Can't generate collections on Kindle

[iansoady]

Hi there. I've been a very happy user of Calibre for over a decade. I use it with an early Kindle (4.1.4) and so far have had few if any problems. However, I've just added a number of books into Calibre and sent them to the Kindle. This worked fine. However, I now want to update my collections but the item in the taskbar is greyed out. I do seem to remeber this happening some time ago but can't remember what I did to solve it!

Any suggestions?

Many thanks in advance

Ian

[theducks]

Thank Amazon
They made external (eg Calibre) access to a goodly part of the Kindles DB impossible without Jail breaking the Kindle. IIRC K4 is the last that we still had access.

BTW could you update your MR profile to indicate which Kindle model you have. That helps the possible helpers .

[iansoady]

I think the problem is that somehow the Calibre collections have been corrupted. There are some books appearing in multiple collections - something I've nevr done - and the are no collections showing for books that are in collections on the Kindle. I have tried - with a spare Kindle - resetting it to factory defaults and sending all books to it. This has worked and the books show in Calibre as being on the Kindle but of course with no collections

Is there any way I can clear all collections from Calibre? I don't really want to clear all the books out.

Incidentally I've tried a few times to download the 9.5 update but it always fails both from the main site and the mirror.

I don't seem to have privilege to change my signature here.

[iansoady]

Getting a bit desperate now: I've exported and reimported the data; uninstalled Calibre and installed an earlier (7.xx) version and am still getting the same result: several books that are in collections on the Kindle aren't showing on Calibre whereas some books are shown in multiple collections which isn't what I've done. Is there any way to delete all collections in Calibre so I can regenerate them? The "Collections" button is still greyed out.......

[pdurrant]

I've taken iansoady out of the automoderation group, so future posts won't need approval.

[theducks]

The fact that the button is Grey makes me think the PI recognizes your model.

1) be sure you have the latest version of the PI
2) that failing the cure. Calibre not running
In the configuration folder: Plugins: rename the kindle collections.json by adding a .BAK to the name (just in case you want to restore).
to see if this helps.
BTW is WiFi on? Amazon may be doing a unwanted Sync

[iansoady]

Thanks both. In desperation, I copied the calibre book directory thenI deleted all books (over 600) from Calibre (Kindle not connected). I've reinstalled an old (7.nn) version. I then added all books again. This has given me the result that all the spurious collections have disappeared (hurrah!) but the menu item is still greyed out. When I connect the Kindle, it correctly shows all the installed books but not the collections which are on the kindle.

I'll try number 2 from theducks but where do I find the file?

I'm always in aeroplane mode (ie no wifi) as I don't use amazon.

[iansoady]

As usual, it was my own fault. I'd forgotten that what I actually use is Kindle Collections. For some reason, this was not showing in the menu bar. I realised this might be the problem in a sudden flash of inspiration.

Thanks for all suggestions.

The download of version 9.5 is still failing however.......