Qiqqa won't start up after attempted backup restoration

[n-childs-geo]

I got a new computer and have been attempting to transfer my data from my old machine to the new. My library is too large to transfer via sync, so I used the backup function to generate a zip file on an external hard-drive so I could "restore" it on the new computer. When I ran the restoration, it seemed to work, although I suspect that one of the cats may have knocked the USB loose during the transfer. Whatever happened, the restoration has caused some sort of loop. When I got to open Qiqqa, I am met with an error message and the program refuses to open.

I have attempted to uninstall the software, restart the computer, and reinstall, but have met the same error message each time. Can anyone help me out with this? I really do not want to lose a large amount of work and it is only a matter of time before my old machine breaks for good. Unfortunately, I do not have any screenshots of the attempted restoration and this is as far as I can get in Qiqqa before it crashes.

[GerHobbelt]

Im AFK so this will be a bit vague.

Interesting error you got there, BTW. Have to look into.

For you, first thing i would do is make a direct copy of the entire qiqqa data directory tree on the old machine. (this is similar to creating a backup zip archive, but "closer to the metal". If we have such a coy on an external drice we can always recover, even if we need to resort to tricks.

Qiqqa stores all your stuff, databases, pdfs, everything, in the qiqqa base directory.

Read https://github.com/jimmejardine/qiqqa-open-source/blob/master/docs-src/Notes/FAQ/How%20to%20locate%20your%20Qiqqa%20Base%20Directory.md to find out one way to discover where that directory is on your old machine. Then copy the ENTIRE base directiry tree to backup disk, including stuff like the ocr directiry you see in the screenshots there. Then you have a full copy.

Next, go to the new maxhine, discover the qiqqa base directory there and DELETE EVERYTHING IN THERE. Start qiqqa amd it will believe its a fresh clean install, hence set up a minimal guest library with 2 dicuments. If that works, then qiqqa wirks on the new box.

This action will have filled the base directory with some stuff again. DELETE EVERYTHING again. Then COPY the old stuff from your backup disk into that base directory in the new box. Once copy is done, start qiqqa again and it should then auto discover your old libraries. Some library names may be mangled but all tge old content = documents and metadata, should be present again. This can take a while so quqqa is slow to start but you should see results within 15 minutes unless you have a very peculiar and HUGE set of libraries.

As you do this on your machines i expect you'll get a bit if a feeling for the directory structure in base, as is shown in those screenshots. The ocr dir sits in the basedir and next to it are your library durectories, ibe for each, plus your ever present Guest directory.

Keep that copy on your backup disk until everything us guaranteed okay in the new machine.

Sorry typos. Let me know how it goes.

[n-childs-geo]

Worked like a charm! All of the documents and the metadata seem to be intact and are in place on the new machine, I cannot thank you enough.

When I went to copy the directory from the old computer, I got a notice for several files that could not be found at their filepath. Perhaps these were the "disposed objects" that triggered the error? I just skipped over these files so they were not included in the final back up. They don't seem to be associated with any documents in my libraries. Weird all around.

[GerHobbelt]

Weird indeed.

It would be quite useful to dig up the logfiles and zip them all. If you're okay with that, please send them to me then. My hope is that qiqqa left some informative loglines somewhere in there. ;—)

On Fri, Jul 23, 2021, 02:51 n-childs-geo @.***> wrote:

Worked like a charm! All of the documents and the metadata seem to be intact and are in place on the new machine, I cannot thank you enough.

When I went to copy the directory from the old computer, I got a notice for several files that could not be found at their filepath. Perhaps these were the "disposed objects" that triggered the error? I just skipped over these files so they were not included in the final back up. They don't seem to be associated with any documents in my libraries. Weird all around.

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[GerHobbelt]

@n-childs-geo : ping? See my last comment July 23rd: if you could please give me an Aye or Nay on the zipfiles, then I'll know if I should keep this open while I investigate the zipfiles (weird issues are hints that something may be lurking in the deep in or around qiqqa and are therefor of interest to me) or I can close the issue as resolved.

Thanks 👍 and hope you're happy with Qiqqa!