Complete backup of Calibre

[tgiladi]

I have spent a lot of time and effort on creating a library in Calibre, and customized aspects of Calibre itself for my use case (custom columns, author notes, templates etc.).
Unfortunately, recently the PC I had Calibre installed on had died and my Calibre died with it.
Now I am having some difficulty starting from scratch since I don't recall every little tweak I made and in some cased I am having trouble getting things to work as they did at all.
So my question is, how can I fully backup Calibre so that in case something like that happens again, I wouldn't have to start over completely.

Is that possible?

[Sirtel]

Of course. You just need to create backup copies of your library folder and settings folder (on Windows, the latter is usually in User/AppData/Roaming - copy the whole folder named calibre and paste it to the same location on a new computer, if need be).

You can keep both backup folders updated by using FreeFileSync (mirror mode only!) - this updates only the modified files, so you won't have to create new backup copies every time you change something.

[JSWolf]

You can create a ZIP file of your settings directory and put it out there in on the server you put files on (e.g., OneDrive, Dropbox, etc.).

[theducks]

I discovered a while back that Free File Sync can do more than 1 path in a sync job.
So it is (mostly) a one click solution

[pypeke]

I have the same problem except my old laptop has not died yet.

I need to backup Calibre, but I do not know how to do it. Or how to keep both laptops synched...

1. I could use a thumb drive to transfer Calibre books to the newest laptop?

2. I could create a zip file on One Drive or Dropbox? I have never used either one.

3. I could install and use Free File Sync (mirror mode only) on my old laptop? Does Free File Sync get installed on my newest laptop, too? How do they "talk" to each other?


What is the easiest way to backup Calibre? What is the easiest way to keep the books on both laptops?

Here is my current way to backup my old laptop...I think it is called networked, but I am clueless.

My son-in-law set up my old laptop so it would backup wirelessly to another laptop that is used as a movie server. That laptop has 2 external hard drives plugged in. One is for a movie server and one is to backup my oldest laptop. It backs up wirelessly, and it takes many hours (20+ hours) to backup. It used to backup quickly. Not sure why it takes so long now.


Now I have a new 3rd laptop, and I cannot figure out how to back it up to the external hard drive like the other one. I guess I would still need to use Free File Sync? On all 3 laptops?

If I knew what this process was called I could research it on Google. I thought it was called "networked", but I don't really know.


Thanks.

[Wiggo]

If you are not familiar with syncing to the movie server, I would suggest a different method.

I would install Calibre portable on a flash drive and sync the database+settings from there to the respective laptop as a backup.
This would make the flash drive your primary source and you could choose which laptop you want to continue working on.

[pypeke]

Originally Posted by Wiggo

If you are not familiar with syncing to the movie server, I would suggest a different method.

I would install Calibre portable on a flash drive and sync the database+settings from there to the respective laptop as a backup.
This would make the flash drive your primary source and you could choose which laptop you want to continue working on.

I could figure out how to connect the new laptop to the laptop server if I knew what that process was called, I think.

I know what Calibre is, but what is Calibre portable? Once it is installed on a flash drive, how do I sync the database + settings between the new laptop and the old server laptop (or even the external hard drives)?

Then I would just use the flash drive when I make any changes? Move it from one laptop to another? I am missing something. I know the flash drive needs plugged in, but then what?

thanks.

[Sirtel]

I don't recommend using an active calibre library on a flash drive. I've tried it and found it very slow and prone to numerous errors.

Also, keep in mind that a calibre library is meant to be used on one device only. So pick a laptop for using Calibre and stick to it. If you intend to use Calibre on several laptops with the same library, you'll end up corrupting your library.

As for backing up, at first just copy and paste your entire library folder to an external drive. Not a flash drive, a proper external drive. Next time you want to update your backup, install FreeFileSync on your laptop with the external drive connected and run the sync in the mirror mode - the original library on the left and the backup library on the right. Remember, the mirror mode, not two-way! It's very important.

Forget any servers or networks. Calibre is not meant to be used with those either.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Also, keep in mind that a calibre library is meant to be used on one device only. So pick a laptop for using Calibre and stick to it. If you intend to use Calibre on several laptops with the same library, you'll end up corrupting your library.

I disagree. I have my library on a drive hooked up to another computer. I've never once had the library become corrupt. What will cause a problem is if you use your library with difference operating systems and/or calibre versions.

Windows sees the other drive as just another drive letter. It's not a NAS as that would be a risk

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I disagree. I have my library on a drive hooked up to another computer. I've never once had the library become corrupt. What will cause a problem is if you use your library with difference operating systems and/or calibre versions.

Windows sees the other drive as just another drive letter. It's not a NAS as that would be a risk

The same external drive, yes. A networked computer or drive? Same dangers as with a cloud drive. You haven't had problems, and I haven't had problems with Dropbox, but other people have corrupted their libraries with networked and cloud drives both. So stop recommending a network drive.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

The same external drive, yes. A networked computer or drive? Same dangers as with a cloud drive. You haven't had problems, and I haven't had problems with Dropbox, but other people have corrupted their libraries with networked and cloud drives both. So stop recommending a network drive.

I've not read of anyone having a problem with a standard Windows network share connected to another Windows computer. The network drive I have read of problems with with a NAS.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I've not read of anyone having a problem with a standard Windows network share connected to another Windows computer. The network drive I have read of problems with with a NAS.

It's not recommended, as there are dangers. Someone who knows what they're doing might manage it successfully, as you do and as I do with Dropbox. But I certainly wouldn't recommend it to someone not very well versed and experienced in such things.

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by pypeke

I could figure out how to connect the new laptop to the laptop server if I knew what that process was called, I think.

I know what Calibre is, but what is Calibre portable? Once it is installed on a flash drive, how do I sync the database + settings between the new laptop and the old server laptop (or even the external hard drives)?

Then I would just use the flash drive when I make any changes? Move it from one laptop to another? I am missing something. I know the flash drive needs plugged in, but then what?

thanks.

The simplest way is to buy a dual bay USB HDD and a couple of disk drives. Use one as the active data drive and the other as the backup which you maintain with a file sync tool configured to only process additions, changes and deletions. For calibre the active data is the library(ies) and the configuration data.

IMO: if you're not familiar with IT technology shuffling data between laptops over domestic networks is for the birds. And, even if you are familiar with it, it's a PITA when something goes belly up.

BR

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I've not read of anyone having a problem with a standard Windows network share connected to another Windows computer. The network drive I have read of problems with with a NAS.

For what it may be worth, I know of two people who had issues with accessing their calibre library on one Windows computer from another. In one case, it was an automated import procedure so both computers were accessing the database and the other case, we didn't find any issues other than the network had issues (pinging one computer from the other dropped about 0.5% of the packets). Getting Telus to bridge their wireless box so he could use a TP-Link router cleared up that issue but since the calibre library was moved to the other computer in the meantime and they haven't seen any issues since, there is no incentive to trying to move the calibre library back to the other computer.

I would not recommend directly accessing a calibre library over any network connection other than the calibre server or equivalent tool.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I've not read of anyone having a problem with a standard Windows network share connected to another Windows computer. The network drive I have read of problems with with a NAS.

There is really no difference in many cases.
It will break eventually even if only a real Windows server is used.