Files in configuration directory overwritten?

excaliber · 09-08-2016, 03:53 PM

Hi all,

I wanted to import books together with their metadata from a Calibre library on one computer (A) into another Calibre library on another computer (B). I have created an empty library on B and then imported the calibre data into Calibre. As I tried to copy the new books into the library I found out that all my libraries on B were gone. I then checked the configuration directory and all files had a current date. Apparently they were overwritten. I don't understand why Calibre didn't warn me although it was my mistake! The directory wasn't empty!

Is there any way to get my old configuration files back? What kind of data have I lost? I hope not the metadata with my custom columns! What should I do?

Plz help!

theducks · 09-08-2016, 04:02 PM

Calibre will not create a Library in a non-empty folder

I don't know what you did, but you forced something

that Calibre would not do on its own. Adding a duplicate with the Overwrite option ON,
BUT then you would have to have created 0 size EPUBS as the source (not normal) A normal Empty Book is Metadata only, no formats (book files)

excaliber · 09-08-2016, 04:16 PM

theducks thanks for the quick response!

I mean the directory /home/foo/.config/calibre/ where Calibre stores its configuration files. I cannot see the libraries which I had on B any more. Also my plugins are gone. Calibre has apparently replaced the configuration of B from A. Can I do something about it now? Have I lost all columns and metadata I had on B? No, Calibre didn't warn me about replacing these files.

theducks · 09-08-2016, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by excaliber

theducks thanks for the quick response!

I mean the directory /home/foo/.config/calibre/ where Calibre stores its configuration files. I cannot see the libraries which I had on B any more. Also my plugins are gone. Calibre has apparently replaced the configuration of B from A. Can I do something about it now? Have I lost all columns and metadata I had on B? No, Calibre didn't warn me about replacing these files.

Columns (and other DB specific) stuu is NOT stored in the config folder.
Config is for USER settings, plugins... Not Library data (other than last used)
If the colum exists, it may just need to be shown (again) Preferences: Add your own (or show any) Columns

metadata_db_prefs_backup.json is the BACKUP of structure of the Library. (AKA how to make a empty database just like it was)
The backup of the data is the OPF in the book title folder

eschwartz · 09-08-2016, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by excaliber

Hi all,

I wanted to import books together with their metadata from a Calibre library on one computer (A) into another Calibre library on another computer (B). I have created an empty library on B and then imported the calibre data into Calibre. As I tried to copy the new books into the library I found out that all my libraries on B were gone. I then checked the configuration directory and all files had a current date. Apparently they were overwritten. I don't understand why Calibre didn't warn me although it was my mistake! The directory wasn't empty!

Is there any way to get my old configuration files back? What kind of data have I lost? I hope not the metadata with my custom columns! What should I do?

Did you transfer the books via Save-to-Disk and re-import, or via Import/Export dialog?

The latter is designed to perform a complete migration from an old, abandoned computer to a new replacement computer.
It stores configurations and selected libraries, and overwrites any existing configuration on the new computer.

I don't believe it should erase the contents of an existing library folder though. However, it will erase the contents of the Quick Switch list (the libraries that calibre knows about and remembers for easy access).

...

Don't worry about your configuration if it did disappear though, since at least it doesn't contain any irreplaceable data. All your metadata is contained in the library, the config directory only has your Preferences, plugins, saved window sizes, the Quick Switch list for switching between your calibre libraries, etc.

excaliber · 09-09-2016, 06:39 AM

@theducks, eschwartz: thanks for your responses!

OK.Then at least I didn't loose my metadata. It took my several days to organize my books.

@eschwartz: I used the Import/Export dialog...

My mistake was that I choose this option and I didn't have a backup. But I think is critical to show a message to the user that Calibre is about to overwrite the files in the configuration directory. I hope the developers do something about that.

My intention was to merge the two libraries from A and B on B and it' s still not entirely clear to me how to do it...

itimpi · 09-09-2016, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by excaliber

@theducks, eschwartz: thanks for your responses!

OK.Then at least I didn't loose my metadata. It took my several days to organize my books.

@eschwartz: I used the Import/Export dialog...

My mistake was that I choose this option and I didn't have a backup. But I think is critical to show a message to the user that Calibre is about to overwrite the files in the configuration directory. I hope the developers do something about that.

My intention was to merge the two libraries from A and B on B and it' s still not entirely clear to me how to do it...

Overwriting the configuration data does not remove a library, but it does remove entries from the Library Quick Switch list. If you have both library folders still on the machine then you can add the second one back to the list by using the option to switch libraries, navigating to the folder holding the second library and then electing to use an already existing library at that location.

eschwartz · 09-09-2016, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by excaliber

My mistake was that I choose this option and I didn't have a backup. But I think is critical to show a message to the user that Calibre is about to overwrite the files in the configuration directory. I hope the developers do something about that.

