DeDRM issue, cannot remove DRM from ADE 4.5.12.112, DeDRM 7.2.1, Calibre 9.4.0

[agentcooper000]

Downloaded an IT textbook (HPE) but the DeDRM plugin will not remove the DRM (using latest Calibre Portable)

Any help would be appreciated as I'm not sure what the issue is, though the primary issue seems to be related to this statement:
DeDRM v7.2.1: “HPE ASE - Compute Solutions Second Edition_PE28482_20458.epub” is neither an Adobe Adept nor a Barnes & Noble encrypted ePub

The full log is:
ApplicationPaletteChange event ignored
Using calibre Qt style: True
ApplicationPaletteChange event received
calibre Debug log
calibre 9.4 Portable embedded-python: True
Windows-11-10.0.22631-SP0 Windows ('64bit', 'WindowsPE')
('Windows', '11', '10.0.22631')
Python 3.14.2
Windows: ('11', '10.0.22631', 'SP0', 'Multiprocessor Free')
Interface language: None
EXE path: C:\Calibre Portable\Calibre Portable\Calibre\calibre-debug.exe
Successfully initialized third party plugins: DeDRM (7, 2, 1)
calibre 9.4 Portable embedded-python: True
Windows-11-10.0.22631-SP0 Windows ('64bit', 'WindowsPE')
('Windows', '11', '10.0.22631')
Python 3.14.2
Windows: ('11', '10.0.22631', 'SP0', 'Multiprocessor Free')
Interface language: None
EXE path: C:\Calibre Portable\Calibre Portable\Calibre\calibre-debug.exe
Successfully initialized third party plugins: DeDRM (7, 2, 1)
QPA platform: windows
devicePixelRatio: 1.0
logicalDpi: 96.0 x 96.0
physicalDpi: 108.91792294807368 x 108.85714285714285
[0.00] Starting up...
[0.00] Showing splash screen...
[1.24] splash screen shown
[1.25] Initializing db...
[1.26] db initialized
[1.26] Constructing main UI...
[1.61] GUI main window shown
[1.75] main UI initialized...
[1.75] Hiding splash screen
[1.76] splash screen hidden
[1.76] Started up in 1.76 seconds with 4 books
DeDRM v7.2.1: Trying to decrypt HPE ASE - Compute Solutions Second Edition_PE28482_20458.epub
DeDRM v7.2.1: Verifying zip archive integrity
DeDRM v7.2.1: “HPE ASE - Compute Solutions Second Edition_PE28482_20458.epub” is neither an Adobe Adept nor a Barnes & Noble encrypted ePub
Running file type plugin DeDRM failed with traceback:
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "calibre\customize\ui.py", line 236, in _run_filetype_plugins
File "calibre_plugins.dedrm.init", line 644, in run
File "calibre_plugins.dedrm.init", line 420, in ePubDecrypt
calibre_plugins.dedrm.DeDRMError: DeDRM v7.2.1: Couldn't decrypt after 0.3 seconds. DRM free perhaps?
stdout+stderr from file dialog helper: [b'', b'']
piped data from file dialog helper: [b'j^<\xd3X\xbc\x9f\x8d\xc0\x1e\x1a\x13\x9f\x06\xca!\xc3\x9a\n\x85c}B\xe2\x02[\xbahFoe\x91', b'C:\Users\scotjohn\Downloads\HPE ASE - Compute Solutions Second Edition_PE28482_20458.epub']
Added HPE ASE - Compute Solutions Second Edition_PE28482_20458 to db in: 0.2
Added 1 books in 0.9 seconds
Failed to count pages in book: 6 EPUB because it is DRM locked
Worker Launch took: 0.01 seconds
[121.93] Shutdown starting...
[121.95] Shutdown message shown...
[121.95] Grid view shutdown
[121.95] Bookshelf view shutdown
[121.95] Actions shutdown
[122.16] Various services shutdown
[122.16] Metadata backup shutdown
[122.30] Current database closed
[122.32] Windows hidden
[122.36] Waiting for overseers, mdns, and live to shutdown
[122.36] Waiting for device manager to shutdown
[122.36] Shutdown complete in 0.43, quitting...

[ElleKayEm]

Try DeDRM 10.0.9: https://github.com/noDRM/DeDRM_tools/releases/tag/v10.0.9

[ElleKayEm]

Post a debug log of adding the book to calibre and we can see if that gives us any clue.

