Tips for Transferring PDF Files to a Kindle
Transferring PDF files to your Amazon Kindle is simple using a USB connection, or via email through Amazon's document conversion service. However, the ability of your Kindle to display PDF files varies, depending on which type of Kindle you have, and files may require conversion using third-party software. Determine the type of Kindle you have by locating the serial number, which can be found either on the back of the Kindle, under the back cover on the Kindle 1, or by checking the "Settings" page via the "Menu" for Kindles with version 2.5 or later of the firmware.
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Drive-to-Drive Transfer
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Transfer PDF files from your computer to the Kindle using the computer's basic file management utility. Connect your Kindle to the computer using the USB cord provided with the Kindle. This activates a pop-up window prompting you to open a folder to view the files. Selecting this option opens a window displaying the contents of the Kindle in the pane on the right, with the navigation pane on the left. Use this to open the folder on the computer containing the PDF files you want to move to the Kindle, then copy and paste them into the "Documents" folder on the Kindle. Allow the file transfer to finish before selecting the "Safely Remove Hardware" option from the computer's toolbar.
Email Transfer
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Amazon provides a document conversion service by which you can send Amazon PDF files that are converted to Kindle files. First you must enter the email addresses into your Amazon Kindle account from which you will be sending the PDF files. Enter these in the "Your Kindle Approved E-mail List" on the "Manage Your Kindle" page on Amazon.com. Only these emails can send the PDF files to your Kindle email. Then send an email from that email account to either your Kindle's @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com email address. The @free.kindle.com address converts the PDF file and sends the converted file to your Kindle free of charge. The other option uses the 3G network, as of 2011, which involves a nominal fee of 15 cents or 99 cents per megabyte depending on your location in the world.
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Third-Party Software
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If the PDF file does not work on your Kindle using either the USB or email transfer options, you can use your computer to convert the file to a format that the Kindle can read. Mobipocket provides a program for free download called Mobipocket Creator. For the version that contains the PDF conversion option, download the "Creator Publisher Edtion (for advanced users)" rather than the "Creator Home Edition." If you are a Mac user, Lexcycle provides Stanza for Mac or Windows operating systems.
Compatibility
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Kindle 2 and later versions can all display PDF files in their original formatting. Changing to landscape display via the "Aa" text-size button may improve readability. The Kindle 1 does not have PDF display capabilities, so PDF files require conversion before use. PDF files with certain types of digital rights management (DRM) restrictions may not allow viewing on the Kindle, or conversion to the Kindle e-book format. Mobipocket files purchased from a store cannot be opened on the Kindle, as it is only able to recognize unprotected Mobipocket files.
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