Calibre 0.9.2 Portable loses libraries

DesertBrat · 10-14-2012, 11:16 PM

I'm having difficulty keeping track of libraries in the new update. Libraries that were in place before the update are not viewable in the Quick Switch or Copy to Library lists.

I've gone in and located them and done "Use library in new location" under Switch/Create and it will add the library and go to it. Then, when I go back to my Calibre library and try to copy a file or switch to the library, it's missing from the lists again.

I did some creative renaming of the libraries that has worked somewhat in getting them to show up in the lists:

Memoir Archive > Memoir_Archive > Biography Archive > Biography_Archive
Recipe Archive > Recipe_Archive > Cooking_Archive

and several others ...

Any ideas on why my libraries are disappearing? They aren't deleted, the directory and all of the book folders are still there -- just not recognized in any of the library lists.

DesertBrat · 10-15-2012, 10:26 PM

Well, I've tried everything I know how to do, including rebuilding the database. Went all the way back to 0.8.69 and replaced the Calibre and exe files. That didn't accomplish anything. Tried bringing the updates forward one step at a time, with no success.

My best guess is that something went haywire in the settings folder, so simply re-installing an older version isn't going to overwrite a newer file.

The next thing to try is to go back to 0.8.69 with a fresh install then re-aquire the libraries. If that doesn't work ... then it's fresh install and re-importing all the files, ugh!

DoctorOhh · 10-15-2012, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DesertBrat

I'm having difficulty keeping track of libraries in the new update. Libraries that were in place before the update are not viewable in the Quick Switch or Copy to Library lists.

Why you lost the lists I am unsure of, but I thought those lists are simply recently accessed list. So by switching to each library in turn they should show up in your list again.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DesertBrat

I've gone in and located them and done "Use library in new location" under Switch/Create and it will add the library and go to it. Then, when I go back to my Calibre library and try to copy a file or switch to the library, it's missing from the lists again.

That sounds like what I was suggesting. I'm unsure why the list isn't updating.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DesertBrat

Any ideas on why my libraries are disappearing? They aren't deleted, the directory and all of the book folders are still there -- just not recognized in any of the library lists.

Your libraries aren't "disappearing" as you stated earlier you can switch to them easily enough.

Restart calibre. Reboot your computer. Try again.

You could try the following. Go to Preferences - Miscellaneous and open the calibre configuration directory folder. Once opened, exit out of calibre. Rename the folder. Start calibre. This will create a brand new configuration directory folder, you will loose all custom preferences, but it will give you a chance to try fresh. If need be you can always exit out of calibre and go back to the original configuration directory.

Rebuilding your libraries can not solve the problem your having.

Rarely is there a compelling reason for multiple libraries. Why folks don't just use a single library with specific tags and take advantage of Saved Searches and the Restricted library option is beyond me, it is so much simpler to maintain.

DesertBrat · 10-16-2012, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoctorOhh

Your libraries aren't "disappearing" as you stated earlier you can switch to them easily enough.

The only time I can see the missing library is when it is re-added. Calibre automatically switches to the "new" library. But if I return to another library to copy a file to the re-added library, it is gone from the list again.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoctorOhh

Rarely is there a compelling reason for multiple libraries

Well, I don't want to have nearly 10,000 books and documents in a single library. I've converted the CHM files for some software to epubs so I can put them on the nook color and stand them up next to the computer while working so as not to quit the program in process to look up a tip. I also like to keep research items separate from general reading material. And archive libraries are good for books that I've read, but don't want to delete.

Anyway, thank you for your suggestion. I'll give it a try, crossing fingers.

DoctorOhh · 10-16-2012, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DesertBrat

Well, I don't want to have nearly 10,000 books and documents in a single library.

Why? With virtual libraries the total number of books in the overall database isn't important. My library is 10,000 books and it is easy to view any part of it as if it was its own separate library by using restrictions.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DesertBrat

I've converted the CHM files for some software to epubs so I can put them on the nook color and stand them up next to the computer while working so as not to quit the program in process to look up a tip. I also like to keep research items separate from general reading material. And archive libraries are good for books that I've read, but don't want to delete.

All of these situations can easily be handled in one library. Setting restrictions allows me to have an infinite number of virtual libraries without actually having separate libraries. If I want to view my Software books exclusively I would simply click the Restrict To dropdown and select Software and I would have a library that only showed my software library. The tag browser would simply show only the authors and books associated with that restricted library. All of the plugins would only act on the books shown in the Restricted library.

The possibilities are endless, I discuss restricted libraries in more detail here and here.

