Restoring Photos after Computer Failure
Sep 4, 2018 09:17:58 #
I posed a reply recently to a post but it was unseen, so I would like to post as a New Topic. Here is the scenario I am seeking UHH member input:
Background:
I back up my Mac and external drive to an Apple Time Capsule daily, I use Backblaze for offsite backup and monthly manually backup all photos to a 2nd external drive. My catalog is backed up in Dropbox (and in the Time Capsule and Backblaze with scheduled Dropbox file back up).
Scenario - Fire destroys computer and local external drive.
Question - How do I restore all photos and catalogs Lightroom, ensuring the catalog is merged with the photos correctly. (I am confused as to how I reconnect the backed up catalog to the restored photos) ... hope that is clear.
Is it as simple as ... 1) restore any an all photos to an external drive and 2) copy the backed up catalog on the hard drive on the new computer 3) connect the new hard drive to the computer and 4) ??? now I am lost ... how do I tell the photos where their edits/recipes are since drive letters different, different computer hardware, etc.?
Thank you, Bob
Background:
I back up my Mac and external drive to an Apple Time Capsule daily, I use Backblaze for offsite backup and monthly manually backup all photos to a 2nd external drive. My catalog is backed up in Dropbox (and in the Time Capsule and Backblaze with scheduled Dropbox file back up).
Scenario - Fire destroys computer and local external drive.
Question - How do I restore all photos and catalogs Lightroom, ensuring the catalog is merged with the photos correctly. (I am confused as to how I reconnect the backed up catalog to the restored photos) ... hope that is clear.
Is it as simple as ... 1) restore any an all photos to an external drive and 2) copy the backed up catalog on the hard drive on the new computer 3) connect the new hard drive to the computer and 4) ??? now I am lost ... how do I tell the photos where their edits/recipes are since drive letters different, different computer hardware, etc.?
Thank you, Bob
Sep 4, 2018 09:34:56 #
It should be as simple as you've described: restore the image files to the folder and drive names as they existed prior to the fire. Restore the most current available LRCAT file to the same folder location prior to the fire. Start LR and confirm no unexpected problems.
Lightroom keeps the drive and folder name, example: Q:\some folder\etc\some_IMG.XXX
So, image "some_IMG.XXX" will be "missing" to LR if it can't be found on drive "Q" in folder \some folder\etc But, if you restore the same configuration, LR will never know anything about the OS or hardware being changed. If you have to change the drive name, and you should not have to change the drive (or folders), I believe there are search and / or update tools in LR to do a mass update to the image locations. Others can comment on that process. I'd must maintain the same drive letter, much easier.
Lightroom keeps the drive and folder name, example: Q:\some folder\etc\some_IMG.XXX
So, image "some_IMG.XXX" will be "missing" to LR if it can't be found on drive "Q" in folder \some folder\etc But, if you restore the same configuration, LR will never know anything about the OS or hardware being changed. If you have to change the drive name, and you should not have to change the drive (or folders), I believe there are search and / or update tools in LR to do a mass update to the image locations. Others can comment on that process. I'd must maintain the same drive letter, much easier.
Sep 5, 2018 10:11:36 #
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