Quote:
Originally Posted by kovidgoyal
Backup your metadata.db file, then use the calibre restore library option (right click the calibre icon, then library maintenance->restore library) this will rebuild the db from the book files and metadata backups.
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Kovid (and PChrist),
I followed the instructions. The initial attempt failed. While STILL in the calibre session that went awry, I ran my backup batchfile (which copies the metadata.db to a cascading set of backups (i.e. metadata.db1, metadata.db2 ... thru metadata.db7). Then I ran the restore library and it froze at the first step after 2 per cent. I finally closed it externally when it was obvious the not 'responding' message wasn't going away.
I then re-ran the batch file to create another cascading backup. I re-started calibre and ran the restore library. Once it got past the 2 per cent mark, I went off to supper. It was finished when I got back, but there were issues. A bunch of issues as it turns out. But they were largely in earlier versions of articles and I finally decided I could do without the earlier revisions and opted to just close out the log and be done with the recovery process.
Unfortunately, a series of issues/nits DID arise after the recovery. My column order was defaulted back to the original calibre layout. I lost my plugin board for saving to the Kindle. And the colouring rules were gone. I'm not sure, but I think I USED to have only the current in-use extra columns I created AND that showed up in the details view area, but after the repair, all of the fields show up in the one-screen editor. Not a major issue, but I'd like to get back to the sparser editing screen if there is a setting I missed re-setting during this whole process.
Having documented my plug-in board, restoring that was no issue and I put in a bunch of new colour rules that were just a bit smarter this time around. So I gained something through all of this. (Did fail in trying to create a rule for Size > 0.3 to indicate short stories and small articles, but that's a different question for a different forum here)
And I made a complete backup of the WHOLE system before going about deleting the un-needed formats, CORRECTLY, this time around. Then I zipped up the library onto DVDs. The pruning represented almost a seven percent savings in space from the last external backup and I had added some 400 books and articles in the meantime.
Thanks to both of you for helping this addled user get around this bit of un-needed holiday stress.
Best of the season to you and yours, Happy Holidays!!
GM