Home > Support > GEB 1150, GEB 2150, REB 1200 eBook Owners
GEB 1150, GEB 2150, REB 1200 eBook Owners

We at eBook Technologies, Inc would like to help you get the maximum enjoyment possible from your Gemstar or RCA eBook reading device. ETI is now able to provide the ability for you to purchase new content for use with your Gemstar or RCA eBook reading device. To take advantage of this opportunity, your eBook device will need to be migrated to a new Online Bookshelf on the eBook Technologies servers.

Due to the shutdown of the Gemstar operated servers unfortunately we will not be able to help you access your Gemstar Online Bookshelf. It is not be possible for us to assist you in recovering any content from your deactivated Gemstar Online Bookshelf. However, by following the process outlined below you will be able to to connect to servers operated by eBook Technologies and its partners. By migrating to the new servers you will also have access to purchase new content from the over 16,000 titles are available at www.eBookwise.com and www.FilamentBooks.com.

  • View or download migration instructions for a GEB 2150/REB 1200 or ETI-1 eBook
  • View or download migrate instructions for a GEB 1150 eBook
  • View frequently asked questions (FAQ) regarding migration



How to Migrate Your GEB-2150/REB-1200/ETI-1 eBook using a Compact Flash Card

Your eBook must be running firmware 3.1 or higher for this upgrade/migration process to function correctly. The current firmware version can be determined by:
  • Tap on the Bookshelf button
  • Tap on the Menu button
  • Tap on the "info" softmenu item
  • Tap on "more"
The current firmware version is displayed following "Viewer: ". It must be 3.1 or greater to proceed.
  • You will need a Compact Flash (CF) card reader/writer connected to your PC or Mac to complete this step. Download required files. Unpack the "ZIP" archive you downloaded. This will create directory containing the two files:
    • INSTALL.ROM
    • OVERRIDE.PRF
  • Place a CF card into your PC/Mac-based Flash reader/writer. You may use the existing CF card from the device.
  • Copy these two files (not the directory) to the "root" of the CF card alongside the SOFTBKS or EBOOKS directory (if the card has previously been in the device). Again, do not copy the files into the SOFTBKS or EBOOKS directory; place them at the same level as the SOFTBKS or EBOOKS directory.
  • Un-mount the CF card from your PC/Mac and remove the card from the Flash reader/writer, then proceed as described below.
  • Power-off the device by tapping the "Menu" button and selecting the "sleep" softmenu item. Insert the CF card containing the Migration files into the device.
  • Hold down the "next page" bar (the outside of the page turn bar) and power on the device by tapping the "Menu" button. A tray with small print describing the firmware installation progress should be displayed (as soon as this tray is displayed, the page turn bar may be released). Let the process complete (about two minutes). This will be followed by a red bar creeping across the top of the screen, followed by a green bar doing the same. When this is complete the device will re-boot with the new firmware installed. After re-boot, the device may spend up to a minute or two with an "Arranging your Bookshelf..." tray displayed, subsequently it should display an "OVERRIDE.PRF processed and stored" tray.
  • After this, power off the device, and remove the CF card. If the card was supplied by ETI, put the card aside for return to ETI. If the card is yours, reinsert it into your PC/Mac-based Flash reader/writer and delete the two migration files off the card, and then reinsert it into your device (making sure to do this with the device powered off).
  • When you first connect the now-migrated device to the server (by tapping "Bookstore" or "Online Bookshelf"), you should be prompted to go through registration. You should get an initial registration page offering you an option to create a new bookshelf or connect to an existing bookshelf. You should use the top option "create a new bookshelf" and proceed through registration.
  • After you have completed registration you should be able to visit www.eBookwise.com and "join" and associate your newly migrated eBook with your new eBookwise account (using the UserID and Last Name you used when you registered the device with the ETI servers).

