migrating to windows 8.1 from windows 7

[cybmole]

I am plannng to make the scary attempt of migrating all my book related activity to a new windows 8 PC.

are there any tricks/ traps / tweaks that i need to be aware of when moving calibre & related software from windows 7?

specifically.
1. I understand how to copy libraries- I don't anticipate any issues there

2. I understand that if I can have the exact same paths. then a copy of my calibre app data folder should painlessly migrate most if not all plug ins and settings - but can I have the same path names in windows 8 or does it do stuff differently? in win 7 everything is in default locations, user accoutn name is "dad" and I use a single ( unprotected) PC account with admin privileges ( desktop PC never leaves the room, so fairly safe) , but I read thaa win 8 will suggest that I use a microsoft account + password for login and I am thinking that will affect some paths?

3. my full toolkit is
calibre 64 bit( updated most weeks)
+ most used plug ins: open with, kobo extended driver, modify epub, count pages, overdrive
sigil ( I am still at 7.2 there- I have no pressing reason to change or upgrade) ,
ADE ( I still like the old 1.7.2. & I have an installer). - to activate an adobe ID & to preview book edits
Kindle for PC ( I don't much fancy the win 8 app for that but hopefully I can download & use a win 7 desktop version installer)
any likely issue with that other stuff please ?

I shall be trying to stay in desktop mode in win 8 wherever possible, and sticking with my trusty old outlook 2007 for mail/contacts/calendar. I have zero interest in the whole social media / apps / lifestyle integration think, and I prefer the good old paranoid stance of of "the less there is about me on line/ on Microsoft's servers. the safer I am from ID theft, phishing etc."

4. I appreciate that calibre companion will need to know where calibre has gone to but I think I can cope with that OK. I will give the new PC a new static IP on same home network.

5. I suppose at some point I will explore the wonders of one drive as an extra backup option, as i'ts built- in; but I guess ti comes with the same calibre caveats as dropbox & other cloud storage i.e. use it only as a one way backup & don't run calibre operationsinside of it

UPDATE - glitch 1. I read that "alf" does not play nice with the new windows 8 Knndle app, so I went looking for a copy the windows 7 kindle for app installer at amazon. can't find it. all download links lead to win 8 version, even though I am browsing from win 7. have emailed amazon for help finding the download.

[chaley]

I run calibre on both a W7pro desktop and a W8.1 laptop, sharing the library using Dropbox. Both the library and the configuration directory are in dropbox. The dropbox folder the same path on both machines. I start calibre using a .bat file that sets the CALIBRE_CONFIG_DIRECTORY environment variable then starts calibre. This all works well, keeping in mind the usual caveats about dropbox-shared libraries.

I do not use a microsoft account on my laptop. I tried it and I didn't like it (don't remember why). I never use the "store" so don't miss it.

The path to my account (c:\users\charles) is the same on both machines. I can't say whether "Documents" will be the same because I sync mine between computers using my local Synology NAS.

FWIW: I use the Win8 tool "Classic Shell". It might not be necessary with Win8.1, but it was a lifesaver with Win8 and I am used to it. I never use the Metro interface. Well, almost never. I do sometimes run the Freda ebook reader in it with my laptop converted to a tablet.

EDIT: for Kindle for PC, I downloaded the installer from http://www.amazon.com/gp/kindle/pc/download and ran it in desktop mode. It created the normal folders in documents. I downloaded a book from my amazon library and it appears where it was supposed to. I added it to my library and the Alf plugins did their thing without problem.

[cybmole]

thanks - every snipped of info is helpfu.
'ts a dell PC with win 8 pre-loaded, as I wanted the security of a 3 year wec ome to you & fix it warranty, & they don'e sell win 7 any more.
it should arrive later today. If I really don't get on with win 8 though , I have been planning how to put in a 2nd hard drive & load win 7 onto that, then create a dual boot option. looks a bit hairy but doable - once I get my head around UEFI, smart boot vs legacy ,& other obstacles. I spend most of last night bookparking potentially useful "how to do it" articles.

PS I worked around the amazon kindle for PC installer issue. I used the email me a link option. the email arrives sayign "open this think on your tablet or phone" but when I opened it on my win 7 PC is gave me the correct download page.
also, it seems that the llogin for xbox live which I set up ages ago, is considered to me a microsoft account. Do I may set up the new PC with that initially, asit is not used anywherer else, then change to a local account later.
what I really want the PC to do when switched on, or woken from sleep, is go straight into windows with no log on screen, like my windows 7 PC does, but I am not sure if that is possible ?

I will go read about the CALIBRE_CONFIG_DIRECTORY variable while I am waiting
. the recent thread about latest version of calibre not installing on someone's win 8 PC was scary
this one: "After beginning the installation,it halts with a message that it cannot be installed on this system...error 2502 and error 2503. "
but I assume that it is fine for the other 99.99% of users or I'd be seeing more such threads

[DaltonST]

I have 2 Win7 laptops and 2 Win8.1 desktops, and I was rescued when I starting using Win8.1 by these replacements/enhancements:

• Classic Shell from http://www.classicshell.net/
• Clover from http://ejie.me/
• TeraCopy from https://codesector.com/teracopy
• FreeFileSync from http://www.freefilesync.org/

I do not use the Microsoft online account et al as my userID or password on Win8.1. The setup tries to trick and/or coerce you into it, but you can "just say no" if you try.

