Having trouble with DRM'd .prc files on Kindle

pantaleon · 01-25-2009, 06:19 AM

Hello,

I bought a Kindle a few months ago and have just recently started using the kindlepid.py and kindlefix.py scripts to read ebooks from my library on the Kindle.

The first time I tried this, it worked like a dream and I was able to read 2 library books on the Kindle. However, when I tried to add some new books today, I started having some problems. I can download the books from the library, convert them to .azw files, and load them onto the Kindle, but when I try to open them I recieve an error message telling me to contact Amazon tech support. All of the books I bought from Amazon work fine, it's just the DRM'd .prc files from the library that aren't opening.

I checked the PID number of the Kindle on my PC (I'm running Vista) and on a friend's running Linux, and got the same thing. I checked with the library, and it is the same PID they have on file there. Just for giggles, I uninstalled mobipocket reader and reinstalled it (though I don't think the uninstall completely worked since it remembered the Kindle's PID, which I entered as a USB drive). The library books open without problems on the mobipocket reader.

Can anyone offer advice to a not very computer oriented person about how to fix this? The fact that it all worked fine previously has me very confused. I'm not interested in de-DRMing things or doing anything really complicated, my end goal here is just to get some protected ebooks from the library and read them on my Kindle.

Thanks!

Lilly · 01-25-2009, 12:11 PM

Maybe Amazon block it with their update. Go to Menu and Setting and see if you were updated to version 1.2.

JSWolf · 01-25-2009, 12:17 PM

Actually, removing the DRM from a Mobipocket eBook is a lot easier then using Kindlefix. The reason being is that a lot of retailers won't allow a Kindle PID to be entered. But if you enter a valid PID, you can easily strip the DRM and then read said eBook with your Kindle.

Lilly · 01-25-2009, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Actually, removing the DRM from a Mobipocket eBook is a lot easier then using Kindlefix. The reason being is that a lot of retailers won't allow a Kindle PID to be entered. But if you enter a valid PID, you can easily strip the DRM and then read said eBook with your Kindle.

It's a library book so he's been using kindlefix to read it on his Kindle.

wallcraft · 01-25-2009, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pantaleon

I checked the PID number of the Kindle on my PC (I'm running Vista) and on a friend's running Linux, and got the same thing. I checked with the library, and it is the same PID they have on file there. Just for giggles, I uninstalled mobipocket reader and reinstalled it (though I don't think the uninstall completely worked since it remembered the Kindle's PID, which I entered as a USB drive). The library books open without problems on the mobipocket reader.

If the library book opens with MobiPocket Reader then it contains your desktop PID (which probably has a "$" in it). Since kindlefix worked, the ebook must also have the Kindle's PID (with a "*") in it as well - but perhaps the Kindle is looking for an ebook with a single PID. Try redownloading the ebook authorized only for the Kindle from your lending library. This probably means downloading outside MobiPocket Reader.

pantaleon · 01-25-2009, 10:21 PM

Thanks for the replies!

A few clarifications:

1.) I'm downloading the books from a public library website, so I am not actually downloading anything from Mobipocket. I just tried opening the DRM'd .prc files in Mobi to make sure there was nothing wrong with the ebooks themselves. Ideally I would not use the mobi reader at all, just save the .prc files on my hard drive, convert to .azw, and load onto the Kindle. This seemed to work before.

2.) I'm not trying to open the .azw files on my computer, I'm copying them onto the Kindle and trying to read them there.

3.) The library seems to automatically add computer PID numbers to the list of allotted PID's when you register a device. I'm not sure how to get around this to try downloading the .prc's with only a Kindle PID registered on the library's site. Ideas?

4.) And lastly, I have Kindle 1.0.8 (not 1.2), so I'm guessing Amazon did not update anything that would change my ability to read these files?

Can anyone offer any further suggestions? I'm just totally stumped here, especially since this worked once, then stopped.

Thanks!

Gollywalk · 11-08-2009, 04:39 AM

I fond a .prc file for my Afrikaans Bible. How do I convert it in calible. Output format is ????

wallcraft · 11-08-2009, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gollywalk

I fond a .prc file for my Afrikaans Bible. How do I convert it in calible. Output format is ????

If it is a DRM-free .prc ebook, then it should work already on the Kindle. If you want to run it through Calibre, the output type is .mobi. The .prc and .mobi extensions are both used for the same MobiPocket ebooks but .mobi makes this explicit. The Kindle accepts .mobi and .prc.

If the ebook has DRM (encryption) then use mobidedrm to remove this before copying to the Kindle or running it through Calibre.

susan_cassidy · 11-08-2009, 02:50 PM

I have heard that files with multiple PIDs embedded do not work using the kindlefix.py script.

conmotto · 02-02-2010, 08:59 AM

This new web-based tool effectively replaces the kindlepid script: http://kindletools.prestonlee.com/

kevindorsey · 02-02-2010, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by susan_cassidy

I have heard that files with multiple PIDs embedded do not work using the kindlefix.py script.

I believe that is correct.

Zorz · 02-02-2010, 07:17 PM

I use MobieDRM Version 009 to crack my prc files. I have attacked the file below. All you need to do is get it here http://paste2.org/p/646093, copying and saving into a 009.py file

Now you then put your .prc book into the same directory as created file.

Now just run the following

python 009.py in.prc out.mobi 'PID'

This version is the best working this far and can handle the newest mobi books.

daffy4u · 02-02-2010, 07:45 PM

We're not allowed to post direct links to DRM removing scripts.

Zorz · 02-02-2010, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daffy4u

We're not allowed to post direct links to DRM removing scripts.

