Help Needed with Calibre Import

[eschwartz]

Well, it is never a good idea to wipe the old computer until you have confirmed everything transferred over properly!

But if you have another backup of your library you aren't done for.

...

"All my books are on a Verbatim portable h/d."

Do you mean, not in a calibre library but just a collection of ebook files? If so, reimport everything and prepare to clean up and fix metadata, etc. You'll have to reinvest all the time you took in the past to get your library into shape.

Or do you mean a copy of the calibre library folder, with a metadata.db and everything? If so, you can copy that to the new computer, and use the Switch/Create Library dialog to ADD the new library to your list of calibre libraries. This is the previous, manual alternative to the new Export/Import dialog -- which was created to make it easier to copy a library folder over to a new computer.
In other words, everything is fine and dandy.

[theducks]

Originally Posted by Beewee

Better Red:
The size of the part-001 etc. data is 370kb
and yes there is %appdata%\calibre that looks something like that with a few variations.

the ducks:
I've put the library in documents but what next? That is ...the library containing all my books and right at the bottom of the list is:
Metadata
metadata_db_prefs_backup.json

You should not see this in a properly exported Library
(list is for 4 Libraries exported to a Networked drive. Yours should be smaller )

Spoiler:

Directory of J:\Centaur_1606

25-Jun-16 19:30 <DIR> .
25-Jun-16 19:30 <DIR> ..
25-Jun-16 18:54 1,071,974,419 part-0001.calibre-data
25-Jun-16 18:56 1,072,257,139 part-0002.calibre-data
25-Jun-16 19:00 1,065,125,149 part-0003.calibre-data
25-Jun-16 19:03 1,072,519,627 part-0004.calibre-data
25-Jun-16 19:06 1,070,842,527 part-0005.calibre-data
25-Jun-16 19:09 1,070,714,462 part-0006.calibre-data
25-Jun-16 19:12 995,314,013 part-0007.calibre-data
25-Jun-16 19:15 1,073,171,058 part-0008.calibre-data
25-Jun-16 19:18 1,073,579,405 part-0009.calibre-data
25-Jun-16 19:21 1,038,771,238 part-0010.calibre-data
25-Jun-16 19:24 1,073,149,797 part-0011.calibre-data
25-Jun-16 19:27 1,070,172,658 part-0012.calibre-data
25-Jun-16 19:30 1,073,643,214 part-0013.calibre-data
25-Jun-16 19:33 842,779,079 part-0014.calibre-data
14 File(s) 14,664,013,785 bytes
2 Dir(s) 12,097,486,848 bytes free

[Beewee]

My old computer is wiped. All my books are on a Verbatim portable h/d. Am I done for?

[theducks]

Note: Import and Export used in this discussion prior to my post, was using the Tool on the Library Icon, which bundles all pices into a easy to use package.

Prior to this, you had to copy each and every Library (if more than 1), copy the configuration folder. To restore: you had to put the pieces into their proper places (and adjust locations if needed)

The last suggestion by eschwartz (if I read 'Import' right), was to RECONSTRUCT from just book files, using Add Books. This is tedious and IMHO a last resort

Don't wipe drive on old computers... Remove them and Keep them (label where they came from) to be installed in a USB drive caddy or as a Second Internal drive if you have a Desktop. The new owner can buy a NEW drive for a pittance

[Beewee]

As I said before, I'm not computer literate and just wouldn't have a clue about removing HD. I thought I was pretty good putting all I needed on to a portable h/d as that's the extent of my knowledge. Anyway when I first tried sorting out this mess I deleted loads of stuff which is now in recycle bin. I had Calibre working initially but then I started messing around with files and folders and completely messed things up. What next.... I really don't want to have to install every book individually!

[HarryT]

Do you have a copy of the entire Calibre Library folder from your old computer?

If so, uninstall Calibre and all library folders from your new computer. Copy the library folder onto your new PC from the external drive. Install Calibre and, when it asks where the library should go, point it at the folder you've copied.

Job done. Much easier than messing with export/import.

[theducks]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Do you have a copy of the entire Calibre Library folder from your old computer?

If so, uninstall Calibre and all library folders from your new computer. Copy the library folder onto your new PC from the external drive. Install Calibre and, when it asks where the library should go, point it at the folder you've copied.

Job done. Much easier than messing with export/import.

Harry, you have to remove the configuration folder manually. Uninstall leaves that intact. removal only needed if you DO NOT USE the default location-name.
You can Also just replace the ENTIRE contents of the current Library folder with the OLD one

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by theducks

Prior to this, you had to copy each and every Library (if more than 1), copy the configuration folder. To restore: you had to put the pieces into their proper places (and adjust locations if needed)

The last suggestion by eschwartz (if I read 'Import' right), was to RECONSTRUCT from just book files, using Add Books. This is tedious and IMHO a last resort

I mentioned both options, and asked what was actually on the portable HDD.

@HarryT,

No, it really really isn't.

The Export/Import tool was created for the express purpose of mechanizing and making it easier for the non-techie users.
And it has done a good job at doing precisely that.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by theducks

Harry, you have to remove the configuration folder manually. Uninstall leaves that intact. removal only needed if you DO NOT USE the default location-name.

Thank you - I forgot that step.

[Beewee]

Hello Harry ... Thanks for trying to simplify things for me. I'm totally confused now though. I don't know what the "entire calibre library" consists of. Is it just the book files in a yellow folder plus metadata plus metadata_db_prefs_backup.json?

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Beewee

Hello Harry ... Thanks for trying to simplify things for me. I'm totally confused now though. I don't know what the "entire calibre library" consists of. Is it just the book files in a yellow folder plus metadata plus metadata_db_prefs_backup.json?

In the root folder of your library you should have the two files you mention, plus one folder for each author in your library.

[Beewee]

Yes I have all those ....

[HarryT]

Fine then. Just copy the lot into a folder on your hard disk (eg "C:\Calibre Library") and point Calibre at that library folder. Everything should then work fine.

[Beewee]

Latest!!

Traceback (most recent call last):
File "site-packages\calibre\gui2\dialogs\exim.py", line 253, in select_import_folder
File "site-packages\calibre\utils\exim.py", line 255, in __init__
ValueError: No exported data found in: C:\Users\bethw\Calibre Library

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Beewee

Latest!!

Traceback (most recent call last):
File "site-packages\calibre\gui2\dialogs\exim.py", line 253, in select_import_folder
File "site-packages\calibre\utils\exim.py", line 255, in __init__
ValueError: No exported data found in: C:\Users\bethw\Calibre Library

It sounds as if you're trying to do an import. You can't do an import, because you didn't do an export. Just do as I said, and point Calibre at your library folder, using the "Switch Library" option in Calibre.