Lost sidebar covers after folder migration

Pamelane · 01-26-2023, 08:48 PM

My (Mac-Catalina) Calibre library is growing fast, requiring a move to another drive. No problem switching except that now all my carefully curated covers are replaced with the blue generic cover. I've gone through the author's checklist for this and everything seems right. Within every book's folder is a file called cover.jpg and all of the twenty or so I checked are well below the size limit. I'll post a screenshot if the option appears here under Preview thread.

I found the instruction to check something with the code but can't visualize how to do it. I'm comfortable with simple terminal commands. One thing that might be related two metadata files: one 22mb and the other 317mb. I should have saved the smaller one in case it holds the cover data but I didn't, am trying to recover it now.

Sorry this is so long. I'm longing to see my collection whole again.

kovidgoyal · 01-26-2023, 09:10 PM

How did you move the library? If there is a valid cover.jog in the books folder it will be used automatically. Press the O key to see what the actual book folder calibre is using is.

Pamelane · 01-26-2023, 11:59 PM

What a swift reply...thank you!

When I press "O" it opens a folder in the Finder but it's empty. It has the name of the book I selected—I tried with several, same withe pub and pdf—only there are no files of any kind in the folder. Nor can I bring up the book by clicking on it in the metadata view.

The answer to how I switched is very inelegant but I know accuracy is key. I thought I knew the right procedure but I didn't, really, and made a right mess of it...tried with the metadata file inside the Calibre folder (where the folders are) and then outside, finally being thrilled to see the Library populated. Feeling equally humbled and fortunate you're so generous with your time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

How did you move the library? If there is a valid cover.jog in the books folder it will be used automatically. Press the O key to see what the actual book folder calibre is using is.

kovidgoyal · 01-27-2023, 12:57 AM

That means you have calibre opening to an essentially empty library. Only the metadata.db file has been copied not any of the actual book and cover files. Use the switch library function in calibre to point it to the actual calibre library folder that contains both the metadata.db and the book and cover files.

Pamelane · 01-27-2023, 09:19 AM

First, thank you for your persistence here.

I hope these snaps will make clear where I'm failing. Your instructions couldn't be easier, yet I get no data when I go there. When I back out one level, selecting the folder that contains my Calibre Library folder (which itself contains the data and metadata) I fare no better. The first shows the directory structure and the size and location of data and meta. I do hope you can work out the trouble. I've already decided to donate my personal allowance next month.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

That means you have calibre opening to an essentially empty library. Only the metadata.db file has been copied not any of the actual book and cover files. Use the switch library function in calibre to point it to the actual calibre library folder that contains both the metadata.db and the book and cover files.

kovidgoyal · 01-27-2023, 09:35 AM

A calibre library consists of afolder containing the metadata.db file, and various author folders. In each author folder are book folders inside the book folders are the actual book files and cover.jpg cover images.

From your description it sounds to me like you have ended up with metadata.db inside a folder with author and book subfolders but no actual files.

So figure out which folder contains the sub folders that have the actual ebook files. Once you know that, copy metadata.db into that folder, then tell calibre to use it as the library folder.

Alternately, keep your existing library, and you can right click the add books button and chosoe add books from folders and sub-folders. and choose the parent folder containing all the author folders that contain the actual files. Select one book per folder and it should re-import everything preserving the metadata, covers, etc/

Pamelane · 01-27-2023, 09:57 AM

Oh no, this I do know is not what I have. I meant to include a Get Info showing the size of my library, 124GB's! The metadata file should have shown up on the screenshot as loose within a folder titled "Calibre Library" and along with it are the separate author folders you describe. Of this I am most certain. Shall I workout a better screenshot to show you? It's important that we agree on this, I know.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

A calibre library consists of afolder containing the metadata.db file, and various author folders. In each author folder are book folders inside the book folders are the actual book files and cover.jpg cover images.

From your description it sounds to me like you have ended up with metadata.db inside a folder with author and book subfolders but no actual files.

So figure out which folder contains the sub folders that have the actual ebook files. Once you know that, copy metadata.db into that folder, then tell calibre to use it as the library folder.

Alternately, keep your existing library, and you can right click the add books button and chosoe add books from folders and sub-folders. and choose the parent folder containing all the author folders that contain the actual files. Select one book per folder and it should re-import everything preserving the metadata, covers, etc/

kovidgoyal · 01-27-2023, 10:05 AM

step 1: find a folder that contains the author folders that contain the book folders that contain your actual files.

Pamelane · 01-27-2023, 10:07 AM

Forgive me for adding to my own reply. The screenshot I describe above was forgotten in the earlier series. I'll post another in my next as it's not an option for this "Quick Reply." As I took another though, I notice that the metadata is now far smaller than earlier this morning, before I began experimenting. I'll be trying to locate the larger one in backup but can this occur from so much switching? I do hope I'm not sunk after putting so much work into it these long years?

kovidgoyal · 01-27-2023, 10:13 AM

If you have a backup simply copy the calibre library folder from the backup and point calibre to it. If you dont then do step 1 i posted earlier.

