Trouble "relinking" a back-up drive to LR

[kmack67]

Hi all,
First time in here as a poster, but have enjoyed all the reading for sure...

I could use some advice as to how to properly "relink" a drive to my LR catalog (not sure if I'm even asking in the right terminology)

Here's the sit-rep:
-I've maintained my images on an external drive (drive #1)
-During each file ingest, I've had the images copied to drive #1 and also copied to a second drive (drive #2) as a backup. Drive #1 always copies the files in while maintaining my folder structure; drive #2 just dumps the files into a folder called "imported on xxxx"
-Drive #1 just died
-I've spent time cleaning up drive #2 to match the original folder structure of drive #1
-How do I get to "relink" my LR interface to the drive #2?
-Will I be able to maintain my selects and edits?

Appreciate any insight on this.

Thanks!
km

 

[Kiwigeoff]

Welcome KM, I will need some time to think on this. I have done it a while back.
Can you post screen shots of your LR library folder structure and the OS view of the #2 HD folder structure please.
Great way to start the year !!:lol:

 

[Victoria Bampton]

So drive #2 has the right directory structure? Fantastic! Now all you need to do is right click on the folders in the Folders panel in LR and choose Update Folder Location or Find Missing Folder. Both will do the same job. Point them to the right location on drive #2 and you'll be all set. If your folders panel shows a tidy hierarchy, you can just relocate the parent folder and it'll cascade through the rest.

And welcome to the forum!

 

[Kiwigeoff]

I'd like to see the screen shots first as a real mess can be created if they are not identical, also is autowrite to xmp on or off?

 

[Victoria Bampton]

Sensible move Geoff. Other blinding flash of the obvious.... duplicate your catalog before you do anything, just in case it does create chaos!!!

 

[Kiwigeoff]

Sensible move Geoff. Other blinding flash of the obvious.... duplicate your catalog before you do anything, just in case it does create chaos!!!

Nice one Victoria !!! What a team !!:shock:

 

[kmack67]

Thanks all!

I've attached a screen shot of my LR folders and my OS with folders; a small portion to get a feel of how they line up. And yes, what a way to start off! I'm feeling good though that I thought enough to back up my back up. I've still got two shoots I need to finish!

I'm not sure about the XMP autowrite ... I might need direction on finding this.

After spending the day correcting the folder structure in drive No. 2, except for 1' images in one subfolder that I can't account for, I feel pretty good that I have an exact duplicate of my primary drive.

Oh, and I'm on a Mac, so the right click equivalent ... command/click, correct?

Thank you again!!!

 

[Victoria Bampton]

Looks good to me kmack!

Do your catalog duplicate, just in case, and go for it! If it goes wrong, just copy back your duplicate and try something else.

Yes, cmd-click is the equivalent, sorry!

 

[Kiwigeoff]

If it goes wrong it's Victoria's fault !!!:lol::lol::evil:

 

[kmack67]

Thanks Victoria! Quick question:

Where do I go to dupe my catalog???

km

 

[kmack67]

It worked! Except for those 1' images I can't account for, it looks good so far...my picks, edits, etc.

 

[Kiwigeoff]

Good stuff !!
To duplicate your catalog, it is probably in: Pictures/Lightroom, then just copy the .lrcat file - cmd-d.

 

[Victoria Bampton]

Brilliant news!!!

 

[Sid-EOS]

Hi all,

-How do I get to "relink" my LR interface to the drive #2?
-Will I be able to maintain my selects and edits?

Appreciate any insight on this.

km

OK first point here, I know that the LR import backup images were sent to a different drive, good job on your part. But, I would advise always running a clone backup of the actual data drive, why? Because if you had a clone of the drive then there would be minimal work to do. Drives are not expensive.

XMP autowrite

Lightroom > Catalog settings > metadata
third item in the list.

 

[kmack67]

OK first point here, I know that the LR import backup images were sent to a different drive, good job on your part. But, I would advise always running a clone backup of the actual data drive, why? Because if you had a clone of the drive then there would be minimal work to do. Drives are not expensive.



Lightroom > Catalog settings > metadata
third item in the list.

---
Sid,
I take it you mean just copy my primary drive on a regular basis, right? Instead of using the LR import/back up function as my fail safe? If that's the case, yes, I would have saved myself having to review my folder structure which would have saved me a day.

Point taken on the drives...I'm going to stock up.

I typically get Firewire models but would you say that USB 2.' is sufficient for LR work?

Thanks!

 

[Victoria Bampton]

USB would certainly be sufficient for your backups. Could be a quick way of distinguishing too.

 

[Sid-EOS]

---
Sid,
I take it you mean just copy my primary drive on a regular basis, right? Instead of using the LR import/back up function as my fail safe? If that's the case, yes, I would have saved myself having to review my folder structure which would have saved me a day.

Point taken on the drives...I'm going to stock up.

I typically get Firewire models but would you say that USB 2.' is sufficient for LR work?

Thanks!

I saw a 1Tb Lacie USB for C$149 recently.

On a Mac, cool - use superduper, fast and free, but I paid form my copy and added all the extras, not expensive.

Also Superduper can do times backups (paid version).

http://www.shirt-pocket.com/SuperDuper/SuperDuperDescription.html

USB is fine for speed in this case.