migrate to new computer

[mark_e_h]

I'm going to move from an older Windows 7 computer, to a new Windows 10 computer.
Calibre library is on on Dropbox.

- Do I need to export the database (all 2000+ books) since they will stay in the same Dropbox location??

- How do I move other preferences, plugins over. I would like to avoid re-installing all of them.

I'm sure this isn't a new question. Can someone point me to some directions??

thnx,

[BetterRed]

How do I move my calibre data from one computer to another?

BR

[mark_e_h]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

How do I move my calibre data from one computer to another?

BR

I saw this. But I think the Export includes ALL 2000+ books - a huge file - approx 7.5 GB.
This would be a big project (already migrating systems is a too big project), and since books would end up at the same place they started - on Dropbox - I would like to avoid this step.

Meaning I would like to move only that Calibre information the I need to.

Is there a way to do that??

thnx,

.

[theducks]

Originally Posted by mark_e_h

I saw this. But I think the Export includes ALL 2000+ books - a huge file - approx 7.5 GB.
This would be a big project (already migrating systems is a too big project), and since books would end up at the same place they started - on Dropbox - I would like to avoid this step.

Meaning I would like to move only that Calibre information the I need to.

Is there a way to do that??

thnx,

.

7.5 is a tiny Library. (my Export archive runs ~15G )
Just 'mount' the drive on your new system from the old on. Run the Library export utility to that drive. Go get a snack/meal while that runs.

FWIW IIRC I used the Windows tool to copy configurations from XP to W7

[BetterRed]

IIRC you get to choose which libraries are exported/imported and you can choose whether or not to export/import the configuration folder.

Try it for yourself with a local test library - I assume you have backups, if not see ==>> How do I backup calibre?

And ==>> I am getting errors with my calibre library on a networked drive/NAS?

If you [. . .] use a file syncing tool like DropBox or rsync instead of a networked drive [. . . ] it is essential that you make sure that both calibre and the file syncing tool do not try to access the calibre library at the same time.

BR

[koland]

Originally Posted by mark_e_h

I'm going to move from an older Windows 7 computer, to a new Windows 10 computer.
Calibre library is on on Dropbox.

- Do I need to export the database (all 2000+ books) since they will stay in the same Dropbox location??

- How do I move other preferences, plugins over. I would like to avoid re-installing all of them.

I'm sure this isn't a new question. Can someone point me to some directions??

thnx,

It is all in dropbox, including the EXE, right? That is essentially same setup as putting it on a USB drive (which I do for one main db; another is set up locally).

In the case of dropbox (or google drive or onedrive) or a USB drive, all you have to do is sync on the new computer (or mount the USB stick), then create a shortcut to the EXE (I don't bother with that on the USB stick, just open in explorer). When you start the EXE, it automatically knows that its libraries live underneath its relative location.

[PeterT]

When will people learn that storing calibre libraries on cloud services is RISKY

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

[theducks]

Originally Posted by PeterT

When will people learn that storing calibre libraries on cloud services is RISKY

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

Only after they have a melt down

[ilovejedd]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

IIRC you get to choose which libraries are exported/imported and you can choose whether or not to export/import the configuration folder.

Just out of curiosity, is it possible to export just the settings with no libraries? I use Calibre Portable and the import/export option is blocked there.

Copying the Calibre Portable folder is sufficient when switching from Windows to Windows. Simply copying the config folder likely wouldn't work for Windows to *nix.

[theducks]

Originally Posted by ilovejedd

Just out of curiosity, is it possible to export just the settings with no libraries? I use Calibre Portable and the import/export option is blocked there.

Copying the Calibre Portable folder is sufficient when switching from Windows to Windows. Simply copying the config folder likely wouldn't work for Windows to *nix.

it appears to be Yes, just deselect the Libraries
UPDATE
WARNING: It seem this wiped out all my plugins and device settings and just left a basic Calibre that still knew about ALL my libraries

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by ilovejedd

Just out of curiosity, is it possible to export just the settings with no libraries? I use Calibre Portable and the import/export option is blocked there.

Copying the Calibre Portable folder is sufficient when switching from Windows to Windows. Simply copying the config folder likely wouldn't work for Windows to *nix.

IIRC you have to Export one library at least, so to transfer config only, create an empty Library (e.g. TempLib) and copy that.

And when you do the Import make sure the current config is fresh, if you try to import a heavily customised config over the top of an in-use heavily customised config you can run into permission problems because the currently running calibre might be using a resource the Import is trying to write to. This might be Windows only - because that's where I ran into it.

Added : you can Export/Import via the calibre-debug CLI program, I've not tried it... because I just discovered it

BR

[stumped]

Originally Posted by PeterT

When will people learn that storing calibre libraries on cloud services is RISKY

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

if it is a paid for cloud service, with comprehensive rollback and recovery of old files, then not so risky.... if the library goes tits up, you can just restore it.

personally, I'd keep a separate local copy also. if there's an internet outage then bye bye dropbox, bye bye calibre...

PS with free dropbox , linking a new device will now trigger the unpleasant 3 devices limit, as soon as you try to add dropbox to that new pc . google it

[ilovejedd]

Originally Posted by stumped

PS with free dropbox , linking a new device will now trigger the unpleasant 3 devices limit, as soon as you try to add dropbox to that new pc . google it

Well that sucks. I have a paid plan for myself but I think it's unreasonable to spend $500 per year to get one for everybody in the household.

Our family share plan with iCloud only costs $3/mo for 200GB, iirc, and their 2TB is $10/mo.

Dropbox will probably have better luck getting more paid subscribers by offering more affordable plans. Something like $2-5/mo for individual 50-100GB and $15-20/mo for 1-2TB family. Even at those prices, they would still cost much more than Google, Apple and Microsoft offerings.

Originally Posted by stumped

personally, I'd keep a separate local copy also. if there's an internet outage then bye bye dropbox, bye bye calibre...

Not really. Free/old Dropbox just syncs the files so there's already a local copy on the PC. An internet outage is really not that different from disconnecting Dropbox while working on Calibre then reconnecting afterwards. Mind, I do keep versioned backups of Dropbox on my NAS.

[theducks]

Why not run your own family 'Cloud' service on your NAS and not worry about 'user counts'?
Use Dropbox for your off-site backup.

For lurkers: Off-site is important in case of fire or flood... things that would total your home/business copy.

[ilovejedd]

Originally Posted by theducks

Why not run your own family 'Cloud' service on your NAS and not worry about 'user counts'?
Use Dropbox for your off-site backup.

For lurkers: Off-site is important in case of fire or flood... things that would total your home/business copy.

Uptime, bandwidth (we get a measly 5Mbps up) and third party/mobile app support.

Besides, I don't want my NAS to be internet facing.

If I were going the DIY route, I'd probably use something like ownCloud hosted on AWS.