Pamelane · 01-27-2023, 10:23 AM

I have no backup, am using recovery to locate the larger metadata I had just this morning. Here's a snap showing Step 1 and the size of my library.

kovidgoyal · 01-27-2023, 10:28 AM

So are their actual book files in those book folders?

Pamelane · 01-27-2023, 10:36 AM

Oh yes; it's what I'm clinging to! : )

kovidgoyal · 01-27-2023, 10:41 AM

Then simply pointing calibre to the "Calibre Library" folder will work. But before you do anything else, make a backup of the "Calibre Library" folder.

Pamelane · 01-27-2023, 10:49 AM

Right. Only...did the earlier screenshots not prove this is what I was doing? Not trying to be difficult, really. You've been so kind. Every time I press that button I get my hopes up and every time I'm left without a clue what could be wrong. But I'll backup and do it again. Thank you.

01-26-2023, 08:48 PM	#1
Pamelane Member Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: SW Michigan, USA Device: Mac to iPad	Lost sidebar covers after folder migration My (Mac-Catalina) Calibre library is growing fast, requiring a move to another drive. No problem switching except that now all my carefully curated covers are replaced with the blue generic cover. I've gone through the author's checklist for this and everything seems right. Within every book's folder is a file called cover.jpg and all of the twenty or so I checked are well below the size limit. I'll post a screenshot if the option appears here under Preview thread. I found the instruction to check something with the code but can't visualize how to do it. I'm comfortable with simple terminal commands. One thing that might be related two metadata files: one 22mb and the other 317mb. I should have saved the smaller one in case it holds the cover data but I didn't, am trying to recover it now. Sorry this is so long. I'm longing to see my collection whole again. Attached Thumbnails

01-27-2023, 10:23 AM	#11
Pamelane Member Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: SW Michigan, USA Device: Mac to iPad	I have no backup, am using recovery to locate the larger metadata I had just this morning. Here's a snap showing Step 1 and the size of my library. Attached Thumbnails

01-27-2023, 10:36 AM	#13
Pamelane Member Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: SW Michigan, USA Device: Mac to iPad	Oh yes; it's what I'm clinging to! : ) Attached Thumbnails

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01-26-2023, 09:10 PM	#2
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,185 Karma: 27110894 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	How did you move the library? If there is a valid cover.jog in the books folder it will be used automatically. Press the O key to see what the actual book folder calibre is using is.

01-27-2023, 12:57 AM	#4
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,185 Karma: 27110894 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	That means you have calibre opening to an essentially empty library. Only the metadata.db file has been copied not any of the actual book and cover files. Use the switch library function in calibre to point it to the actual calibre library folder that contains both the metadata.db and the book and cover files.

01-27-2023, 09:35 AM	#6
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,185 Karma: 27110894 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	A calibre library consists of afolder containing the metadata.db file, and various author folders. In each author folder are book folders inside the book folders are the actual book files and cover.jpg cover images. From your description it sounds to me like you have ended up with metadata.db inside a folder with author and book subfolders but no actual files. So figure out which folder contains the sub folders that have the actual ebook files. Once you know that, copy metadata.db into that folder, then tell calibre to use it as the library folder. Alternately, keep your existing library, and you can right click the add books button and chosoe add books from folders and sub-folders. and choose the parent folder containing all the author folders that contain the actual files. Select one book per folder and it should re-import everything preserving the metadata, covers, etc/

01-27-2023, 10:05 AM	#8
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,185 Karma: 27110894 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	step 1: find a folder that contains the author folders that contain the book folders that contain your actual files.

01-27-2023, 10:07 AM	#9
Pamelane Member Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: SW Michigan, USA Device: Mac to iPad	Forgive me for adding to my own reply. The screenshot I describe above was forgotten in the earlier series. I'll post another in my next as it's not an option for this "Quick Reply." As I took another though, I notice that the metadata is now far smaller than earlier this morning, before I began experimenting. I'll be trying to locate the larger one in backup but can this occur from so much switching? I do hope I'm not sunk after putting so much work into it these long years?

01-27-2023, 10:13 AM	#10
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,185 Karma: 27110894 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	If you have a backup simply copy the calibre library folder from the backup and point calibre to it. If you dont then do step 1 i posted earlier.

01-27-2023, 10:28 AM	#12
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,185 Karma: 27110894 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	So are their actual book files in those book folders?

01-27-2023, 10:41 AM	#14
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,185 Karma: 27110894 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	Then simply pointing calibre to the "Calibre Library" folder will work. But before you do anything else, make a backup of the "Calibre Library" folder.

01-27-2023, 10:49 AM	#15
Pamelane Member Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: SW Michigan, USA Device: Mac to iPad	Right. Only...did the earlier screenshots not prove this is what I was doing? Not trying to be difficult, really. You've been so kind. Every time I press that button I get my hopes up and every time I'm left without a clue what could be wrong. But I'll backup and do it again. Thank you.