Find Duplicates: Just messed up! Help!

Kraftwerk · 09-26-2022, 09:23 AM

I did a search for duplicates and found just over 600.

I selected all and used the first option to merge, and now realize my mistake.

All the books have been merged into one book.

What is the best way to sort my mess out?

Is there an undo function and if not is there a way of sorting this out?

I've noticed that all the books are in my 'Recycle Bin'. Could I just restore them?
I don't want to do something which will make things worse.

Thanks

Kraftwerk · 09-26-2022, 12:39 PM

Anyone?

Or is it best to ask in the 'Duplicate Plugin' thread?

DNSB · 09-26-2022, 12:42 PM

Unless EpubSplit is able to split that book back into the separate books, I'm not sure there is any other good way to handle this—I've never used EpubSplit for more than 10 books in a single volume. Even with EpubSplit, you are likely to run into issues with all the stylesheets being present in the split files.

theducks · 09-26-2022, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DNSB

Unless EpubSplit is able to split that book back into the separate books, I'm not sure there is any other good way to handle this—I've never used EpubSplit for more than 10 books in a single volume. Even with EpubSplit, you are likely to run into issues with all the stylesheets being present in the split files.

Find Dups merge means Merge the Books (formats) into 1 record, not combine 2 of the same format (EPUBmerge does that).

Undo: is to dig out your backup. There is no logging of what the PI did.

Kraftwerk · 09-26-2022, 12:50 PM

I'm just trying to think what the best way to go about this is.

I have a copy of all books on an external hard drive. I guess I can just add them back to my library

theducks · 09-26-2022, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kraftwerk

I'm just trying to think what the best way to go about this is.

I have a copy of all books on an external hard drive. I guess I can just add them back to my library

That is a huge task, because you will need to 'polish up' the Metadata again.

If you had a FULL backup, you would just replace the Library folder.

Before doing a 'Bulk' operation, pull a backup. (just in case things go South)

Kraftwerk · 09-26-2022, 01:17 PM

I think the simplest way is for me to delete everything and I will import everything again.

What is the best way to do this, to delete everything, to reset Calibre to default?

I will then use 'Import all calibre data'.

theducks · 09-26-2022, 01:31 PM

Depends on many factors, which is why I will not advise on that method.
My Library is 10+ year in the building. The first 900 books were EMPTY, just logging in my paperback collection. It took months just to Barcode scan / hand key (pre barcode) those. AND it took a YEAR to polish the metadata. There is no re-add for those.

I also collect User Guides/Quick setup/ spec sheet for all my equipment. Many of those were downloaded from official sites. Many are no longer made or the company is GONE.

Now you see why there is no general answer for your issue.

Kraftwerk · 09-26-2022, 01:38 PM

It's been a while since I installed Calibre from scratch.

When the wizard starts and asks the location for the 'Calibre Library', I like to put it in my 'Documents'.

Do I just choose 'Documents' and Calibre will create the 'Calibre Library' folder there?

I've just noticed that there is another Calibre folder below the main 'calibre configuration directory' a folder named 'calibre-ebook.com' which was last modified on the 13th July 2022.
I'm wondering if I should delete this aswell as the main 'configuration directory'? There's one folder inside that says 'QtWebEngine'?

I'm making this more complicated than it has to be.

Kraftwerk · 09-26-2022, 06:24 PM

I don't know what I'm doing wrong.

I have created a Calibre Library folder in the same location as my previous: Documents, but when I use import data and specify the folder I want to use, which is Documents, I get a popup saying this folder is not empty.

It does also say:

previous location: c:\users\xxxxx\documents\calibre library

Should it be showing this? Could this be why when I choose the location in Documents it's saying the folder is not empty?

Should I be able to create the calibre library folder in the same location, or could this be confusing Calibre?

JSWolf · 09-26-2022, 06:38 PM

The solution is to never use Find Duplicates unless you have an updated back of your library.

DNSB · 09-26-2022, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kraftwerk

I don't know what I'm doing wrong.

I have created a Calibre Library folder in the same location as my previous: Documents, but when I use import data and specify the folder I want to use, which is Documents, I get a popup saying this folder is not empty.

It does also say:

previous location: c:\users\xxxxx\documents\calibre library

Should it be showing this? Could this be why when I choose the location in Documents it's saying the folder is not empty?

Should I be able to create the calibre library folder in the same location, or could this be confusing Calibre?

I would recommend creating your calibre libraries outside the Documents folder. My personal choice is c:\users\xxxxxxx\calibre with the libraries inside the calibre folder. Your first calibre library would show as "c:\users\xxxxxxx\calibre\calibre library" for example.

Using the Documents folder can run into issues when OneDrive, etc. are installed since most of the cloud solutions add Documents automatically.

Kraftwerk · 09-27-2022, 04:23 AM

I've nearly sorted it.

I was getting confused (I don't find computers that easy to understand) as my folder for 'calibre library' has always been 'calibre library' but that's because when using the 'welcome wizard' it's always been on a brand new computer, so I have never had to create a new named folder before.

I have now created a new folder 'calibre library2' and the import has worked but no books are showing in Calibre yet.

I now want to make sure I do the next part right, I have to switch libraries to 'calibre library2' but there are three options and I'm not sure which one to choose.

1. Use the previously existing library at the new location.
2. Create an empty library at the new location.
3. Move the current library to new location.

theducks · 09-27-2022, 10:40 AM

That wording is simpler than most:
1) If it is an Existing (Calibre made) Library, however it got there (Aunt Millie?)

