Backing up calibre - what does it save?

[book64]

If my PC needs to be reformatted ( as it freezes a lot on starting ) ... What is saved in my backed up to external calibre folder?
Only I am slowly figuring out columns and genres. Its taking me ages and I should hate to lose them!
Its bad enough in picasa where I lose all my thumbnails

[Adoby]

Columns and genres are saved. I think some gui-settings and preferences may not be saved. Also plugboard and save templates are not saved.

But if you like to you could easily save all that as well.

Read more here: http://manual.calibre-ebook.com/faq....o-i-backup-app

[Apache]

Why don't you clone your current drive to the new drive?
Apache

[theducks]

Originally Posted by book64

If my PC needs to be reformatted ( as it freezes a lot on starting ) ... What is saved in my backed up to external calibre folder?
Only I am slowly figuring out columns and genres. Its taking me ages and I should hate to lose them!
Its bad enough in picasa where I lose all my thumbnails

2 Places in their entirety (Single Library )

1) The entire Library folder (the one that contains Metadata.db)

2) the Calibre Configuration Folder (to find: Preference: Miscel...: click the button at the bottom)

That is it:


When you get you new
I like to Install Calibre first (Just accept the generic stuff, it will be replaced)
Locate where the New Configuration directory is (may change due to OS or Username changes)
Quit Calibre fully (Ctrl-Q)
system up:

(Replace if your original used the default name) Place the OLD Library FOLDER.
Start Calibre: don't panic: If the Library path has changed, you need to point Calibre at the new location. Right click The Library Icon: Create/Switch: Use Existing: <browse to location>

That does it

[book64]

Originally Posted by Adoby

Columns and genres are saved. I think some gui-settings and preferences may not be saved. Also plugboard and save templates are not saved.

But if you like to you could easily save all that as well.

Read more here: http://manual.calibre-ebook.com/faq....o-i-backup-app

Thanks But dont understand that

[book64]

Originally Posted by Apache

Why don't you clone your current drive to the new drive?
Apache

Thanks But dont understand that

[book64]

Originally Posted by theducks

2 Places in their entirety (Single Library )

1) The entire Library folder (the one that contains Metadata.db)

2) the Calibre Configuration Folder (to find: Preference: Miscel...: click the button at the bottom)

That is it:


When you get you new
I like to Install Calibre first (Just accept the generic stuff, it will be replaced)
Locate where the New Configuration directory is (may change due to OS or Username changes)
Quit Calibre fully (Ctrl-Q)
system up:

(Replace if your original used the default name) Place the OLD Library FOLDER.
Start Calibre: don't panic: If the Library path has changed, you need to point Calibre at the new location. Right click The Library Icon: Create/Switch: Use Existing: <browse to location>

That does it

Hello Yes it's me you are helping again lol
You make it seem so simple

Is it "Open Calibre Configuration Directory" I click on?
This brings up Appdata roamng calibre?
Do I save that folder?

Also "Locate where the New Configuration directory is" ... then what do I do?

[theducks]

Originally Posted by book64

Hello Yes it's me you are helping again lol
You make it seem so simple

Is it "Open Calibre Configuration Directory" I click on?
This brings up Appdata roamng calibre?
Do I save that folder?

Also "Locate where the New Configuration directory is" ... then what do I do?

Yes the FOLDER (you are currently Inside that folder) Use the Up folder arrow on the Explorer toolbar .


On the New system, you are going to REPLACE the folder (Aagin, go Up so you see the FOLDER, delete it and copy the saved one there (replaces,you don't want to merge or you may get conflicts)

[book64]

Originally Posted by theducks

Yes the FOLDER (you are currently Inside that folder) Use the Up folder arrow on the Explorer toolbar .


On the New system, you are going to REPLACE the folder (Aagin, go Up so you see the FOLDER, delete it and copy the saved one there (replaces,you don't want to merge or you may get conflicts)

Thanks very much

Now if only I could do that with Picasa

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by book64

If my PC needs to be reformatted ( as it freezes a lot on starting ) ... What is saved in my backed up to external calibre folder?
Only I am slowly figuring out columns and genres. Its taking me ages and I should hate to lose them!
Its bad enough in picasa where I lose all my thumbnails

Which OS are you using?

If it is Windows XP, you can do a repair install or upgrade to Windows 7.

If it's Windows 7, you can edit the registry to tell Windows that it is an earlier version and then do an upgrade. Look via Google and you'll find out how to do that. Look for downgrading Windows 7 Ultimate.

If it is Windows Vista, upgrade to Windows 7.

I cannot say that this will definitely work, but it is something to try after you've backup what you need to backup as if you were starting over.

[Apache]

Originally Posted by book64

Thanks But dont understand that

If you are replacing your existing drive with another you can clone the old drive onto the new drive. this makes an exact copy of the old drive. this saves you from having to reinstall all of your software, including the OS.
Apache

[theducks]

Originally Posted by Apache

If you are replacing your existing drive with another you can clone the old drive onto the new drive. this makes an exact copy of the old drive. this saves you from having to reinstall all of your software, including the OS.
Apache

The original reason was to reformat: (We will assume that) Windows has become damaged (Malware/Virus/bad luck). Cloning preserves the damage. Cloning is good for saving a 'about to fail, but has not...yet) drive. It is also used to put testbed systems back to a know state after an experiment went south.

[exaltedwombat]

Originally Posted by Apache

If you are replacing your existing drive with another you can clone the old drive onto the new drive. this makes an exact copy of the old drive. this saves you from having to reinstall all of your software, including the OS.
Apache

That's fine if the problem was elderly hardware. But if it was with the software installation, you'll be preserving the problem.

Install a NEW hard drive in your computer. Retain the old drive alongside it - mounted internally if a desktop, in a USB enclosure if a laptop. Install a fresh operating system. Reinstall your programs. Copy across all data.

But don't you have all your data backed up somewhere already?