Error When Bulk Converting

[matanic]

I'm getting an error when I try to bulk convert a lot of files at once. It doesn't matter which files, only that there are several. Sometimes it will happen with as few as 8 but other times I can convert as many as 20 with no issues. It also doesn't seem to matter what format I'm converting from or to. All the books where I receive the error can be converted in smaller batches with no problems. The error pops up when the files are queuing. I copied the error to clipboard and this is what I got:

calibre, version 0.9.30
ERROR: Unhandled exception: <b>DatabaseException</b>:disk I/O error
RemoteTraceback (most recent call last):
File "site-packages\calibre\library\sqlite.py", line 272, in run
OperationalError: disk I/O error

Traceback (most recent call last):
File "site-packages\calibre\gui2\tools.py", line 198, in do_book
File "site-packages\calibre\ebooks\conversion\config.py", line 45, in save_specifics
File "site-packages\calibre\library\database.py", line 1168, in set_conversion_options
File "site-packages\calibre\library\sqlite.py", line 315, in run
DatabaseException: disk I/O error
RemoteTraceback (most recent call last):
File "site-packages\calibre\library\sqlite.py", line 272, in run
OperationalError: disk I/O error

I'm running this on a new Windows 8 (64 bit) computer. I know I wasn't having this problem with my old computer (64 bit Vista) so I tried uninstalling and re-installing an older calibre (0.9.20) but I got the same error, so I uninstalled that and re-installed 0.9.30. Sometimes it will queue the files but then give me this error in the middle of converting.

calibre, version 0.9.30
ERROR: Unhandled exception: <b>DatabaseException</b>:disk I/O error
RemoteTraceback (most recent call last):
File "site-packages\calibre\library\sqlite.py", line 272, in run
OperationalError: disk I/O error

Traceback (most recent call last):
File "site-packages\calibre\gui2\__init__.py", line 381, in dispatch
File "site-packages\calibre\gui2\actions\convert.py", line 238, in book_converted
File "site-packages\calibre\library\database2.py", line 1540, in add_format
File "site-packages\calibre\library\sqlite.py", line 315, in run
DatabaseException: disk I/O error
RemoteTraceback (most recent call last):
File "site-packages\calibre\library\sqlite.py", line 272, in run
OperationalError: disk I/O error

Again, if I convert the files that didn't convert in a smaller batch, it works fine.

Any ideas?

[kovidgoyal]

Disable your antivirus.

[matanic]

I'm not running any antivirus other than what Windows 8 already has in it.

[kovidgoyal]

What has that got to do with disabling it?

[matanic]

Nothing, I just thought it might make a difference. I disabled the antivirus and I'm still getting the same error.

[kovidgoyal]

That error indicates either:

1) Something on your computer is blocking access to metadata.db under heavy load
2) Your hard disk is failing under heavy load

Not being familiar with windows 8, I can't really advise you on how to detect which of those is the issue.

[DoctorOhh]

If your library is in a cloud directory such as Dropbox pause syncing before any bulk operations like conversions.

[eschwartz]

Here's your problem!!

[matanic]

Originally Posted by DoctorOhh

If your library is in a cloud directory such as Dropbox pause syncing before any bulk operations like conversions.

I think you might be on to something. I do have that folder set up to sync to the cloud so I'll try pausing it. I think you have also helped me solve a problem I've been having with a completely different piece of software, so thanks!

[matanic]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

Here's your problem!!

I've definitely felt like this before!
But I actually like Windows 8 pretty well, once I get out of the stupid Metro UI. It's a lot more stable than any previous version.

[eschwartz]

Are you using calibre 64-bit? It was giving me weird errors (on Windows 7) but switching to the 32-bit version fixed it for me.


Another fun picture!!

both of these images courtesy of http://atom.smasher.org/error/gallery/

[matanic]

I am using 64-bit, so if pausing the sync doesn't work, I was planning on switching to 32-bit and see if that helps. Thanks for your help! And the humor!

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by matanic

... once I get out of the stupid Metro UI...

@matanic - while you're waiting for 8.1 you might want consider using Start Menu 8 - it adds the start button and an option to boot straight into windows desktop. http://www.iobit.com/iobitstartmenu8.php

I like it because that's all it does - i.e it doesn't claim to make Win8 look like Win '95

BR

[DoctorOhh]

Originally Posted by matanic

I think you might be on to something. I do have that folder set up to sync to the cloud so I'll try pausing it. I think you have also helped me solve a problem I've been having with a completely different piece of software, so thanks!

You're welcome.

I run calibre portable via Dropbox and whenever I go to upgrade I have to pause syncing. If I don't pause syncing there is a better than even money chance the install will fail. The same thing happens with bulk conversions every now and then one will hiccup if I don't pause syncing.

[matanic]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

@matanic - while you're waiting for 8.1 you might want consider using Start Menu 8 - it adds the start button and an option to boot straight into windows desktop. http://www.iobit.com/iobitstartmenu8.php

I like it because that's all it does - i.e it doesn't claim to make Win8 look like Win '95

BR

I thought about it when I first got the new laptop but after some work, I have Win8 set up just the way I like it. You can bypass the Metro without using another program and I don't really seem to need the start button anymore. But thanks for the recommendation! I'm still keeping this program in the back of my mind in case I decide I can't live without the start button after all, and it's nice to hear from someone who uses it.