Books in database not in Calibre GUI

SummitPlot · 03-30-2017, 06:18 AM

My wife and I each have Calibre. Both point Calibre to the Calibre Library folder on our C-drives. All the books in that C-drive folder appear on my Calibre GUI but that's not the case with my wife's Calibre GUI - many books don't show there although they are in the C-drive Calibre Library folder. Why is that?

higgs · 03-30-2017, 06:24 AM

Are you sharing the same library on the same C drive, or is this two separate libraries on two different c drives?
Just because a book in is the calibre library folder does not mean it is in the calibre database
You could try running a database check on your wife's calibre.

Another thought, make sure there is no active filter or active virtual library.

SummitPlot · 03-30-2017, 07:08 AM

It's two separate libraries on two different C-drives. But the contents of the C-drives are identical due to syncing via a networked hard drive. My point is that my Calibre shows all the books but my wife's doesn't.

There are no virtual libraries and no filters (that I know about - where might I look to check?)

When I run Library Maintenance/Check Library/Problems Found, it lists the missing books under Extra Titles. I mark these books for fix, hit "Fix marked" but there's no change. So there's about 50 books in my Calibre that don't show in my wife's Calibre.

Curiously, as a result of all this mucking about, I see there's about six books similarly not showing in my Calibre but that are in my Library and on my wife's Calibre and Library.

Might something be getting lost in the syncing operation?

higgs · 03-30-2017, 07:28 AM

The issue may be if calibre is open in either computer while files in the library are being synced. (This would be a similar issue as using cloud storage)
Try closing down calibre (not just minimized) on both computers, then sync both libraries (including the database file) and see if both libraries then show the same in calibre.

https://manual.calibre-ebook.com/faq...rked-drive-nas

theducks · 03-30-2017, 09:47 AM

what Higgs said.

Sync messed up the db...
But the solution might be easy if the books she has are ALSO shown on your computer.
[Assumes] that sync is 1 way and she does not add books.

With BOTH calibre shut down.
COPY YOUR metadata.db (and metadata_db_prefs_backup for grins) to HER PC
that should do it

SummitPlot · 03-30-2017, 10:48 AM

Way to go, Theducks!

Copying over the metadata.db and metadata_db_prefs_backup files from my PC direct to the wife's PC did the trick.

But is that just a one-time fix? Here's our life:
- we both buy books mostly from Amazon but I buy way more than my wife does. (I'm retired, she's not)
- we both have separate Kindles and separate PC's, each loaded with Calibre and each holding the Calibre Library on the respective C-drives
- Both our PC's are connected to a networked storage device where there is a copy of the Calibre Library
- Once in a while, I will run SyncToy to freshen up the networked storage device with new content from both PC's (ie: two syncs, one from my PC and one from my wife's)
- Looking at the metadata.db file on the networked storage device, I can see it's dated from two years ago, as if it doesn't get synced by SyncToy

Now I need to ponder how to proceed. Any thoughts?

higgs · 03-30-2017, 11:04 AM

I know this method is frowned on by some calibre users, but I use DropBox to hold my calibre library.
The main thing to remember with using a cloud based service like DropBox is to pause the cloud sync before opening calibre, and restart it after you close calibre.
Of course I keep also a backup in case I ever have any issues.

SummitPlot · 03-30-2017, 11:15 AM

I'm gonna keep things simple - use only my PC to for all books. If my wife wants to buy/add something, she can use my PC and then transfer from there to her Kindle. Not as elegant but simpler.

higgs · 03-30-2017, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SummitPlot

I'm gonna keep things simple - use only my PC to for all books. If my wife wants to buy/add something, she can use my PC and then transfer from there to her Kindle. Not as elegant but simpler.

Of course she can continue to buy on her own computer and if she downloads/saves the ebooks to a shared folder, you can add them to calibre on your computer, or better yet have them auto-added.

PeterT · 03-30-2017, 11:50 AM

The thing to remember is that the calibre library consists of both the database and the entire directory structure with the ePub files; when you (or your wife) add books to your respective copies of the library, both the database and directory structure get updated. When you then sync to the network, the copy there reflects that particular person's library. Copying it down to the other PC will loose any local changes on that PC.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

SummitPlot · 03-30-2017, 11:54 AM

My wife would never remember all the appropriate steps. I'm taking back control!

Thanks all for your insight and help.

JSWolf · 03-30-2017, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by higgs

I know this method is frowned on by some calibre users, but I use DropBox to hold my calibre library.
The main thing to remember with using a cloud based service like DropBox is to pause the cloud sync before opening calibre, and restart it after you close calibre.
Of course I keep also a backup in case I ever have any issues.

The solution is DON'T USE CLOUD STORAGE! It messes things up more than it works.

higgs · 03-30-2017, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The solution is DON'T USE CLOUD STORAGE! It messes things up more than it works.

