Cybook Gen3 Tips and Troubleshooting

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Here is where to go to find help with your Bookeen Cybook Gen3.

Contents

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[edit] Tips

[edit] User's Manual

Download the User's Manual

[edit] Contact

Address: Bookeen, 6 rue du Tage, 75013 Paris, France

Phone number: 0033 1 45654256

Email: support@bookeen.com

[edit] Firmware Versions

You can check your firmware build number by going to the library view, opening the menu, click on Advanced, click on About. Boo Reader version number (build number). Firmware build numbers are daily build numbers - incrementing each day since numbering started.

[edit] 1.0 Build 476

Build 476 was the first 1.0 firmware when the CyBook Gen3 became available for ordering at the end of October 2007. delphidb96 reported testing the 1.00 firmware with his pre-production CyBook Gen3 on 31st October 2007.

[edit] 1.0 Build 538

Build 538 was released ca. December 2007, as some CyBook Gen3s delivered in December 2007 had this build.

[edit] 1.0 Build 674

Build 674 came installed on the new version CyBook Gen3 with 512MB internal memory, which appeared in early May 2008. It was never available for download, and had much the same improvements as build 685.

[edit] 1.0 Build 681

Build 681 also came installed on some of the new version CyBook Gen3s with 512MB internal memory. It was never available for download, and had much the same improvements as build 685.

[edit] 1.1 Build 685

Build 685 was released on 7 May 2008. The first release for both old and new CyBook Gen3s.

[edit] 1.1 Build 708

Build 708 was released on 25 June 2008.

[edit] 1.1 Build 787

Build 787 was found installed on some CyBook Gen3s sold in October 2008.

[edit] 1.2 Build 796

Build 796 was released on 5 September 2008. Build 796 works with the original model with 64MB of internal memory and the new model with 512MB of internal memory.

[edit] 1.2 Build 802

In October 2008, some new CyBooks were found to have firmware version 1.2, build 802. This build has not been released, and it is not known what the changes are from build 796 to build 802.

[edit] 1.2 Build 820

In December 2008, some new CyBooks were found to have firmware version 1.2, build 820. This build has not been released, and it is not known what the changes are from build 802 to build 820.

[edit] 1.2 Build 832

In Febrary 2009, a new CyBook was found to have firmware version 1.2, build 832. This build has not been released, and it is not known what the changes are from build 820 to build 832.

[edit] 1.2 Build 834

In Febrary 2009, a new CyBook was found to have firmware version 1.2, build 834.

[edit] 1.4 Build 885

In early May 2009, a new CyBook bought from the German Weltbild website was found to have firmware version 1.4, build 885. This version would not read Mobipocket files, but would read ePUB files and had folder support.

[edit] 1.4 Build 909

This release is a Weltbild ePub version, nearly the same as the build 885. But HTML and TXT has been reported to work on this version. Seems to be less buggy too.

[edit] 1.4 Build 923

In mid July 2009, a new CyBook bought from the eXpansys website was found to have firmware version 1.4, build 923. This version appears to read Mobipocket files, as it included Mobipocket Reader 6.0 build 70.

[edit] 1.4 Build 928

In mid July 2009, this is the version given by Bookeen to the people at the MobileRead RendezVous in Paris. It looks like nearly the same as the Build 923 version.

Bookeen are due to release new firmware 'soon' (as of April 1, 2009), which will come in two flavours. One will read Adobe DRMed ePUB, but not Mobipocket, and the other will read DRMed Mobipocket, but not ePUB. Above we see that both versions of the firmware are in existence, if not yet fully tested on older hardware.

You can download the latest released build from the Bookeen website. You must register at the site first.

[edit] Save your system folder to your hard drive

It's easy to restore the backup folder in case of problems - if you have one.

To do a backup on a Wintel PC:


[edit] SD Cards

Cybook SD-Card Insertion.jpg

The new units with the SD card label facing the front side, are the 400 MHz models, with serial number starting with "EB600" If in doubt, check your Cybook for the said embossed graphic and orient the SD card according to it.