FWIW it sounds like you made a FOLDER (The name is not important other than it should not have accented characters. Mine are Main, Intake2, Juvenal (Grand kid safe)

2) Put a (Calibre) basic Foundation in an EMPTY folder (and add the link to the Quick Switch List): An Empty Library., ready to have Calibre add books

3) What it says. Moves the current Library from where it is, to another folder (or drive)

Kraftwerk · 09-27-2022, 01:31 PM

I used Quick Switch to choose the new location of my library.

Can I delete the old library?

09-26-2022, 09:23 AM	#1
Kraftwerk Zealot Posts: 106 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: UK Device: Paperwhite 2	Find Duplicates: Just messed up! Help! I did a search for duplicates and found just over 600. I selected all and used the first option to merge, and now realize my mistake. All the books have been merged into one book. What is the best way to sort my mess out? Is there an undo function and if not is there a way of sorting this out? I've noticed that all the books are in my 'Recycle Bin'. Could I just restore them? I don't want to do something which will make things worse. Thanks Last edited by Kraftwerk; 09-26-2022 at 12:30 PM.

09-26-2022, 01:17 PM	#7
Kraftwerk Zealot Posts: 106 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: UK Device: Paperwhite 2	I think the simplest way is for me to delete everything and I will import everything again. What is the best way to do this, to delete everything, to reset Calibre to default? I will then use 'Import all calibre data'. Last edited by Kraftwerk; 09-26-2022 at 01:33 PM.

09-26-2022, 01:38 PM	#9
Kraftwerk Zealot Posts: 106 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: UK Device: Paperwhite 2	It's been a while since I installed Calibre from scratch. When the wizard starts and asks the location for the 'Calibre Library', I like to put it in my 'Documents'. Do I just choose 'Documents' and Calibre will create the 'Calibre Library' folder there? I've just noticed that there is another Calibre folder below the main 'calibre configuration directory' a folder named 'calibre-ebook.com' which was last modified on the 13th July 2022. I'm wondering if I should delete this aswell as the main 'configuration directory'? There's one folder inside that says 'QtWebEngine'? I'm making this more complicated than it has to be. Last edited by Kraftwerk; 09-26-2022 at 03:04 PM.

09-27-2022, 04:23 AM	#13
Kraftwerk Zealot Posts: 106 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: UK Device: Paperwhite 2	I've nearly sorted it. I was getting confused (I don't find computers that easy to understand) as my folder for 'calibre library' has always been 'calibre library' but that's because when using the 'welcome wizard' it's always been on a brand new computer, so I have never had to create a new named folder before. I have now created a new folder 'calibre library2' and the import has worked but no books are showing in Calibre yet. I now want to make sure I do the next part right, I have to switch libraries to 'calibre library2' but there are three options and I'm not sure which one to choose. 1. Use the previously existing library at the new location. 2. Create an empty library at the new location. 3. Move the current library to new location. Last edited by Kraftwerk; 09-27-2022 at 09:04 AM.

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09-26-2022, 12:39 PM	#2
Kraftwerk Zealot Posts: 106 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: UK Device: Paperwhite 2	Anyone? Or is it best to ask in the 'Duplicate Plugin' thread?

09-26-2022, 12:42 PM	#3
DNSB Bibliophagist Posts: 45,921 Karma: 168959602 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos	Unless EpubSplit is able to split that book back into the separate books, I'm not sure there is any other good way to handle this—I've never used EpubSplit for more than 10 books in a single volume. Even with EpubSplit, you are likely to run into issues with all the stylesheets being present in the split files.

09-26-2022, 12:50 PM	#5
Kraftwerk Zealot Posts: 106 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: UK Device: Paperwhite 2	I'm just trying to think what the best way to go about this is. I have a copy of all books on an external hard drive. I guess I can just add them back to my library

09-26-2022, 01:31 PM	#8
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 31,016 Karma: 60358908 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	Depends on many factors, which is why I will not advise on that method. My Library is 10+ year in the building. The first 900 books were EMPTY, just logging in my paperback collection. It took months just to Barcode scan / hand key (pre barcode) those. AND it took a YEAR to polish the metadata. There is no re-add for those. I also collect User Guides/Quick setup/ spec sheet for all my equipment. Many of those were downloaded from official sites. Many are no longer made or the company is GONE. Now you see why there is no general answer for your issue.

09-26-2022, 06:24 PM	#10
Kraftwerk Zealot Posts: 106 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: UK Device: Paperwhite 2	I don't know what I'm doing wrong. I have created a Calibre Library folder in the same location as my previous: Documents, but when I use import data and specify the folder I want to use, which is Documents, I get a popup saying this folder is not empty. It does also say: previous location: c:\users\xxxxx\documents\calibre library Should it be showing this? Could this be why when I choose the location in Documents it's saying the folder is not empty? Should I be able to create the calibre library folder in the same location, or could this be confusing Calibre?

09-26-2022, 06:38 PM	#11
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,665 Karma: 145864619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	The solution is to never use Find Duplicates unless you have an updated back of your library.

09-27-2022, 10:40 AM	#14
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 31,016 Karma: 60358908 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	That wording is simpler than most: 1) If it is an Existing (Calibre made) Library, however it got there (Aunt Millie?) FWIW it sounds like you made a FOLDER (The name is not important other than it should not have accented characters. Mine are Main, Intake2, Juvenal (Grand kid safe) 2) Put a (Calibre) basic Foundation in an EMPTY folder (and add the link to the Quick Switch List): An Empty Library., ready to have Calibre add books 3) What it says. Moves the current Library from where it is, to another folder (or drive)

09-27-2022, 01:31 PM	#15
Kraftwerk Zealot Posts: 106 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: UK Device: Paperwhite 2	I used Quick Switch to choose the new location of my library. Can I delete the old library?

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