Moving Calibre Library from on computer to another?

Pezzie · 01-14-2012, 10:49 PM

I've tried copying my library from one computer to another, but seem to loose all my metadata (Covers etc) when I open the library on another machine.

Is there a way to export the library completely to another machine without loosing all your covers and other metadata?

If I look in the directory for a book the files appear to be there, but they don't show up in Calibre when I look at the meta data.

I'm trying to re-convert the files and put all the meta data into the actual books, but with 1400 odd books, this is taking a while.

kovidgoyal · 01-14-2012, 10:53 PM

http://manual.calibre-ebook.com/faq....ter-to-another

Pezzie · 01-14-2012, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

http://manual.calibre-ebook.com/faq....ter-to-another

Thanks for such a quick reply,

I did copy the entire library directory to the other machine, but Calibre doesn't appear to be reading the file metadata.db correctly. The copy on the new machine doesn't show the Covers and metadata I added into the metadata on the other machine.

I've even tried re-adding all the files, but it still won't show my edits from the other machine.

Is the edited metadata not being stored in the book directory on the first machine? (Eg. I've messed my settings up some how?)

I don't know if it makes any difference if I'm switching from a Windows 7 to a Windows XP machine? (XP being the one I'm trying to copy to)

What is stored in the Application Data in Windows 7 and XP? Am I missing something from there when I copy to the other machine?

kovidgoyal · 01-14-2012, 11:21 PM

No. If you copy the library folder correctly, all metadata and covers will show up.

Pezzie · 01-14-2012, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

No. If you copy the library folder correctly, all metadata and covers will show up.

The directory is called C:\Books in my C:\ (root)

I copy the entire directory with all the sub directories.

I then put it in the same place on the other machine. C:\Books

Maybe I'm doing something wrong when I open Calibre on the other machine?

I open Calibre (empty library)

I select "Add Books" - All directories, including sub-directories....

It processes all the titles, but it appears to be reading data from the book files (mobi) and not the metadata files (opf).

Some books had all their metadata prior to using Calibre, some I've added with Calibre. The data is there, but not showing up in Calibre as it did on the first machine.

Is running the add books creating a new metadata.db file and overwriting what I did on the other machine? If so, how do I tell Calibre to just read the original metadata.db instead of creating a new one.

kovidgoyal · 01-14-2012, 11:41 PM

Read the link I posted before, it tells you exactly how to do that.

DoctorOhh · 01-16-2012, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pezzie

I open Calibre (empty library)

I select "Add Books" - All directories, including sub-directories....

Do NOT "Add Books."

Kovid gave you a link to instructions yet you make up your own.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pezzie

how do I tell Calibre to just read the original metadata.db instead of creating a new one.

Outlined in the instructions linked in post 2.

Wally953 · 03-15-2013, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pezzie

I've tried copying my library from one computer to another, but seem to loose all my metadata (Covers etc) when I open the library on another machine.

Is there a way to export the library completely to another machine without loosing all your covers and other metadata?

If I look in the directory for a book the files appear to be there, but they don't show up in Calibre when I look at the meta data.

I'm trying to re-convert the files and put all the meta data into the actual books, but with 1400 odd books, this is taking a while.

Hi Pezzie. I have exactly the same problem... did you solve it? please let me know.
Wally

PeterT · 03-15-2013, 03:18 PM

Did you follow the link that Kovid supplied?????

Divingduck · 03-15-2013, 03:21 PM

Sorry for the question, but what is wrong with Kovids post (post no. 2)? There you will find exactly pointed out how to do this. There is no problem as fare I know; only reading and following the instruction is necessary.

BetterRed · 03-15-2013, 11:48 PM

Hi Pezzie,

Right click the Library Icon in the toolbar
Select Switch/Create Library...
Click the blue diskette icon to the right of the New Location box
Navigate to (find) the library folder and select it
Select the Use the previous existing library at the new location radio pushbutton
Click OK

Hope this helps

BR

The manual says in part ...right-click the calibre icon in the toolbar and point it to the newly copied directory.

This is an IT-centric colloquial use of the verb 'to point', with which even those whose first language is English may not be familiar. Someone whose first language is not English, and who is not familiar with IT-speak, will probably find it even harder.

theducks · 03-16-2013, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterRed

Hi Pezzie,

Right click the Library Icon in the toolbar
Select Switch/Create Library...
Click the blue diskette icon to the right of the New Location box
Navigate to (find) the library folder and select it
Select the Use the previous existing library at the new location radio pushbutton
Click OK

Hope this helps

BR

The manual says in part ...right-click the calibre icon in the toolbar and point it to the newly copied directory.

This is an IT-centric colloquial use of the verb 'to point', with which even those whose first language is English may not be familiar. Someone whose first language is not English, and who is not familiar with IT-speak, will probably find it even harder.

BR
But my mouse cursor has a Arrow Point

Pezzie · 03-22-2013, 01:12 AM

Thanks everyone. Problem fixed.

Sorry to not get back to the board sooner to reply. I hadn't realized that people were still posting until I got an email saying there was activity on the board. (Bit of a time delay there) Just goes to show that whatever you put on the web, stays on the web......... for ever and ever and ever.