[edit] Charging the Cybook

[edit] Reading while Charging

At first sight it seems impossible to read while charging the CyBook, as it goes straight to the "Connected..." screen when the cable is plugged in. But there is a work-around:

  1. Go to the library screen
  2. Menu/Advanced.../Slide Show.../5 Seconds
  3. Wait for slide show to start (about 5 seconds!)
  4. Plug in charger (not while page is changing)
  5. Menu/left button - back to library screen.
  6. Select a book and read while the CyBook charges.

Occasionally step 4 doesn't work and you get to the "Connected" screen. Just unplug and try again from step 1.

This is confirmed to work on CyBooks with Firmware build 796 to 834.

You will not have access to the files on the Cybook through your computer while in this reading mode.

[edit] Use Folders To Group Books In Library View

You can create folders to group the books in the Library view; all books are still displayed, this will change display order. This can be used to group by author, subject, genre, currently reading, whatever you want.

  1. Plug the Cybook into your computer. Go to the Cybook (My Computer) and open the eBooks folder.
  2. Create new sub-folders inside the eBooks folder. They will be displayed, both on the Cybook and in the windows explorer view (after you refresh), in alphabetical order, with the contents of the main folder last.
  3. Add files to your sub-folders.
  4. Close all windows using files on the Cybook, and unplug.
  5. Once back on the Cybook's Library view, open the menu.
  6. Click on Sort. Choose File Path.
  7. Close the menu and see your books displayed in the order of the folders. You will see the contents of folder A listed alphabetically, followed by the contents of folder B listed alphabetically, etc., finishing with the contents of the main eBooks folder listed alphabetically.

[edit] Dictionaries and Folders

Mobipocket dictionaries must be placed in the eBooks folder, not in a sub-folder. Dictionaries placed in sub-folders are not found when looking up a word.

Additionally, it is a good idea to keep all non-dictionary ebooks in sub-folders. This is because the CyBook checks all ebooks in the eBooks folder to see whether they are dictionaries, every time a dictionary look-up is performed. If you have lots of ebooks in the eBooks folder (not in sub-folders), it can take twenty seconds or more to look up a word.

[edit] Safely Remove Hardware

If you unplug the Cybook when the computer is using the files on it, you run the risk of corrupting some of the files. To be sure that doesn't happen:

[edit] To Change Book Name

If you need to change a book name you may have found that the name is not linked to the file name, here is how to do it. 

In Windows
         * open the Mobipocket reader.
         * Select the book you wish to edit.
         * Right click on it and select "PROPERTIES".
         * In the "GENERAL" Tab where it reads "e-book title:" make your change i.e. 
           THE PROJECT GUTENBERG COLLECTED POETRY OF ROBERT LOWELL changes to POETRY OF ROBERT LOWELL
         * Click "OK".

and thats it. 

In Mac and Linux
         * Right click on the file.
         * Choose "PROPERTIES".
         * In the "GENERAL" Tab change the name.
         * Click "OK".

and thats it.

If you have already sent the book to your reader before changing the name you will need to replace the old file with the renamed properties one.

(Oddly in Windows the title will not stick if done as in MAC or Linux)

[edit] Troubleshooting

[edit] Adding New Fonts

Problem: You've added a new font and now when you try to look at font families, it's blank or your new font isn't there.

How to make new fonts show up:

  1. Plug the cybook into your computer and open the Fonts folder. If your unit does not have a Fonts folder in its internal memory then create one but make sure it has a capital "F" since it is case sensitive.
  2. Add your new fonts. The Cybook officially supports TTF (True Type Fonts), but it seems that some OTF (OpenType Fonts) will also work.
  3. This step is unnecessary when using firmware build 708. Go to the Cybook's system folder and delete this file: .fonts.cache-1. It will be automatically recreated. You can save a backup copy on your hard drive first if it will make you feel better.
  4. Close all windows using the Cybook files and unplug the Cybook from the computer after using "Safely Remove Hardware" (or equivalent).
  5. You should now see your new fonts available in the Font Family menu.