    • IMPORTANT: After you have completed the migration of your device, you must insert Compact Flash cards containing all of the content that you previously downloaded from Gemstar into your eBook device. Each title that you downloaded must be "seen" once by an upgraded device in order to make it permanently archiveable on your hard disk. This may require you to copy files back and forth from your PC to your Compact Flash card in order to accommodate more titles than fit on a single card. Once the title has been placed on a Compact Flash card all you have to do is to insert the card into the eBook reader and turn it on once. Your content will then be updated so that it can be permanently archived in such a way that a replacement device will be able to read it.



How to Migrate Your GEB-1150 eBook Using a Smart Media Card

  • You will need a PC/Mac-based Smart Media (SM) card reader/writer to complete this step. Download the required files. Unpack the downloaded "ZIP" archive. This will create a directory containing two files
    • INSTALL.ROM
    • OVERRIDE.PRF
  • Place a 64MB or smaller SM card into your PC/Mac-based Flash reader/writer.
  • Copy these two files (not the directory) to the "root" of the SM card alongside the SOFTBKS or EBOOKS directory (if the card has previously been in the device). Again, do not copy the files into the SOFTBKS or EBOOKS directory; place them at the same level as the SOFTBKS or EBOOKS directory.
  • Un-mount the SM card from your PC/Mac and remove the card from the Flash reader/writer, then proceed as described below.
  • Reset the device (insert a paper clip through the reset hole) and then insert the Recovery SM card containing the two above files.
  • Power the device on. It should take 3+ seconds to power on, and then it will re-install the firmware (this will be indicated by a bar crawling down from the top of the screen). After this, the device will re-boot and it may spend up to a minute or two with an "Arranging your Bookshelf..." tray displayed, subsequently it should display an "OVERRIDE.PRF processed and stored" tray.
  • After this, power off the device, and remove the SM card. If the card was supplied by ETI, put the card aside for return to ETI. If the card is yours, reinsert it into your PC/Mac-based Flash reader/writer and delete the two migration files off the card, and then reinsert it into your device (making sure to do this with the device powered off).
  • When you first connect the now-migrated device to the server (by tapping "Bookstore" or "Online Bookshelf"), you should be prompted to go through registration. You should get an initial registration page offering you an option to create a new bookshelf or connect to an existing bookshelf. You should use the top option "create a new bookshelf" and proceed through registration.
  • After you have completed registration you should be able to visit www.eBookwise.com and "join" and associate your newly migrated eBook with your new eBookwise account (using the UserID and Last Name you used when you registered the device with the ETI servers).

    • IMPORTANT: After you have completed the migration of your device, you must insert Smart Media cards containing all of the content that you previously downloaded from Gemstar into your eBook device. Each title that you downloaded must be "seen" once by an upgraded device in order to make it permanently archiveable on your hard disk. This may require you to copy files back and forth from your PC to your Smart Media card in order to accommodate more titles than fit on a single card. Once the title has been placed on a Smart Media card all you have to do is to insert the card into the eBook reader and turn it on once. Your content will then be updated so that it can be permanently archived in such a way that a replacement device will be able to read it.



Frequently Asked Questions About Migration

Can I get access to my Gemstar Online Bookshelf?

No. It is our understanding that the Gemstar servers have been deactivated and that there are no plans to make them available again.

Can I transfer the eBooks I previously bought from Gemstar to my new Online Bookshelf?

No, but hopefully you downloaded all the titles stored in your Gemstar Bookshelf you wished to keep to SmartMedia or Compact Flash cards prior to the shutdown of the Gemstar servers. If so, you could then copy those titles from your SmartMedia or Compact Flash cards to the hard disk on your PC for permanent storage. Those titles will permanently remain available to you even if eBook Technologies needs to replace your device due to hardware failure.

Who will support me after I migrate?

eBook Technologies will provide technical support for your eBook device and your eBook Online Bookshelf. You will also receive support from our retail partners (eBookwise and Filament Books) for content purchases you make from their sites.

What titles are available for purchase?

Over 16,000 titles are currently available for purchase and more are being added every day. You can browse a available titles at www.ebookwise.com and www.filamentbooks.com.

What happens if my device fails?

