Dwindling hard drive memory

[Robert T Higaki]

I have been extremely busy scanning my slides to digital format. With the Nikon coolscan, I get approximately 65 MB file per image. Some shots were done by the Hiedelburg Tango PMT scanner and those files are approx 1'' MB. In other words, I have used up a lot of memory on my hard drive. I used up nearly 3'' GB in two and half weeks.
So, I need to "free up" memory by moving the files from the internal HD to an external one. I know I can do that but also I know I will lose any type of adjustments made in LR pertaining to the images. I know I will break the links and get those dreaded question marks.
I guess the other option(this is why posting this) is to export a catalog. By doing this, I will retain my files plus whatever adjustments made to those files. Once, I move the catalog over to the external hard drive. I will break the links anyway. No matter what I do to clean(free) up the hard drive, LR will not have access to the files because they are in the external drive. Is what I am saying correct? Is there an easier method to clean up a hard drive other than what I have said.

Bob- the slide shooter at heart

 

[Victoria Bampton]

Even easier Bob. 2 options:

1. Go to Library menu > New Folder and create a folder on the external drive, and then drag the files or folders over within LR's interface.

or

2. Move the folder using Explorer, then right click on the folders in LR, which will then be showing as missing, right click, and choose Find Missing Folder and point to the new location on the external drive.

Either of those will still allow LR to access the files in their new location whenever that external drive is attached, so you'll be all set.

 

[Robert T Higaki]

Many thanks- Victoria,


Bob- the slide shooter at heart

 

[dj_paige]

Just to clear up a minor (but important) point ... hard disk space is NOT memory. Memory is not hard disk space. Memory and hard disk space distinct and separate parts of your computer, and are not affected by one another.

I bring this up because in another forum for a different piece of software, a user received advice that he needed more memory. The user went out and bought more hard disk space, and then complained that the problem hadn't been fixed. So ... let's not call hard disk space "memory".

 

[Robert T Higaki]

Somehow, I managed to screw it up the files so I got those dreaded question marks. I was able to re- establish the links.
I did free up the hard drive SPACE. I did not say memory- oops I just did.

Bob- the slide shooter at heart

 

[Victoria Bampton]

Well done Bob!

 

[Kiwigeoff]

Bob, another thought on freeing drive space, if my memory serves! Just send me the D3 and you won't fill it up so quick again!:lol::lol::shock:

 

[Robert T Higaki]

Nice try - Geoff. I guess that is why the D3 has dual card slots.


Bob - the slide shooter at heart

 

[Robert T Higaki]

Hi,

I am still experiencing issues transferring my files from my hard drive to the external one.
Library> New folder> from here I get two different windows-
1) I do not have a screen shot of this: I can see all my drives so I can
place a new folder in the external drive(this is easy method)
2) I get this other window( see screen shot). Once, I give it a name and
hit create. The window disappeared and that was it. I searched the
computer and I found the folder under pictures. But, I need to free up
the space on my hard drive. S', what I did next is opened up the
Maxtor(external drive) and dragged the folder from the pictures.
Is this the proper why of doing it or am I missing something???

Bob- the slide shooter at heart

 

[Robert T Higaki]

again, I repeated these steps: library> New Folder> 1) I get the window in the previous thread(screen shot). The create folder seems to show up most of the time.

2) But, I also get this( see screen shot) which I like better because there is less steps involved. Is this normal to have two options? If so, how can I get LR give me option #2 more often?

Bob- the slide shooter at heart

 

[Victoria Bampton]

I've lost track of where we're up to by now Bob, but try option 2 and see how you get on...

2. Move the folder using Explorer, then right click on the folders in LR, which will then be showing as missing, right click, and choose Find Missing Folder and point to the new location on the external drive.

 

[Robert T Higaki]

Victoria- thanks for responding.

I cannot help but notice this:

1) if I have three or four images and I click on library> new folder>,
I get this window( see screen shot #2)

2) if I have multiple images and I click on library>new folder>
I get a different window( see screen shot #3)

So, I now have both screen shots on this thread.(makes it easier to compare) Is this normal to have two different windows like this? It seems odd to me that this is happening.

Bob- the slide shooter at heart

 

[Victoria Bampton]

The one on the left is trying to start a fresh folder anywhere on any drive - that's the one you'd want. You only get that when you don't have a folder selected in the folders panel.

The one on the right is trying to create a subfolder of the currently selected folder.

 

[Robert T Higaki]

Thank you! Victoria



Bob- the slide shooter at heart

 

[Robert T Higaki]

Even easier Bob. 2 options:

1. Go to Library menu > New Folder and create a folder on the external drive, and then drag the files or folders over within LR's interface.

Since I am creating a new folder, I would have to drag the files into that folder. If I am dealing with ten images, dragging ten files is fine. But, I have 171 Galapagos images( or 167 Antarctica images). I cannot see myself dragging 171 or 167 files over. There is must an easier way of doing this.

Bob-the slide shooter at heart

 

[Victoria Bampton]

Yep, go with Option 2, listed way back in the thread - move the files and relink.

 

[dj_paige]

Even easier Bob. 2 options:

1. Go to Library menu > New Folder and create a folder on the external drive, and then drag the files or folders over within LR's interface.