[edit] Read Borrowed Library Books on the Cybook - How to Fix the Date

Problem: your borrowed ebook won't open, you're getting a message "this book is not active yet".

How to set the Cybook internal clock so your books will open:

  1. In a text editor, create a file with the current date and time in this format: 2008-04-08-10:45 (YYYY-MM-DD-HH:MM using 24-hour time)
  2. Save the file, naming it rtc.dat. Download example file.
  3. Plug your Cybook to your computer through USB and delete all time bomb ebooks from your library (files initially transferred from your public library).
  4. Copy the "rtc.dat" file to the Cybook "/system" folder.
  5. Unplug your Cybook.
  6. When you are back on the "Library", switch off your Cybook.
  7. Switch on your Cybook.
  8. Plug in the USB cable again and copy your public library titles to the Cybook (or to the SD card) "/eBooks" folder.
  9. By the way, you can check that the "rtc.dat" was automatically deleted (i.e. taken into account) from the "/system" folder. This is a good indication that the Cybook clock was successfully updated.
  10. Unplug the USB cable, when you are back on the "Library", you should be able to open the public library titles.

This should be a one time procedure to set your system date which will stay coherent thanks to the internal clock battery. (according to Bookeen)

You may also be interested in EBook Lending Libraries


[edit] Cybook Crashes Or Reboots When You Try To Use A Dictionary

[edit] Cybook Is Not Recognized By Your Computer

Problem: You plug in your Cybook and turn it on, and get the message: USB device not recognized.

Here are some things you can try:


[edit] File Corruption Problems

Here are some things you can try:


[edit] Cybook Doesn't Save Your Place When Leaving A Book

Here are some things which may help:


[edit] Cybook Freezes Before Or On The Library Page

These are some things you can try:


[edit] Cybook Freezes Before The Library Page

Symptom is the repeated display of the second startup screen.

Gen3 lockup.gif

Try the following, starting with procedure 1.

Note: When removing/inserting the SD card from/into the Gen3, the unit must be switched off first. Before removing the SD card from your computer's card reader you must first use "Safely Remove Hardware" (or equivalent) to make sure the computer has finished transferring any files. Not taking these precautions could corrupt the SD card and may even be the source of the problem.

Procedure 1

  1. Press the reset button on the back of the unit. The display will still show the second start-up screen but the led will be off showing the unit is not powered.
  2. If a SD card is not fitted then jump to procedure 2.
  3. Remove the SD card and power-up the unit.
  4. If the unit still does not work after removing the SD card then jump to procedure 2.
  5. Now that the unit is working again the problem with the SD card needs to be fixed. If you do not already have backups of the files on the SD card then back them up now.
  6. Reformat the SD card (FAT32), install it in the unit, and power-up the unit.
  7. If the unit does not work again then get another SD card.
  8. If the unit is now working then copy your files back to the SD card.
  9. If the unit still works then the problem is fixed otherwise continue with the next step.
  10. There is a problem with one or more files on the SD card so delete all the files on the SD card.
  11. Add the files back one at a time, testing the card in between, until you find the offending file.
  12. Remove the offending file and the problem should be fixed. The problem with the file is another matter.

Procedure 2

  1. If the unit had been re-displaying the second startup screen for sometime before it was reset or if you are unsure how much power remains, connect the USB cable and allow time for a full recharge before continuing with the next step.
  2. Re-flash with version 796fmt [1]. Any books that were stored on the internal memory will be deleted. Version 796fmt fixes the problem because it fully reformats the internal flash whereas version 796 does not.
  3. If the unit still does not work with the SD card fitted then follow procedure 1 (starting at step 5) since the SD card also has a problem.

[edit] Links

Retrieved from "http://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/Cybook_Gen3_Tips_and_Troubleshooting"
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