Sync Database with Library

Mythlandia · 07-06-2014, 08:46 PM

I have no idea when it happened, or how, but somehow I have a large number of books (in an even larger library) which have been added to the Library (in the directory), have been assigned a Library number, and yet are not in the database.

Initially I thought that the Library maintenance option would fix the problem, but it seems only to want to delete items, not fix the Database problems.

The library on disk is correct and contains books in the correct Calibre format: i.e. the book, the metadata.opf file, and the cover file.

Each book that I have examined seem to have been added properly and have valid, but unused, Calibre database id. The Database itself is valid, but incomplete.

Is there an automatic solution?

Adoby · 07-07-2014, 05:32 AM

There are several ways to handle this, but first you may want to make a backup of your calibre library, to avoid loosing books or data.

One way is to use calibre to move the library to a new folder. Then calibre will leave behind the books it has lost track of. You can examine them and add the ones you don't already have in the library. You may already have another copy of the books in the library.

Another way, that may be faster, is to delete the database file, metadata.db, and have calibre recreate it from the library. The metadata should be backed up in OPF-files. (You might just rename the database file to metadata.bak to test this quickly.) You might end up with duplicate books...

The reason why this happened can be that you had some cloud sync software active while running calibre. Or did a restore of a backup to the same place as an existing calibre library. Or restored just an old metadata.db, and not the books at the same time. Or you have accessed the library from another computer, with another operating system that has different case sensitivity. Or something else...

eschwartz · 07-07-2014, 11:34 AM

+1 Restore Database will recreate the library from the unique ids on each book.

It assumes everything is correct except the database itself, and will not locate duplicate ids. But you said they aren't duplicate ids so that should be all right.

theducks · 07-07-2014, 11:54 AM

One of the ways to mess up the DB is to share the Library and have both have it open. Opening with 2 instances of Calibre (ie. Calibre and Portable)

(Note:Network shares are not supported, but sometimes work. Your risk if you choose to try.)

07-06-2014, 08:46 PM	#1
Mythlandia Reader Posts: 13 Karma: 6184 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Celebration, FL Device: iPad	Sync Database with Library I have no idea when it happened, or how, but somehow I have a large number of books (in an even larger library) which have been added to the Library (in the directory), have been assigned a Library number, and yet are not in the database. Initially I thought that the Library maintenance option would fix the problem, but it seems only to want to delete items, not fix the Database problems. The library on disk is correct and contains books in the correct Calibre format: i.e. the book, the metadata.opf file, and the cover file. Each book that I have examined seem to have been added properly and have valid, but unused, Calibre database id. The Database itself is valid, but incomplete. Is there an automatic solution?

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07-07-2014, 05:32 AM	#2
Adoby Handy Elephant Posts: 1,737 Karma: 26785684 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Southern Sweden, far out in the quiet woods Device: Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra	There are several ways to handle this, but first you may want to make a backup of your calibre library, to avoid loosing books or data. One way is to use calibre to move the library to a new folder. Then calibre will leave behind the books it has lost track of. You can examine them and add the ones you don't already have in the library. You may already have another copy of the books in the library. Another way, that may be faster, is to delete the database file, metadata.db, and have calibre recreate it from the library. The metadata should be backed up in OPF-files. (You might just rename the database file to metadata.bak to test this quickly.) You might end up with duplicate books... The reason why this happened can be that you had some cloud sync software active while running calibre. Or did a restore of a backup to the same place as an existing calibre library. Or restored just an old metadata.db, and not the books at the same time. Or you have accessed the library from another computer, with another operating system that has different case sensitivity. Or something else...

07-07-2014, 11:34 AM	#3
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,421 Karma: 85400180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	+1 Restore Database will recreate the library from the unique ids on each book. It assumes everything is correct except the database itself, and will not locate duplicate ids. But you said they aren't duplicate ids so that should be all right.

07-07-2014, 11:54 AM	#4
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 30,939 Karma: 60358908 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	One of the ways to mess up the DB is to share the Library and have both have it open. Opening with 2 instances of Calibre (ie. Calibre and Portable) (Note:Network shares are not supported, but sometimes work. Your risk if you choose to try.)

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