Good Luck, I hope you share your solution once you work it out.

BetterRed · 10-16-2012, 02:26 AM

I thought portable only supported a single library

I'm sure I saw Kovid say that - somewhere - here 'tis https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...iple+libraries

And if theducks should happen by - I dont carry a usb stick, too easily lost or forgotten, I carry a 80GB shirt pocket size drive and a longish usb cable - as well as data it has portable firefox, open office, notepad++ etc. Many public computers allow you to run programs off a portable drive, such as my local libraries, coin in the slot machine in shopping malls etc.

My latest stick is 64GB USB 3.0 job - came gift wrapped. I use it for Windows ReadyBoost, whatever that is.

BR

DoctorOhh · 10-16-2012, 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterRed

I thought portable only supported a single library

Not anymore. Also you can run calibre portable, as I do, from your main drive.

Quote:

Release: 0.8.70 [21 Sep, 2012]

New Features

Calibre Portable: Add support for multiple libraries created inside the 'Calibre Portable' folder.

BetterRed · 10-16-2012, 03:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoctorOhh

Not anymore. Also you can run calibre portable, as I do, from your main drive.

How am I meant to keep up with something that changes every other day - surely you don't expect me to read the release notes

I have some sympathy with DesertBrat - I wouldn't want my partners 'chick lit' mixed up with my Mauldin Newsletters, and she wouldn't want my 'boring financial' stuff mixed up with her Christine de Pizan feminista masterpieces. Fortunately she has her own computer, her books are on paper, and her catalog is an edge punched card index.

I vacillate been one and multiple libraries - for some sections I would like to have different custom columns - you'll probably tell me I can do that with a "conditional columns" or something else that strains my brain

BR

DoctorOhh · 10-16-2012, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterRed

I have some sympathy with DesertBrat - I wouldn't want my partners 'chick lit' mixed up with my Mauldin Newsletters, and she wouldn't want my 'boring financial' stuff mixed up with her Christine de Pizan feminista masterpieces.

Everyone has their own way of doing things and calibre certainly provides the flexibility to manage your library in any number of ways.

DesertBrat · 10-16-2012, 05:48 AM

@DoctorOhh -- thank you very much! I did the configuration folder option that you suggested above -- next best thing to a fresh install.

But it pretty much confirmed my suspicions of something goofy in the settings. I've used the portable since v. 0.8.17 and done each update -- habit, thanks to Adobe and Microsoft.

Something just went awry this time.

The portable actually serves as sort of a backup (aside from being portable), since I also run the desktop version and it's doing just fine. So everything is back to normal.

As far as a single directory and all the special restrictions, that's just way more thought than I want to invest right now. I use Calibre for storage, transfer-to-device, and converting the occasional file to a different format. Perhaps I should petition Kovid for a program for us "simple" users.

Thanks for your help. Your expertise is greatly appreciated.

DoctorOhh · 10-16-2012, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DesertBrat

Thanks for your help. Your expertise is greatly appreciated.

You're Welcome.

theducks · 10-16-2012, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterRed

I thought portable only supported a single library

I'm sure I saw Kovid say that - somewhere - here 'tis https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...iple+libraries

And if theducks should happen by - I dont carry a usb stick, too easily lost or forgotten, I carry a 80GB shirt pocket size drive and a longish usb cable - as well as data it has portable firefox, open office, notepad++ etc. Many public computers allow you to run programs off a portable drive, such as my local libraries, coin in the slot machine in shopping malls etc.

My latest stick is 64GB USB 3.0 job - came gift wrapped. I use it for Windows ReadyBoost, whatever that is.

BR

I got one of those (my old 80G Laptop drive from an upgrade in a USB case) that I currently use for... Calibre Portable

DesertBrat · 10-16-2012, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DesertBrat

The portable actually serves as sort of a backup (aside from being portable), since I also run the desktop version and it's doing just fine. So everything is back to normal.

OK, I take it back! The desktop version has also lost a couple of libraries. I was able to re-add one of them just fine, but there is one pesky little library that just won't stay put.

Tried running the update in repair mode and it didn't solve the issue. So going to do a fresh install this time around and just re-acquire the libraries.

Perhaps 0.9.2 is just a buggy version? If this doesn't clear it up, then I'll go back a couple of versions until I see this and a few other Windows 7 items have been addressed.

DoctorOhh · 10-16-2012, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DesertBrat

OK, I take it back! The desktop version has also lost a couple of libraries. I was able to re-add one of them just fine, but there is one pesky little library that just won't stay put.

How many libraries are you trying to see in the list?

