How do I restore the database to backup? - database disk image is malformed

[lumping-sugar66]

calibre, version 7.10.0
ERROR: Error: Error communicating with device

CorruptError: database disk image is malformed

Traceback (most recent call last):
File "calibre\gui2\device.py", line 111, in run
File "calibre\gui2\device.py", line 595, in _sync_booklists
File "calibre_plugins.kobotouch_extended.device.driver" , line 513, in sync_booklists
File "calibre\devices\kobo\driver.py", line 1016, in sync_booklists
File "calibre\devices\kobo\driver.py", line 2677, in update_device_database_collections
File "calibre\devices\kobo\driver.py", line 2973, in remove_book_from_device_bookshelves
File "C:\t\t\apsw-42s16m2x\src\cursor.c", line 240, in resetcursor
apsw.CorruptError: CorruptError: database disk image is malformed

Another day another corrupt database issue. Can someone let me know which database file is the one I need to replace? Because I have a backup, but the name is simply "backup.sqlite" and I'm not sure with sqlite file to replace and koboutilities doesn't seem to have any option to restore from backup.

Any help is appreciated.

Thank you

[DNSB]

What did you get the backup from? You should simply be able to rename it as KoboReader.sqlite and copy it to the .kobo directory on your Kobo.

If you have the Kobo Utilities installed on calibre (for me, a must have), on the second page of the configuration dialog, you can configure an automatic backup. See the attached image for how I configured it. You can simply extract the two .sqlite from the created .zip file and copy them back to your Kobo.

My workaround for the database corruption issue is to reboot my Kobo ereaders before connecting them to the computer. This is done from NickelMenu. The NM config file entries I use are (allow reboot from Main, My Books and while reading):

menu_item : main    : Reboot             : power          : reboot
menu_item : library : Reboot             : power          : reboot
menu_item : reader  : Reboot             : power          : reboot

[lumping-sugar66]

I got it using calibre kobo utilities plugin. It works like a save as feature for an sqlite file but it doesn’t actually show you which one it is. It is interesting you were saying it’s a zip file but for me it’s a sqlite file. But mine was a manual operation not an automated back up.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by lumping-sugar66

I got it using calibre kobo utilities plugin. It works like a save as feature for an sqlite file but it doesn’t actually show you which one it is. It is interesting you were saying it’s a zip file but for me it’s a sqlite file. But mine was a manual operation not an automated back up.

The manual backup backs up only the KoboReader.sqlite file. I prefer the automated update since I can't forget to do it and it backs up both sqlite databases plus some extras into a .zip file. The file name will also reflect the device and it's serial number with date and time.

The first part of my reply was in regards to your manual backup. The second part referred to Kobo Utilities automated backup which generates a .zip file.

[Mic_Jacq]

Hello,
The right file to replace is : KoboReader.sqlite
The corrupted original KoboReader.sqlite file has therefore to be deleted ou renamed.
The backup.sqlite file has to be be copied in the .kobo directory of the reader then renamed as KoboReader.sqlite.
Enjoy your reader,
Have a good day,
--
Mic_Jacq

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Mic_Jacq

Hello,
The right file to replace is : KoboReader.sqlite
The corrupted original KoboReader.sqlite file has therefore to be deleted ou renamed.
The backup.sqlite file has to be be copied in the .kobo directory of the reader then renamed as KoboReader.sqlite.
Enjoy your reader,
Have a good day,
--
Mic_Jacq

1. Without calibre running, plug in the Kobo to the USB port.
2. Copy the databases (KoboReader.sqlite anf BookReader.sqlite) over the existing databases.
3. Run Windows Explorer and eject the Kobo.
4. Press and hold the power button until the Kobo starts to reboot.
5. After it reboots, you may get some eBooks importing depending what you added since the last backup.

That's it. Done.

[DNSB]

One item to remember is that there are two databases (KoboReader.sqlite and BookReader.sqlite). Both are included in the Kobo Utilities generated backup file and both should be replaced when restoring. While not as common, davidfor and I noted corruption in both databases.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by DNSB

One item to remember is that there are two databases (KoboReader.sqlite and BookReader.sqlite). Both are included in the Kobo Utilities generated backup file and both should be replaced when restoring. While not as common, davidfor and I noted corruption in both databases.

I edited my post to say to restore both databases. If both can become corrupt, then there's no reason not to restore both.