Ran Syncbackfree on new laptop - 659MB to be deleted. How come?

Kraftwerk · 10-04-2020, 08:44 AM

Transferred Calibre Library to new laptop using Import/Export all data.

Everything is working fine on new laptop.

As I have added new books lately I decided to run Syncbackfree to duplicate the Calibre Library on my new laptop with the Calibre Library I have on a couple of external hard drives.

When I ran Syncbackfree there was a lot of changes compared to the last time I ran it on my old laptop.

Any idea why there is now 659MB to be deleted from the external hard drive when I've only added a few new books since using Calibre on my new laptop?

I have 4000 books in my Calibre library.

Could it have anything to do with the .opf files?

JSWolf · 10-04-2020, 11:29 AM

If you've changed any of the filenames, that would cause deletions. Changing the author will change the directory tree. Changing the title will change the directory for that book. So then you get the OPF, cover, and any book files in those directories to be deleted.

As for the software you are using to sync, I highly recommend you switch to using FreeFileSync. It's open source and done not have a version for purchase. It's excellent and well supported.

Kraftwerk · 10-04-2020, 11:49 AM

I've not changed anything apart from recently adding new books to the Calibre Library.

On my old laptop when using Syncbackfree, the only changes would be new books would be added and if I've tidied up some metadata would be changed aswell, but I was just surprised to a long list of changes that were detected since transferring over to the new laptop.

Something must have changed when using the 'Export/Import all data'.
All books seem to be there so I guess there's nothing to worry about.

I have used Freefilesync aswell (until a few years ago I read about it installing a PUP), I then switched to Syncbackfree which does as good a job.
It showed the same information that Syncbackfree was showing.

ownedbycats · 10-04-2020, 01:36 PM

What happens if you set it to Mirror instead?

BetterRed · 10-04-2020, 03:55 PM

How do you know there is 659MB to be deleted?

Is the path to library on the new computer exactly the same as it was on the old computer?

Does Syncbackfree stash previous versions? I use GoodSynch, which has an option for that; and IIRC so does FFS.

Not having done it before, I'd be wary of of 'tacking' data from a New Computer on to the back of a synchronised copy of data from an Old Computer without doing some exploratory tests.

BR

Sarmat89 · 10-04-2020, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

It's open source and done not have a version for purchase.

Not true. It has an insidious copy protection, for starters, and the free version is quite limited.

DNSB · 10-04-2020, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarmat89

Not true. It has an insidious copy protection, for starters, and the free version is quite limited.

FreeFileSync? From FreeFileSync: Open Source File Synchronization? They do ask about making a donation which I've done but I've never needed the features added to the donation version (parallel file-copy, auto-updater, portable, quiet installation or email notifications). The parallel file copy does sound interesting but with my current use, it is not needed.

JSWolf · 10-04-2020, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarmat89

Not true. It has an insidious copy protection, for starters, and the free version is quite limited.

I did forget about the donation version. But in no way does it have copy protection. That's just rubbish to say so. The free version is not quite limited. It does what it needs to do and it does it well.

ownedbycats · 10-04-2020, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterRed

How do you know there is 659MB to be deleted?

SyncBackFree lets you simulate a sync before you actually run it. Shows what'll get copied or deleted.

Could possibly be that there were some changes in the date/time stamps on the files that's messing things up, as I had similar issues with that. Pretty sure that SyncBackFree has an option to check by the checksum instead (it's hidden somewhere in the advanced profile settings) but it slows things down.

I stopped using FreeFileSync a few years ago after they started shoving adware into the installer (I think there was also some other sketchy stuff going on, but I don't recall exactly what). I think they since removed it.

BetterRed · 10-05-2020, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ownedbycats

SyncBackFree lets you simulate a sync before you actually run it. Shows what'll get copied or deleted.

Ah, right - Goodsynch gives file counts, size is hidden somewhere in a drop down.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ownedbycats

Could possibly be that there were some changes in the date/time stamps on the files that's messing things up, as I had similar issues with that. Pretty sure that SyncBackFree has an option to check by the checksum instead (it's hidden somewhere in the advanced profile settings) but it slows things down.

Of course, I can't imagine calibre export/import carries across the file system timestamps, on NTFS the create and modified timestamps would probably be set to Now.

Being cautious, I wouldn't have even considered piggy backing onto the old mirror, I would have started over with a fresh mirror, and then removed the old one.

BR

Kraftwerk · 10-06-2020, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ownedbycats

SyncBackFree lets you simulate a sync before you actually run it. Shows what'll get copied or deleted.