[vicru]

Thx! Below, the debug log when calibre fails to convert a DRM-PDF i.e. remove the DRM from it. When I try to remove the DRM from an .epub, Calibre doesn´t give me the option to show the debug log, instead I get the dialog window saying that the file is drm protected (I get the debug log show option only then handling PDFs).
btw, I replaced the real username with a syntetic one in the log.

`calibre, version 9.13.0 (win32, embedded-python: True)
Conversion error: Failed: Convert book 1 of 1 (Handbuch)

Convert book 1 of 1 (Handbuch korrekt und stilsicher schreiben)
DeDRM v10.0.9: Trying to decrypt 5d97fq17.pdf
DeDRM v10.0.9: 5d97fq17.pdf is a PDF ebook with encryption EBX_HANDLER
DeDRM v10.0.9: 5d97fq17.pdf is a PDF ebook (EBX) for UUID e6ad8f10-64f9-4489-83a2-e4b905cb4b10
DeDRM v10.0.9: Trying encryption key default_key
ebx_V is 4 and ebx_type is 6
length is 16 and len(bookkey) is 0
DeDRM v10.0.9: Exception when decrypting after 0.4 seconds
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "calibre_plugins.dedrm.init", line 698, in PDFIneptDecrypt
File "C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\calibre\plugins\DeDRM.zip\ineptpdf.py", line 2324, in decryptBook
File "C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\calibre\plugins\DeDRM.zip\ineptpdf.py", line 2118, in init
File "C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\calibre\plugins\DeDRM.zip\ineptpdf.py", line 1245, in initialize
File "C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\calibre\plugins\DeDRM.zip\ineptpdf.py", line 1715, in initialize_ebx_inept
ineptpdf.ADEPTError: error decrypting book session key - mismatched length
DeDRM v10.0.9: Failed to decrypt with key default_key after 0.4 seconds
DeDRM v10.0.9: Trying encryption key default_key2
ebx_V is 4 and ebx_type is 6
length is 16 and len(bookkey) is 0
DeDRM v10.0.9: Exception when decrypting after 0.4 seconds
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "calibre_plugins.dedrm.init", line 698, in PDFIneptDecrypt
File "C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\calibre\plugins\DeDRM.zip\ineptpdf.py", line 2324, in decryptBook
File "C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\calibre\plugins\DeDRM.zip\ineptpdf.py", line 2118, in init
File "C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\calibre\plugins\DeDRM.zip\ineptpdf.py", line 1245, in initialize
File "C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\calibre\plugins\DeDRM.zip\ineptpdf.py", line 1715, in initialize_ebx_inept
ineptpdf.ADEPTError: error decrypting book session key - mismatched length
DeDRM v10.0.9: Failed to decrypt with key default_key2 after 0.4 seconds
DeDRM v10.0.9: Trying encryption key default_key_2
ebx_V is 4 and ebx_type is 6
length is 16 and len(bookkey) is 0
DeDRM v10.0.9: Exception when decrypting after 0.5 seconds
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "calibre_plugins.dedrm.init", line 698, in PDFIneptDecrypt
File "C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\calibre\plugins\DeDRM.zip\ineptpdf.py", line 2324, in decryptBook
File "C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\calibre\plugins\DeDRM.zip\ineptpdf.py", line 2118, in init
File "C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\calibre\plugins\DeDRM.zip\ineptpdf.py", line 1245, in initialize
File "C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\calibre\plugins\DeDRM.zip\ineptpdf.py", line 1715, in initialize_ebx_inept
ineptpdf.ADEPTError: error decrypting book session key - mismatched length
DeDRM v10.0.9: Failed to decrypt with key default_key_2 after 0.5 seconds
DeDRM v10.0.9: Looking for new default Adobe Digital Editions Keys after 0.5 seconds
DeDRM v10.0.9: Exception when getting default Adobe Key after 0.5 seconds
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "calibre_plugins.dedrm.init", line 727, in PDFIneptDecrypt
File "C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\calibre\plugins\DeDRM.zip\adobekey.py", line 293, in adeptkeys
File "C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\calibre\plugins\DeDRM.zip\adobekey.py", line 273, in CryptUnprotectData
adobekey.ADEPTError: Failed to decrypt user key key (sic)
DeDRM v10.0.9: Finished after 0.6 seconds
Conversion options changed from defaults:
