Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Reader Library 3.1 fixed.....FINALLY!

As many of you out there probably know, the latest version of Sony's Reader Library software has some issues. For the last two weeks I have been struggling with it. I was able to install the program but when I tried to launch it...........nothing! The process "Reader Library.exe *32" would appear in the Task Manager of Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit but nothing would happen.

I had this issue on two machines, both running Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit and finally arrived at a solution. It is important to note, however, that I have only tried this with Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit but the same process should work on other 64bit Windows platforms as well.

And now what you have all been waiting for...........


Step 1

Remove the Sony Reader Library from your system. This can be done by using the "Uninstall a Program" feature found in the Control Panel's category view. (Vista and Windows 7 only. XP users will use "Add/Remove Programs")


Step 2

Delete the following folders:

C:\ProgramData\kinoma
C:\ProgramData\Marlin
C:\Program Files (x86)\Sony\eBook Library
C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Sony Corporation
C:\Users\%usernam%\AppData\Local\kinoma

Make sure to delete the entire folder, not just the contents. Also, if you are unable to see the "AppData" folder complete the following steps (Vista and Windows 7 only):

1. In a Windows explorer window click the "Organize" drop down in the top left corner.
2. Click "Folder and Search Options".
3. Select the "View" tab.
4. Tick the radio button labeled "Show hidden files, folders and drives".
5. Click "Apply".
6. Click "OK".

You should now be able to see and explore the "AppData" folder.


Step 3


Reboot the computer.
That's right turn it off and on again.


Step 4

Install the Sony Reader Library Software:

1. If you have not already done so download the software here: http://ebookstore.sony.com/download/

2. Right click the installer file and select "Run as Administrator".

3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE..........


Step 4

Disable DEP (Data Execution Prevention) by completing the following steps:

1. Click "Start".
2. Right click "Computer" select "Properties".
3. Click "Advanced System Settings".
4. Select the "Advanced" tab.
5. Under "Performance" click "Settings".
6. Select the "Data Execution Prevention" tab.
7. Tick the radio button labeled "Turn on DEP for essential Windows programs and services only."
8. Click "Apply".
9. Reboot the computer (Again, sorry!)


Conclusion

If all went well you should now be able to launch the Reader Library, browse the store and purchase books for your Sony eReader. You will even be able to sync with your reader in the epub format that Sony adopted with the latest update to the software.

We love our Sony PRS-505 reader, but the software has been a real headache. There are alternatives out there like Callibre, however, shouldn't the software intended for our readers be the best choice?

Hopefully Sony will find a much more elegant and straight forward solution soon, but until then I hope some frustrated user out there will find this information helpful and once again be able to enjoy the Sony eReader as it was intended.

3 comments:

  1. Reader Library 3.1 was working on my machine, but as soon as I installed the upgrade to 3.2, the only way I could get it to work was to "run as administrator". I was so excited to find this blog--it sounded like following these steps might fix my problem. Unfortunately, it didn't work. Version 3.2 simply does not run as a normal user under W7-32 Pro. I uninstalled and put 3.1 back. You'd hope a company like Sony would have its act together better than this.

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  2. Thank you so much! I had uninstalled v3.2 and re-installed it, as well as my original version (v3.1) several times with no success, but doing the above (esp. step 2) fixed my problem! It would have saved me so much frustration if any of this info could be found on the Sony support site. I'm so frustrated by this whole experience, I think I'll go back to the people I recommended the eReader to and tell them to buy a Kindle or a Nook instead.

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  3. Don't get me wrong, I love my eReader. I just hate Sony. They rank right up there with Microsoft when it comes to customer service. Did you know that Sony wont even let you replace your stylus if it's lost/damaged/stolen? They used to sell them (for an outrageous price) but then decided not to anymore. They'll even send you a nice little email to tell you this after you complain on their site.

    As far as this fix goes though, thank you. It worked perfectly (although I never found the C:\Program Files (x86)\Sony\eBook Library folder. Instead I just deleted the whole Sony folder there).

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