Quote:

Originally Posted by DesertBrat

Perhaps 0.9.2 is just a buggy version? If this doesn't clear it up, then I'll go back a couple of versions until I see this and a few other Windows 7 items have been addressed.

Good luck, let us know if you have any success with your problem.

DesertBrat · 10-16-2012, 11:22 PM

Well ... after I thought portable was fixed, it has reverted back to losing the libraries again.

Went through all the same iterations with the desktop version and it does not fix the problem.

I have 28 libraries, I expect to see 27 of them in the Quick Switch and the Copy to Library lists since it doesn't display the current-view library. The desktop version drops 2 libraries, the portable version drops 3 libraries.

Also, I'm running Windows 7, 64 bit. I've tried compatibility modes for Vista and XP with no change to the problem.

In the meantime, I'll just start over with the last good version and sit on it until there's some other news. I did submit a bug report to Calibre.

10-14-2012, 11:16 PM	#1
DesertBrat Junior Member Posts: 9 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: Nook	Calibre 0.9.2 Portable loses libraries I'm having difficulty keeping track of libraries in the new update. Libraries that were in place before the update are not viewable in the Quick Switch or Copy to Library lists. I've gone in and located them and done "Use library in new location" under Switch/Create and it will add the library and go to it. Then, when I go back to my Calibre library and try to copy a file or switch to the library, it's missing from the lists again. I did some creative renaming of the libraries that has worked somewhat in getting them to show up in the lists: Memoir Archive > Memoir_Archive > Biography Archive > Biography_Archive Recipe Archive > Recipe_Archive > Cooking_Archive and several others ... Any ideas on why my libraries are disappearing? They aren't deleted, the directory and all of the book folders are still there -- just not recognized in any of the library lists.

10-16-2012, 02:26 AM	#6
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 21,650 Karma: 29711016 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	I thought portable only supported a single library I'm sure I saw Kovid say that - somewhere - here 'tis https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...iple+libraries And if theducks should happen by - I dont carry a usb stick, too easily lost or forgotten, I carry a 80GB shirt pocket size drive and a longish usb cable - as well as data it has portable firefox, open office, notepad++ etc. Many public computers allow you to run programs off a portable drive, such as my local libraries, coin in the slot machine in shopping malls etc. My latest stick is 64GB USB 3.0 job - came gift wrapped. I use it for Windows ReadyBoost, whatever that is. BR Last edited by BetterRed; 10-16-2012 at 02:39 AM.

10-16-2012, 05:48 AM	#10
DesertBrat Junior Member Posts: 9 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: Nook	@DoctorOhh -- thank you very much! I did the configuration folder option that you suggested above -- next best thing to a fresh install. But it pretty much confirmed my suspicions of something goofy in the settings. I've used the portable since v. 0.8.17 and done each update -- habit, thanks to Adobe and Microsoft. Something just went awry this time. The portable actually serves as sort of a backup (aside from being portable), since I also run the desktop version and it's doing just fine. So everything is back to normal. As far as a single directory and all the special restrictions, that's just way more thought than I want to invest right now. I use Calibre for storage, transfer-to-device, and converting the occasional file to a different format. Perhaps I should petition Kovid for a program for us "simple" users. Thanks for your help. Your expertise is greatly appreciated. Last edited by DesertBrat; 10-16-2012 at 05:51 AM.

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10-15-2012, 10:26 PM	#2
DesertBrat Junior Member Posts: 9 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: Nook	Well, I've tried everything I know how to do, including rebuilding the database. Went all the way back to 0.8.69 and replaced the Calibre and exe files. That didn't accomplish anything. Tried bringing the updates forward one step at a time, with no success. My best guess is that something went haywire in the settings folder, so simply re-installing an older version isn't going to overwrite a newer file. The next thing to try is to go back to 0.8.69 with a fresh install then re-aquire the libraries. If that doesn't work ... then it's fresh install and re-importing all the files, ugh!

10-16-2012, 11:22 PM	#15
DesertBrat Junior Member Posts: 9 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: Nook	Well ... after I thought portable was fixed, it has reverted back to losing the libraries again. Went through all the same iterations with the desktop version and it does not fix the problem. I have 28 libraries, I expect to see 27 of them in the Quick Switch and the Copy to Library lists since it doesn't display the current-view library. The desktop version drops 2 libraries, the portable version drops 3 libraries. Also, I'm running Windows 7, 64 bit. I've tried compatibility modes for Vista and XP with no change to the problem. In the meantime, I'll just start over with the last good version and sit on it until there's some other news. I did submit a bug report to Calibre.

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