output_profile: 'kindle'
read_metadata_from_opf: 'C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Temp\calibre-aj3ip2wh\z15iwm2_.opf'
pdf_mono_family: 'Courier New'
verbose: 2
pdf_footer_regex: None
pdf_serif_family: 'Tahoma'
pdf_header_regex: None
pdf_sans_family: 'Tahoma'
Resolved conversion options
calibre version: 9.13.0
{'add_alt_text_to_img': False,
'asciiize': False,
'author_sort': None,
'authors': None,
'base_font_size': 0.0,
'book_producer': None,
'change_justification': 'original',
'chapter': "//[((name()='h1' or name()='h2') and re:test(., "
"'\s((chapter|book|section|part)\s+)|((prolog|prologue|epilogue)(\s+|$))', "
"'i')) or @Class = 'chapter']",
'chapter_mark': 'pagebreak',
'comments': None,
'cover': None,
'custom_size': None,
'debug_pipeline': None,
'dehyphenate': True,
'delete_blank_paragraphs': True,
'disable_font_rescaling': False,
'duplicate_links_in_toc': False,
'embed_all_fonts': False,
'embed_font_family': None,
'enable_heuristics': False,
'expand_css': False,
'extra_css': None,
'filter_css': '',
'fix_indents': True,
'font_size_mapping': None,
'format_scene_breaks': True,
'html_unwrap_factor': 0.4,
'input_encoding': None,
'input_profile': <calibre.customize.profiles.InputProfile object at 0x000001F571281400>,
'insert_blank_line': False,
'insert_blank_line_size': 0.5,
'insert_metadata': False,
'isbn': None,
'italicize_common_cases': True,
'keep_ligatures': False,
'language': None,
'level1_toc': None,
'level2_toc': None,
'level3_toc': None,
'line_height': 0.0,
'linearize_tables': False,
'margin_bottom': 5.0,
'margin_left': 5.0,
'margin_right': 5.0,
'margin_top': 5.0,
'markup_chapter_headings': True,
'max_toc_links': 50,
'minimum_line_height': 120.0,
'no_chapters_in_toc': False,
'no_images': False,
'no_inline_navbars': False,
'output_profile': <calibre.customize.profiles.KindleOutput object at 0x000001F571283770>,
'page_breaks_before': "//*[name()='h1' or name()='h2']",
'paper_size': 'letter',
'pdf_add_toc': False,
'pdf_default_font_size': 20,
'pdf_engine': 'calibre',
'pdf_footer_regex': None,
'pdf_footer_skip': -1,
'pdf_footer_template': None,
'pdf_header_regex': None,
'pdf_header_skip': -1,
'pdf_header_template': None,
'pdf_hyphenate': False,
'pdf_mark_links': False,
'pdf_mono_family': 'Courier New',
'pdf_mono_font_size': 16,
'pdf_no_cover': False,
'pdf_odd_even_offset': 0.0,
'pdf_page_margin_bottom': 72.0,
'pdf_page_margin_left': 72.0,
'pdf_page_margin_right': 72.0,
'pdf_page_margin_top': 72.0,
'pdf_page_number_map': None,
'pdf_page_numbers': False,
'pdf_sans_family': 'Tahoma',
'pdf_serif_family': 'Tahoma',
'pdf_standard_font': 'serif',
'pdf_use_document_margins': False,
'prefer_metadata_cover': False,
'preserve_cover_aspect_ratio': False,
'pretty_print': False,
'pubdate': None,
'publisher': None,
'rating': None,
'read_metadata_from_opf': 'C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Temp\calibre-aj3ip2wh\z15iwm2_.opf',
'remove_fake_margins': True,
'remove_first_image': False,
'remove_paragraph_spacing': False,
'remove_paragraph_spacing_indent_size': 1.5,
'renumber_headings': True,
'replace_scene_breaks': '',
'search_replace': '[]',
'series': None,
'series_index': None,
'smarten_punctuation': False,
'sr1_replace': None,
'sr1_search': None,
'sr2_replace': None,
'sr2_search': None,
'sr3_replace': None,
'sr3_search': None,
'start_reading_at': None,
'subset_embedded_fonts': False,
'tags': None,
'timestamp': None,
'title': None,
'title_sort': None,
'toc_filter': None,
'toc_threshold': 6,
'toc_title': None,
'transform_css_rules': '[]',
'transform_html_rules': '[]',
'uncompressed_pdf': False,
'unit': 'inch',
'unsmarten_punctuation': False,
'unwrap_factor': 0.45,
'unwrap_lines': True,
'use_auto_toc': False,
'use_profile_size': False,
'verbose': 2}
DeDRM v10.0.9: Trying to decrypt 5d97fq17.pdf
DeDRM v10.0.9: 5d97fq17.pdf is a PDF ebook with encryption EBX_HANDLER
DeDRM v10.0.9: 5d97fq17.pdf is a PDF ebook (EBX) for UUID e6ad8f10-64f9-4489-83a2-e4b905cb4b10
DeDRM v10.0.9: Trying encryption key default_key
ebx_V is 4 and ebx_type is 6
length is 16 and len(bookkey) is 0
DeDRM v10.0.9: Exception when decrypting after 0.3 seconds
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "calibre_plugins.dedrm.init", line 698, in PDFIneptDecrypt