It was probably thought that that would be intuitive -- since the Export/Import dialog is meant to fully backup and restore all your settings from one computer to another.

Quote:

My intention was to merge the two libraries from A and B on B and it' s still not entirely clear to me how to do it...

Quote:

Originally Posted by eschwartz

Did you transfer the books via Save-to-Disk and re-import, or via Import/Export dialog?

^^ That was the correct way, and the wrong way, respectively.

BetterRed · 09-09-2016, 04:44 PM

To move a library from one 'active' calibre installation to another I do this:

copy the library on computer A to a thumb drive;
backup the libraries and configuration on computer B
copy the library on the thumb drive onto computer B - taking care not to inadvertently overwrite any existing libraries;
add the library to computer B's calibre installation via Switch/Create library.

By 'active' I mean a calibre installation which is in use - i.e. it has existing settings and libraries that must be preserved.

BR

excaliber · 09-09-2016, 07:36 PM

@itimpi, eschwartz, BetterRed: thanks for your responses!

I have proceeded like BetterRed and itimpi suggested and it has worked like I wanted. The main points for me were:
1. Choose "Switch/create library"
2. Enter the path of the A library
3. Choose the first option ("Use the the previously existing library ...")
4. Highlight all books
5. Choose "Copy to library" B

Calibre also asked me if I want to add the columns of A library in B library which of course I did. So everything is fine now!

09-08-2016, 03:53 PM	#1
excaliber Connoisseur Posts: 59 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2013 Device: Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 P5110	Files in configuration directory overwritten? Hi all, I wanted to import books together with their metadata from a Calibre library on one computer (A) into another Calibre library on another computer (B). I have created an empty library on B and then imported the calibre data into Calibre. As I tried to copy the new books into the library I found out that all my libraries on B were gone. I then checked the configuration directory and all files had a current date. Apparently they were overwritten. I don't understand why Calibre didn't warn me although it was my mistake! The directory wasn't empty! Is there any way to get my old configuration files back? What kind of data have I lost? I hope not the metadata with my custom columns! What should I do? Plz help!

09-09-2016, 04:44 PM	#9
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 20,781 Karma: 27405072 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	To move a library from one 'active' calibre installation to another I do this: copy the library on computer A to a thumb drive; backup the libraries and configuration on computer B copy the library on the thumb drive onto computer B - taking care not to inadvertently overwrite any existing libraries; add the library to computer B's calibre installation via Switch/Create library. By 'active' I mean a calibre installation which is in use - i.e. it has existing settings and libraries that must be preserved. BR Last edited by BetterRed; 09-09-2016 at 04:47 PM.

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09-08-2016, 04:02 PM	#2
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 30,148 Karma: 57532198 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	Calibre will not create a Library in a non-empty folder I don't know what you did, but you forced something that Calibre would not do on its own. Adding a duplicate with the Overwrite option ON, BUT then you would have to have created 0 size EPUBS as the source (not normal) A normal Empty Book is Metadata only, no formats (book files)

09-08-2016, 04:16 PM	#3
excaliber Connoisseur Posts: 59 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2013 Device: Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 P5110	theducks thanks for the quick response! I mean the directory /home/foo/.config/calibre/ where Calibre stores its configuration files. I cannot see the libraries which I had on B any more. Also my plugins are gone. Calibre has apparently replaced the configuration of B from A. Can I do something about it now? Have I lost all columns and metadata I had on B? No, Calibre didn't warn me about replacing these files.

09-09-2016, 06:39 AM	#6
excaliber Connoisseur Posts: 59 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2013 Device: Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 P5110	@theducks, eschwartz: thanks for your responses! OK.Then at least I didn't loose my metadata. It took my several days to organize my books. @eschwartz: I used the Import/Export dialog... My mistake was that I choose this option and I didn't have a backup. But I think is critical to show a message to the user that Calibre is about to overwrite the files in the configuration directory. I hope the developers do something about that. My intention was to merge the two libraries from A and B on B and it' s still not entirely clear to me how to do it...

09-09-2016, 07:36 PM	#10
excaliber Connoisseur Posts: 59 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2013 Device: Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 P5110	@itimpi, eschwartz, BetterRed: thanks for your responses! I have proceeded like BetterRed and itimpi suggested and it has worked like I wanted. The main points for me were: 1. Choose "Switch/create library" 2. Enter the path of the A library 3. Choose the first option ("Use the the previously existing library ...") 4. Highlight all books 5. Choose "Copy to library" B Calibre also asked me if I want to add the columns of A library in B library which of course I did. So everything is fine now!

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