Restoring multiple calibre libraries

[Blue2u]

I have multiple libraries in Calibre for my family. I just went to restore one old one and it deleted all my other libraries.
Ugh, I'm so sad/upset/frustrated.
Now I need to restore all my other libraries. How do I do this? If it deletes all the other libraries when restoring one?
HELP

ETA: I have a current Calibre file from my roaming folder. I always keep one after reading a long time ago that it's necessary to have that if something happens to your library. Would that help?

[Blue2u]

Should I just import each library folder into Calibre? [Thank God the files/folders are still there!]

ETA, nope, the library I just tried to wasn't exported so importing won't work.

All the files are in the library folder with metadata etc.
Isn't there a fast way to just put them back into calibre?

[BetterRed]

@Blue2u - can you confirm you referring to the Library->Import/export all calibre data feature.

BR

[Blue2u]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

@Blue2u - can you confirm you referring to the Library->Import/export all calibre data feature.

BR

The first error happened when I restored a backup of a calibre library.

Now I'm just trying to get back [easily???] all the missing libraries. I did try using the import feature on one of the libraries but I didn't have an export to do it with. Just tried adding the folders in the library using the import feature which obviously didn't work.

Is there some way to just move all the folders into the library?

[Blue2u]

Okay, now I'm really confused. I did find an old export folder. I used it to import into Calibre, but when it's finished and reboots it deletes the other library I started working on.
So, to summarize. It left me with 1 original library [we'll call it A]. When I was restoring the library that deleted the other libraries, [we'll call it B], I was left with only A and B.

When I tried the import library I'm talking about, [we'll call C], when I was done it now deleted library B.

WTH is going on?
And yes, I'm renaming them to different things so I can keep track of old v new folders

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by Blue2u

The first error happened when I restored a backup of a calibre library.

Restored from where? What software did you use to do the backup/restore? You need to be explicit.

Calibre doesn't have a specific library backup and restore feature. Some people use the Save to Disk tool for backup and Add Books for restore, others use the Library->Export/import all calibre data tool for backup/restore, and others use third party tools.

BR

[Blue2u]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

Restored from where? What software did you use to do the backup/restore? You need to be explicit.

Calibre doesn't have a specific library backup and restore feature. Some people use the Save to Disk tool for backup and Add Books for restore, others use the Library->Export/import all calibre data tool for backup/restore, and others use third party tools.

BR

Thank you for trying to help me, I appreciate it, I'm so lost right now.
I guess it was import. I thought somewhere Calibre had a backup feature?

Here's the thing, everytime I try to import one of my old export folders, it deletes the 2nd library. So if I start with library A and B, when I add C it deletes B. I've tried this 3x now and it keeps happening. I've been trying to read a bit at Calibre's site and it suggested that I roll my version of Calibre back to 3.8.4 as I'm on Windows 7, so that's what I've done. It will only let me have 2 libraries now, where before I had 5. It was doing this while I was still running a version of Calibre 4.

[BetterRed]

I've only used the Export/Import tool to move calibre libraries and configuration from one computer to another - which is a once off operation with no cherry picking. So I don't think I can help with your usage of it.

I think one of the other regular responders (theducks) uses it as backup/restore tool.

BR

[theducks]

ROAMING is only where the CONFIGURATION (normally) IS. This is where Calibre stores info ABOUT known Libraries. You may need to just re-link these

Libraries are usually in normal User areas like Documents.

Libraries ALWAYS have metadata.db in their base folder.
THAT IS WHERE you create/Switch: USE EXISTING: <point to there>
Repeat for EACH LIBRARY LOCATION

If there is NO METADATA.DB, report back for alternate ways before you make things REALLY HARDER

[Blue2u]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

I've only used the Export/Import tool to move calibre libraries and configuration from one computer to another - which is a once off operation with no cherry picking. So I don't think I can help with your usage of it.

I think one of the other regular responders (theducks) uses it as backup/restore tool.

BR

Okay, but I appreciate you trying to help.

[Blue2u]

Originally Posted by theducks

ROAMING is only where the CONFIGURATION (normally) IS. This is where Calibre stores info ABOUT known Libraries. You may need to just re-link these

Libraries are usually in normal User areas like Documents.

Libraries ALWAYS have metadata.db in their base folder.
THAT IS WHERE you create/Switch: USE EXISTING: <point to there>
Repeat for EACH LIBRARY LOCATION

If there is NO METADATA.DB, report back for alternate ways before you make things REALLY HARDER

Yes, I was definitely taking the hard way around! Your simple instruction of create/switch was exactly all I needed. It was the 'create' that was throwing me, thinking it'd already been done, and 'switch' because it wasn't there! lol


I seriously cannot thank you enough. It's been a horrible day and that just helped me immensely.