Since I am creating a new folder, I would have to drag the files into that folder. If I am dealing with ten images, dragging ten files is fine. But, I have 171 Galapagos images( or 167 Antarctica images). I cannot see myself dragging 171 or 167 files over. There is must an easier way of doing this.

Bob-the slide shooter at heart

You don't have to drag them one at a time. You can drag the entire 171 to a new folder within Lightroom. Select them all (for example: click and then shift-click if they are consecutive) and then drag.

 

[Robert T Higaki]

Thanks, Paige!


Bob

 

[Robert T Higaki]

Initially, I had no problems moving files/folders over to the external hard drives.
Then, I tried to move my Easter island files over.
Library> new folder> choose my external hard drive> make new folder> ok
then I dragged the files into the new folder in G:. I went ahead and delete the files in C:
Once, I did that: I lost my links and got those question marks. I went ahead click on those marks to re-link. It did not re-link.
I went back to the recycle bin and restore all items. Then, my links were re-stored.
I did note that I am having problems with the digital images from my camera. The other files were scanned images from my slides. Why in the world I am getting multiple files of the same images and or two different images with the same name. I think this is causing the problem. How can I import images without having the multiple files???? Bob- the slide shoote at heart

 

[Robert T Higaki]

Moderators- can you delete the first attachment?( it was a mistake)
Mod Note: Sorry Bob, I can only figure out how to keep or delete both, not just the one.

It is the second attachment is the one I want people to see. So far, I have not received any response.
1) nobody knows why there are multiple files of same image or there are
three files which contain two of the same image plus a different one.
2) It is a Microsoft issue; not LR
3) Is it a LR issue when I get the automatic window to import when I make the connection between my Epson P-5''' to the desktop. And nobody wants to admit it.

During this frustration period, I have been experimenting different ways of
importing. It seems the best method is for me to: LR> library>new folder(in
external hard drive G; open computer> P-5'''> file> sent to> G. The main reason why I sign the slide shooter at heart is because I waste so much time on the computer trying to fix these stupid problems and not shooting pictures.:evil:

Bob- the slide shooter at heart

 

[Robert T Higaki]

Here is another example:

Again, these files are from my camera to the desktop. I wish I can show you the open files to see for yourselves.The pictures did open for a split second then they all closed. I use the preview function to see what is inside. Look at files tango-29: there are three of them. The first two are the same image but the third is different. Same goes for tango-3.
I appreciate any wild guesses as to what is going on here.
I am afraid that all my South American files are like this since this past trip is the first time I went digital 1''%. To be honest, I am not very happy. I had to deal with sensor dust since I stopped down for all my landscapes shots. Now, I have to deal with multiple files. Any guesses as to what happened?

Bob- the slide shooter at heart

 

[Brad Snyder]

Bob, I'm really starting to get confused, and likely everybody else is as well.

Can you back-up and start the story over on these 'Tango' files? Reading back in the thread, you've imported, created new folders, copied, moved, deleted, restored from Recycle, until I've lost track. The folder view you attached may be more helpful in 'Details' view, as opposed to thumbnail or icon view.

 

[Robert T Higaki]

OK, I will start from the beginning of my work flow. I download the files from my flashcard to the epson P-5'''. During my trip, I transferred the files to my laptop as a second backup. Now, the laptop is out of the loop. I take my Epson and connect it to the desktop. A window shows up from LR asking me if I want to import the images. I give it a name-tango. At this time, everything is normal. Images are imported. I can flip back and forth from library to develop with any problems.
But, I need to free up space on my hard drive. So, I have been transferring files from C: to the external hard drive(G. The majority of my files are from the Nikon scanner and are located in documents(C. I have no problems transferring the scanned files to G:. So, I wanted to transfer NEF(originally from my camera) to G:. At first, I could not locate those files in documents. I found them under pictures(C. I started to drag the files into a new folder and tried to tranfer the folder to G:. Then, I get message- duplicate files- there are three choices-. ( I am running out of space)

 

[Robert T Higaki]

So, then I went back to take a closer look at those files. I realized there is duplication. I previewed the files and to my horror. I even have a different image associated with same name file. It is a total mess.
I was desperately trouble shooting on my own on the Easter Island files. That explains the mass confusion- I was trying different ways to resolve this issue.
So, I came up with my own solution. I deleted all the Easter Island files from the picture folder(C. I re-imported the files from the Epson not using the import window I get from LR. I hit cancel. Instead, I open up my computer> Epson> send to G; Then, I import the images into LR. No duplication- no problems.
All, I am asking is what happened when I used the automatic import window from LR? I really do not want to look at my Iguassu Falls files. I am sure they will look like my Tango ones. Brad- I only know how to do attachments- I have no idea how to use display.
Bob- the slide shooter at heart

 

[dj_paige]

While I can't be sure I am understanding everything, let me suggest that a much more simplified workflow will eliminate some of these problems, and take less work on your part as well.

No more importing files to the C: drive and then move them somehow to the G: drive. Just import them to the G: drive. Don't even go to the C: drive if it is running out of space.

Next, your paragraph that begins with "But, I need to free up space on my hard drive..." seems to indicate you are still moving files and browsing for files in Windows. Lightroom has problems when you move files in Windows, which I thought you knew by now.

And, I stilll can't be sure exactly what you have done ... but ... it still seems you have left steps out of your description ... if you transfer files to G and it tells you that there are duplicate files, then the files must have already been on G somehow, which you haven't mentioned.