Copying a large library from previous one question

[JimPhelps]

I've been trying to do this for a week now and I'm not getting anywhere. I know, there are instructions but I'm not sure they match my circumstances. So I was hoping someone here might know what I'm dealing with and a easier solution than I've found.

I've been trying to copy my library from my old pc to a new one. My last one was the last version of caliber that ran on Windows Vista (yeah my pc was THAT old). Problem was, I couldn't use the PC in standard mode and could only use it in SAFE mode. So, I ran calibre (yep, updated to the newest one that could still run on Vista), tried to Export my library data, and got an error message telling me that it could not complete "Calibre Error: Unhandled Exception RETURN CODE 1" followed by a long string of Chinese/Asian/something I couldn't translate symbols. And since I can't get the PC to run when not in SAFE mode, I think I can't copy the Export data for my library.

So, I have a folder that calibre created for my library, which means hundreds of folders of authors names and inside 1-10 folders for each book they've written that I did manage to copy from my old PC.

So I was hoping I could just highlight those folders, tell calibre "import these folders" and I would still have my book covers, metadata and descriptions (most I had to do all myself originally...well the typing the descriptions, re-organizing them how I wanted them, etc). But I don't seem to have that happening. The book files that were not in Author folders copied over fine, but there's no metadata, cover, descriptions etc with these. And of course the books in the author folders won't copy unless I'm doing it one book in each folder at a time. I know about the drop down menu under "Add Book" but they way I read it, it usually keeps assuming I have 1 directory with multiple formats of ONE book only and not multiple directories of multiple books. But it doesn't help anyway because I can't select those folders without going into each folder and selecting only 1 book anyway.

Am I just going to have to spend a lot of time re-doing all this since I couldn't export my library data from my old PC? or is there a simple trick I'm just not seeing cause my nose is too close to the screen in frustration over this?

And I'm sorry in advance if you just want to go "Agh! Not another idiot!"

Everytime I read someone's "Welcome to calibre" article/instructions, it always seems to be a introduction for someone who's never used it, and not one for someone trying to avoid having to put 50 hours of work into it rebuilding something they once had.

[pdurrant]

I suspect an expert will be along soon, but I think you can just point calibre on your new computer to the library folder copied from your old computer. Not as an import, but using the "switch/create library" menu item.

[Sunlite]

You can copy the whole folder containing your Calibre library as it is from your old computer to the new one. Either direktly, if the run in the same network and you have shared folders or via a different medium, a USB stick for example.

In addition you should try to copy your preferences for Calibre:

Use Preference: Miscellaneous: Open Calibre Configuration Folder to find the folder on your old computer and copy as as well.

On your new computer install Calibre (best would be the same version as on the old computer) and go also to Preference: Miscellaneous: Open Calibre Configuration Folder. Replace the folder there with the copy of your preferences.

Then open Calibre and use <Library>: Switch/create library... In the dialog chose Use the previously existing library at the new location and point it to the library folder, that you copied onto the new computer.

That should give you back, the calibre you are used to.

You can then update Calibre to a newer version.

[theducks]

Are you sure the error message was not just the failing Code (all forms of brackets used with letters and numbers)
If indeed you did get 'Asian-like' , characters, you may have major corruption or Malware.

Be SURE to do a FULL scan before placing any of those files on your new PC

As indicated by Sunlite:
Simply COPY the ENTIRE Library folder (the folder name, is the Library name)
Copy the entire Preferences folder (%appdata%/calibre ) That has ALL you PI and other user settings
The last step mentioned RELINKS the Library to the menu ( Those preferences had the old path)
DONE
Other than Copy time, it takes 30 seconds to make that 1 adjustment.
Use ADD and that becomes HOURS