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LR Classic backup

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crbuckjr

Active Member
Joined
Oct 14, 2014
Messages
199
Location
Naples, FL
Lightroom Experience
Beginner
Lightroom Version
Lightroom Version Number
LR classic 7.4
Operating System
  1. Windows 7
I am trying to backup, using "export as a catalog". My main file is on a SSD and I am backing up to a external hard drive. Both are connected to a fast (blue) USB port.

I have tried several times but the process doesn't go through to completion. (the desktop power setting is set to not turn of the computer)

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
 
On my Mac when I exit Lr it asks me if I want to backup the catalog and to where. I say yes if I have made any changes in Preferences or images. I have the catalog backup going to my external data drive where I have folders for catalog backups, images, documents, videos...etc. So that is the first level of backup. Then I have the entire file system, internal SSD plus external data drive, backed up by Time Machine (MacOS backup app) to a completely separate dedicated backup drive. That has worked well for me. I could take the next step and also baakup to a cloud service.....but I don't.
 

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Lightroom uses working storage /TEMP as a staging area. Your primary Disk Drive may not have enough free space to hold the temporary files the LR Generates. This is especially tear is you are including Digital negatives in your Export as a catalog.

"Export as a Catalog" is not a useful backup strategy. As this does not copy all of the metadata stored in the primary catalog. Lightroom Creates a backup catalog on exit as Mcasan has already mentioned. This is simply a file copy of the existing catalog file with some database maintenance thrown in. This is all you need to protect your catalog file in case of corruption. However it is recommended strongly that you use a system wide backup app to backup all of your critical user files including your master image copied and master catalog and LR settings files. MacOS backup app is Time Machine and there are similar apps that do almost as good a job on Windows. A system wide backup app runs in the background unattended and on a schedule so that all you need to do is set it up and start it automatically on boot up.
 
I wasn't clear. I am wanting to back up my catalog and all the pics. I have used "export as a catalog" successfully for the last few years. For example, When I switch to my summer home all I have to do is hook up my SSD drive (or the spare backup) to the desktop at that location and point LR Classic to that catalog and I am in business. It works well for my situation.

So, while there might be other approaches I should consider, at this point I am hoping to get help making this approach work successful ly

Any help would be appreciated

Thanks

Chuck
 
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