PDF -> MOBI Hangs at "Converting file to html..."

[JohnTRN]

.I've read the Sticky here and the FAQ's on Calibre - Convert PDF documents and don't have a handle on the problem I'm experiencing. So, here's the info I can provide:

Older Dell GX280 w/Celeron 2.53 GHz and 1.74 GB RAM
Windows XP SP 3
Calibre 0.9.9

I understand that "To re-iterate PDF is a really, really bad format to use as input." I have not been able to find the article in any other format. I'm attempting to convert PDF to MOBI: Introduction to Organic Gardening.

• I can open the PDF in Calibre, read and copy individual letters/words/paragraphs/etc.
• The layout seems to be very simple index, pages and paragraphs
• There are no images
• It is not double column
• I'm not worried about page numbering

I DID just notice there are some tables pgs 26-29 . . .

And, that's all I know!

John

After, currently, 155m, Progress is still at 1%. I let it run overnight once and never got any further. Have had a similar experience with a couple other PDF files. Would really appreciate any suggestions that would let this convert.

Job Details:

Convert book 1 of 1 (ORGANIC GARDENING)
Resolved conversion options
calibre version: 0.9.9
{'asciiize': False,
'author_sort': None,
'authors': None,
'base_font_size': 0.0,
'book_producer': None,
'change_justification': u'original',
'chapter': u"//*[((name()='h1' or name()='h2') and re:test(., '\\s*((chapter|book|section|part)\\s+)|((prolog|pr ologue|epilogue)(\\s+|$))', 'i')) or @class = 'chapter']",
'chapter_mark': u'pagebreak',
'comments': None,
'cover': u'C:\\DOCUME~1\\User\\LOCALS~1\\Temp\\calibre_0.9. 9_tmp_zaqgwy\\zedu51.jpeg',
'debug_pipeline': None,
'dehyphenate': True,
'delete_blank_paragraphs': True,
'disable_font_rescaling': False,
'dont_compress': False,
'duplicate_links_in_toc': False,
'embed_font_family': None,
'enable_heuristics': False,
'extra_css': None,
'extract_to': None,
'filter_css': u'',
'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 0x033FB070>,
'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,
'mobi_file_type': u'old',
'mobi_ignore_margins': False,
'mobi_keep_original_images': False,
'mobi_toc_at_start': False,
'new_pdf_engine': False,
'no_chapters_in_toc': False,
'no_images': False,
'no_inline_navbars': False,
'no_inline_toc': False,
'output_profile': <calibre.customize.profiles.TabletOutput object at 0x033FB5B0>,
'page_breaks_before': u"//*[name()='h1' or name()='h2']",
'personal_doc': None,
'prefer_author_sort': False,
'prefer_metadata_cover': False,
'pretty_print': False,
'pubdate': None,
'publisher': None,
'rating': None,
'read_metadata_from_opf': u'C:\\DOCUME~1\\User\\LOCALS~1\\Temp\\calibre_0.9. 9_tmp_zaqgwy\\2uriy8.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': u'',
'search_replace': '[]',
'series': None,
'series_index': None,
'share_not_sync': False,
'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,
'unsmarten_punctuation': False,
'unwrap_factor': 0.45,
'unwrap_lines': True,
'use_auto_toc': False,
'verbose': 2}
InputFormatPlugin: PDF Input running
on C:\DOCUME~1\User\LOCALS~1\Temp\calibre_0.9.9_tmp_z aqgwy\vdsrqs.pdf
Converting file to html...

[BetterRed]

@JohnTRN

I was able to convert the PDF to a PRC using the Windows program MobiCreator, then I converted the PRC to EPUB and MOBI with Calibre - which I've attached

The results aren't great, eg the Compost Recipe tables didn't convert too well, but the TOC works - although its wide, so you'll probably want to 'fix' it

Good luck with the garden

BR

[PeterT]

I'd also done a PDF to Word conversion using Nitro PDF Pro and sent John the output. He seemed pleased with the outcome.

[JohnTRN]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

@JohnTRN

I was able to convert the PDF to a PRC using the Windows program MobiCreator, then I converted the PRC to EPUB and MOBI with Calibre - which I've attached

The results aren't great, eg the Compost Recipe tables didn't convert too well, but the TOC works - although its wide, so you'll probably want to 'fix' it

Good luck with the garden

BR

Thanks BetterRed, I appreciate the efforts of you and PeterT. I didn't think of trying anything beside Calibre to convert . . . not sure I have any other conversion software. Appreciate the assistance!

Calibre is STILL a great program!

John