Sorry fixed.

limecello · 02-07-2010, 02:41 AM

Hi Everyone,

I have a similar issue as the original post- so I [hope] this is the right place for it?
I'd like to read mobipocket library books on my kindle. I only have my kindle PID as the mobipocket PID on the library site. I used to be able to read library books on my kindle fine, after running it through the scripts or whatever and changing it from PRC to AZW

Now, however, everything converts and loads beautifully... but when I try to open the book on my kindle, it gives me the message that the book cannot be opened.
Please help? I haven't changed anything on my library status or computer - the only possible change was that my kindle was updated when I connected to whispernet. (?)

Also, sorry - I'm not techy, so that's about all the detail(s) I have. Thanks for all your help!

01-25-2009, 06:19 AM	#1
pantaleon Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2009 Device: Kindle	Having trouble with DRM'd .prc files on Kindle Hello, I bought a Kindle a few months ago and have just recently started using the kindlepid.py and kindlefix.py scripts to read ebooks from my library on the Kindle. The first time I tried this, it worked like a dream and I was able to read 2 library books on the Kindle. However, when I tried to add some new books today, I started having some problems. I can download the books from the library, convert them to .azw files, and load them onto the Kindle, but when I try to open them I recieve an error message telling me to contact Amazon tech support. All of the books I bought from Amazon work fine, it's just the DRM'd .prc files from the library that aren't opening. I checked the PID number of the Kindle on my PC (I'm running Vista) and on a friend's running Linux, and got the same thing. I checked with the library, and it is the same PID they have on file there. Just for giggles, I uninstalled mobipocket reader and reinstalled it (though I don't think the uninstall completely worked since it remembered the Kindle's PID, which I entered as a USB drive). The library books open without problems on the mobipocket reader. Can anyone offer advice to a not very computer oriented person about how to fix this? The fact that it all worked fine previously has me very confused. I'm not interested in de-DRMing things or doing anything really complicated, my end goal here is just to get some protected ebooks from the library and read them on my Kindle. Thanks!

02-02-2010, 07:17 PM	#12
Zorz Zealot Posts: 134 Karma: 36 Join Date: Nov 2009 Device: Kindle 2i	I use MobieDRM Version 009 to crack my prc files. I have attacked the file below. All you need to do is get it here http://paste2.org/p/646093, copying and saving into a 009.py file Now you then put your .prc book into the same directory as created file. Now just run the following python 009.py in.prc out.mobi 'PID' This version is the best working this far and can handle the newest mobi books. Last edited by Zorz; 02-02-2010 at 08:28 PM.

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01-25-2009, 12:11 PM	#2
Lilly Guru Posts: 688 Karma: 2090 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Sony PRS-505, PRS-900 & PRS-950, Amazon Kindle2	Maybe Amazon block it with their update. Go to Menu and Setting and see if you were updated to version 1.2.

01-25-2009, 12:17 PM	#3
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 76,424 Karma: 136564696 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Actually, removing the DRM from a Mobipocket eBook is a lot easier then using Kindlefix. The reason being is that a lot of retailers won't allow a Kindle PID to be entered. But if you enter a valid PID, you can easily strip the DRM and then read said eBook with your Kindle.

01-25-2009, 10:21 PM	#6
pantaleon Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2009 Device: Kindle	Thanks for the replies! A few clarifications: 1.) I'm downloading the books from a public library website, so I am not actually downloading anything from Mobipocket. I just tried opening the DRM'd .prc files in Mobi to make sure there was nothing wrong with the ebooks themselves. Ideally I would not use the mobi reader at all, just save the .prc files on my hard drive, convert to .azw, and load onto the Kindle. This seemed to work before. 2.) I'm not trying to open the .azw files on my computer, I'm copying them onto the Kindle and trying to read them there. 3.) The library seems to automatically add computer PID numbers to the list of allotted PID's when you register a device. I'm not sure how to get around this to try downloading the .prc's with only a Kindle PID registered on the library's site. Ideas? 4.) And lastly, I have Kindle 1.0.8 (not 1.2), so I'm guessing Amazon did not update anything that would change my ability to read these files? Can anyone offer any further suggestions? I'm just totally stumped here, especially since this worked once, then stopped. Thanks!

11-08-2009, 04:39 AM	#7
Gollywalk Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Kindle International	I fond a .prc file for my Afrikaans Bible. How do I convert it in calible. Output format is ????

11-08-2009, 02:50 PM	#9
susan_cassidy Wizard Posts: 2,251 Karma: 3720310 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: USA Device: Kindle, iPad (not used much for reading)	I have heard that files with multiple PIDs embedded do not work using the kindlefix.py script.

02-02-2010, 08:59 AM	#10
conmotto Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: Kindle	This new web-based tool effectively replaces the kindlepid script: http://kindletools.prestonlee.com/

02-02-2010, 07:45 PM	#13
daffy4u I'm Super Kindle-icious Posts: 6,734 Karma: 2434103 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Long Drive, Calinadia Candafornia Device: KDXG, KT, Oasis	We're not allowed to post direct links to DRM removing scripts.

02-07-2010, 02:41 AM	#15
limecello Member Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: none	Hi Everyone, I have a similar issue as the original post- so I [hope] this is the right place for it? I'd like to read mobipocket library books on my kindle. I only have my kindle PID as the mobipocket PID on the library site. I used to be able to read library books on my kindle fine, after running it through the scripts or whatever and changing it from PRC to AZW Now, however, everything converts and loads beautifully... but when I try to open the book on my kindle, it gives me the message that the book cannot be opened. Please help? I haven't changed anything on my library status or computer - the only possible change was that my kindle was updated when I connected to whispernet. (?) Also, sorry - I'm not techy, so that's about all the detail(s) I have. Thanks for all your help!

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