Mini It's a Present, Can I Sideload Books Without Registration?

[BookCat]

I've been looking for an inexpensive ereader for a friend as a Christmas present and have purchased a used Kobo Mini from an MR member (it's on the way). I would like to sideload some books onto it before giving this, so obviously don't want to register it to myself. I have already found all the books (public domain classic gothic novels) and have them in epub format ready and waiting to be loaded.

But I remember that when I, briefly, owned a Kobo Clara HD I needed to register it before I could do anything with it. Is there a way round this, so that I can use it unregistered, as I can a kindle? (My kindle was unregistered for four years before I finally got round to it.)

This would make this so much easier. Then I could surprise him with the already loaded books as well as the ereader. It would then be up to him to register the device to himself.

Is this possible?

Thanks in advance.

[rashkae]

Sure,,, Just connect the Kobo to a pc and load up your epubs.. they will still be there after the owner registeres,,,, assuming they don't initiate a device reset, (not normally part of the initial setup.)

If you want the Kobo to actually be readable before registration, you can follow the instructions to bypass registration.. I personally keep a kobo sql file on hand that I can just copy to any kobo and get it up and running.. but.... it's honestly easier just to connect to wifi and register with a completely fake e-mail addres.... this_is_silly@kobo.com would would just fine, for example. It's never verified, so use your immagination.

[BookCat]

Thank you.

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by rashkae

If you want the Kobo to actually be readable before registration, you can follow the instructions to bypass registration.. I personally keep a kobo sql file on hand that I can just copy to any kobo and get it up and running.. but.... it's honestly easier just to connect to wifi and register with a completely fake e-mail addres.... this_is_silly@kobo.com would would just fine, for example. It's never verified, so use your immagination.

I'd do this. In fact, I'd login as my own account, do the setup, test everything is OK, add all the books and check that everything looks good. Then, logout and power off. When it is started again, it will prompt to do the setup.

[Mrs_Often]

Originally Posted by BookCat

Then I could surprise him with the already loaded books as well as the ereader.

You’re a good friend!

Originally Posted by davidfor

I'd do this. In fact, I'd login as my own account, do the setup, test everything is OK, add all the books and check that everything looks good. Then, logout and power off. When it is started again, it will prompt to do the setup.

Oh handy I hadn’t thought if that, thanks!

[BookCat]

Thanks, I'll have to do this via usb, which I remember doing with the Clara HD (which I returned due to lightbleed).

I can't wait for it to arrive. It's a shame that Kobo no longer make the Mini. If they made one with frontlight, I might buy one for myself. My house lighting is too dim for a non-lit ereader.

[Nascarfan1972]

BookCat,

Would it not be easier to include a usb flash drive or SD card with the books on it plus a copy of calibre. That way your friend does not risk losing the books if the mini is reset to factory default for any reason?

[BookCat]

Originally Posted by Nascarfan1972

BookCat,

Would it not be easier to include a usb flash drive or SD card with the books on it plus a copy of calibre. That way your friend does not risk losing the books if the mini is reset to factory default for any reason?

He lives just across the road from me, so if this happened I could go over with my flash drive and load them onto his computer for him. Initially, it would be nicer if the books were already there.

They are things like The Castle of Otranto, The Monk, Fall of the House of Usher, several Ann Radcliffe novels, some Sheridan Le Fanu, lots of other classic gothics. He was reading Moby Dick when the Pandigital Novel stopped working, so I'm loading that on too. Just a little light reading.

[BookCat]

It's arrived! How do I get past the welcome screen, which wants me to set the device up with kobo, without registering the device?
Thanks.

[PeterT]

Just register then do your sideload and then remove the account

[BookCat]

I've registered it to a non-existent email address. If he wants to re-register it (which I doubt) he can do so.

It's a lovely little reader. If they made frontlit versions, I'd buy one for myself.

[Calenorn]

Originally Posted by BookCat

I've registered it to a non-existent email address. If he wants to re-register it (which I doubt) he can do so.

It's a lovely little reader. If they made frontlit versions, I'd buy one for myself.

Me too! A pocket-sized Clara Mini would make me very happy.

[BookCat]

Most of the people on this thread seem to disagree:

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=313442

I was arguing against the tide there.

The disagreement begins around post #8

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by BookCat

It's a lovely little reader. If they made frontlit versions, I'd buy one for myself.

Have you ever looked at the original Aura? it's not much larger than the Mini and has a frontlit screen.

Dimensions for the Mini (from c|net)
Depth 10mm
Width 102mm
Height 133mm
Weight 134g

Dimensions for the Aura (from c|net)
Depth 8.1mm
Width 114mm
Height 150mm
Weight 174g

[Terisa de morgan]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

Have you ever looked at the original Aura? it's not much larger than the Mini and has a frontlit screen.

Dimensions for the Mini (from c|net)
Depth 10mm
Width 102mm
Height 133mm
Weight 134g

Dimensions for the Aura (from c|net)
Depth 8.1mm
Width 114mm
Height 150mm
Weight 174g

I have the Aura and I had the Mini, I can say for sure that if Kobo does a lighted Mini I'll purchase it, because there is difference.