Just installed Calibre first time - corrupted library?

[kreigar]

What the heck? I can't even launch the app for the very first time. It just keeps complaining about a corrupted library. When I try to let it fix itself, it just shows a neverending progress bar.

What is wrong with this app?

So far it's pretty crappy.

[kreigar]

Finally fixed this.

I finally got it to ask me to create a new library. When I selected the same location I configured the first time around, it said it was unable to create the library <- a MUCH better message. I figured out that Calibre can't create a library in an existing folder inside c:\Program Files in Windows. I switched it to another folder, and it was able to create the folder.

Overall, a bad first time experience and possibly enough to drive potential users away. First time usage should be much smoother. This could be accomplished with better messaging saying a first-time library could not be created in the location chosen.

[theducks]

A New install gets exactly 1 book (the users guide).

Calibre has MILLIONS of users (check the stats at the download site)
So, that leaves your system and you, doing something odd

Did you read the FAQs? The stickies at the top of this and the devices forum (this issue. Good plan to read them all )

First of all we need to know on WHAT OS (and version) you are putting Calibre.
Then WHERE, your Library (folder) is: (usual defaults to your user folder)?

Right off the top, without any input from you, I would guess:

You put (allowed) the Library in a Google Drive (cloud) folder. That is a 100% incompatible place as it mangles the file/folder names. SEE stickies

Other Clouds (or NAS) can be used for BACKUP, but not for an active Library use. (and 2 way sync really is a race to disaster. Mirror is mostly safe.)

[theducks]

We cross posted;
I see you tried to put the Library with the program (that was a Windows 3x,9x method). Windows security has gotten way better and protects program area from changes.

FWIW. Calibre also protects against creating a Library (with the contents) on an occupied folder. The folder used must be empty when creating a New Library (New/Updates to Calibre will detect and allow a proper Calibre Library structure )

[ownedbycats]

For security reasons, Windows really doesn't like user files inside Program Files; if you poke around in the AppData folder a bit, you might find a "VirtualStore" folder that has user files for older legacy programs that were redirected there. Put it somewhere else.