Corrupt Metadata Library

[Adam KH]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

backup_metadata

The primary purpose of the metadata.opf files in the book title folders is to enable a corrupted database to be restored. They can also be used when books are added from a folder that was/is a calibre library folder.

Missing OPF file in the Book folders will not effect performance.

BR

Thank you but it means that I cannot restore or correct a corrupted database,
To be honest downloading metadata for 108 books would not be a problem. But it would be nice if I could force refresh of the opf

Will Calibre Export update the metadata in the saved files from what is in the calibre library?

[kovidgoyal]

Change some metadata in one of these problem books and see if the opf is generated. If it isnt, then run calibre in debug mode and repeat and see if there are any errors in the debug log.

[Adam KH]

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

Change some metadata in one of these problem books and see if the opf is generated.....

I tested with 3 books in the original library and gave each a star rating (I don't use star ratings). I then saved and a OPF was created for each book. I then closed Calibre and started it again and the corrected opf file was still there.

When I imported the 5143 books into a new library 108 showed the date added as 20 August. I have not added any books since 18 Aug. Each of those had an opf file but either the metadata values were missing or incorrect when I randomly checked the books.

I assume that adding books through "Add from Folders or Sub-folders"creates an OPF file. Interesting that my check on the number of opf files showed a 108 books missing opf files.

To be honest 108 books without metadata is not a problem. It would have taken me less time that try to identify this problem. I have a worry that some of the books which do have opf file in the original library have incomplete opf files.

So how to I rebuild the metadata library? I dont have a metadata backup.

[theducks]

@adam
Does the Library view allow you to open one of those 'Missing the OPF' books?
If Calibre entry works to view those books, then the DB entry in Calibre is good as far as it points to the proper book.


To avoid confusion, do not refer to those OPF files as 'metadata' (even if they do have that name). [(B]metadata.db[/B] is what you see in the GUI.That is current ) They are supposed to only be the BACKUP of the entry in Calibre. (Note, not much data in Calibre, that file can be pretty sparse)
Depending on How the restored DB was created:
1)If you use ADD and it saw the OPF file with the book, then tat was used.
2)otherwise, it tries to read the books internal OPF (way different than the Calibre one)
Since the metadata OPF file is missing, #2 was probably used, so what you see is what you have.
(very dim ) Open one of those books using Calibe's VIEWER. Use the View Metadata Icon (colored spokes). Does that show MORE than what Calibre has? If yes, the you might recover that books metadata. in the MDE, select the format, then click the blue book to the left. VERIFY what you see (you can always CANCEL if ) before clicking OK

Dates: Many things affect file (and metadata) dates . don't let a change lead you astray.
{date} is the date the line item creation, not the format add date (It CAN be the same)
{last_modified} ANY change that affects ANY metadata shown by Calibre FOR THAT ENTRY. Change a case on a tag in common use, and it affect all uses)

[Adam KH]

Originally Posted by theducks

@adam
Does the Library view allow you to open one of those 'Missing the OPF' books?
If Calibre entry works to view those books, then the DB entry in Calibre is good as far as it points to the proper book....

Yes it does. I will access the 108 identified books and update the metadata which will create a OPF file. Fortunately those 108 have been identified in the 5000 books I imported to a new library. 3 of the 4 libraries are clean and work fine.

I have FT set which will slow things down (9,949 of 45,551 books have been indexed which implies that I have 4,000 orphan books or duplicates)

I will then import all books using Add Books - Folders and Sub-folders. This will import all books, any orphan books and any duplicates. Importing should take about 3-4 days as I am using a USB 3.1 USB drive. But I have time as it does not need to be complete before the start of October.

I just wish there was a function in Calibre to flush the metadata to the OPF file updating it or when there is no OPF file creating and OPF File.

Every month I carry out a library check and quality check but they do not pick up the issues I am facing.