External hard drive/LR
May 23, 2021 18:51:37 #
My EHD is about to die. While it is still working, I want to make an exact copy. I am worried that LR will not recognize the new copy since my photos are stored on my EHD, and not on my hard drive on the computer. How can I remedy this. I am not the most technologically savvy person, as you can probably guess from my question. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
May 23, 2021 19:02:08 #
Sidwalkastronomy
Loc: New Jersey Shore
can't wait for answers. my internal HD almost full and want to move lot of stuff
May 23, 2021 19:08:50 #
Begin by buying a new external HD. Without getting into how / why you think your existing equipment is about to die, make sure the new drive is both larger and more reliable, if applicable.
Just plug them both into a computer and copy everything from one drive to the other. If you have one highest level folder, you can "edit / copy" from the source and "edit / paste" to the target. Do this within the native operating system window, external to LR and while LR is closed.
When everything is copied, disconnect the older drive. If you're on windows, be sure to note the assigned drive letter of the older drive, example "F". If you disconnect and reconnect the new drive, it should pick up the available drive letter assignment. It "should" pickup the same drive letter as used for the old drive. You can also go into disk management in Windows and tell windows to always assign the save drive letter to this specific drive. Use Google to confirm the drive letter assignment process for your version of Windows.
On Mac, after disconnecting the older EHD, you can start LR and find the highest level folder inside the folder view. Right-click that folder and "Update Folder Location", just navigate to the new attached drive and confirm. Everything about LR will recognize you images on this new drive. Those with actual Mac equipment can provide other ideas, if there's something even simpler.
Even if you have multiple 'high-level folders', just copy or drag and drop all the contents of the old drive to the new drive being sure to maintain the exact same folder structures. The new should be a mirror of the old. Do this work all outside LR.
Just plug them both into a computer and copy everything from one drive to the other. If you have one highest level folder, you can "edit / copy" from the source and "edit / paste" to the target. Do this within the native operating system window, external to LR and while LR is closed.
When everything is copied, disconnect the older drive. If you're on windows, be sure to note the assigned drive letter of the older drive, example "F". If you disconnect and reconnect the new drive, it should pick up the available drive letter assignment. It "should" pickup the same drive letter as used for the old drive. You can also go into disk management in Windows and tell windows to always assign the save drive letter to this specific drive. Use Google to confirm the drive letter assignment process for your version of Windows.
On Mac, after disconnecting the older EHD, you can start LR and find the highest level folder inside the folder view. Right-click that folder and "Update Folder Location", just navigate to the new attached drive and confirm. Everything about LR will recognize you images on this new drive. Those with actual Mac equipment can provide other ideas, if there's something even simpler.
Even if you have multiple 'high-level folders', just copy or drag and drop all the contents of the old drive to the new drive being sure to maintain the exact same folder structures. The new should be a mirror of the old. Do this work all outside LR.
May 23, 2021 19:34:51 #
Lady Shasta wrote:
My EHD is about to die. While it is still working, I want to make an exact copy. I am worried that LR will not recognize the new copy since my photos are stored on my EHD, and not on my hard drive on the computer. How can I remedy this. I am not the most technologically savvy person, as you can probably guess from my question. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Welcome to the Hog, Lady Shasta.
May 23, 2021 19:45:01 #
Thank you so much for the information! I do happen to have a new and bigger EHD. I am now going to be brave and try to follow your directions without completely messing up. I really appreciate your help
May 23, 2021 19:45:22 #
May 23, 2021 20:04:16 #
forensics7
Loc: Davidson, NC
I think your first response from the Canon guy pretty much covers it all. I just did the same thing in adding another HD. Remember to go into disk management and name the drive- E- F etc The computer should do the rest other than copying all your photos to the new drive.
May 23, 2021 20:17:12 #
May 23, 2021 20:26:20 #
Lady Shasta wrote:
Thank you so much for the information! I do happen to have a new and bigger EHD. I am now going to be brave and try to follow your directions without completely messing up. I really appreciate your help
Consider using the <quote reply> button for targeted responds. I've now moved my images twice onto larger HDs, currently at 4TB drives (primary and backup). The process described has worked successfully for both hardware migrations.
May 23, 2021 20:59:02 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
On Mac, after disconnecting the older EHD, you can start LR and find the highest level folder inside the folder view. Right-click that folder and "Update Folder Location", just navigate to the new attached drive and confirm. Everything about LR will recognize you images on this new drive. Those with actual Mac equipment can provide other ideas, if there's something even simpler.
On Mac, after disconnecting the older EHD, you can start LR and find the highest level folder inside the folder view. Right-click that folder and "Update Folder Location", just navigate to the new attached drive and confirm. Everything about LR will recognize you images on this new drive. Those with actual Mac equipment can provide other ideas, if there's something even simpler.
This is the easiest/best way to approach it on a Mac. Works like a charm in LR.
May 23, 2021 21:30:50 #
Lady Shasta wrote:
My EHD is about to die. While it is still working, I want to make an exact copy. I am worried that LR will not recognize the new copy since my photos are stored on my EHD, and not on my hard drive on the computer. How can I remedy this. I am not the most technologically savvy person, as you can probably guess from my question. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
You don't mention what operating system you have. Assuming it's Windows 10, copy the contents of the dying drive to the new drive. Then, remove the dying drive and rename the new drive with the same drive letter designation the old one had. Lightroom should then be raring to go.
May 24, 2021 07:54:01 #
May 24, 2021 10:38:24 #
My question is do you have enough ports to plug in both drives simultaneously?
May 24, 2021 12:07:44 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
Begin by buying a new external HD. Without getting... (show quote)
Best me to it.....
May 24, 2021 12:11:38 #
Lady Shasta wrote:
My EHD is about to die. While it is still working, I want to make an exact copy. I am worried that LR will not recognize the new copy since my photos are stored on my EHD, and not on my hard drive on the computer. How can I remedy this. I am not the most technologically savvy person, as you can probably guess from my question. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Do not worry. As long as you occasionally back up your catalog to the external, you can just access that catalog and keep on going. The catalog has all the information about the editing you have done.
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