In preparation to moving my photos to a new computer, I attempted to backup my photos on an external HD. Big problem. The download started well, but PSE froze at 75% completed. I couldn't get anything to happen so I reluctantly did a ctrl/alt/del to force close. In trying to start over, I cannot get anything to happen. When I chose the backup command in the dropdown menu, nothing happens except that the program freezes again. I've done everything I can think of to get off this condition as I can't proceed with my transfer to the new machine until I can get this to work. One of the major reasons for a new machine is the fact that PSE freezes a lot, but not with consequences like this. I'm running 32 bit Windows 7. Any suggestions on what to do would be greatly appreciated. I posted this on the Adobe Forum and got a lot of hits but no one offered any help. I think that PhotoShop input might be relevant to this as the backup maybe similar. Any thoughts or suggestions on what to do or where I can go for help would be greatly appreciated.
If I don't figure out how to do it through PSE that maybe what I will have to do. As I understand it, though, copying the files from the Windows 7 pictures folder would not come with any of the tagging, organization, captions, that PSE has placed on those files. Which would take a lot of time to recreate. If I'm wrong about that, then it would be a more likely solution.
Rather than trying to do a backup through PSE, why not just copy your files to the external drive?
That's the ticket.
Alternatively, you could use the backup and restore capability in Win 7. Attach the external drive your computer. Open Control Panel>Backup and Restore. You can set it to backup selected Libraries and/or folders by clicking on "Change Settings". A wizard will walk through the steps. Note: You do not want to create a system image when you do this!
Peter, since PSE is misbehaving, I suggest that you download and install a fresh copy when you get your new computer. you really don't want to carry over problems from the old to the new.
Thanks for your input, Preston. I will be installing a fresh copy of PSE when I get everything over to the new computer. Plus, I plan to do most of my work from Lightroom as soon as V5 is available. Do you know if my worry about losing all of the info that PSE generated re: organization, captions, etc. when copying from the Win7 folder is valid?
As far as I understand metadata it will be written in one of two ways; either embedded in the image file itself, or as an XMP sidecar file.
When you get the new machine and have your apps installed (Lightroom included) it's a good idea to create your new user folder structure the same as it was on the old machine if you decide to simply copy the files. That way Lightroom should recognize your organization.
I suggest that before you copy your files, go to Windows Explorer on the old machine and set it to reveal hidden files and folders. I don't know for sure, but XMP files may be hidden by default. By showing hidden folders and files you'll see them if they are there. If they are, you'll need to copy these along with the image files.
Honestly, I don't use Lightroom, so others may know tricks to make the transition easier for you. Anyone have any ideas for Peter?
Thanks again, Preston. On my current system the XMP files are shown on the Windows 7 view of the pictures folder. Each image has an associated XMP file. That's one of the reasons that my catalog shows twice as many items than I thought there were. So this sounds like this might not be too much of an adventure after all. It may ever run quicker the PSE does as that just really crawls on my machine.
Discussion
6 repliesThat's the ticket.
Alternatively, you could use the backup and restore capability in Win 7. Attach the external drive your computer. Open Control Panel>Backup and Restore. You can set it to backup selected Libraries and/or folders by clicking on "Change Settings". A wizard will walk through the steps. Note: You do not want to create a system image when you do this!
Peter, since PSE is misbehaving, I suggest that you download and install a fresh copy when you get your new computer. you really don't want to carry over problems from the old to the new.
--P
As far as I understand metadata it will be written in one of two ways; either embedded in the image file itself, or as an XMP sidecar file.
When you get the new machine and have your apps installed (Lightroom included) it's a good idea to create your new user folder structure the same as it was on the old machine if you decide to simply copy the files. That way Lightroom should recognize your organization.
I suggest that before you copy your files, go to Windows Explorer on the old machine and set it to reveal hidden files and folders. I don't know for sure, but XMP files may be hidden by default. By showing hidden folders and files you'll see them if they are there. If they are, you'll need to copy these along with the image files.
Honestly, I don't use Lightroom, so others may know tricks to make the transition easier for you. Anyone have any ideas for Peter?
--P