Can't run Calibre

[Jade Aislin]

For the past couple days, I have been trying to run Calibre. However, I keep getting an error message. I don't know if I was able to run the latest version of Calibre before, as it has been a while since I last tried to access it. Can anyone help me figure out why I am having problems? Do I need to use an earlier version?

Here is the error log I receive:

Spoiler:

calibre, version 3.4.0
ERROR: Startup error: There was an error during calibre startup. Parts of calibre may not function. Click Show details to learn more.

Traceback (most recent call last):
File "site-packages\calibre\gui2\main.py", line 292, in initialize_db_stage2
File "site-packages\calibre\gui2\main.py", line 232, in start_gui
File "site-packages\calibre\gui2\ui.py", line 373, in initialize
File "site-packages\calibre\gui2\tag_browser\ui.py", line 73, in init_tag_browser_mixin
File "site-packages\calibre\gui2\tag_browser\view.py", line 234, in set_database
File "site-packages\calibre\gui2\tag_browser\model.py", line 363, in set_database
File "site-packages\calibre\db\cache.py", line 62, in call_func_with_lock
File "site-packages\calibre\db\cache.py", line 613, in set_pref
File "site-packages\calibre\db\backend.py", line 132, in set
File "site-packages\calibre\db\backend.py", line 128, in __setitem__
File "site-packages\calibre\db\backend.py", line 843, in execute
File "c:\t\t\apsw-j6gj96\apsw-3.13.0-r1\src\cursor.c", line 236, in resetcursor
CantOpenError: CantOpenError: unable to open database file

[JSWolf]

Is this the first update from 2.x to 3.4.0? If so, delete the contents of the Calibre directory and install again.

Is the database file actually in the directory you are pointing Calibre to? Is it corrupt? Try creating a new library in a new directory and see what happens.

[Jade Aislin]

I think that I have been using version 3.x. How do I create a new library in a directory? When I try to open Calibre it automatically tries to open my old database.

[JSWolf]

Rename the directory for the old database. That way Calibre won't be able to try to open it. Also create an empty directory for a new database.

If the new database is working with no books, close Calibre and copy all of the directories from the old library to the new library. Then click the icon (in the toolbar) for your new library and select Library maintenance. The select Restore database. This will go through each directory and read the book details from the OPF file and load the database. If that works, you should be good to go.

[theducks]

JS
If Calibre can't find the 'last used library' nor the default Library, it will create the (default) Library folder in the users My Documents

[Jade Aislin]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Rename the directory for the old database. That way Calibre won't be able to try to open it. Also create an empty directory for a new database.

I can't seem to change anything on the hard drive I use. I use an external hard drive. But the folder says it is read-only. When I try to change the name of the hard drive, it says it's write protected. It seems I can't create or delete any files on the drive. Do I have to disconnect the drive?

[theducks]

Originally Posted by Jade Aislin

I can't seem to change anything on the hard drive I use. I use an external hard drive. But the folder says it is read-only. When I try to change the name of the hard drive, it says it's write protected. It seems I can't create or delete any files on the drive. Do I have to disconnect the drive?

This is a Hardware/OS issue if NOTHING can write, Not a Calibre issue.
You need Read and Write (and Create) permission for Calibre to function.