totally messed up my library

ChipAHoy · 02-08-2018, 10:37 PM

Is there a way to just start from scratch? I seemed to have really messed up my Calibre database.

I tried importing my last correct library, and follow theh prompts by creating an empty folder for the new library. But I wind up with is a blank library in Calibre.

Adoby · 02-09-2018, 04:53 AM

Just restore a backup of your Calibre library.

You DO have a backup, don't you?

Otherwise it should be possible to create a new library with a new name and let Calibre import the files from the folder with the old library. If you get the latest metadata is not certain.

Start by making a copy of the old calibre library, in case something goes wrong. Look inside it to verify that it is full of folders with abbreviated author names with ebook-files inside them.

Check in settings that metadata is read from file contents.

Run "Add books from directories, including subdirectories (One book per directory..." on the new backup copy of the old calibre library.

If all goes well you will have everything back. Then delete the old library and the copy. (But NOT the new library!!!)

Finally, and very important: Make a backup of your calibre library folder. Place the backup on a USB-stick or external HD or to the cloud. And update that backup every time you make changes!

If you value your work on the metadata for the books, and the books themselves, you will most likely have more than one backup...

ChipAHoy · 02-09-2018, 02:52 PM

I am either getting that location for new library isn't empty (even though it is empty), or I am seeing the new library with duplicates everywhere, and titles showing author names and titles reversed.

Adoby · 02-09-2018, 03:34 PM

I'm sorry, but I am stumped...

Perhaps time for a full reset? Brute Force!

I suggest that you make a backup of all your books.

Then uninstall calibre and delete all calibre library folders.

After that reinstall latest calibre fresh. Now you are sure everything is OK!

Start to carefully add ONE of the books from the backup copy to the new fresh calibre library.

Experiment with settings and patterns for the import until everything works correctly. Then add the rest.

... or wait for other suggestions ...

02-08-2018, 10:37 PM	#1
ChipAHoy Thistle Sifter Posts: 187 Karma: 24088 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: San Diego Device: Kindle Paperwhite	totally messed up my library Is there a way to just start from scratch? I seemed to have really messed up my Calibre database. I tried importing my last correct library, and follow theh prompts by creating an empty folder for the new library. But I wind up with is a blank library in Calibre.

02-09-2018, 04:53 AM	#2
Adoby Handy Elephant Posts: 1,736 Karma: 26785668 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Southern Sweden, far out in the quiet woods Device: Thinkpad E595, Ubuntu Mate, Huawei Mediapad 5, Bouye Likebook Plus	Just restore a backup of your Calibre library. You DO have a backup, don't you? Otherwise it should be possible to create a new library with a new name and let Calibre import the files from the folder with the old library. If you get the latest metadata is not certain. Start by making a copy of the old calibre library, in case something goes wrong. Look inside it to verify that it is full of folders with abbreviated author names with ebook-files inside them. Check in settings that metadata is read from file contents. Run "Add books from directories, including subdirectories (One book per directory..." on the new backup copy of the old calibre library. If all goes well you will have everything back. Then delete the old library and the copy. (But NOT the new library!!!) Finally, and very important: Make a backup of your calibre library folder. Place the backup on a USB-stick or external HD or to the cloud. And update that backup every time you make changes! If you value your work on the metadata for the books, and the books themselves, you will most likely have more than one backup... Last edited by Adoby; 02-09-2018 at 04:58 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Messed up Library [open thread]	EvM1	Library Management	24	04-06-2016 05:13 AM
[CLOSED] Messed up Library	EvM1	Calibre	2	03-30-2016 09:38 PM
Library messed up... Bug with Dropbox??	yj000018	Library Management	4	06-13-2014 08:15 AM
Messed up my library	pollybel	Library Management	2	06-22-2013 04:23 PM
Sone Reader Library messed up	Roffee	Sony Reader	5	09-11-2010 08:19 AM

02-09-2018, 02:52 PM	#3
ChipAHoy Thistle Sifter Posts: 187 Karma: 24088 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: San Diego Device: Kindle Paperwhite	I am either getting that location for new library isn't empty (even though it is empty), or I am seeing the new library with duplicates everywhere, and titles showing author names and titles reversed.

02-09-2018, 03:34 PM	#4
Adoby Handy Elephant Posts: 1,736 Karma: 26785668 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Southern Sweden, far out in the quiet woods Device: Thinkpad E595, Ubuntu Mate, Huawei Mediapad 5, Bouye Likebook Plus	I'm sorry, but I am stumped... Perhaps time for a full reset? Brute Force! I suggest that you make a backup of all your books. Then uninstall calibre and delete all calibre library folders. After that reinstall latest calibre fresh. Now you are sure everything is OK! Start to carefully add ONE of the books from the backup copy to the new fresh calibre library. Experiment with settings and patterns for the import until everything works correctly. Then add the rest. ... or wait for other suggestions ...

Advert