One of my Win8.1s is an all-in-one with a touchscreen. If you have one, I can also recommend Touch Mouse Pointer from http://www.lovesummertrue.com/touchm.../download.html .



DaltonST

[cybmole]

many thanks - freefile sync is already in my repertoire for calibre backups ( mirrors)
I will check out theoother stuff.
I am thinking I too will resist adding a microsoft account to begin with.
the PC has arrived but I've not tried it yet.will tackle the initial setup tomorrow but way not migrate my book elated stuff for some time yet.
I see that I have no windows media disks,
just the dell service tags, so 1st priority will be to get a system image onto an external drive. No COA sticker , like with win 7, just a holographic win 8 icon sticker. I guess dell put the win 8 keys in the bios somewhere, but I don't see how you'd recover from a hard disk failure without having some recovery media to reinstall from ?
I have found all the dell win 7 drivers for this model at dell site thoguh so if I make a dual boot then i have what I'll need.
I have no plans for a touch screen monitor - not after years of trying to remove accidental smears , fingermarks & budgie droppings - no way do I want anything that gets fingered!. ( PS after buying all sorts of screen cleaner crap that did not work, i discovered Apple IKlear - wonderful stuff ror monitors & TVS

[gbm]

Originally Posted by cybmole

many thanks - freefile sync is already in my repertoire for calibre backups ( mirrors)
I will check out theoother stuff.
I am thinking I too will resist adding a microsoft account to begin with.
the PC has arrived but I've not tried it yet.will tackle the initial setup tomorrow but way not migrate my book elated stuff for some time yet.
I see that I have no windows media disks,
just the dell service tags, so 1st priority will be to get a system image onto an external drive. No COA sticker , like with win 7, just a holographic win 8 icon sticker. I guess dell put the win 8 keys in the bios somewhere, but I don't see how you'd recover from a hard disk failure without having some recovery media to reinstall from ?
I have found all the dell win 7 drivers for this model at dell site thoguh so if I make a dual boot then i have what I'll need.
I have no plans for a touch screen monitor - not after years of trying to remove accidental smears , fingermarks & budgie droppings - no way do I want anything that gets fingered!. ( PS after buying all sorts of screen cleaner crap that did not work, i discovered Apple IKlear - wonderful stuff ror monitors & TVS

It comes with UEFI the windows 8 coa is in the BIOS--with the win 7, you may have to get a new win 7 coa form Microsoft. The easies windows install I have ever done was my sister's win 8 laptop when the HD died, HP sent a new HD and install dvds under warranty.


bernie

[JSWolf]

You do not need to run Windows 7. Just install Classic Shell and you'll have your desktop back. Also, do not download and install any win 8 programs that have anything to do with eBooks. They don't generally work the same as the desktop versions and the DRM removal tools won't with Windows 8 versions. Go for the Windows 7/Desktop versions and you'll be good to go.

[eschwartz]

There is no need to set the CALIBRE_CONFIG_DIRECTORY variable, no user programs use the same exact path. They look for things in the following dynamic path:

%APPDATA%

Specifically, calibre will look for the config folder located at

%APPDATA%\calibre

The name and location of your

%USERPROFILE%

is completely irrelevant for these purposes.

Just move the old calibre-config folder from the old computer into the %APPDATA% folder of the new computer, which should be, on both computers, "C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\"

ALL settings will transfer, except perhaps the location of your libraries. Those are hardcoded in the configuration data, calibre will be unable to find them if you have a different path, and calibre will popup a message saying it is gone and please select the new location if you have moved it. Or just re-add them manually. Or if they were located on a second hard drive, just make sure the external drive is mounted to the old drive letter (I would manually assign one on general principle).

I shall be trying to stay in desktop mode in win 8 wherever possible, and sticking with my trusty old outlook 2007 for mail/contacts/calendar. I have zero interest in the whole social media / apps / lifestyle integration think, and I prefer the good old paranoid stance of of "the less there is about me on line/ on Microsoft's servers. the safer I am from ID theft, phishing etc."

Any decent Start Menu replacement will usually come with an option to login directly to the desktop. Windows 8.1 should have that built-in... too bad they didn't do the important thing and fix the Start Menu.

[chaley]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

There is no need to set the CALIBRE_CONFIG_DIRECTORY variable, no user programs use the same exact path. They look for things in the following dynamic path:

%APPDATA%

Sorry, but you are wrong. If the config folder is anywhere but in the 'user' directory then one must use the environment variable. I said that my config folder is in dropbox, which by definition is *not* in %APPDATA% or %HOME& or anywhere else.

Specifically, calibre will look for the config folder located at

%APPDATA%\calibre

Precisely, which is why the environment variable is needed if you share your config directory across multiple computers, which is the situation that obtains in my description, and is likely to obtain in cybmole's case until he settles on a single machine (if he does).

