Use Kindle (1st Generation) with Your Computer
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Use Kindle (1st Generation) with Your Computer
You can download and read most types of content without using your computer. Some large media files, such as audiobooks and MP3 (music) files, can't be transferred wirelessly. You can transfer these files by connecting your Kindle to your computer using the USB cable.
You can use the USB cable to connect your Kindle to a computer with a compatible operating system:
Your Kindle displays the message "Your Kindle is in USB drive mode" when connected. In this mode, the wireless service is deactivated. You also can't use any of the Kindle controls, buttons, or keys.
If you are using a PC: Your Kindle appears as a removable storage disk in Windows Explorer. If you have inserted an SD card, it appears as a separate removable storage disk. Default drive assignments for network drives or other devices on your computer could cause a conflict with how your Kindle and SD card appear in Windows Explorer. You may have to disconnect network drives or give them new drive letter assignments to ensure that your Kindle and your SD card appear properly on your PC.
If your computer is a Macintosh: Your Kindle appears as a drive in the Mac OS Finder. If you have installed an optional SD card, this device appears as a separate drive in the Mac OS Finder.
You can use the drag and drop functions of your operating system or your computer's file management commands to move or copy files between your computer and your Kindle. You can also delete unwanted files from your Kindle memory or create backup copies on your computer.
Your Kindle displays files on your Kindle Home screen if the file type is supported and the file is in the appropriate folder.
The file types that your Kindle recognizes in each folder are:
Files containing digital rights management software are not readable.
When you use the Save Page as Clipping option, the selected text is stored in a file called My Clippings.txt. This file is located in the Documents folder. If you want to move the clippings from your Kindle to your computer, you can drag and drop the file in your computer. If you remove the My Clippings file from your Kindle, your Kindle will create a new one the next time you make a clipping.