I am quite happy with my cloud storage, thank you very much, and have been for a few years now.
I don't need a solution as I don't have a problem

I wouldn't dream of telling other users what to do or not to do..
Give people the facts, tell them your experiences, advise them if you think its necessary, but there's no need to shout at them DON'T DO THIS or DO THIS

BetterRed · 03-30-2017, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by higgs

I am quite happy with my cloud storage, thank you very much, and have been for a few years now.
I don't need a solution as I don't have a problem

I wouldn't dream of telling other users what to do or not to do..
Give people the facts, tell them your experiences, advise them if you think its necessary, but there's no need to shout at them DON'T DO THIS or DO THIS

Hear, hear - full power to your arm sir/madam - Karma coming your way.

BR

03-30-2017, 06:18 AM	#1
SummitPlot Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2017 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	Books in database not in Calibre GUI My wife and I each have Calibre. Both point Calibre to the Calibre Library folder on our C-drives. All the books in that C-drive folder appear on my Calibre GUI but that's not the case with my wife's Calibre GUI - many books don't show there although they are in the C-drive Calibre Library folder. Why is that?

03-30-2017, 07:28 AM	#4
higgs Connoisseur Posts: 77 Karma: 149999 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Ireland Device: Kobo Glo, Kobo Touch, Kindle PW3	The issue may be if calibre is open in either computer while files in the library are being synced. (This would be a similar issue as using cloud storage) Try closing down calibre (not just minimized) on both computers, then sync both libraries (including the database file) and see if both libraries then show the same in calibre. https://manual.calibre-ebook.com/faq...rked-drive-nas Last edited by higgs; 03-30-2017 at 07:31 AM. Reason: Added link to FAQ

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03-30-2017, 06:24 AM	#2
higgs Connoisseur Posts: 77 Karma: 149999 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Ireland Device: Kobo Glo, Kobo Touch, Kindle PW3	Are you sharing the same library on the same C drive, or is this two separate libraries on two different c drives? Just because a book in is the calibre library folder does not mean it is in the calibre database You could try running a database check on your wife's calibre. Another thought, make sure there is no active filter or active virtual library.

03-30-2017, 07:08 AM	#3
SummitPlot Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2017 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	It's two separate libraries on two different C-drives. But the contents of the C-drives are identical due to syncing via a networked hard drive. My point is that my Calibre shows all the books but my wife's doesn't. There are no virtual libraries and no filters (that I know about - where might I look to check?) When I run Library Maintenance/Check Library/Problems Found, it lists the missing books under Extra Titles. I mark these books for fix, hit "Fix marked" but there's no change. So there's about 50 books in my Calibre that don't show in my wife's Calibre. Curiously, as a result of all this mucking about, I see there's about six books similarly not showing in my Calibre but that are in my Library and on my wife's Calibre and Library. Might something be getting lost in the syncing operation?

03-30-2017, 09:47 AM	#5
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 31,057 Karma: 60358908 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	what Higgs said. Sync messed up the db... But the solution *might* be easy if the books she has are ALSO shown on your computer. [Assumes] that sync is 1 way and she does not add books. With BOTH calibre shut down. COPY YOUR metadata.db (and metadata_db_prefs_backup for grins) to HER PC that should do it

03-30-2017, 10:48 AM	#6
SummitPlot Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2017 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	Way to go, Theducks! Copying over the metadata.db and metadata_db_prefs_backup files from my PC direct to the wife's PC did the trick. But is that just a one-time fix? Here's our life: - we both buy books mostly from Amazon but I buy way more than my wife does. (I'm retired, she's not) - we both have separate Kindles and separate PC's, each loaded with Calibre and each holding the Calibre Library on the respective C-drives - Both our PC's are connected to a networked storage device where there is a copy of the Calibre Library - Once in a while, I will run SyncToy to freshen up the networked storage device with new content from both PC's (ie: two syncs, one from my PC and one from my wife's) - Looking at the metadata.db file on the networked storage device, I can see it's dated from two years ago, as if it doesn't get synced by SyncToy Now I need to ponder how to proceed. Any thoughts?

03-30-2017, 11:04 AM	#7
higgs Connoisseur Posts: 77 Karma: 149999 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Ireland Device: Kobo Glo, Kobo Touch, Kindle PW3	I know this method is frowned on by some calibre users, but I use DropBox to hold my calibre library. The main thing to remember with using a cloud based service like DropBox is to pause the cloud sync before opening calibre, and restart it after you close calibre. Of course I keep also a backup in case I ever have any issues.

03-30-2017, 11:15 AM	#8
SummitPlot Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2017 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	I'm gonna keep things simple - use only my PC to for all books. If my wife wants to buy/add something, she can use my PC and then transfer from there to her Kindle. Not as elegant but simpler.

03-30-2017, 11:50 AM	#10
PeterT Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,521 Karma: 78910202 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Device: Libra H2O, Libra Colour	The thing to remember is that the calibre library consists of both the database and the entire directory structure with the ePub files; when you (or your wife) add books to your respective copies of the library, both the database and directory structure get updated. When you then sync to the network, the copy there reflects that particular person's library. Copying it down to the other PC will loose any local changes on that PC. Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

03-30-2017, 11:54 AM	#11
SummitPlot Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2017 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	My wife would never remember all the appropriate steps. I'm taking back control! Thanks all for your insight and help.