I couldn't find the Calibre logo mentioned by Kovid in the help, but did eventually find the library button and did what "BetterRed" & "TheDuck" said, though I hadn't read the post at the time. (Like your "Staff to 4 cats" by the way, I'm staff to just one kitten (Lunna, middle name Tic) at the moment)

Again, thanks everyone.

Is it just me or are digital books just the best thing ever?

Goldie112299 · 03-24-2013, 01:59 PM

Thank you BetterRed, I needed to see it in step by step list form....

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterRed

Hi Pezzie,

Right click the Library Icon in the toolbar
Select Switch/Create Library...
Click the blue diskette icon to the right of the New Location box
Navigate to (find) the library folder and select it
Select the Use the previous existing library at the new location radio pushbutton
Click OK

Hope this helps

BR

The manual says in part ...right-click the calibre icon in the toolbar and point it to the newly copied directory.

This is an IT-centric colloquial use of the verb 'to point', with which even those whose first language is English may not be familiar. Someone whose first language is not English, and who is not familiar with IT-speak, will probably find it even harder.

Erijule · 05-24-2015, 01:22 PM

Hi,
I'm a new member and am hoping for some help.
I am trying to copy the contents of my Calibre library from my Windows 7 PC to a Linx 10 tablet which is running Windows 8. I have followed the advice about saving to disc (I saved to a memory stick). I connected the memory stick to my tablet and tried to add books on the tablet using the option to add from a directory, as advised, but it didn't work. I have reset the database file and now all the books are listed but when I try to open a book I get a Critical error message "Failed to launch worker process etc.

Hope someone can help
Thanks

01-14-2012, 10:49 PM	#1
Pezzie Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2012 Device: Kindle, Calibre	Moving Calibre Library from on computer to another? I've tried copying my library from one computer to another, but seem to loose all my metadata (Covers etc) when I open the library on another machine. Is there a way to export the library completely to another machine without loosing all your covers and other metadata? If I look in the directory for a book the files appear to be there, but they don't show up in Calibre when I look at the meta data. I'm trying to re-convert the files and put all the meta data into the actual books, but with 1400 odd books, this is taking a while. Last edited by Pezzie; 01-14-2012 at 10:57 PM.

03-15-2013, 11:48 PM	#11
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 21,640 Karma: 29710510 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	Hi Pezzie, Right click the Library Icon in the toolbar Select Switch/Create Library... Click the blue diskette icon to the right of the New Location box Navigate to (find) the library folder and select it Select the Use the previous existing library at the new location radio pushbutton Click OK Hope this helps BR The manual says in part ...right-click the calibre icon in the toolbar and point it* to the newly copied directory. This is an IT-centric colloquial use of the verb 'to point*', with which even those whose first language is English may not be familiar. Someone whose first language is not English, and who is not familiar with IT-speak, will probably find it even harder.

03-22-2013, 01:12 AM	#13
Pezzie Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2012 Device: Kindle, Calibre	Thanks everyone. Problem fixed. Sorry to not get back to the board sooner to reply. I hadn't realized that people were still posting until I got an email saying there was activity on the board. (Bit of a time delay there) Just goes to show that whatever you put on the web, stays on the web......... for ever and ever and ever. I couldn't find the Calibre logo mentioned by Kovid in the help, but did eventually find the library button and did what "BetterRed" & "TheDuck" said, though I hadn't read the post at the time. (Like your "Staff to 4 cats" by the way, I'm staff to just one kitten (Lunna, middle name Tic) at the moment) Again, thanks everyone. Is it just me or are digital books just the best thing ever? Last edited by Pezzie; 03-22-2013 at 01:16 AM.

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01-14-2012, 10:53 PM	#2
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,215 Karma: 27110894 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	http://manual.calibre-ebook.com/faq....ter-to-another

01-14-2012, 11:21 PM	#4
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,215 Karma: 27110894 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	No. If you copy the library folder correctly, all metadata and covers will show up.

01-14-2012, 11:41 PM	#6
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,215 Karma: 27110894 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	Read the link I posted before, it tells you exactly how to do that.

03-15-2013, 03:18 PM	#9
PeterT Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,324 Karma: 78876004 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Device: Libra H2O, Libra Colour	Did you follow the link that Kovid supplied?????

03-15-2013, 03:21 PM	#10
Divingduck Wizard Posts: 1,166 Karma: 1410083 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Germany Device: Sony PRS-650	Sorry for the question, but what is wrong with Kovids post (post no. 2)? There you will find exactly pointed out how to do this. There is no problem as fare I know; only reading and following the instruction is necessary.

05-24-2015, 01:22 PM	#15
Erijule Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2015 Device: Linx 10 Windows 8 tablet	Hi, I'm a new member and am hoping for some help. I am trying to copy the contents of my Calibre library from my Windows 7 PC to a Linx 10 tablet which is running Windows 8. I have followed the advice about saving to disc (I saved to a memory stick). I connected the memory stick to my tablet and tried to add books on the tablet using the option to add from a directory, as advised, but it didn't work. I have reset the database file and now all the books are listed but when I try to open a book I get a Critical error message "Failed to launch worker process etc. Hope someone can help Thanks

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