Choices with 'corrupted library database'😖

[pamthereader]

A message to tell me that the Library DataBaase appears to be corrupted SUDDENLY appeared as I opened Calibre.. and the choices - let Calibre try to fix OR I can choose to have an 'new' 'EMPTY' database... oh my word.

And of course the current database count NOT be cmpletely fixed. I cannot imagine choosing to get an empty database so surely there are other steps to follow this that I don't know.

Can someone please walk me through this to get everything in good working order again

[JSWolf]

Make a copy of your library. Then allow Calibre to try to fix it.

[theducks]

Note: Jon refers to using the right-click item found on the
Library Icon: Library Maintenance : Restore database

[DaltonST]

That event happens to me not infrequently (at least once a month), since I have many, many libraries. It has never, once, been valid and warranted.

I learned years ago to always click the "X" in the upper right-hand corner of the dialog. I never, ever let Calibre do anything else, since no matter what it does is bad news. There should be a "Cancel - Do Nothing" button in that dialog.

If your Calibre Library is truly corrupted, you will get that same error again and again, which will tell you it was not an erroneous error message, and that you truly need to take some serious action. That has never been necessary for me.


DaltonST

[pamthereader]

if the library (database) is corrupted, how will making a copy help with this? And Calibre has not been able to completely fix it and thus, will not let me into the APP.

Thanks, howeve, for the suggestion

[pamthereader]

ummm, Dalton, are you suggesting this isn't unique and I should hunt further? Please know that I am definitely not asking for anyone to do the work.. I just don't KNOW the work to be done...and Calibre's attempts to fix this didn't.

And so I ask a simply, is it really safe to say "NO' to trying to fix; getting a BLANK library; and then what? Onward...thanks for listening

[pamthereader]

Responding to this direction
Note: Jon refers to using the right-click item found on the
Library Icon: Library Maintenance : Restore database

At this moment, Calibre (w/ the message of corrupt database) will not open... is this command something WITHIN Calibre? And if so what else can I do for I am locked out apparently.

[theducks]

Originally Posted by pamthereader

Responding to this direction
Note: Jon refers to using the right-click item found on the
Library Icon: Library Maintenance : Restore database

At this moment, Calibre (w/ the message of corrupt database) will not open... is this command something WITHIN Calibre? And if so what else can I do for I am locked out apparently.

Move or rename Metadata.db (as a backup) in the Library folder.
That should allow the menu
Or use the CLI

restore_database

calibredb restore_database [options]

Restore this database from the metadata stored in OPF files in each directory of the calibre library. This is useful if your metadata.db file has been corrupted.

WARNING: This command completely regenerates your database. You will lose all saved searches, user categories, plugboards, stored per-book conversion settings, and custom recipes. Restored metadata will only be as accurate as what is found in the OPF files.

Whenever you pass arguments to calibredb that have spaces in them, enclose the arguments in quotation marks. For example: “/some path/with spaces”

--really-do-it, -r

    Really do the recovery. The command will not run unless this option is specified.

[JSWolf]

The reason I say to make a copy of the library first is in case something happens while trying to fix it.