Restoring Database Process Hanging?

skfed · Yesterday, 09:33 AM

My library was working just fine until I tried to delete a book, then it gave me an I/O error. I closed calibre to see if that would solve it. However, upon attempting to reopen calibre, it gave me a message that my database was corrupted and needed to be restored.

I selected the restore database option, and it's been restoring the database for about 16 hours. For 12 of those hours, it's been on the same screen where there's no progress percentage, it just lists the last book that I added before the original issue. Is there something else I should try? Is this just a wait and see time? How long should I wait before deciding that this isn't going to work? Any other suggestions?

JSWolf · Yesterday, 10:03 AM

Given that you had an I/O error, could it be that your drive is corrupted?

skfed · Yesterday, 10:20 AM

I don't think so because I haven't had any issues with anything else on that partition, but is there a way to check? I'm on a mac running Sequoia.

kovidgoyal · Yesterday, 10:32 AM

I/O errors typically indicate imminent disk failure. You can also try restoring the database from the command line, you might get more insformation that way

In Terminal.app run

/Applications/calibre.app/Contents/MacOS/calibredb restore_database -r

skfed · Yesterday, 10:36 AM

Thanks for that - it's my main drive so ooof, but at least I have a heads up!

JSWolf · Yesterday, 10:52 AM

The thing to do is make a full backup in case the drive is on the way out.

theducks · Today, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skfed

Thanks for that - it's my main drive so ooof, but at least I have a heads up!

Check Windows Event viewer: system . Drive issues usually get marked with a red mark
Another way is find a S.M.A.R.T. viewer that shows the drives internal log.

(I use a Linux Live CD to get drive status, but there are others)

BetterRed · Today, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theducks

Check Windows Event viewer: system . Drive issues usually get marked with a red mark
Another way is find a S.M.A.R.T. viewer that shows the drives internal log.

(I use a Linux Live CD to get drive status, but there are others)

The OP can't do any of that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by skfed

I don't think so because I haven't had any issues with anything else on that partition, but is there a way to check? I'm on a mac running Sequoia.

BR

JSWolf · Today, 08:55 AM

@skfed

AI Overview

A macOS "smart status app" refers to the native Disk Utility app, which allows you to check a drive's Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology (S.M.A.R.T.) status to gauge its health. Other third-party applications like DriveDx, SmartReporter, and the command-line tool smartctl also provide more detailed drive health information.
Using the Built-in Disk Utility
This is the simplest way to get a basic status check:

Open Disk Utility from the Applications > Utilities folder.
Select the disk you want to check in the sidebar.
Look for the S.M.A.R.T. status, which will appear as "Verified," "Failing," or "Unsupported" in the bottom-left corner of the window.

Using System Information
For a quick check through the Apple menu:

Click the Apple icon in the menu bar.
Select About This Mac.
Click System Report.
Under the "Hardware" section, select SATA/SATA Express.
Look for the "SMART Status" line.

Third-Party Options for Deeper Insights
If you need more comprehensive information, consider these alternatives:

DriveDx: A tool offering detailed health reports for your drives.

SmartReporter: Provides background monitoring and alerts for potential drive issues.
smartctl (via Terminal): A powerful, open-source command-line utility that gives detailed information, including temperature, read/write data, and more, after installation via Homebrew.

What to Do Based on the Status

Verified: Your drive is currently working correctly.

Failing: This indicates a potential hardware issue, and you should back up your data immediately and plan for a drive replacement.
Unsupported: The drive may not have S.M.A.R.T. functionality, or it's not supported by macOS.

Yesterday, 09:33 AM	#1
skfed Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2025 Device: Kindle Oasis	Restoring Database Process Hanging? My library was working just fine until I tried to delete a book, then it gave me an I/O error. I closed calibre to see if that would solve it. However, upon attempting to reopen calibre, it gave me a message that my database was corrupted and needed to be restored. I selected the restore database option, and it's been restoring the database for about 16 hours. For 12 of those hours, it's been on the same screen where there's no progress percentage, it just lists the last book that I added before the original issue. Is there something else I should try? Is this just a wait and see time? How long should I wait before deciding that this isn't going to work? Any other suggestions?

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Yesterday, 10:03 AM	#2
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 80,162 Karma: 148951761 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Given that you had an I/O error, could it be that your drive is corrupted?

Yesterday, 10:20 AM	#3
skfed Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2025 Device: Kindle Oasis	I don't think so because I haven't had any issues with anything else on that partition, but is there a way to check? I'm on a mac running Sequoia.

Yesterday, 10:32 AM	#4
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,484 Karma: 28005164 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	I/O errors typically indicate imminent disk failure. You can also try restoring the database from the command line, you might get more insformation that way In Terminal.app run /Applications/calibre.app/Contents/MacOS/calibredb restore_database -r

Yesterday, 10:36 AM	#5
skfed Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2025 Device: Kindle Oasis	Thanks for that - it's my main drive so ooof, but at least I have a heads up!

Yesterday, 10:52 AM	#6
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 80,162 Karma: 148951761 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	The thing to do is make a full backup in case the drive is on the way out.

Today, 08:55 AM	#9
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 80,162 Karma: 148951761 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	@skfed AI Overview A macOS "smart status app" refers to the native Disk Utility app, which allows you to check a drive's Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology (S.M.A.R.T.) status to gauge its health. Other third-party applications like DriveDx, SmartReporter, and the command-line tool smartctl also provide more detailed drive health information. Using the Built-in Disk Utility This is the simplest way to get a basic status check: Open Disk Utility from the Applications > Utilities folder. Select the disk you want to check in the sidebar. Look for the S.M.A.R.T. status, which will appear as "Verified," "Failing," or "Unsupported" in the bottom-left corner of the window. Using System Information For a quick check through the Apple menu: Click the Apple icon in the menu bar. Select About This Mac. Click System Report. Under the "Hardware" section, select SATA/SATA Express. Look for the "SMART Status" line. Third-Party Options for Deeper Insights If you need more comprehensive information, consider these alternatives: DriveDx: A tool offering detailed health reports for your drives. SmartReporter: Provides background monitoring and alerts for potential drive issues. smartctl (via Terminal): A powerful, open-source command-line utility that gives detailed information, including temperature, read/write data, and more, after installation via Homebrew. What to Do Based on the Status Verified: Your drive is currently working correctly. Failing: This indicates a potential hardware issue, and you should back up your data immediately and plan for a drive replacement. Unsupported: The drive may not have S.M.A.R.T. functionality, or it's not supported by macOS.