MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - What files to transfer for a clean library?

ficbot · 08-09-2016, 11:57 AM

I have been getting some error messages ever since I moved my library onto a new computer. I store its folder in Dropbox and the switch from Mac to PC generated some junk files. Also, it seems there were some duplicate folders, and folders in the wrong places. I want to make a clean start and get my library back to optimal shape. Here is what I have done so far:

1) I copied the whole Calibre library folder so I had a working copy without touching the original. I am going through it now and deleting the junk files, empty folders, duplicate folders and books I wish to archive.

2) I am leaving intact each book's folder. So, epub file, Kindle file if I had one, metadata file and cover jpg all untouched.

3) When I finish, I plan to set up a new Calibre library with 'I already have a folder where it is' and using the new folder's location. Then I will delete the old library.

What I am not sure about is whether the book metadata files are enough to preserve my custom fields, star ratings and so on or whether I could copy the three metadata files which are in the main 'Calibre Library' folder too: metadata (database file), metadata (OPF document) and metadata_db_prefs_backup.

Advice?

08-09-2016, 11:57 AM	#1
ficbot Wizard Posts: 2,409 Karma: 4132096 Join Date: Sep 2008 Device: Kindle Paperwhite/iOS Kindle App	What files to transfer for a clean library? I have been getting some error messages ever since I moved my library onto a new computer. I store its folder in Dropbox and the switch from Mac to PC generated some junk files. Also, it seems there were some duplicate folders, and folders in the wrong places. I want to make a clean start and get my library back to optimal shape. Here is what I have done so far: 1) I copied the whole Calibre library folder so I had a working copy without touching the original. I am going through it now and deleting the junk files, empty folders, duplicate folders and books I wish to archive. 2) I am leaving intact each book's folder. So, epub file, Kindle file if I had one, metadata file and cover jpg all untouched. 3) When I finish, I plan to set up a new Calibre library with 'I already have a folder where it is' and using the new folder's location. Then I will delete the old library. What I am not sure about is whether the book metadata files are enough to preserve my custom fields, star ratings and so on or whether I could copy the three metadata files which are in the main 'Calibre Library' folder too: metadata (database file), metadata (OPF document) and metadata_db_prefs_backup. Advice?