File "C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\calibre\plugins\DeDRM.zip\ineptpdf.py", line 2324, in decryptBook
File "C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\calibre\plugins\DeDRM.zip\ineptpdf.py", line 2118, in init
File "C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\calibre\plugins\DeDRM.zip\ineptpdf.py", line 1245, in initialize
File "C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\calibre\plugins\DeDRM.zip\ineptpdf.py", line 1715, in initialize_ebx_inept
ineptpdf.ADEPTError: error decrypting book session key - mismatched length
DeDRM v10.0.9: Failed to decrypt with key default_key after 0.3 seconds
DeDRM v10.0.9: Trying encryption key default_key2
ebx_V is 4 and ebx_type is 6
length is 16 and len(bookkey) is 0
DeDRM v10.0.9: Exception when decrypting after 0.4 seconds
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "calibre_plugins.dedrm.init", line 698, in PDFIneptDecrypt
File "C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\calibre\plugins\DeDRM.zip\ineptpdf.py", line 2324, in decryptBook
File "C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\calibre\plugins\DeDRM.zip\ineptpdf.py", line 2118, in init
File "C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\calibre\plugins\DeDRM.zip\ineptpdf.py", line 1245, in initialize
File "C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\calibre\plugins\DeDRM.zip\ineptpdf.py", line 1715, in initialize_ebx_inept
ineptpdf.ADEPTError: error decrypting book session key - mismatched length
DeDRM v10.0.9: Failed to decrypt with key default_key2 after 0.4 seconds
DeDRM v10.0.9: Trying encryption key default_key_2
ebx_V is 4 and ebx_type is 6
length is 16 and len(bookkey) is 0
DeDRM v10.0.9: Exception when decrypting after 0.4 seconds
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "calibre_plugins.dedrm.init", line 698, in PDFIneptDecrypt
File "C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\calibre\plugins\DeDRM.zip\ineptpdf.py", line 2324, in decryptBook
File "C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\calibre\plugins\DeDRM.zip\ineptpdf.py", line 2118, in init
File "C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\calibre\plugins\DeDRM.zip\ineptpdf.py", line 1245, in initialize
File "C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\calibre\plugins\DeDRM.zip\ineptpdf.py", line 1715, in initialize_ebx_inept
ineptpdf.ADEPTError: error decrypting book session key - mismatched length
DeDRM v10.0.9: Failed to decrypt with key default_key_2 after 0.4 seconds
DeDRM v10.0.9: Looking for new default Adobe Digital Editions Keys after 0.4 seconds
DeDRM v10.0.9: Exception when getting default Adobe Key after 0.4 seconds
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "calibre_plugins.dedrm.init", line 727, in PDFIneptDecrypt
File "C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\calibre\plugins\DeDRM.zip\adobekey.py", line 293, in adeptkeys
File "C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\calibre\plugins\DeDRM.zip\adobekey.py", line 273, in CryptUnprotectData
adobekey.ADEPTError: Failed to decrypt user key key (sic)
DeDRM v10.0.9: Finished after 0.4 seconds
InputFormatPlugin: PDF Input running
on C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Temp\calibre-aj3ip2wh\5d97fq17.pdf
Converting file to html...
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "runpy.py", line 203, in _run_module_as_main
File "runpy.py", line 88, in _run_code
File "site.py", line 83, in
File "site.py", line 78, in main
File "site.py", line 50, in run_entry_point
File "calibre\utils\ipc\worker.py", line 185, in main
File "calibre\gui2\convert\gui_conversion.py", line 61, in gui_convert_override
File "calibre\gui2\convert\gui_conversion.py", line 36, in gui_convert
File "calibre\ebooks\conversion\plumber.py", line 1258, in run
File "calibre\customize\conversion.py", line 242, in call
File "calibre\ebooks\conversion\plugins\pdf_input.py", line 87, in convert
File "calibre\ebooks\pdf\pdftohtml.py", line 75, in pdftohtml
calibre.ebooks.ConversionError: pdftohtml failed with return code: 1
Syntax Error: Couldn't find the 'EBX_HANDLER' security handler
[2528:14888:1021/150922.905:ERROR:direct_composition_support.cc(1122)] QueryInterface to IDCompositionDevice4 failed: Schnittstelle nicht unterstützt (0x80004002)

