Add Books button freezes programme after 3.13

[simmybear]

Installed 3.13 today now when I click 'Add books' or use the add books drop down nothing happens and programme freezes and has to be force closed using task manager.

[BetterRed]

@simmybear - Version 3.13 is okay here.

If your device (kobo) is attached when you start calibre, try starting calibre without an attached device.

BR

[JSWolf]

With Calibre 3.13, I just tried clicking the add books button with no device connected and I got a file requester.

[haertig]

3.13 works fine for me running on Linux. But since you mentioned "task manager" I assume you're running Windows. So the normal suggestions from Microsoft Tech Support apply: (1) Restart the program, (2) Restart Windows, (3) Reinstall the program, (4) Reinstall the Operating System

Hopefully (1) will fix it. But probably (2) will be required.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by haertig

3.13 works fine for me running on Linux. But since you mentioned "task manager" I assume you're running Windows. So the normal suggestions from Microsoft Tech Support apply: (1) Restart the program, (2) Restart Windows, (3) Reinstall the program, (4) Reinstall the Operating System

Hopefully (1) will fix it. But probably (2) will be required.

When you get to number4, you get into a really bad suggestion. A much better suggestion is safe mode with network support because it could very well be a problem with some other program running when Windows starts.

[kovidgoyal]

https://manual.calibre-ebook.com/faq...s-occasionally

[haertig]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

When you get to number4, you get into a really bad suggestion.

I thought my use of a winking smiley would be a dead giveaway that my previous post was partially a joke. Guess not. But the joke is based on some truth in Microsoft suggestions ... they want you to reinstall the OS far too often. I was making fun of their typical suggestion, not actually proposing it. The fact that they actual DO make idiotic suggestions like this is one of the big reasons I abandoned Windows a decade ago. "You should reinstall the OS" is Microsofts way of getting you off the phone and out of their hair.

Note use of sarcasm smiley (rolling eyes) this time, indicating yet another joke.

p.s. - It is still very relevant to "restart the program", and if needed "restart Windows". This OS is quite convoluted and fragile, and typically needs frequent restarts to keep it in line.

[Divingduck]

Better not to make these kind of jokes.

The problem with it is, that this become a self running item for so called specialists in forums. Most likely people who don't know anything but make never ending idiotic mass suggestions to people with real problems and leaf them after that suggestion alone with even bigger problems.

I am using calibre since a very long time and there was never ever a situation on any OS with calibre where a user needs to reinstall a OS.

PS:
Rebooting a OS in case of problems is always a good first step as modern OS systems / AV/Firewalls / programs more often make updates w/o asking or informing an user.
(Not only a potential problem for Windows systems)

[haertig]

Originally Posted by Divingduck

...people with real problems and leaf them after that suggestion alone with even bigger problems...

You just explicitly stated the implied punchline of the joke. This is exactly why people should not follow Microsofts frequent suggestion to reinstall the OS. I find it hard to believe people in this day and age have never heard jokes about Microsofts ill-advised reinstallation recommendations, or about their Blue Screen Of Death, or about their never-ending spinning hourglass. Even my mom (90 years old) makes Microsoft jokes. My apologies if some people don't get it.

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by Divingduck

Better not to make these kind of jokes.

The problem with it is, that this become a self running item for so called specialists in forums. Most likely people who don't know anything but make never ending idiotic mass suggestions to people with real problems and leaf them after that suggestion alone with even bigger problems.

Moderator Notice

The proper place for this sort of discussion at MR is in the Lounge.

Posts which seek to continue this discussion here are likely to be deleted.

FWIW- Here are some thoughts on Linux from the creator of calibre.

BR

[JSWolf]

Most causes for a Calibre problem is due to a running (poorly written) program causing a problem with Calibre.

[theducks]

What happens if you RIGHT click the button?
The Control adding preference may have glitched' Try setting it again (the bottom item on that menu)

[HarryT]

Does it work if you drag and drop books from Windows Explorer onto the Calibre window? That's the way I always do it, personally.

[ramnagel]

Originally Posted by simmybear

Installed 3.13 today now when I click 'Add books' or use the add books drop down nothing happens and programme freezes and has to be force closed using task manager.

Have you tried setting this environment variable?:
"CALIBRE_NO_NATIVE_FILEDIALOGS - Causes calibre to not use native file dialogs for selecting files/directories."
Perhaps it is freezing when the file dialog attempts to launch. I had this problem once. Clicking anything that would normally launch a file dialog just froze Calibre.