ebook readable on Axim X51?

[dcullen]

I purchased and attempted to read an ebook on my Axim X51 in Microsoft Reader with no luck. It skipped chapters and wouldn't allow me to go to the chapters in between #3 & #9. So I purchased an ebook in pdf format and got this message when trying to load to my Axim:

Cannot convert file
This file has been encrypted using a non-standard security handler. If it is an Adobe DRM encrypted eBook, please refer to the user guide for further information on how to prepare and view eBooks on Adobe Reader for Pocket PC. Otherwise, this file cannot be viewed on Adobe Reader for Pocket PC.

System Info: Dell Axim X51 / Intel PXA270 / 520MHz / ROM A11

So any suggestions on how I can download and read ebooks on this Axim?

[pixie67]

Hello,
I'm not an expert,but ebooks are in various formats and you need the correct ebook reader for the format you got.Microsoft Reader I think only reads .lit files,not .txt,pdb etc.I manly use isilo that reads .txt,.pdb,and you can convert html to iSilo with the free isilox.
Did you convert your PDF file on the computer,before putting it on the Axim?I dont think the reader will read unconverted files.I find the Adobe reader difficult anyway,its slow and difficult to read.The only way I've found reading PDFs on a handheld is practical,is to convert you files with Repligo PDF Mobilizer and view them with the free Repligo viewer.

I hope this helps?

[The Gubba]

Go to pocketgear.com and click on specials. They've got an Adobe PDF reader for half price until Oct. 31. This may solve your problem.

[dcullen]

Thanks for the advice. I did buy the program on Pocketgear, it wouldn't read the book either I also looked at the Repligo, it looks like it will convert any doc that will print, and an ebook will not print! So I'm thinking the best route is to try the Mobipocket Reader, and purchase my books in that format. Unfortunately I was unable to load that program though... I read that another user had problems loading and just waited until evening to try again when it worked.

I'm wondering if I should have bought a Palm, they read Adobe and they work with Money... I suppose with persistance I'll get this figured out.

Thanks again!

[Mahstah]

Pocket Microsoft Money 2006:
How to sync microsoft money with activesync

Also, PocketGear will refund your $ for a purchase that doesn't work, at least they did when I complained once.

[dcullen]

Last night I upgraded my Axim X51 to the new A12 operating system available on the Dell website, then I loaded the new Mobipocket Reader 6.0 build 564, and downloaded my book from ebooks and it worked beautifully! Thanks so much for the feedback. I'm not sure if I'll request a refund, that reader program looks like it will be useful to have, especially for the $12 it cost!

[jselles]

Hi, if you have enough time and patience, here are some facts about eBooks and the Axim.
Adobe eBooks are generally in the DRM format. I can't get it to work with the MS Mobile 5.0 operating system. If you log onto the Adobe Reader website, you'll notice that they omit mentioning the Mobile 5.0 operating system. They support the MS 2002 & 2003 systems but there appears to be a subtle difference with Mobile 5.0 that they haven't addressed. You can download the DRM eBooks to the Axim but they can't be read because there's a time bomb in the books that states, "Permission to use this document has expired." You can download and read ordinary .PDF files but the display is so bad, Adobe should be embarassed with it.

The MS Reader does work on the Axim but it's a challenge to establish the methods to download:
1. Download the MS Reader for Desktop and MS Reader for Pocket PC.
2. Activate both readers from the MS site but you must have a .net passport first.
3. Purchase an eBook from a source such as Powells.com and download it immediately. It will be loaded to a desktop folder titled My Library. At that time, your desktop MS Reader will access the book just fine but not the Pocket PC.
4. For the Pocket PC, drag the eBook files for your specific book from My Library and the subfolder Annotations to your desktop folder that ActiveSync created for your files. Then, synchronize your pocket PC through ActiveSync and the MS eBook files will be loaded to the pocket PC.
5. On your Axim, then click the MS Reader program and you'll find your new book in the MS Reader "library."

One thing is for certain, downloading eBooks to your pocket PC will be the most frustrating, time consuming process you'll ever perform. Adobe and MS have really missed the boat on that application. Order the Sony PRS-500 instead.

[dcullen]

Thanks for the info, I experienced pretty much all of what you went over here. I was able to read basic pdf files only with Adobe Reader. I downloaded MS Reader, it all loaded fine, but didn't display quite right and missed pages. But the newest version of the Mobipocket Reader works great. Have you tried that? I think if you start with this reader and forget the rest the Axim's work great . Like I mentioned before also, I did upgrade my Axim to the newest A12 operating system that Dell offers on their site.

[dotancohen]

Go to pocketgear.com and click on specials. They've got an Adobe PDF reader for half price until Oct. 31. This may solve your problem.

The pdf reader from Abobe is free from Adobe. Whoever is selling it is ripping you off.

Dotan Cohen
http://what-is-what.com/what_is/distribution.html

[dcullen]

Adobe doesn't actually support Windows Mobile 5.0. I did download the free version of Adobe also though .