Conversion hangs at 47%

[Bobosmite]

I've found a few discussions on this topic on another forum, but nothing definitive. I have been converting .html > .mobi with no issues until today when my .html (.zip in Calibre) hangs at 47%. I experimented with the graphics...removed, re-edit, replace, re-save...and my problem docs get over the hump and convert 100%.

So my question is: What are the known issues with graphic files and conversion that causes it to hang at 47%?

I used to work with databases that would hang at 66% during conversion if there was an indexing problem or corruption. It was easily fixed, so I'm hoping this issue has a similar easy fix.

[kovidgoyal]

There is an easy fix, just wait, the conversion will finish

[Bobosmite]

I was able to get these problem docs to convert after some tinkering.

- All docs are saved as HTML, filtered in Word 2010
- All docs have exactly two graphics (cover & flyleaf) saved as .JPG.
- All docs are converted .ZIP > .MOBI
- The book cover image is the same .JPG as used for the doc.

Using this format, I've converted dozens of docs, over and over many times with no issues. I had three docs that would not convert beyond 47%. Prior to adding graphics, one of these docs converted 100%. So, I tinkered.

1. Removed the graphics from these docs
2. Problem docs converted without graphics
3. Edited/Re-created book and flyleaf graphics
4. Added newbook and flyleaf graphics to the docs
5. Problem docs convert

Each doc now converts to 100% in Calibre, each less than 1m conversion time. Visually, it's the same doc...2 graphics + text. I'd like to understand how graphics affect conversion. Is it size?...format?...dpi?...etc. I don't see any connection between these problem docs or how they are different from previous ones that converted successfully.

One thing I did notice was that graphics pasted directly into Word were saved as .PNG in the <BOOKTITLE>_FILES directory when saved as .HTML. Of the three problem docs, only one had .PNG graphics, the other two used .JPG.

[carpetmojo]

I used to worry about this - but as Kovid says, ignore it for a bit, walk the dog or summink, and it will get there.

[Bobosmite]

Originally Posted by carpetmojo

I used to worry about this - but as Kovid says, ignore it for a bit, walk the dog or summink, and it will get there.

Looking at the conversion log, two books were failing over and over. One job was 610minutes before I cancelled it. Ten hours. After removing and re-creating the graphics it took 19sec. & 37sec.

This isn't about being patient, it's about something in the source data that's causing the conversion script to error/hang/stop/loop/whatever. It's worth pursuing a real solution, whether it be in how the document is created or in the conversion code.

Either way, there seems to be a reasonable workaround for this issue and that's what I was really looking for.

[speakingtohe]

Originally Posted by Bobosmite

Looking at the conversion log, two books were failing over and over. One job was 610minutes before I cancelled it. Ten hours. After removing and re-creating the graphics it took 19sec. & 37sec.

This isn't about being patient, it's about something in the source data that's causing the conversion script to error/hang/stop/loop/whatever. It's worth pursuing a real solution, whether it be in how the document is created or in the conversion code.

Either way, there seems to be a reasonable workaround for this issue and that's what I was really looking for.

Seems like you found it?

[theducks]

Wait it out or until it errors

I just had 2, PDF->Mobi run 1003, 1255 Minutes

It is all about CODE complexity, not count of whatevers