Nook Glowlight not recognized

[ProMacUser]

With the eradication of Intel machines in our household, I am finally trying to get to grips with a problem that has plagued us since the first M-series computers we bought. No matter what we do, my wife's Nook Glowlight is never recognized by any of our new computers (the exception in the house being the 2019 Intel iMac that is going away next week).

It shows up as a volume on the iMac, but nothing happens when it's plugged into either of our laptops (a M2 Pro MBP and a M1 MBA), I have checked System Information as well as various Terminal commands to see if it even shows up as connected while plugged in, but there is no indication that anything is plugged into any USB bus..

How else do I troubleshoot this? What do I do?

 

[Dr_Lex]

Is it worth trying a Y splitter cable - one with 2 USB plugged to the MB and the third to the Nook?

 

[cateye]

Or along the same lines, plugging it into something that will provide additional power—like a USB-C/Thunderbolt Dock that has an external power supply, rather than directly into the Mac.

Something like an eReader shouldn't require more power than a regular port can give, but you never know.

 

[jaberg]

As obvious as it seems, I keep coming back to the cable.

On a related note, if the Nook has a USB C port… (Never owned one, and my willingness to find out ended when I was presented with multiple Afterglow models from my specs search.)

I have two separate “USB C equipped” devices that refuse to accept either data or power directly from a USB-C port via a C-C cable. Any C-C cable. I am forced to use an old school cable and a USB-C adapter on the “supply” (computer) side in order for them to work. Like an animal.

One Port to rule us… my fine Swedish ass.

Apologies for the off-topic rant.

 

[ProMacUser]

So, I've tried any number of cables with any number of adapters. The port on the Nook is the infuriating micro-usb size.

Various cables work with the iMac (I haven't found one that doesn't). None work with the MBP or MBA.

The Nook mounts as a drive on the iMac and shows up in System Information. It doesn't even register as connected on the laptops, but it does charge. System Information on the iMac says that it requires 2 mA and that it's being provided 500 mA. I have no idea if that's relevant, but it doesn't seem like it's a huge power draw.

I will try on the mac mini when it shows up on Thursday.

 

[ant1pathy]

Do you have Calibre installed? Curious if that can see and address the Nook when it's plugged in.

 

[jaberg]

Do you have Calibre installed? Curious if that can see and address the Nook when it's plugged in.

I’m thinking if it doesn’t appear on the bus…

@ProMacUser when the device is mounted on the iMac how does it identify itself? Mass Storage Device? PTP or MTP?

The 2mA draw is insignificant. It shouldn’t present any problems.

 

[jaberg]

Also, have you played with the settings in System Settings > Privacy and Security > Allow Accesories to Connect?

 

[ProMacUser]

Here it is, plugged into the iMac. I have tried the system settings, but it doesn't impact this.

BNRV700:
  Product ID:    0x000c
  Vendor ID:    0x2080
  Version:    99.99
  Serial Number:    5092110009993301
  Speed:    Up to 480 Mb/s
  Manufacturer:    BarnesAndNoble
  Location ID:    0x14500000 / 4
  Current Available (mA):    500
  Current Required (mA):    2
  Extra Operating Current (mA):    0

 

[jaberg]

Just to confirm, the Nook isn't recognized even if you have Always set for Allow Devices to Connect? (I'm not suggesting running that as a default — just as a means of troubleshooting.) I believe you when you say you've tested it all ways — I'm pulling at straws. Let's keep our fingers crossed for the Mini — maybe it will tell us something.

None of the following will be directly helpful to your situation, but I was hoping to gain better understanding by doing what I could here. When I attach a Kindle Paperwhite — also a USB Micro device — to my M2 Air, I am prompted by the system as to whether or not I want the device to be allowed to connect. Once approved and connected, this is the USB system information:

USB 3.1 Bus:

  Host Controller Driver:    AppleT8112USBXHCI

Amazon Kindle:

  Product ID:    0x0004
  Vendor ID:    0x1949  (Lab126)
  Version:    1.00
  Serial Number:    90D422014077072R
  Speed:    Up to 480 Mb/s
  Manufacturer:    Amazon
  Location ID:    0x01100000 / 1
  Current Available (mA):    500
  Current Required (mA):    2
  Extra Operating Current (mA):    0
  Media:
Internal Storage:
  Capacity:    1.42 GB (1,423,966,208 bytes)
  Removable Media:    Yes
  BSD Name:    disk4
  Logical Unit:    0
  Partition Map Type:    MBR (Master Boot Record)
  S.M.A.R.T. status:    Verified
  USB Interface:    0
  Volumes:
Kindle:
  Capacity:    1.42 GB (1,423,958,016 bytes)
  Free:    848.8 MB (848,822,272 bytes)
  Writable:    Yes
  File System:    MS-DOS FAT32
  BSD Name:    disk4s1
  Mount Point:    /Volumes/Kindle
  Content:    DOS_FAT_32
  Volume UUID:    C99137D0-19B1-3E8D-826C-E64D2ECF3045

I get the same information when connecting the Kindle via an Anker USB hub using an old school cable. The Kindle was recognized on this second attempt and didn't require approval.

 

[jaberg]

Hmmm… Apparently you're not alone. I don't vouch for any of this — a bit too rubber chicken for my taste — but there are some claiming you need a specific hub or adaptor device:


View: https://www.reddit.com/r/ereader/comments/vpgagb/issue_connecting_nook_glowlight_plus_to_m1_max_mac/


There's another thread where the Redditor claimed his Nook mounted after he rebooted his Macintosh.

This is giving me SCSI flashbacks. Terminate. Terminate.

 

[ProMacUser]

Greetings from the Mac mini, which also doesn't recognize the Nook.

 

[jaberg]

In your place I’m investigating hubs and adapters (per the Reddit thread) next. I’ll sacrifice a rubber chicken for you.