Once you have migrated to the eBook Technologies servers, eBook Technologies will provide replacement devices for a $50 service fee. In addition, you will be able to purchase additional devices from eBook Technologies' retail partners. Your replacement device will be able to access any titles you downloaded from the Gemstar servers onto SmartMedia or Compact Flash cards following the procedure outlined above.

How can I purchase new content from eBookwise?

Titles can be purchased from eBookwise through their web site at www.eBookwise.com. You will need to create an eBookwise Login ID and Password. You can use the same User ID and Password you used when registering your eBook with eBook Technologies, but that is not required. To associate your eBookwise account with your device, you will be required to provide your eBook Technologies User ID and the Last Name your registered with at eBook Technologies. These should be filled in to the "Device User ID" and "Device Last Name" fields in the eBookwise account you create.

eBookwise may provide the ability to purchase titles directly from your device in the future.

How can I purchase new content from Filament Books?

Titles can be purchased from the Filament Books books web site at www.FilamentBooks.com.

When you purchase books from the www.FilamentBooks.com web site, you will need to login to the Filament Books site using the User ID and Password you used when registering your eBook with eBook Technologies.

Can I use personal content?

Yes. You can upload personal content in much the same manner as you could on the Gemstar servers using my.ebookwise.com. Note that the ability to upload Microsoft PowerPoint and Open eBook OEB files has been added. In addition updated version of the eBook publication tools including a great new mass file conversion feature called Bulk Convert can be found at http://www.ebooktechnologies.com/support_publisher_download.htm.

I’m having trouble getting the USB connection on my GEB 1150 to work. What can I do?

The Gemstar USB driver doesn't work on some of the newer Windows releases. eBook Technologies has updated the USB driver to work reliably on Windows XP and above. If you are having trouble, you can download the latest version of the driver from http://www.ebooktechnologies.com/support_usbdriver_download.htm.

What new features have been added to the eBook?

eBook Technologies has been hard at work adding new capabilities to the eBook software. Highlights of new features that will be available after your firmware has been upgraded:

  • Random House Webster's Concise Dictionary - Every eBook now comes with a built-in dictionary that can be accessed while you are reading by just tapping on the word you want to see the definition of. You can also look up words alphabetically.
  • Bookshelf Sorting - You can now organize your local bookshelf however you like. Your bookshelf can be sorted by Title, Author, Size, Recently Read and Recently Downloaded. Category display can now be turned on or off.  To activate this feature,  tap on the Bookshelf icon at the top of the Bookshelf screen.
  • New 1150 USB Driver - The USB driver has been updated to work reliably with Windows XP. It is also now distributed by Microsoft via the Window Update service. This allows the driver to be automatically downloaded whenever you plug your GEB 1150 into a new Windows 2000 or XP machine. The driver is also now more robust.
  • Content Conversion Improvements - eBook Publisher has been improved to handle PowerPoint conversions. In addition there is a new Bulk Convert utility that allows entire directories of Word and PowerPoint documents to be easily converted to eBook format using a simple drag and drop approach. The new publishing tools are available at http://www.ebooktechnologies.com/support_usbdriver_download.htm.
  • 1150 Battery Meter Improvements - calibration and time remaining calculations have been improved for the ETI-2 and eBookwise-1150. Further, in order to cause the device to "immediately" discover the battery's maximum capacity, allow the unit to charge for 2-3 hours while powered on (to do this disable the "automatically go to sleep while plugged in" eBook setting).
  • Improved Removable Media Handling - Compact Flash cards and Smart Media cards are now managed in a more useable manner. eBooks will be placed in directories that use the title as a basis for the name. This allows easier management of Compact Flash or Smart Media cards directly from your PC or Mac.
  • PC Archiving - It is now possible to permanently archive both your encrypted and unencrypted content on a PC without fear of loosing it if your device is destroyed or lost. To achieve this, you can simply copy the content from your Compact Flash or SmartMedia card to your PC if you have a Compact Flash or SmartMedia reader/writer available on your PC or Macintosh.
  • Performance Improvements and bug fixes - A wide variety of performance improvements and bug fixes have been made.


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