`

[ElleKayEm]

Here's how to get a log of adding a book:
https://github.com/Satsuoni/DeDRM_tools/blob/master/FAQs.md#i-cannot-solve-my-problem-with-the-dedrm-plugin-and-now-i-need-to-post-a-log-how-do-i-do-that

Try deleting any saved Adobe keys from DeDRM's customization and restarting calibre. Then re-add a book letting DeDRM automatically retrieve the key.

[vicru]

Thx. Just deleted the (3) saved Adobe keys from the DeDRM's customization. Restarted calibre and checked again DeDRM's customization. The above-mentioned 3 keys were there again. Added a DRM-epub and got the same dialog window saying that the file is drm protected

[ElleKayEm]

After deleting the keys be sure to click ok and apply on your way back out of the dialog boxes.

[vicru]

Thanks. I just deleted the 3 Adobe keys from DeDRM's customization (correctly this time i.e. clicked okay and apply afterwards), restarted calibre and added a DRM-EPUB, just as you kindly suggested. Just got the same dialog box about the file being DRM-protected. I checked within DeDRM and there were no Adobe keys at all. I thought DeDRM would automatically retrieve a key by adding the above-mentioned EPUB?
I clicked on + symbol within DeDRM in order to retrieve a key, but no key was retrieved/nothing happened.

Shall I import my previous keys (three in total) and post a debug log of the error?

[vicru]

thx. Yes, it is.

[vicru]

I tried to solve the issue with KI (gpt). We coulnd´t find a solution. Bellow, a summary/specs of the issue:

Windows 10
Calibre 9.13.0
DeDRM 10.0.9
Adobe Digital Editions 4.5.12.112

Adobe Digital Editions opens both old and newly downloaded
DRM-protected books successfully.

DeDRM fails to decrypt the Adobe device key.

CryptUnprotectData returns:
Windows error 13 (ERROR_INVALID_DATA).

The problem started after renaming the Windows user account.
The Adobe registry username still contains the original name.

[ElleKayEm]

Hmmm, I wonder if deleting the Adobe registry key and then re-authorizing ADE with with your Bytebooks ID would allow DeDRM to find the key. Although I am slightly leery of your Bytebooks authorization getting messed up and DeDRM still not necessarily working.

[vicru]

Thanks. I Just removed ADE and re-authorized it with my Bytebooks ID. Also uninstalled Calibre and installed it again. Still didn't work out. I noticed, though, that regardless of the uninstalled method (either the official calibre/Windows method or a harder uninstall via Revo Uninstaller), on top of Calibre's interface (between the tabs "removed books" and "saved to disk") there is a tab with the Calibre icon on it with the name of an old backup that I did from a previous computer. I just cannot get rid of it with any uninstall method. However, I don't think that the presence of that icon is the cause of my problem, because that I can was there back then when DeDRM was working. Any thoughts?
By the way, when you wrote "deleting the Adobe registry key" you meant deleting the keys between the DeDRM PlugIn configuration, right?

[ElleKayEm]

No, I meant the Windows registry key for ADE. But again I'm not sure how that would work now that it's Bytebooks.

Instead, you might try downloading the book directly into calibre using the DeACSM (sometimes called ACSM Input) plugin. It's an alternative to using ADE. I haven't looked at it myself because my ADE/Adobe ID setup still works with DeDRM and I'm not messing with that!