Recognizing old Libraries

Audra · 11-27-2020, 01:51 AM

I was having a problem in Calibre. I had version 5.3. Looking up the question online, I found the suggestion that I needed to uninstall 5.3 and install the 4.23
version.

Not only did that not solve the problem, but after I installed the old version, I could not get it to see the libraries (and their books) that I had already. The files are still there on my computer.

How to I get Calibre to recognize them?

Thank you for any advice you can offer.

Audra

theducks · 11-27-2020, 03:19 AM

Right click the Library Icon: Create/Switch: USE EXISTING: <point to the Library folder>
Repeat for each Library

For Calibre to have forgotten this much, you had to have done more than a Normal uninstall. That does not remove the User Configurations (where the linkage to known libraries and other Calibre settings is kept)
Calibre configurations are PER (PC logon) USER

Audra · 11-27-2020, 05:59 PM

Thank you. I used Revo Uninstaller. After I hit Create/Switch "Use Existing" is not a choice. I can only switch to "Calibre Library" which I am already in. All my libraries are in a folder called "Calibre". I tried copying them to "Calibre Library" but that did not help.

Audra

JSWolf · 11-27-2020, 06:33 PM

WTF? You used an uninstaller that will most likely uninstall things you want to keep? Just no!

DNSB · 11-27-2020, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Audra

Thank you. I used Revo Uninstaller. After I hit Create/Switch "Use Existing" is not a choice. I can only switch to "Calibre Library" which I am already in. All my libraries are in a folder called "Calibre". I tried copying them to "Calibre Library" but that did not help.

Audra

You clicked on the library icon and got the Switch/Create Library item and then browsed to the location of the old library using the folder icon at the end of the address line? See the attached images.

Is there a metadata.db file located in the old library directories?

And yes, Revo Uninstaller can be a bleeping disaster since it wants to uninstall everything associated with the install such as the data files.

ownedbycats · 11-27-2020, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

WTF? You used an uninstaller that will most likely uninstall things you want to keep? Just no!

I use Geek Uninstaller to remove leftover files after uninstallation, but it (and Revo, from what I remember) had an option to uncheck anything you didn't want deleted.

I still use the standard Calibre uninstaller to prevent misclicks.

Audra · 11-28-2020, 12:41 AM

I realize NOW that I should never use Revo to uninstall Calibre. But it is too late. I already did. There are three metadata.db files. They are:
metadata.db (11/27), metadata.db_prefs_backup.json, and oldmetadata.db (11/26). I renamed one of the files to oldmetadata so I would not lose anything.

Please, what should I do now?

THank you so much.
Audra

BetterRed · 11-28-2020, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Audra

I realize NOW that I should never use Revo to uninstall Calibre. But it is too late. I already did. There are three metadata.db files. They are:
metadata.db (11/27), metadata.db_prefs_backup.json, and oldmetadata.db (11/26). I renamed one of the files to oldmetadata so I would not lose anything.

Please, what should I do now?

THank you so much.
Audra

Do what theducks and DNSB said to do in posts #2 and #5 respectively

FWIW: I haven't used Revo or another uninstaller since I tossed Windows XP over the side

BR.

theducks · 11-28-2020, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Audra

I realize NOW that I should never use Revo to uninstall Calibre. But it is too late. I already did. There are three metadata.db files. They are:
metadata.db (11/27), metadata.db_prefs_backup.json, and oldmetadata.db (11/26). I renamed one of the files to oldmetadata so I would not lose anything.

Please, what should I do now?

THank you so much.
Audra

The first 2 are normal Calibre (the second is just what it says: Prefs_backup)
?? the 3rd. it may be a leftover from a recovery attempt

#1 is what we said to look for.
Where that was found is the is where you 'switch to' folder.

DNSB · 11-28-2020, 06:44 PM

Also note that if the metadata.db file is missing from an old library, calibre will not recognize it as a library. It may be simpler to import the books from that directory and subdirectories.

theducks · 11-28-2020, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DNSB

Also note that if the metadata.db file is missing from an old library, calibre will not recognize it as a library. It may be simpler to import the books from that directory and subdirectories.

If the OTHER (prefs) is there. Use the RECOVER option.
Prefs has the structure and Library settings (custom cols). Each book has the CURRENT metadata details needed. You should end up with an almost perfect repair

Audra · 11-29-2020, 06:40 PM

Everyone, thank you very much for all of your replies and suggestions.
I have been trying, as best I can to work with each one.
I finally managed to be able to restore my libraries, one at a time.
I am incredibly grateful for your help.
Audra

DNSB · 11-29-2020, 09:04 PM

Great to hear we've been of some help.

11-29-2020, 06:40 PM	#12
Audra Enthusiast Posts: 36 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Southern California, United States Device: Color Nook	Thank you! Everyone, thank you very much for all of your replies and suggestions. I have been trying, as best I can to work with each one. I finally managed to be able to restore my libraries, one at a time. I am incredibly grateful for your help. Audra

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11-27-2020, 01:51 AM	#1
Audra Enthusiast Posts: 36 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Southern California, United States Device: Color Nook	Recognizing old Libraries I was having a problem in Calibre. I had version 5.3. Looking up the question online, I found the suggestion that I needed to uninstall 5.3 and install the 4.23 version. Not only did that not solve the problem, but after I installed the old version, I could not get it to see the libraries (and their books) that I had already. The files are still there on my computer. How to I get Calibre to recognize them? Thank you for any advice you can offer. Audra

11-27-2020, 03:19 AM	#2
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 29,800 Karma: 54830978 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	Right click the Library Icon: Create/Switch: USE EXISTING: <point to the Library folder> Repeat for each Library For Calibre to have forgotten this much, you had to have done more than a Normal uninstall. That does not remove the User Configurations (where the linkage to known libraries and other Calibre settings is kept) Calibre configurations are PER (PC logon) USER

11-27-2020, 05:59 PM	#3
Audra Enthusiast Posts: 36 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Southern California, United States Device: Color Nook	Thank you. I used Revo Uninstaller. After I hit Create/Switch "Use Existing" is not a choice. I can only switch to "Calibre Library" which I am already in. All my libraries are in a folder called "Calibre". I tried copying them to "Calibre Library" but that did not help. Audra

11-27-2020, 06:33 PM	#4
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,970 Karma: 128903378 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	WTF? You used an uninstaller that will most likely uninstall things you want to keep? Just no!

11-28-2020, 12:41 AM	#7
Audra Enthusiast Posts: 36 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Southern California, United States Device: Color Nook	I realize NOW that I should never use Revo to uninstall Calibre. But it is too late. I already did. There are three metadata.db files. They are: metadata.db (11/27), metadata.db_prefs_backup.json, and oldmetadata.db (11/26). I renamed one of the files to oldmetadata so I would not lose anything. Please, what should I do now? THank you so much. Audra

11-28-2020, 06:44 PM	#10
DNSB Bibliophagist Posts: 35,401 Karma: 145435140 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver Device: Kobo Sage, Forma, Clara HD, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos	Also note that if the metadata.db file is missing from an old library, calibre will not recognize it as a library. It may be simpler to import the books from that directory and subdirectories.

11-29-2020, 09:04 PM	#13
DNSB Bibliophagist Posts: 35,401 Karma: 145435140 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver Device: Kobo Sage, Forma, Clara HD, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos	Great to hear we've been of some help.

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