Sony Reader – Help and Advice with eBooks

Install the free reader at adobe.com/products/digitaleditions/

When you connect the Sony Reader to your PC, Adobe Digital Editions detects the Reader and prompts you to authorise the device with your free Adobe ID and your PC.

You then need to open the file from the eBook Library application.

Proprietary format from Sony, BBeB books have the file extension .lrf

You can get the UK Sony Reader models from the following online stores:

• Waterstones

Know another online supplier? Let us know

You can check what version of firmware your Sony Reader PRS-505 supports from Settings > About. The latest version we know of is:

• Sony Reader Firmware: 1.2.00.18050
• eBook Library (PC software): 3.1.00.12040

There are three ways to get new books onto your Sony Reader:

Sony Reader Library software

• Install the latest version of the Sony Reader Library software onto your PC or Mac
• From the Library software menu, select "File" and "Import files", then import the downloaded book into your Reader library.
• Now, connect your Sony Reader to your computer using the USB cable.
• Once you’ve done this, your Reader should appear under the "Reader" icon (see example on the right). Select "Sync"
• Make sure that "Books" is ticked (as well as any other content you want on your Reader), then press "Sync Now"
• You can see the progress of your Sync using the "Status" icon, which is above the "Reader" icon on the left.

Copy direct from your computer

If you have downloaded content on your computer, you can copy it to your Reader without using the Library software. When the Reader is connected via USB, it appears as a drive that you can copy files to or from. Windows users – Open My Computer, and look for the Reader. Open the drive for Reader, and drag files as with a normal drive. Books are stored in database\media\books

Memory Stick

You can install books and other content using an SD card or Sony Memory Stick Pro Duo. If your computer doesn’t have a card slot, you can buy a cheap Card Reader that plugs into your computer’s USB socket. You can then copy files from your computer onto a memory card (via Windows My Computer). Pop a card into your Sony Reader’s card slot and the contents should appear.

We’ve found a great program that can be used to customise some of the features of the Sony Reader. Here’s what the application allows you to change:

• The language (into 12 languages)
• The font (Unicode fonts with Cyrillic/Eastern European fonts)
• Add one-key shutdown
• A customised "About" screen, so if it’s found, it can be returned
• Set joypad to page forward
• Set Volume key for page turns
• Set Volume key or circle for history navigation
• Turn off right justification for BBeB books
• Disable number keys when reading
• Toggle clock between 12 and 24 hour

The software, called PRS Customizer, is free, although the author requests a donation to say thanks. It runs on Windows, Mac or Linux, and can be used to update a US or UK Sony Reader PRS-505.

It can be downloaded from www.prscustomizer.com

The process involves creating a new ROM image onto an SD card, and re-flashing the Reader. There’s a very detailed guide on how to do this on the Mobileread.com site

The software supplied with the Sony Reader runs on Windows XP and Windows Vista. What if you have Windows 98? Can you still use Windows 98?

You can still use the Sony Reader, but not with books that use DRM (copyright protection) – as this requires the Sony software. To use Windows 98 with the Sony Reader to read non-copy protected books, you can use the Reader’s memory card slot (by inserting an SD card), or connect your Windows 98 PC via USB. You may need to install the Windows 98 USB.1.1 drivers.

The Sony Reader PRS-505 comes pre-loaded with the language appropriate for your region. There is no multi-language support and there is no software setting on the PRS-505 to allow you to switch to a different language. If your Sony Reader is in the wrong language, you can "flash" the device with a new firmware in a different language. See "Customising the Sony Reader"

The Sony Reader PRS-600 does appear to support multiple languages. According to the manual included with the Sony Reader PRS-600 on sale in the UK, the Reader supports English, French, German and Netherlands. The option to change language appears at first switch-on or after a reset. You can also change language from the "Menu Language" option in Settings.

If you need to reset your Sony Reader PRS-505, there is a small reset hole on the back – insert the tip of an opened paperclip to reset your Reader.

Should you need to restore your Reader to factory defaults, you can do this from software, as follows:

Go to "Settings" from the main menu (Option 0 with a toolbox icon). Option 7 allows you to restore default settings, if that’s what you’re looking to do.

To format the internal memory, select "Advanced Settings" (Option 5 with a toolbox icon), then select "Format Internal Memory" (Option 2)

Looking for a screen protector, case, or a night-light for your Sony Reader? Go to Waterstones.co.uk