobo desktop app (and the reskinned Borders app before it) completely useless. I haven't had a problem since I swapped to a different security protocol on my machine.

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