Add Spellcheck Dictionary

[Leonatus]

I downloaded a spellcheck dictionary in the .oxt format, just as recommended in the Editor->manage spell check dictionaries area. But when I tried to add mine, I received this message:

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "site-packages\calibre\gui2\tweak_book\spell.py", line 116, in accept
  File "site-packages\calibre\spell\import_from.py", line 89, in import_from_oxt
  File "site-packages\calibre\utils\zipfile.py", line 751, in __init__
  File "site-packages\calibre\utils\zipfile.py", line 786, in _GetContents
  File "site-packages\calibre\utils\zipfile.py", line 801, in _RealGetContents
BadZipfile: File is not a zip file

What did I do wrong, please?

[BetterRed]

@Leonatus - as indicated by the error message an oxt file is a rebadged zip file. It seems like the one you have isn't a valid zip file. Try downloading it again, maybe from an alternate site.

If problem persists you might be able to repair with an archive utility. If you can and you can unpack it with NO errors, repack it into a fresh zip, then rename that .zip file to .oxt and try adding that file to Calibre.

If no go, then as a secondary check try adding the oxt to another program that can import oxt files, e.g. Libre Open Office. If it can't read the file, then raise the issue with the dictionary provider.

BR

[Leonatus]

Thank you! Strange is, that I had to download the same file as before, because of the necessity of a new installation of Windows, including installing Calibre again. And with the first download there have been no issues.
I'll follow your suggestion, however. Before handling it with an archive utility (7zip), it will be necessary to rename the folder with .zip, I presume?

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by Leonatus

Thank you! Strange is, that I had to download the same file as before, because of the necessity of a new installation of Windows, including installing Calibre again. And with the first download there have been no issues.

@Leonatus - that suggests to me that you probably got a bad download, did you try downloading it again?

Originally Posted by Leonatus

I'll follow your suggestion, however. Before handling it with an archive utility (7zip), it will be necessary to rename the folder with .zip, I presume?

Yes you'll probably need to do that.

I've made WinRAR available in the Open With list for: .oxt, .docx, .epub, .cbr, .cbz, ... file extensions. Saves a rename before unpacking. You should be able to do same for 7zip.

FWIW : How do I backup calibre?. In particular the paragraph regarding the configuration folder, which is where the extra dictionaries will be installed, along with plugins and other such things

Added - my experience is that the chances of being able to effect a repair on a broken zip is pretty low. So do all you can to get something that works, which given it did before should be eminently possible.

BR

[Leonatus]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

@Leonatus - that suggests to me that you probably got a bad download, did you try downloading it again?

That's the problem: I set Windows up again, because my internet provider seems to have difficulties with WLAN technique. Downloads have become very, very poor the last time, even opening of internet sites (including this one) takes lots of time. Unfortunately, I had believed it were my old computer that caused the problems, but in fact, it wasn't.

FWIW : How do I backup calibre?. In particular the paragraph regarding the configuration folder, which is where the extra dictionaries will be installed, along with plugins and other such things

I didn't backup Calibre, because every program you install will do some changes in the registry etc., and I preferred to download and install it completely new.

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by Leonatus

That's the problem: I set Windows up again, because my internet provider seems to have difficulties with WLAN technique. Downloads have become very, very poor the last time, even opening of internet sites (including this one) takes lots of time. Unfortunately, I had believed it were my old computer that caused the problems, but in fact, it wasn't.

I didn't backup Calibre, because every program you install will do some changes in the registry etc., and I preferred to download and install it completely new.

with respect to the installed software folder (eg Program Files\Calibre 2\). However Calibre does not use the registry for its control data, everything is either in the library folders or the configuration folder.

The registry entries that relate to calibre are either put there by Windows for use by Windows (mainly by the Trusted Installer), or by the user, eg the .epub open command set to ..\Calibre2\ebook-viewer, or a calibre specific environment variables is set e.g. CALIBRE_TEMP_DIR, firewall exclusions etc.

BR

[Leonatus]

I didn't know about that, thank you! This might be useful in the future. Actually, I'm still fighting with the provider...