Lightroom and Elements configuration files: I have just replaced my old hard drive with a solid state drive. Now I'm trying to get Lightroom installed and running. The first time...

manofhg Loc: Knoxville, TN

I have just replaced my old hard drive with a solid state drive. Now I'm trying to get Lightroom installed and running. The first time starting LR, it asked for the long code like when I originally installed it. The question I have is where would I find the correct folder that would have that info. If I can install it, then the software will run as if it was always on this drive and won't require the code as if first use. I guess I'm asking the same for Elements too since I will be doing it next.

Any help is much appreciated.

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

Can you clone the SSD?

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Do you not have the original key?

manofhg Loc: Knoxville, TN

I'll have to ask my son to answer that. He installed it.

manofhg Loc: Knoxville, TN

Yes......somewhere. I'm looking, but if the original files that have the config in them and transfer them, it should work, or so I am told by my son. We have had a little trouble connecting the old hard drive, but now that it is, I have access to all the software, but not the log in files yet.

manofhg Loc: Knoxville, TN

WayneT wrote:

Can you clone the SSD?

Where would I clone the SSD to? It is the new hard drive.

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

If your original drive isn't damaged you can make an exact duplicate of it on the SSD. If you don't know how to do it it would be best to take it into a computer repair shop and see if they will do it for you. It's not real expensive.

manofhg Loc: Knoxville, TN

WayneT wrote:

If your original drive isn't damaged you can make an exact duplicate of it on the SSD. If you don't know how to do it it would be best to take it into a computer repair shop and see if they will do it for you. It's not real expensive.

Well, my son finally found what we believed was the correct files. Tried LR and it started, but didn't know where the pictures were or the catalog. Found and am trying to import that catalog now. Says there are 74,xxx pictures, so I think it is the one.

Hopefully, by tomorrow, I'll be back up and running. I just shot a wedding yesterday (as a non-paid, non-obtrusive photographer friend). Need to process them as well as a fundraiser I shot today, so I probably have around 800 pics waiting.

Thanks for the help. If I'm still stuck, I'll probably ask again.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Didn't you just clone the old drive onto the new SSD? If you cloned it should just be the old only faster... Of course some software manufacturers think we are all thieves. I have backed up my HD many times from one mechanical to another and never experienced the problem. However I recall when I built a new computer from plug-to-print there were many hoops to jump thru.

I keep all my photos on one smaller SSD, while my programs would be a pain, they could be re-installed... but if photos are gone, well they are gone.

For backup protection ease I use a Hot Swap Door.
EBay: Silverstone FP57B Stackable 5.25-Inch to 3.5-Inch Hot-Swap Drive Bay Adapter $30 free shiping

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

manofhg wrote:

I have just replaced my old hard drive with a soli... (show quote)

Reading some of the answers, I see you're well on your way....
However, I'm posting this anyway, as it might not just help you, but others as well.
IF you purchased any of the Adobe products (Elements, Lr, PS, Premiere....) directly from Adobe (download from their site), you can go back to the Adobe website, and to your account, and all the info you need will be right there, most important of course the key. But also the version of the program you purchased for re-download.
I did this a few months ago, for a new laptop, and I didn't even need the back-up DVD's I made when I purchased the program.

dglphoto Loc: Lynnwood, WA

I don't have Lightroom and have never used it so I cannot speak to that directly.

However, I do own a copy of Recover Keys and have found it to be quite usefull. For a single PC the cost is $29.95 and can be obtained here https://recover-keys.com/

I cannot guarantee that Recover Keys will solve your problem, but the program is amazing.

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

dglphoto wrote:

I don't have Lightroom and have never used it so I cannot speak to that directly.

However, I do own a copy of Recover Keys and have found it to be quite usefull. For a single PC the cost is $29.95 and can be obtained here https://recover-keys.com/

I cannot guarantee that Recover Keys will solve your problem, but the program is amazing.

Or you can use Belarc Advisor, it is free.
I don't use Lr, but since it finds the keys for both PSE and PrE, I imagine it finds the Lr key as well.
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

beorn80 Loc: Battle Creek, Michigan

My setup is like this: Go to zadobe menu put in your e-mail and password.That should put you into your acct with adobe,and should see a list of all things ever purchased with all the long codes,and that should work Good luck!

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

beorn80 wrote:

My setup is like this: Go to zadobe menu put in your e-mail and password.That should put you into your acct with adobe,and should see a list of all things ever purchased with all the long codes,and that should work Good luck!

Only works if you have in fact, an account with Adobe.
I do, but my friend bought PSE14 last year, the boxed version with DVD, and while the program is working just fine with the key provided in the box, she does not have an account with Adobe, nor does she remember registering her copy. Which means that she really has to keep that key in a very safe place!

beorn80 Loc: Battle Creek, Michigan

Gotcha,a thought!