Could possibly be that there were some changes in the date/time stamps on the files that's messing things up, as I had similar issues with that. Pretty sure that SyncBackFree has an option to check by the checksum instead (it's hidden somewhere in the advanced profile settings) but it slows things down.

I stopped using FreeFileSync a few years ago after they started shoving adware into the installer (I think there was also some other sketchy stuff going on, but I don't recall exactly what). I think they since removed it.

You could be right about the date/time stamps.
I forgot to mention I'm using 'Mirror' when using Syncbackfree.
It could also have something to do with my old laptop having Windows 8.1 and my new laptop Windows 10?
That's exactly the reason I stopped using Freefilesync, adware added to the installer.

JSWolf · 10-06-2020, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ownedbycats

SyncBackFree lets you simulate a sync before you actually run it. Shows what'll get copied or deleted.

And with FreeFileSync, you don't need to simulate as it shows you what will be synced.

Quote:

I stopped using FreeFileSync a few years ago after they started shoving adware into the installer (I think there was also some other sketchy stuff going on, but I don't recall exactly what). I think they since removed it.

The adware was not added by the FreeFileSync developers. It was added by Sourceforge. The installer downloaded at the FFS website never added adware to the installer. So you can use FFS again knowing it's safe and always has been. And it's better then SBF.

ownedbycats · 10-06-2020, 03:45 PM

Nah, FreeFileSync itself used OpenCandy. Not anymore though. Changelog says the installer for version 10 is "now ad-free!"

ownedbycats · 10-06-2020, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

And with FreeFileSync, you don't need to simulate as it shows you what will be synced.

So does SyncBackFree, unless you have it run unattended. The simulated run is helpful as it produces a log file same as the regular runs.

10-04-2020, 08:44 AM	#1
Kraftwerk Zealot Posts: 106 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: UK Device: Paperwhite 2	Ran Syncbackfree on new laptop - 659MB to be deleted. How come? Transferred Calibre Library to new laptop using Import/Export all data. Everything is working fine on new laptop. As I have added new books lately I decided to run Syncbackfree to duplicate the Calibre Library on my new laptop with the Calibre Library I have on a couple of external hard drives. When I ran Syncbackfree there was a lot of changes compared to the last time I ran it on my old laptop. Any idea why there is now 659MB to be deleted from the external hard drive when I've only added a few new books since using Calibre on my new laptop? I have 4000 books in my Calibre library. Could it have anything to do with the .opf files? Last edited by Kraftwerk; 10-04-2020 at 11:21 AM.

10-06-2020, 03:45 PM	#13
ownedbycats Custom User Title Posts: 10,927 Karma: 74801041 Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Libra H2O, formerly Aura HD	Nah, FreeFileSync itself used OpenCandy. Not anymore though. Changelog says the installer for version 10 is "now ad-free!" Last edited by ownedbycats; 10-06-2020 at 03:53 PM.

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10-04-2020, 11:29 AM	#2
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,670 Karma: 145864619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	If you've changed any of the filenames, that would cause deletions. Changing the author will change the directory tree. Changing the title will change the directory for that book. So then you get the OPF, cover, and any book files in those directories to be deleted. As for the software you are using to sync, I highly recommend you switch to using FreeFileSync. It's open source and done not have a version for purchase. It's excellent and well supported.

10-04-2020, 11:49 AM	#3
Kraftwerk Zealot Posts: 106 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: UK Device: Paperwhite 2	I've not changed anything apart from recently adding new books to the Calibre Library. On my old laptop when using Syncbackfree, the only changes would be new books would be added and if I've tidied up some metadata would be changed aswell, but I was just surprised to a long list of changes that were detected since transferring over to the new laptop. Something must have changed when using the 'Export/Import all data'. All books seem to be there so I guess there's nothing to worry about. I have used Freefilesync aswell (until a few years ago I read about it installing a PUP), I then switched to Syncbackfree which does as good a job. It showed the same information that Syncbackfree was showing.

10-04-2020, 01:36 PM	#4
ownedbycats Custom User Title Posts: 10,927 Karma: 74801041 Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Libra H2O, formerly Aura HD	What happens if you set it to Mirror instead?

10-04-2020, 03:55 PM	#5
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 21,707 Karma: 29711016 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	How do you know there is 659MB to be deleted? Is the path to library on the new computer exactly the same as it was on the old computer? Does Syncbackfree stash previous versions? I use GoodSynch, which has an option for that; and IIRC so does FFS. Not having done it before, I'd be wary of of 'tacking' data from a New Computer on to the back of a synchronised copy of data from an Old Computer without doing some exploratory tests. BR

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