Locating the System File in order to back up collections

Josieb1 · 12-29-2010, 02:58 PM

Hi, I want to back up my Collections on my Kindle and from previous threads I know it is in the System File. Can anyone tell me whereabouts on my Kindle the System File is please?

I have displayed all hidden files but all I can see are the following folders:-

.active-content-data
audible
documents
linkss (I have installed the screen saver hack)
music
metadata.calibre

Any help would be really appreciated

TheKindleWorm · 12-29-2010, 03:55 PM

I believe it is called collections.json and is in a systems folder.

Sorry I can't be more helpful than that. Perhaps do a search for the file via your pc.

Josieb1 · 12-29-2010, 04:19 PM

Thank you, unfortunately its the systems folder I can't locate. I have done a complete search of the Kindle via my PC and it isn't bringing it up.

phil75070 · 12-29-2010, 04:29 PM

There is also a check box (two down) in Tools...Folder Options...View in Explorer that applies to protected "system files" and needs to be unchecked to display the System folder on the Kindle.

Josieb1 · 12-29-2010, 04:42 PM

Thanks Phil, I have it now

tomsem · 12-29-2010, 07:59 PM

Note that collections are backed up to your Amazon account for each Kindle. If for any reason you need to restore them you can always get them from there.

terencek · 12-30-2010, 07:10 AM

Um no I don't think that's true -- only for books you actually bought from Amazon, surely? I always understood that any books you loaded independently (e.g. DRM-free MOBIs) will not show in Amazon's 'backup' listings.

desertblues · 12-30-2010, 07:26 AM

I make a backup of the whole contents of the Kindle; weekly or after major works on it, like collections.

3bayjunkie · 12-30-2010, 03:39 PM

im confused. aren't all your books in the documents folder?

TheKindleWorm · 12-30-2010, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3bayjunkie

im confused. aren't all your books in the documents folder?

Yes you are right, they are.

But this thread is talking about backing up the info held by the Kindle on collections you have created - not the contents of those collections.

Josieb1 · 12-30-2010, 04:11 PM

I asked as I have 6 pages of Collections on two seperate Kindles, (so 12 pages in total), it would be a nightmare having to create all my collections again!

3bayjunkie · 12-30-2010, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheKindleWorm

Yes you are right, they are.

But this thread is talking about backing up the info held by the Kindle on collections you have created - not the contents of those collections.

ok so now im curious too. has anyone answered this yet. and what is the address to the system folder?

Josieb1 · 12-30-2010, 06:38 PM

Quote:

ok so now im curious too. has anyone answered this yet. and what is the address to the system folder?

Yes Phil sorted me out in the third post, here are my notes on what to do within Windows 7:-

In order to back up Kindle collections, save the Documents Folder for book content, and the ‘’collections.json’’ file from the System Folder, for the Collections listings. In order to display the System folder go to Control panel, Apperance and Personalisation, Folder Options, Show Hidden Files and Folder.

Uncheck ‘’Show Hidden File, Folders and Drives, and ‘’Hide Protected Operating System Files’’ After you take a copy of ‘’collections.json’’ restore defaults for the protected files in the Control panel.

This is necessary as the unchecking of ''Hide Protected Operating System Files’’ displays multiple copies of the same folder, so if you don't restore defaults it is confusing.

3bayjunkie · 12-30-2010, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josieb1

Yes Phil sorted me out in the third post, here are my notes on what to do within Windows 7:-

In order to back up Kindle collections, save the Documents Folder for book content, and the ‘’collections.json’’ file from the System Folder, for the Collections listings. In order to display the System folder go to Control panel, Apperance and Personalisation, Folder Options, Show Hidden Files and Folder.

Uncheck ‘’Show Hidden File, Folders and Drives, and ‘’Hide Protected Operating System Files’’ After you take a copy of ‘’collections.json’’ restore defaults for the protected files in the Control panel.

This is necessary as the unchecking of ''Hide Protected Operating System Files’’ displays multiple copies of the same folder, so if you don't restore defaults it is confusing.

im using windows xp pro and it is already set to show hidden files. it doesn't show a folder called system.

CWatkinsNash · 12-31-2010, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3bayjunkie

im using windows xp pro and it is already set to show hidden files. it doesn't show a folder called system.

The option to show "protected system files" is a separate option than hidden files. It *should* be two items below the "hidden files" option in the view options list in XP.

12-29-2010, 02:58 PM	#1
Josieb1 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,100 Karma: 18051062 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: UK Device: Kindle Scribe, Coloursoft, PW SE, Kindle 6, Kobo Libra 2, Clara BW	Locating the System File in order to back up collections Hi, I want to back up my Collections on my Kindle and from previous threads I know it is in the System File. Can anyone tell me whereabouts on my Kindle the System File is please? I have displayed all hidden files but all I can see are the following folders:- .active-content-data audible documents linkss (I have installed the screen saver hack) music metadata.calibre Any help would be really appreciated

12-30-2010, 04:11 PM	#11
Josieb1 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,100 Karma: 18051062 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: UK Device: Kindle Scribe, Coloursoft, PW SE, Kindle 6, Kobo Libra 2, Clara BW	I asked as I have 6 pages of Collections on two seperate Kindles, (so 12 pages in total), it would be a nightmare having to create all my collections again! Last edited by Josieb1; 12-30-2010 at 04:15 PM.

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12-29-2010, 03:55 PM	#2
TheKindleWorm Guru Posts: 860 Karma: 177868 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: East Anglia UK Device: Kindle 3G, iPhone 3G, iPod 4G, PB 360, Sony 600 sold, Kindle 2i sold	I believe it is called collections.json and is in a systems folder. Sorry I can't be more helpful than that. Perhaps do a search for the file via your pc.

12-29-2010, 04:19 PM	#3
Josieb1 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,100 Karma: 18051062 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: UK Device: Kindle Scribe, Coloursoft, PW SE, Kindle 6, Kobo Libra 2, Clara BW	Thank you, unfortunately its the systems folder I can't locate. I have done a complete search of the Kindle via my PC and it isn't bringing it up.

12-29-2010, 04:29 PM	#4
phil75070 Enthusiast Posts: 37 Karma: 658 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Kindle 2	There is also a check box (two down) in Tools...Folder Options...View in Explorer that applies to protected "system files" and needs to be unchecked to display the System folder on the Kindle.

12-29-2010, 04:42 PM	#5
Josieb1 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,100 Karma: 18051062 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: UK Device: Kindle Scribe, Coloursoft, PW SE, Kindle 6, Kobo Libra 2, Clara BW	Thanks Phil, I have it now

12-29-2010, 07:59 PM	#6
tomsem Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,008 Karma: 27060353 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: USA Device: iPhone 15PM, Kindle Scribe, iPad mini 6, PocketBook InkPad Color 3	Note that collections are backed up to your Amazon account for each Kindle. If for any reason you need to restore them you can always get them from there.

12-30-2010, 07:10 AM	#7
terencek Groupie Posts: 170 Karma: 1010944 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: The African bush Device: Kindle 3	Um no I don't think that's true -- only for books you actually bought from Amazon, surely? I always understood that any books you loaded independently (e.g. DRM-free MOBIs) will not show in Amazon's 'backup' listings.

12-30-2010, 07:26 AM	#8
desertblues Home for the moment Posts: 5,127 Karma: 27718936 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: travelling Device: various	I make a backup of the whole contents of the Kindle; weekly or after major works on it, like collections.

12-30-2010, 03:39 PM	#9
3bayjunkie SPC Posts: 96 Karma: 9594 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: Kindle 3 (3g,black)	im confused. aren't all your books in the documents folder?