[BetterRed]

@cybmole - some useful stuff here ==>> How to keep the Windows 8.1 Modern UI out of your way

FWIW : I have the config and temp data at C:\_Calibre\Config and C:\_Calibre\Temp respectively and the related environment variables set permanently to those locations.

I use GoodSynch (similar to FFS) to replicate C:\_Calibre\ on my city machine to a secure commercial FTP server, from there it gets replicated to my country machine at boot up. Essentially it's what chaley does with Dropbox, I've been using the FTP service since the late '80s, it's never dropped a byte, I can only recall one prolonged outage - about ½ a day.

BR

[cybmole]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

You do not need to run Windows 7. Just install Classic Shell and you'll have your desktop back. Also, do not download and install any win 8 programs that have anything to do with eBooks. They don't generally work the same as the desktop versions and the DRM removal tools won't with Windows 8 versions. Go for the Windows 7/Desktop versions and you'll be good to go.

I do like the idea of building a two drive dual boot pc though.then I can flip from being productive in seven to trying out the new gui approach in eight, rather than force 8 to look like 7.
Do I have permanenly swich to legacy bios option for that though,and do i then lose fast boot up in 8?
Re tools, yes I have desktop verion of kindle pc and previous versions of ade good to go,I would not want the w8 kindle app,I dont read in k, it just a vehicle for getting amazon freebies into calibre.

[cybmole]

Originally Posted by chaley

I run calibre on both a W7pro desktop and a W8.1 laptop, sharing the library using Dropbox. Both the library and the configuration directory are in dropbox. The dropbox folder the same path on both machines. I start calibre using a .bat file that sets the CALIBRE_CONFIG_DIRECTORY environment variable then starts calibre. This all works well, keeping in mind the usual caveats about dropbox-shared libraries.

I do not use a microsoft account on my laptop. I tried it and I didn't like it (don't remember why). I never use the "store" .

Hi chaley, Do you trust dropbox to never sync old over new or do you also have a local folder backup plan. I cant get past the risk of sync damage if ever a drive needs replacing from an out of date system image. I have just been googling how onedrive handles that scenario , driveimage restore ,and do not find reassurance, rhe restored image can be treated as newer than cloud,and so propogated to all machines?

[chaley]

Originally Posted by cybmole

Hi chaley, Do you trust dropbox to never sync old over new or do you also have a local folder backup plan. I cant get past the risk of sync damage if ever a drive needs replacing from an out of date system image. I have just been googling how onedrive handles that scenario , driveimage restore ,and do not find reassurance, rhe restored image can be treated as newer than cloud,and so propogated to all machines?

I have backups all over the place, including on 2 cloud providers, on a virtual server in a data center, and on a RAID NAS in my apartment.

I have restored failed drives from backup and dropbox did the right thing, updating the old install with new data from the cloud. However, if when restoring a system you are concerned about having the old data become current, simply restore with the network disconnected, uninstall dropbox and delete its folder, then reconnect and reinstall it.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by chaley

Sorry, but you are wrong. If the config folder is anywhere but in the 'user' directory then one must use the environment variable. I said that my config folder is in dropbox, which by definition is *not* in %APPDATA% or %HOME& or anywhere else.
Precisely, which is why the environment variable is needed if you share your config directory across multiple computers, which is the situation that obtains in my description, and is likely to obtain in cybmole's case until he settles on a single machine (if he does).

You are absolutely welcome to be right, for your personal use.

Regarding migration to a new computer, there is zero need and you are making it more complicated than it needs to be. The mere act of migrating to a new computer does not require sharing it across both computers, and the likeliness of cybmole needing to do so for any length of time is an arbitrary value of likely that you have assumed.


We have described two different approaches, and your claim that I am "wrong" is a bit much.



(On a side note -- no environment variables needed if Dropbox is merely full of symlinks to stuff that should be synced.)

[cybmole]

Originally Posted by chaley

..

I have restored failed drives from backup and dropbox did the right thing, updating the old install with new data from the cloud. However, if when restoring a system you are concerned about having the old data become current, simply restore with the network disconnected, uninstall dropbox and delete its folder, then reconnect and reinstall it.

good thinking. I did make a year end system image of current PC but I disabled dropbox run at startup option before imaging that, as another precaution.

I have backups everywhere also, I think I will stick with local folder on 2nd drive as primary then drop box as a secondary backup, and as an access route for tablet when PC is off.

the new win 8 PC seems to work OK. I immediately took a system image onto a portable harddrive, ( ~30Gb) & was all set to make the system repair DVD to go with it - I had the dvd & the box labelled even - then I found you can't do that anymore, it has to be to a 8gb+ USB on which all current data will be lost, so actions are on hold until I get one of those.

I make lists of current software but over the years I have accumulated dozens of itsy-bitsy utilites & it's going to take ages to workout where they all came from and whether I still need them.
so probably a themed migration : all book related stuff, all music related stuff, all video related stuff, all browsing related stuff....

my old office 2007 installed OK, which was comforting- I have no desire to have to learn what a new fanged mess may have been made of word & excel!
the excellent free Ninite ( one I prepared earlier) did it's thing also and added firefox, chrome, & a bunch of utilities for me