New computer. How do I get an existing library onto it?

[Bob Nelson]

I've assembled a new computer, and am installing the apps I use most frequently, including Calibre. The previous computer is in France. I am in Arizona. The library is in Dropbox.

Having looked around a bit, I realize that I should have "exported", but I didn't.

When directed to use the library that has synced down to my Dropbox folder, Calibre says:

calibre, version 4.3.0
ERROR: No existing library found: There is no existing calibre library at C:\Users\bobne\Dropbox\Calibre Library

How can I convince Calibre that there actually is a library there, and to please use it?

Thanks.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by Bob Nelson

I've assembled a new computer, and am installing the apps I use most frequently, including Calibre. The previous computer is in France. I am in Arizona. The library is in Dropbox.

Having looked around a bit, I realize that I should have "exported", but I didn't.

When directed to use the library that has synced down to my Dropbox folder, Calibre says:

calibre, version 4.3.0
ERROR: No existing library found: There is no existing calibre library at C:\Users\bobne\Dropbox\Calibre Library

How can I convince Calibre that there actually is a library there, and to please use it?

Thanks.

Please don't try to convince calibre to use a library stored in the cloud. Having the working copy of your calibre library in the cloud is simply asking for problems. Copy the folder to your local computer (I'd suggest a directory in C:\Users\bobne with a memorable name--calibre, for example) and then use that copy of the library.

[FizzyWater]

Originally Posted by DNSB

Please don't try to convince calibre to use a library stored in the cloud. Having the working copy of your calibre library in the cloud is simply asking for problems. Copy the folder to your local computer (I'd suggest a directory in C:\Users\bobne with a memorable name--calibre, for example) and then use that copy of the library.

For what it's worth, my Calibre library has been on Dropbox for years. However, I don't have Dropbox set to automatically launch when I login to the computer. If I have it running, I turn it off before opening Calibre.

If you are careful, it works, but you have to be aware and careful.

[kovidgoyal]

you will get that error message if there is either no library there (namely no metadata.db file) or if something is prevent access to it. If you cant fix that your best bet is to create a new empty library then right click add book, choose add books recursively one per folder and select your old library folder.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by FizzyWater

For what it's worth, my Calibre library has been on Dropbox for years. However, I don't have Dropbox set to automatically launch when I login to the computer. If I have it running, I turn it off before opening Calibre.

If you are careful, it works, but you have to be aware and careful.

My personal take is that Murphy was an optimist. Yes, you can make it work if you are careful. Unfortunately, all of us being human, sooner or later, calibre will be launched while cloud syncing is active.

The horrible example for me was one acquaintance of mine who used a batch file that stopped cloud sync prior to launching calibre and then restarted it on exit. This worked for him for a couple of years until the day he (1) downloaded an calibre update, (2) installed it while calibre wasn't running and (3) did not remove the check to keep calibre from launching after the install. He ended up re-importing his library from backup when calibre informed him that he had <100 books in his library.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by DNSB

My personal take is that Murphy was an optimist. Yes, you can make it work if you are careful. Unfortunately, all of us being human, sooner or later, calibre will be launched while cloud syncing is active.

The horrible example for me was one acquaintance of mine who used a batch file that stopped cloud sync prior to launching calibre and then restarted it on exit. This worked for him for a couple of years until the day he (1) downloaded an calibre update, (2) installed it while calibre wasn't running and (3) did not remove the check to keep calibre from launching after the install. He ended up re-importing his library from backup when calibre informed him that he had <100 books in his library.

Could happen, of course, but it would be no particular bother to restore my library from a back-up copy. As I manage my Calibre library from two different computers, there is really no other way to do that than to use Dropbox. Flash drives are horribly slow and error-prone, and the content server only has very basic options.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Could happen, of course, but it would be no particular bother to restore my library from a back-up copy. As I manage my Calibre library from two different computers, there is really no other way to do that than to use Dropbox. Flash drives are horribly slow and error-prone, and the content server only has very basic options.

I can see the use cases for using cloud storage. Just for me, the risk/reward ratio is too biased towards the risk side to make it tempting.

And it's not a matter of could happen. Going by the posts over the years in this forum, it has happened. Often to people whose comments came down to it worked for years.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by DNSB

I can see the use cases for using cloud storage. Just for me, the risk/reward ratio is too biased towards the risk side to make it tempting.

And it's not a matter of could happen. Going by the posts over the years in this forum, it has happened. Often to people whose comments came down to it worked for years.

I know. I've had bad stuff happen with OneDrive, for example (and no, it wasn't running while Calibre was open). Nothing is absolutely foolproof. Therefore backup, backup, backup. Still, for me the risk is worth it.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

I know. I've had bad stuff happen with OneDrive, for example (and no, it wasn't running while Calibre was open). Nothing is absolutely foolproof. Therefore backup, backup, backup. Still, for me the risk is worth it.

The best way not to need a backup is to have a good one at hand. Basic rule of IT.

[Bob Nelson]

Thanks for your help.

So... now I have a copy of my Library in the spot that Calibre desires. That's a big improvement.

I'm not sure that I'm out of the woods, but things are better than they were!

[DNSB]

Good to hear. My apologies for the topic drift sirtel and I committed.

[JSWolf]

And don't forget to copy the Calibre settings directory to the new computer.

[Bob Nelson]

Originally Posted by DNSB

Good to hear. My apologies for the topic drift sirtel and I committed.

Not a problem. It's always good to hear experience.