I lost my library

[imhotep]

Hi everyone,
After begining to use Calibre, i restart my computer. When i start the program the library was gone. I checked the home folder. It is existing in the right place! Switch to folder is also correct.
What can i do? What is the problem?

[eschwartz]

Use Switch library (on the toolbar dropdown by Library) to re-select your library.

If it isn't being remembered, perhaps there is something wrong with your %APPDATA%

Do other settings persist? Say, which panels are active, your toolbar, installed plugins, etc.?

[imhotep]

When i try to switch again i get that error: "The location D:/... contains the current calibre library"
Other settings seems to be normal.
After my first post, 58 books of my library have come. Why that 58? What about other hundreds?

[theducks]

Originally Posted by imhotep

When i try to switch again i get that error: "The location D:/... contains the current calibre library"
Other settings seems to be normal.
After my first post, 58 books of my library have come. Why that 58? What about other hundreds?

You are trying to CREATE a new Library or use EXISTING?

[imhotep]

Originally Posted by theducks

You are trying to CREATE a new Library or use EXISTING?

I am trying to use existing one. I haven't try to create a new one.

[theducks]

Originally Posted by imhotep

I am trying to use existing one. I haven't try to create a new one.

The warning usually appears if you try and create a Library in a non-empty folder.
It could mean that you are trying to switch to where you already ARE.

only 85 books out of many
1)You are not on your 'original' Library. search your computer for metadata.db
2)You have a filter or VL active (filter:you will see a big red - near the search bar)
3)the db is in error. Open the Library folder with the OS (Explorer). You should see many author folders Those folders contain 1 or more title folders. Do you see lots more than 85 titles?
4) you did something wrong and deleted the books

[imhotep]

Originally Posted by theducks

The warning usually appears if you try and create a Library in a non-empty folder.
It could mean that you are trying to switch to where you already ARE.

only 85 books out of many
1)You are not on your 'original' Library. search your computer for metadata.db
2)You have a filter or VL active (filter:you will see a big red - near the search bar)
3)the db is in error. Open the Library folder with the OS (Explorer). You should see many author folders Those folders contain 1 or more title folders. Do you see lots more than 85 titles?
4) you did something wrong and deleted the books

1) No, i am on my original library. I checked metadata.db
2) I've no filter.
3-4) I can see folders in explorer. All my books are there. There are 1198 author folders

[eschwartz]

Try Library (toolbar icon) ==> Library Maintenance ==> Check Library, you should probably see a bunch of "extra" folders.

Use Restore database to rebuild the metadata.db from the contents of the library folders.

[theducks]

I concur. Time for the built in 'rebuild' option
DO NOT attempt any form of ADD BOOKS at this stage. You will damage chances of a full recovery

[imhotep]

No solution.
I am rebuilding my library
Thanks for your helps.

[Ghitulescu]

I use calibre to make my own ePubs from various sources. Once the ePub is finished, I remove it from calibre, and manually copy to the eReaders and to a location I use for archival purposes.

This way I have a full control of what's happening and if something goes wrong there is only one solution (copy back from archival media) and one offender, ME and only ME.

I don't know calibre, but my lifetime experience with software told me that almost every software has issues with long lists, and also make my life difficult in finding a certain book among 2000 others, even with filters and selections and stuff.

Keeping the things simple is one of my life commandments.

[darryl]

Originally Posted by Ghitulescu

I use calibre to make my own ePubs from various sources. Once the ePub is finished, I remove it from calibre, and manually copy to the eReaders and to a location I use for archival purposes.

This way I have a full control of what's happening and if something goes wrong there is only one solution (copy back from archival media) and one offender, ME and only ME.

I don't know calibre, but my lifetime experience with software told me that almost every software has issues with long lists, and also make my life difficult in finding a certain book among 2000 others, even with filters and selections and stuff.

Keeping the things simple is one of my life commandments.

There should be absolutely no issue with Calibre provided that you don't panic. Whilst Calibre uses a database, the books and metadata are themselves stored in a folder structure. Even if the database is totally corrupted, it can be rebuilt from the folder structure. I understand your caution, but have difficulty in seeing how it is easier to find a certain book amongst thousands using your system than the Calibre Database or even in the folder structure itself, which is arranged by authors name.

[JSWolf]

Calibre is pretty fast at searches. It would be faster using Calibre to find what you want then doing a file search among thousands of files.

[DoctorOhh]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

Use Restore database to rebuild the metadata.db from the contents of the library folders.

Eschwartz provided a solution above. Hopefully you are using the Restore database feature to rebuild your library's database as suggested.

[imhotep]

Originally Posted by DoctorOhh

Eschwartz provided a solution above. Hopefully you are using the Restore database feature to rebuild your library's database as suggested.

Restore db didn't solve the problem.