Beth wrote on December 26th, 2009 at 11:30:46 AMMany users have reported problems when attempting to download content from the Barnes and Noble eBook store yesterday and today. (Some of these reports have been more cordial than others.) Unfortunately, BN staff haven’t stated whether the problem lies with the AT&T network, which is notorious for being unable to handle large volumes of traffic (see iPhone), their own servers, or a combo.
There are still many of us waiting to receive our nooks, and many of us have questions about how to do specific things (access microSD card, upload eBooks via USB, etc.) The Support page and the User Guide contain some solid info on what your nook can/will do and how to use nook. (nook owners should be able to access the nook User Guide from the actual device, but if you want a copy for your PC or if you’re having problems with your nook, you have the option of downloading from the Barnes and Noble website.)
Keep in mind that you can also purchase eBooks off the device and outside of the Barnes and Noble. Compatible vendors include large vendors such as Fictionwise as well as small press like Small Beer Press. There are plenty of free, fantastic PDFs. Go get ‘em!
Have you experienced problems? If so, are you using your WiFi connection or the embedded 3G connection? Have you seen any improvement with downloads today?
The problem is not the mobile network as wi fi connections are not allowing users to download books and newspapers either.
It’s hard to make any sort of excuse for not having ample bandwidth or servers online. I know these sorts of launch problems occur (and all too frequently). I would really like to see a corporation step up and make things right for their consumers. If you’re going to sell the volume of product that BN has, you have to expect that most users are going to head to your embedded store first and try to download eBooks.
Anyway, thanks for posting and for clarification.
I just bought some free Google books but can’t download them through the B and N website ie through my Nook or computer. I just went to books.google.com, downloaded them manually and put them on my Nook using the USB cable into the “My Documents” folder.
I also subscribed to the Financial Times but can’t download that either. I manually downloaded it from the B and N website onto my computer and transferred that via USB as well. It just comes in epub format.
Well I got my nook for Christmas and it surely has been frustrating. While I’m not ready to hand it in for a Kindle, I would certainly like some sort of help. I cannot register my nook. My nook is connected to my home Wi-Fi and I can browse books on BN, but I cannot register. I have an account set up on BN and I have all my default credit card info current and up to date, but it will not register. I thought the software update to 1.1.1 would solve the problem, but it doesn’t. My nook also will not charge beyond 83-84%. This whole thing has been pretty frustrating. If you could provide some sort of tips for this issue I would greatly appreciate it. I have called the tech support line and they say they can’t help, I have to call digital support 1-866-877-9064 and talk to them, but if the lines are busy then the call volume is too much for them to take your call. When I called I got the busy signal for the first 5-6 tries, then when I actually got through today the 26th I got to listen to fuzzy Christmas music for half a friggin hour. HELP!!!!!
Hi, diabolikal. Sorry to read about your many problems just getting nook registered. There have been some peculiar issues related to registration, including:
1. Having symbols in your password
2. Not using the same email address to register that’s linked to your BN account
3. Not using the 3G network (inside or outside of a BN store) to register; check out http://www.wireless.att.com/laptopconnect/wifilocator for local AT&T Wireless WiFi spots
4. Having a Mastercard as the default credit card instead of a Visa
The battery issue is perplexing. How many times have you charged the battery? Have you allowed the battery to discharge to the recommended level (30%) then recharged it? Also, how well does the battery hold the charge? Have you powered down nook, reseated the battery, then powered on again?
I know some other users have had problems with their batteries, although I do not think I’ve seen this particular problem before. I would definitely recommend contacting BN (maybe they’ll have switched off holiday music at that point) about your battery issue if you discharge/recharge, power down/reseat/reboot, and the recharge tops at 83%-84% again.
Good luck, and please let me know if you have any success.
Nook User, have you been able to download today? Kevin at the official boards has posted that the downloading problem has been corrected.
I was using my Nook this morning and I stepped away for a bit, so I put it in sleep mode. When I went to press the power button to wake it up, it didn’t respond. I’ve tried holding the power button to shut it down, I’ve tried plugging it in….no response at all.
Please help, if you can!
Thanks, Shellee
Shellee,
You may wish to remove the battery in this situation. To do so:
1. Remove the back cover.
2. Remove the screw that holds the battery in place.
3. Lift and remove the battery.
4. Wait 30 seconds, then reinsert the battery. Make sure you re-tighten the screw.
If this doesn’t work, you’ll need to remove the battery again. This time, plug your nook directly into the nook power adapter. Your nook should restart.
You may then reinsert the battery. Check the charge at that point to see if your nook’s battery is drained. If so, allow it to recharge.
If you need more detailed instructions on removing the back cover or the battery, please see Barnes and Noble’s nook User Guide at: http://images.barnesandnoble.com/pimages/nook/download/User_Guide_nook.pdf
I hope this helps! Good luck.
I had the same problem as Shellee a few minutes ago, my Nook had frozen and nothing seemed to fix it. I called my local Barnes & Noble and spoke to a very nice gentleman who told me that this sort of thing will happen when the Nook’s battery has completely drained. He suggested I plug my Nook into an AC outlet for several minutes (at least 10) and check the display afterwords. I checked my Nook about a minute ago and, lo and behold, the “normal” screen re-appeared and the battery meter was showing an almost completely drained battery.
I give an A+ to Barnes & Noble customer service for 1) knowing what caused my issue and 2) knowing how to fix it.
Matthew,
I’m glad to hear that you had positive CS experience and that your nook is working again.
Beth
My nook is coming out with Could not register.
Could not connect. please try again or contact CS
I’m not sure what to do. I’ve taken the batteries out and even tried resetting all the way.
Please help. I only have one acct. and I have a MC in my acct.
Jackie, make sure you have v1.2 installed, as it corrected the majority of the registration problems people experienced with earlier versions.
my nook cannot connect to the wifi in my college. after connected to the wifi in the college, the nook cannot display the login page, so that i cannot use the internet . can anyone help me with that?
Unfortunately (and as you’ve seen), Nook doesn’t allow you to use a login page when connecting to the Internet.