Remove database and rescan?

maxwelledison · 09-14-2013, 04:55 AM

I recently ran into a problem with Calibre. Whenever I click on Edit Metadata, it freezes completely, and I have to kill Calibre with Task Manager. I can no longer edit metadata without it freezing up. Kovid suggested rebuilding the database. I did that (took over 30 hours) and the problem still exists. Can I delete the database, it's backups, and rescan all my books to create a new database? What is the best method of doing this? What files should I delete?

Max...

Adoby · 09-14-2013, 05:39 AM

There are a lot of things you can try first, to try to figure out what the problem might be. I suspect that it is your computer that is the problem. Either something that has gone wrong with the operating system, the filesystem, other software or the hardware. If it was something wrong with calibre, then many more would have noticed.

I don't think it will help to delete and rebuild the database. But that is only a guess.

Create a new small test library and add a few books, and see if the problem persists. Use only books that you are sure are OK. For instance download a few books from this site. If it works then you know that the problem is in the old library. You could switch over and simply copy the books from the old library to the new. It will most likely take a while. It may go faster if you temporarily disable antivirus software while calibre is copying books. Worth a try. Could be prudent to disconnect from the Internet while the antivirus software is disabled.

If this doesn't work:

You should run all diagnostic software on your computer to see if there are any problems with the harddrives, memory or operating system. Apply all updates available.

Check free space on the harddrive and remove junk files. Especially clear the temp folder.

Uninstall and reinstall calibre.

Try to run calibre as another user, perhaps even as root/administrator to rule out any problems with rights in the filesystem.

Disconnect from the Internet and temporarily disable any extra security software like antivirus software and so on. Try to run calibre again.

Make a backup of your calibre library, and restore it on another computer and verify that it works OK. Could be just a small test library. If calibre works fine on the other computer then you know for sure that there still is something wrong with your computer. You could try to reset it or reinstall everything from scratch.

chaley · 09-14-2013, 05:55 AM

You don't say whether or not the edit metadata window appears. If it does not, then if you have ever had two displays on your computer then the edit metadata window may be showing on the now non-existent display. Reconnect the second display to check.

maxwelledison · 09-14-2013, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaley

You don't say whether or not the edit metadata window appears. If it does not, then if you have ever had two displays on your computer then the edit metadata window may be showing on the now non-existent display. Reconnect the second display to check.

Thanks Chaley,
you solved my problem. I recent extended an HDMI cable from my computer to my tv. But my tv was not on the input that the computer was on, so I didn't see that the edit metadata window was opening over there across the room from me!

Much appreciated!
Max...

DoctorOhh · 09-15-2013, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxwelledison

you solved my problem. I recent extended an HDMI cable from my computer to my tv. But my tv was not on the input that the computer was on, so I didn't see that the edit metadata window was opening over there across the room from me!

I'm glad you got it sorted out, but this would have been corrected much faster if you started in the original thread you posted to with a description of your actual problem. Maybe I'm tired and grumpy, but I don't appreciate wasting my time answering the other thread when it had already been answered here in a second thread on the same exact problem.

theducks · 09-15-2013, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoctorOhh

I'm glad you got it sorted out, but this would have been corrected much faster if you started in the original thread you posted to with a description of your actual problem. Maybe I'm tired and grumpy, but I don't appreciate wasting my time answering the other thread when it had already been answered here in a second thread on the same exact problem.

Well that would make at least 2 'Grumpies'.

Note to all: We can help

If you think your post is in the wrong (Calibre) Section: Just PM the one of the Moderators Listed (those are links) at the bottom of the Main Forum.

Forum mods can Suggest, Move threads and edit titles. Just ask by PM (

check the name in 'Who is online' for quicker response.)

If you posted outside of Calibre (or Sigil in my case), A Board level Moderator (greenie) will need to do the task.

09-14-2013, 04:55 AM	#1
maxwelledison Member Posts: 17 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Kobo	Remove database and rescan? I recently ran into a problem with Calibre. Whenever I click on Edit Metadata, it freezes completely, and I have to kill Calibre with Task Manager. I can no longer edit metadata without it freezing up. Kovid suggested rebuilding the database. I did that (took over 30 hours) and the problem still exists. Can I delete the database, it's backups, and rescan all my books to create a new database? What is the best method of doing this? What files should I delete? Max...

09-14-2013, 05:39 AM	#2
Adoby Handy Elephant Posts: 1,737 Karma: 26785684 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Southern Sweden, far out in the quiet woods Device: Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra	There are a lot of things you can try first, to try to figure out what the problem might be. I suspect that it is your computer that is the problem. Either something that has gone wrong with the operating system, the filesystem, other software or the hardware. If it was something wrong with calibre, then many more would have noticed. I don't think it will help to delete and rebuild the database. But that is only a guess. Create a new small test library and add a few books, and see if the problem persists. Use only books that you are sure are OK. For instance download a few books from this site. If it works then you know that the problem is in the old library. You could switch over and simply copy the books from the old library to the new. It will most likely take a while. It may go faster if you temporarily disable antivirus software while calibre is copying books. Worth a try. Could be prudent to disconnect from the Internet while the antivirus software is disabled. If this doesn't work: You should run all diagnostic software on your computer to see if there are any problems with the harddrives, memory or operating system. Apply all updates available. Check free space on the harddrive and remove junk files. Especially clear the temp folder. Uninstall and reinstall calibre. Try to run calibre as another user, perhaps even as root/administrator to rule out any problems with rights in the filesystem. Disconnect from the Internet and temporarily disable any extra security software like antivirus software and so on. Try to run calibre again. Make a backup of your calibre library, and restore it on another computer and verify that it works OK. Could be just a small test library. If calibre works fine on the other computer then you know for sure that there still is something wrong with your computer. You could try to reset it or reinstall everything from scratch. Last edited by Adoby; 09-14-2013 at 05:53 AM.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Content server - rescan frequency	barium	Calibre	2	02-27-2013 10:56 AM
Calibre Database cp Kindle Database	mitch13	Library Management	1	05-22-2011 07:33 PM
how to tell the framework to rescan /mnt/us/documents ?	lrizzo	Kindle Developer's Corner	1	10-30-2010 01:26 PM
how to remove database names with no books?	setherd	Calibre	3	02-23-2010 09:26 PM
RFE: Remove remove tags in bulk edit	magphil	Calibre	0	08-11-2009 10:37 AM

09-14-2013, 05:55 AM	#3
chaley Grand Sorcerer Posts: 12,376 Karma: 8012652 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Notts, England Device: Kobo Libra 2	You don't say whether or not the edit metadata window appears. If it does not, then if you have ever had two displays on your computer then the edit metadata window may be showing on the now non-existent display. Reconnect the second display to check.