What files to transfer for a clean library?

ficbot · 08-09-2016, 11:57 AM

I have been getting some error messages ever since I moved my library onto a new computer. I store its folder in Dropbox and the switch from Mac to PC generated some junk files. Also, it seems there were some duplicate folders, and folders in the wrong places. I want to make a clean start and get my library back to optimal shape. Here is what I have done so far:

1) I copied the whole Calibre library folder so I had a working copy without touching the original. I am going through it now and deleting the junk files, empty folders, duplicate folders and books I wish to archive.

2) I am leaving intact each book's folder. So, epub file, Kindle file if I had one, metadata file and cover jpg all untouched.

3) When I finish, I plan to set up a new Calibre library with 'I already have a folder where it is' and using the new folder's location. Then I will delete the old library.

What I am not sure about is whether the book metadata files are enough to preserve my custom fields, star ratings and so on or whether I could copy the three metadata files which are in the main 'Calibre Library' folder too: metadata (database file), metadata (OPF document) and metadata_db_prefs_backup.

Advice?

kacir · 08-09-2016, 12:38 PM

Do not touch your library manually.
Use Calibre to do all that.

Start Calibre at the old computer with a copy of Calibre library you haven't touched manually yet.

Go to Calibre Library menu, select Library maintenance, Check Library.
Then let the Calibre to check your library on disk against the existing files.

Then go to Calibre Library menu and select Export/import all calibre data.

It will export selected libraries, your plugins, database structure into the desired backup folder.

At the new computer you set up new Calibre and select Export/import all calibre data menu again and import everything you wish.

You could just manually copy your Calibre library folder with all the books AND the database file. The database file contains your custom columns and such things. Up until recently this is what I would have done. And I never had a problem.
But using Import/Export menu can prevent problems when moving the library across operating systems, for example.

ficbot · 08-09-2016, 01:23 PM

Thank you! I had to do a bit of fiddling because I don't have the old computer anymore, but it worked! I checked the new folder in Dropbox and it does not have the junk files created by the Mac to PC switch. I hope everything runs more smoothly now on my new PC.

08-09-2016, 11:57 AM	#1
ficbot Wizard Posts: 2,409 Karma: 4132096 Join Date: Sep 2008 Device: Kindle Paperwhite/iOS Kindle App	What files to transfer for a clean library? I have been getting some error messages ever since I moved my library onto a new computer. I store its folder in Dropbox and the switch from Mac to PC generated some junk files. Also, it seems there were some duplicate folders, and folders in the wrong places. I want to make a clean start and get my library back to optimal shape. Here is what I have done so far: 1) I copied the whole Calibre library folder so I had a working copy without touching the original. I am going through it now and deleting the junk files, empty folders, duplicate folders and books I wish to archive. 2) I am leaving intact each book's folder. So, epub file, Kindle file if I had one, metadata file and cover jpg all untouched. 3) When I finish, I plan to set up a new Calibre library with 'I already have a folder where it is' and using the new folder's location. Then I will delete the old library. What I am not sure about is whether the book metadata files are enough to preserve my custom fields, star ratings and so on or whether I could copy the three metadata files which are in the main 'Calibre Library' folder too: metadata (database file), metadata (OPF document) and metadata_db_prefs_backup. Advice?

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08-09-2016, 12:38 PM	#2
kacir Wizard Posts: 3,463 Karma: 10684861 Join Date: May 2006 Device: PocketBook 360, before it was Sony Reader, cassiopeia A-20	Do not touch your library manually. Use Calibre to do all that. Start Calibre at the old computer with a copy of Calibre library you haven't touched manually yet. Go to Calibre Library menu, select Library maintenance, Check Library. Then let the Calibre to check your library on disk against the existing files. Then go to Calibre Library menu and select Export/import all calibre data. It will export selected libraries, your plugins, database structure into the desired backup folder. At the new computer you set up new Calibre and select Export/import all calibre data menu again and import everything you wish. You could just manually copy your Calibre library folder with all the books AND the database file. The database file contains your custom columns and such things. Up until recently this is what I would have done. And I never had a problem. But using Import/Export menu can prevent problems when moving the library across operating systems, for example.

08-09-2016, 01:23 PM	#3
ficbot Wizard Posts: 2,409 Karma: 4132096 Join Date: Sep 2008 Device: Kindle Paperwhite/iOS Kindle App	Thank you! I had to do a bit of fiddling because I don't have the old computer anymore, but it worked! I checked the new folder in Dropbox and it does not have the junk files created by the Mac to PC switch. I hope everything runs more smoothly now on my new PC.

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